Abstract: A method is provided by the invention for making a security document comprising a thermoplastic substrate with a UV light cured printed image that is less likely to result in splitting of the ink of the UV light cured printed image during the lamination step of forming the thermoplastic substrate. The UV light cured image is applied to an interior thermoplastic layer surface of a stack of thermoplastic layers configured to form a thermoplastic substrate upon lamination of the stack and comprises numerous small sub-portions having small gaps between them sufficient to permit relative movement of individual sub-portions during lamination, the thermoplastic layer(s) from the ultraviolet light cured image to an exterior surface of the stack being sufficiently see-through that the image is visible upon viewing the security document.

Abstract: Micro-structures are formed within multilayer laminate security documents by embossing and/or debossing one or more thermoplastic layers prior to lamination of the layers. The embossed and/or debossed structures are arranged and/or formed in a way that creates a number of different security features, including a watermark formed by a relief micro-structure pattern on an opaque film (layer), a multi-color optically variable device, a 3-dimensional feature over kinegram/metallic ink and/or embossment/debossment over printed surfaces.

Abstract: A method is provided by the invention for making a security document comprising a thermoplastic substrate with a UV light cured printed image that is less likely to result in splitting of the ink of the UV light cured printed image during the lamination step of forming the thermoplastic substrate. The UV light cured image is applied to an interior thermoplastic layer surface of a stack of thermoplastic layers configured to form a thermoplastic substrate upon lamination of the stack and comprises numerous small sub-portions having small gaps between them sufficient to permit relative movement of individual sub-portions during lamination, the thermoplastic layer(s) from the ultraviolet light cured image to an exterior surface of the stack being sufficiently see-through that the image is visible upon viewing the security document.

Abstract: Micro-structures are formed within multilayer laminate security documents by embossing and/or debossing one or more thermoplastic layers prior to lamination of the layers. The embossed and/or debossed structures are arranged and/or formed in a way that creates a number of different security features, including a watermark formed by a relief micro-structure pattern on an opaque film (layer), a multi-color optically variable device, a 3-dimensional feature over kinegram/metallic ink and/or embossment/debossment over printed surfaces.

Abstract: A hockey skate includes a composite boot form having a rigid lower portion and a less rigid upper portion. The upper portion may be made of a thermoformable material that conforms to the shape of a wearer's foot and ankle. The construction of the boot form—particularly the lower portion of the boot form—may be varied across different size ranges by, for example, varying the fiber angles in the composite material. Varying the stiffness of the lower portion of the boot form in this manner allows the flexibility of different sized boots to be substantially equalized. A skate quarter and other skate-boot features may readily be attached to the upper portion of the boot form via stitching, rivets, or other connectors. The boot form also may include an integral toe cap having a flange or other element to which the skate tongue and other elements may be connected.

Abstract: A method is provided for laminating a thermoplastic layer to at least a print area of a printed thermoplastic substrate (e.g. a polycarbonate substrate and laminate layer). A printed thermoplastic substrate comprises a print area on which an image (e.g. a portrait) is printed (e.g. by inkjet printing), the print area comprising a pattern of recessed cells separated by bridges. Each cell comprises recessed image receiving surfaces below a nominal surface of the print area for holding the ink of the printed image. The bridges have surface areas above the ink and the surface areas of the bridges comprising enough of the print area to provide lamination bonding areas. Using heat and pressure, a thermoplastic layer is laminated to at least the print area of the thermoplastic substrate to form lamination bonding between the thermoplastic layer and the lamination bonding areas provided by the surface areas of the bridges.

Abstract: A method is provided for laminating a thermoplastic layer to at least a print area of a printed thermoplastic substrate (e.g. a polycarbonate substrate and laminate layer). A printed thermoplastic substrate comprises a print area on which an image (e.g. a portrait) is printed (e.g. by inkjet printing), the print area comprising a pattern of recessed cells separated by bridges. Each cell comprises recessed image receiving surfaces below a nominal surface of the print area for holding the ink of the printed image. The bridges have surface areas above the ink and the surface areas of the bridges comprising enough of the print area to provide lamination bonding areas. Using heat and pressure, a thermoplastic layer is laminated to at least the print area of the thermoplastic substrate to form lamination bonding between the thermoplastic layer and the lamination bonding areas provided by the surface areas of the bridges.

Abstract: A skate assembly includes a shell structure and a removable tendon guard. The shell structure includes a heel portion, a lateral ankle portion, and a medial ankle portion. The heel portion is formed to cover a human heel. The lateral ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The medial ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The lateral ankle portion and the medial ankle portion are spaced apart to form a notch extending toward the heel portion. The removable tendon guard is removably attached between the lateral ankle portion and medial ankle portion to cover the notch.

Abstract: A hockey skate includes a composite boot form having a rigid lower portion and a less rigid upper portion. The upper portion may be made of a thermoformable material that conforms to the shape of a wearer's foot and ankle. The construction of the boot form—particularly the lower portion of the boot form—may be varied across different size ranges by, for example, varying the fiber angles in the composite material. Varying the stiffness of the lower portion of the boot form in this manner allows the flexibility of different sized boots to be substantially equalized. A skate quarter and other skate-boot features may readily be attached to the upper portion of the boot form via stitching, rivets, or other connectors. The boot form also may include an integral toe cap having a flange or other element to which the skate tongue and other elements may be connected.

