Abstract: High density metal or mineral particles, sized to be less than 10 microns, are compounded into a base plastic layer to form a compounded composite layer used to form the core layer of the card, any layer of the card or the entire card. The amount of high density particles compounded into the plastic layer is controlled so the card: (a) is at least twice as heavy as any standard PVC card; (b) can be manufactured using standard current plastic card equipment and tooling. (c) is not brittle; and (d) is electrically non-conductive whereby it is not subject to electrostatic discharge properties. The card can include RFID functionality integrated into the card body. The compounded composite layer does not interfere with the integrity of the data communication between an RFID chip packaged in an antenna module and coupled with an embedded booster antenna, and a contactless reader or terminal.

Abstract: High density metal or mineral particles, sized to be less than 10 microns, are compounded into a base plastic layer to form a compounded composite layer used to form the core layer of the card, any layer of the card or the entire card. The amount of high density particles compounded into the plastic layer is controlled so the card: (a) is at least twice as heavy as any standard PVC card; (b) can be manufactured using standard current plastic card equipment and tooling. (c) is not brittle; and (d) is electrically non-conductive whereby it is not subject to electrostatic discharge properties. The card can include RFID functionality integrated into the card body. The compounded composite layer does not interfere with the integrity of the data communication between an RFID chip packaged in an antenna module and coupled with an embedded booster antenna, and a contactless reader or terminal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alpha-amylase blend, including a B. stearothermophilus alpha-amylase (AmyS) wherein the amino acid at position S242 is substituted and a B. licheniformis alpha-amylase The invention also relates to processes using the alpha-amylase blends for starch liquefaction and saccharification, ethanol production, and a sweetener production.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to the use of a glucoamylase in combination with a phytase in starch processing to reduce the levels of phytic acid in end-products.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising variants of alpha-amylase that have alpha-amylase activity and which exhibit altered properties relative to a parent AmyS-like alpha-amylase from which they are derived. The compositions comprise an additional enzyme such as a phytase. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions, and kits related thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising variants of alpha-amylase that have alpha-amylase activity and which exhibit altered properties relative to a parent AmyS-like alpha-amylase from which they are derived. The compositions comprise an additional enzyme such as a phytase. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions, and kits related thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alpha-amylase blend, including a B. stearothermophilus alpha-amylase (AmyS) wherein the amino acid at position S242 is substituted and a B. licheniformis alpha-amylase blends for starch liquefaction and saccharification, ethanol production, and a sweetener production.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising variants of alpha-amylase that have alpha-amylase activity and which exhibit altered properties relative to a parent AmyS-like alpha-amylase from which they are derived. The compositions comprise an additional enzyme such as a phytase. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions, and kits related thereto.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to the use of a glucoamylase in combination with a phytase in starch processing to reduce the levels of phytic acid in end-products.

Abstract: Variants of B. licheniformis alpha-amylase exhibit improved enzymatic performance, including increased themostability and reduced calcium dependence. Compositions comprising the variants are useful in methods of starch processing, starch liquefaction, fermatation, starch saccharification, cleaning, laundrying, textile desizing, baking, and biofilm removal. The nucleic acids encoding the variants are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for liquefying starch comprising contacting a slurry of a starch substrate with an enzyme composition comprising a phytase and an alpha amylase. The invention also relates to an enzyme mixture comprising a phytase derived from Buttiauxella sp. and variants thereof and an alpha amylase.

Abstract: A self-contained imaging system includes a first support, a second support, an imaging layer, and a subbing layer. The imaging layer is capable of producing an image that is viewable through said first support and it is positioned intermediate the first and second supports; the first and second supports are sealed together to present an integral unit. The subbing layer is presented between the first support and the imaging layer. The subbing layer promotes adhesion between the supports and imaging layer, and is preferably selected from a surface pretreatment of the first support with a polyester film or placement of a thermo set material, e.g., a polyester-urethane adhesive.

Abstract: The card includes first support, second support, and imaging layer intermediate the first and second supports. The second support is sealed to the first support. And, the imaging layer includes photosensitive microcapsules that are activated by cylithographic photography to produce an identification card image. Additionally, the identification card includes one or more of the following: (a) an anti-static coating that is applied to the second support on the side opposite the imaging side; (b) magnetic recording media on the second support on the side opposite the imaging side; (c) electronics incorporated into the second support that enables contact or contactless radio frequency access control; (d) a pressure sensitive adhesive or a thermo set adhesive to bond the second support to the imaging layer; (e) an adhesive that is coated onto the second support or the imaging layer prior to sealing the second support to the first support, etc.

Abstract: The card printing system of the present invention includes a cartridge sub-assembly and a printer sub-assembly. The cartridge sub-assembly encloses a stack of horizontally positioned cards that have each been plied with photosensitive microcapsules. The printer sub-assembly interfaced with the cartridge sub-assembly to obtain a card from the stack. The printer sub-assembly then forms a latent image upon the photosensitive microcapsules upon the obtained card and develops that image by applying a mechanical pressure to the photosensitive microcapsules with a developer array. The develop array is a block containing a number spring-loaded developer balls.

Abstract: The card printing system of the present invention includes a cartridge sub-assembly and a printer sub-assembly. The cartridge sub-assembly encloses a stack of horizontally positioned cards that have each been plied with photosensitive microcapsules. The printer sub-assembly interfaced with the cartridge sub-assembly to obtain a card from the stack. The printer sub-assembly then forms a latent image upon the photosensitive microcapsules upon the obtained card and develops that image by applying a mechanical pressure to the photosensitive microcapsules with a developer array. The develop array is a block containing a number spring-loaded developer balls.

Abstract: A reverse image printer that has a backing web carrying a laminate layer upon which a reverse image is printed. The laminate layer is laminated onto a card. The backing web carrying the transfer layer is separated from the laminate layer after the laminate layer and card have been laminated together using a peel-off assembly that guides the backing web at a selected desired separation angle relative to the plane of movement of the card and the laminate layer after lamination. The peel-off assembly uses two guide members to maintain the desired separation angle regardless of changes in diameter of a take-up roller used for the backing web.

Abstract: An overlaminate for application to identification card substrates includes a plurality of overlaminate patches. Each patch has an end and is sized in accordance with the identification card substrates. A linking portion connects the ends of the overlaminate patches. A security mark is located in a predetermined position on each patch. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing the above-identified overlaminate.

Abstract: A printer for printing onto a substrate includes a substrate feed mechanism configured to secure the substrate during printing and a print mechanism configured to print on the substrate. A transceiver is configured to transfer power through a non-physical link to a radio frequency (RF) circuit carried on a printer supply to thereby power the RF circuit. The transceiver also responsively receives printer supply data through a non-physical link from the RF circuit.

Abstract: A reverse image printer that has a backing web carrying a laminate layer upon which a reverse image is printed. The laminate layer is laminated onto a card. The backing web carrying the transfer layer is separated from the laminate layer after the laminate layer and card have been laminated together using a peel-off assembly that guides the backing web at a selected desired separation angle relative to the plane of movement of the card and the laminate layer after lamination. The peel-off assembly uses two guide members to maintain the desired separation angle regardless of changes in diameter of a take-up roller used for the backing web.

Abstract: An image is printed onto a substrate having a surface. A coating is applied to the surface which includes a reactive water dispersible species and a solvent. An image is printed onto the coated substrate using an ink jet printer which supplies aqueous ink to thereby form the image on the substrate.