Abstract: Metal layers of a smartcard may be provided with slits overlapping at least a portion of a module antenna in an associated transponder chip module disposed in the smartcard so that the metal layer functions as a coupling frame. One or more metal layers may be pre-laminated with plastic layers to form a metal core or clad subassembly for a smartcard, and outer printed and/or overlay plastic layers may be laminated to the front and/or back of the metal core. Front and back overlays may be provided. Pre-laminated metal layers having an array of card sites, with each position having a defined area prepared for the later implanting of a transponder chip module characterized by different sized perforations and gaps around this defined area adjacent to the RFID slit(s), to facilitate the quick removal of the metal in creating a pocket to accept a transponder chip module.

Abstract: A floating offshore structure includes a buoyant hull including a first column, a second column, and a pontoon coupled to the first column and the second column. The pontoon extends horizontally from the first column to the second column. The pontoon includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member positioned laterally adjacent to the first tubular member, a first edge plate extending horizontally from the first tubular member, and a second edge plate extending horizontally from the second tubular member. The first tubular member and the second tubular member are disposed between the first edge plate and the second edge plate. Each tubular member has a central axis, a first end coupled to the lower end of the first column, and a second end coupled to the lower end of the second column. The longitudinal axis of the first tubular member and the longitudinal axis of the second tubular member are disposed in a common horizontal plane.

Abstract: Connection bridges (CBR) for dual-interface transponder chip modules (TCM) 200 may have an area which is substantially equal to or greater than an area of a contact pad (CP) of a contact pad array (CPA). A given connection bridge may be L-shaped and may comprise (i) a first portion disposed external to the contact pad array and extending parallel to the insertion direction, and (ii) a second portion extending from an end of the first portion perpendicular to the insertion direction to within the contact pad array (CPA) such as between C1 and C5. The connection bridge may extend around a corner of the contact pad array, may be large enough to accommodate wire bonding, and may be integral with a coupling frame (CF) extending around the contact pad array. The transponder chip modules may be integrated into a smart card (SC).

Abstract: An RFID enabled metal transaction card comprising (i) a transponder chip module (TCM) having a RF payment chip (IC) and a module antenna (MA), (ii) a coupling frame (CF) in the form of a metal card body (MCB) having an electrical discontinuity comprising a slit (S, SCF) and (iii) a discontinuous metal frame (DMF) assembled to the metal card body (MCB) in a peripheral area thereof and having a slit (S, SDMF). The discontinuous metal frame (DMF) is electrically isolated from the metal card body (MCB) and may be coated with an insulating medium. The DMF camouflages the slit in the metal card body and mechanically stabilizes the structure of the card body, especially during insertion in an automatic teller machine (ATM) or point of sale (POS) terminal.

Abstract: Smartcards with metal layers manufactured according to various techniques disclosed herein. One or more metal layers of a smartcard stackup may be provided with slits overlapping at least a portion of a module antenna in an associated transponder chip module disposed in the smartcard so that the metal layer functions as a coupling frame. One or more metal layers may be pre-laminated with plastic layers to form a metal core or clad subassembly for a smartcard, and outer printed and/or overlay plastic layers may be laminated to the front and/or back of the metal core. Front and back overlays may be provided. Various constructions of and manufacturing techniques (including temperature, time, and pressure regimes for laminating) for smartcards are disclosed herein.

Abstract: RFID devices comprising (i) a transponder chip module (TCM, 1410) having an RFIC chip (IC) and a module antenna (MA), and (ii) a coupling frame (CF) having an electrical discontinuity comprising a slit (S) or non-conductive stripe (NCS). The coupling frame may be disposed closely adjacent the transponder chip module so that the slit overlaps the module antenna. The RFID device may be a payment object such as a jewelry item having a metal component modified with a slit (S) to function as a coupling frame. The coupling frame may be moved (such as rotated) to position the slit to selectively overlap the module antennas (MA) of one or more transponder chip modules (TCM-1, TCM-2) disposed in the payment object, thereby selectively enhancing (including enabling) contactless communication between a given transponder chip module in the payment object and another RFID device such as an external contactless reader. The coupling frame may be tubular. A card body construction for a metal smart card is disclosed.