Abstract: A skate assembly includes a shell structure and a removable tendon guard. The shell structure includes a heel portion, a lateral ankle portion, and a medial ankle portion. The heel portion is formed to cover a human heel. The lateral ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The medial ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The lateral ankle portion and the medial ankle portion are spaced apart to form a notch extending toward the heel portion. The removable tendon guard is removably attached between the lateral ankle portion and medial ankle portion to cover the notch.

Abstract: A skate assembly includes a shell structure and a removable tendon guard. The shell structure includes a heel portion, a lateral ankle portion, and a medial ankle portion. The heel portion is formed to cover a human heel. The lateral ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The medial ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The lateral ankle portion and the medial ankle portion are spaced apart to form a notch extending toward the heel portion. The removable tendon guard is removably attached between the lateral ankle portion and medial ankle portion to cover the notch.

Abstract: A skate boot includes a tongue configured to reduce or relieve pressure on the superficial tendons of the anterior region of a skater's foot. The tongue has an outer portion, an inner portion, and one or more channels, grooves, or openings formed in the inner portion or outer portion. The one or more channels, grooves, or openings are positioned to overlie one or more of the superficial tendons in the anterior region of a skater's foot.

Abstract: A skate assembly includes a shell structure and a removable tendon guard. The shell structure includes a heel portion, a lateral ankle portion, and a medial ankle portion. The heel portion is formed to cover a human heel. The lateral ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The medial ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The lateral ankle portion and the medial ankle portion are spaced apart to form a notch extending toward the heel portion. The removable tendon guard is removably attached between the lateral ankle portion and medial ankle portion to cover the notch.

Abstract: A skate assembly includes a shell structure and a removable tendon guard. The shell structure includes a heel portion, a lateral ankle portion, and a medial ankle portion. The heel portion is formed to cover a human heel. The lateral ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The medial ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The lateral ankle portion and the medial ankle portion are spaced apart to form a notch extending toward the heel portion. The removable tendon guard is removably attached between the lateral ankle portion and medial ankle portion to cover the notch.

Abstract: A skate assembly includes a shell structure and a removable tendon guard. The shell structure includes a heel portion, a lateral ankle portion, and a medial ankle portion. The heel portion is formed to cover a human heel. The lateral ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The medial ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The lateral ankle portion and the medial ankle portion are spaced apart to form a notch extending toward the heel portion. The removable tendon guard is removably attached between the lateral ankle portion and medial ankle portion to cover the notch.

Abstract: A skate boot includes a foot portion configured to receive and secure a foot of a wearer. The skate boot includes a first tendon guard positioned proximal an Achilles tendon of a wearer of the skate boot, the first tendon guard being connected to the foot portion at a first articulation point and adjacent the foot portion along a medial abutment line and a lateral abutment line. The skate boot may optionally include a second tendon guard connected to the foot portion at a second articulation point and to the first tendon guard, the second tendon guard covering the first articulation point. In at least one embodiment, an elastomeric band is connected to the foot portion and to the first tendon guard and configured to bias the first tendon guard to a closed position. In at least one embodiment, an electrical generator is provided to heat an ice skate interconnected to the boot.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of printed security documents and, more particularly, to security documents and methods of making security documents bearing enhanced security features. The security documents may include identification documents or any other known documents of value. The security document includes a transparent window area with an ultraviolet blocking agent incorporated therein. Invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed on respective opposite sides of the ultraviolet blocking agent within the region of the transparent window area. When either the face side or back side of the security document is illuminated with ultraviolet light, only the pattern printed proximate that side within the area of the transparent window becomes visible. When both face and back sides are simultaneously illuminated with ultraviolet light, the patterns printed on both sides of the ultraviolet blocking agent within the area of the transparent window become visible at the same time.

Abstract: An identification document and method of making such a document includes a transparent window which incorporates micro printing and lenticular technology to record document bearer specific information on a microscopic and macroscopic level. A window is punched into an opaque layer, respective laser engravable synthetic transparent layers are laminated to opposing sides of the opaque layer, and respective protective synthetic transparent layers are laminated to the outer sides of the two laser engravable synthetic transparent layers. A lenticular array is then formed on the front of the window in the associated protective synthetic transparent layer and then document bearer specific information is micro printed using a laser inscribing into the rear of the window in the laser engravable synthetic transparent layers.

Abstract: A hard laminate sheet for security booklets and method of making the same. The laminate sheet comprises at least two hard core layers (e.g. of polycarbonate) and a flexible component (e.g. nylon) there between and extending beyond an outer edge of the core layers to form a flexible band. The flexible component may be provided as an intermediate layer also comprising a hard component (e.g. of polycarbonate) juxtaposed with the flexible component and laminated to the adjacent core layers. The flexible component comprises a plurality of apertures within which material of the adjacent core layers is laminated together and affixes the flexible component to the laminate sheet. Additional hard core layers may be laminated to the core layers which sandwich the intermediate layer. Optionally, the laminate sheet may be used for a travel document (such as a passport) and may be laser engraved.