Abstract: Smartcards having (i) a metal card body (MCB) with a slit (S) overlapping a module antenna (MA) of a chip module (TCM) or (ii) multiple metal layers (M1, M2, M3) each having a slit (S1, S2, S3) offset from or oriented differently than each other. A front metal layer may be continuous (no slit), and may be shielded from underlying metal layers by a shielding layer (SL). Metal backing inserts (MBI) reinforcing the slit(s) may also have a slit (S2) overlapping the module antenna. Diamond like carbon coating filling the slit. Key fobs similarly fabricated. Smart cards with metal card bodies (MCB). Plastic-Metal-Plastic smartcards and methods of manufacture are disclosed. Such cards may be contactless only, contact only, or may be dual-interface (contact and contactless) cards.

Abstract: RFID-enabled composite metal transaction cards may include a security layer comprising a hologram or diffraction grating on a metal layer having a slit. The metal layer may reside on a front or rear face, or as a core layer in the construction of the card. The security layer, with or without a carrier layer, may be hot stamped to the metal layer with a protective hard coating, to camouflage the existence of a discontinuity in the metal layer. The metal layer with slit or slits may be coated with a baked-on-ink to provide color and to partially fill the slit or slits. A metal foil, holofoil or a holographic metal film may be provided with a discontinuity in the form of a slit and may be a decorative foil mounted to a card body containing a metal layer with a slit.

Abstract: A transaction card for dual interface communication of a transaction includes a card body, a chip opening, a discontinuity, and a transponder chip. The card body includes a first metal layer having an outer peripheral edge, a first metal face, and a second metal face. The chip opening includes a first chip hole transversely extending from the first metal face toward the second metal face thereby defining a first metal edge surrounding a predetermined hole shape. The discontinuity extends from the outer peripheral edge to the first metal edge. The transponder chip module has a module antenna and is configured to be received within the chip opening. The module antenna defines an outer antenna edge surrounding a predetermined antenna shape such that the predetermined antenna shape is the same as the predetermined hole shape for improved inductive coupling via the discontinuity during use.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing contact, contactless and dual-interface metal transaction cards that provides enhanced durability and aesthetics, with increased production efficiency. The cards may include (i) a metal core subassembly comprising a metal layer or layers (metal inlay) having a slit (S) allowing for contactless functionality, and (ii) a UV hard coat on a release-carrier layer disposed on one or both sides of the metal core subassembly, and (iii) everything may be laminated together in a single step, providing a metal face smartcard. The hard coat provides a durable, scratch-resistant surface, and protects underlying layers while allowing the passage of a laser beam to write on or within the underlying layer(s), such as a transparent laser-reactive layer. Techniques for hiding or camouflaging the slit provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance to the metal transaction card.

Abstract: RFID-enabled metal transaction cards may include a specially treated thin decorative layer attached to a thick core layer of metal or metal layers (with a discontinuity to function as a coupling frame), or a combination of ceramic and metal separated by a polymeric material, wherein the thin decorative layer is designed to provide selected color(s) and/or selected texture(s) to a surface of the metal core cards. The decorative layer may comprise (a) an anodized metal layer with a discontinuity; or (b) a ceramic layer on a flexible polymeric material. A ceramic-containing transaction card may comprise a monolithic ceramic layer of ultra-thin, flexible zirconia. A PET or PEN layer laminated to the ultra-thin ceramic layer may absorb mechanical stress from flexing or torsion of the ceramic card body.

Abstract: Metal layers of a smartcard may be provided with slits overlapping at least a portion of a module antenna in an associated transponder chip module disposed in the smartcard so that the metal layer functions as a coupling frame. One or more metal layers may be pre-laminated with plastic layers to form a metal core or clad subassembly for a smartcard, and outer printed and/or overlay plastic layers may be laminated to the front and/or back of the metal core. Front and back overlays may be provided. Pre-laminated metal layers having an array of card sites, with each position having a defined area prepared for the later implanting of a transponder chip module characterized by different sized perforations and gaps around this defined area adjacent to the RFID slit(s), to facilitate the quick removal of the metal in creating a pocket to accept a transponder chip module.

Abstract: A dog link for a sharp chain conveyor with at least one spike to impale into a log, where at least one forwardly and/or upwardly facing spike on each dog link is combined with at least one rearwardly facing spike and/or barb disposed on a spike to insure that wherever the log is impaled, the dog counteracts any forward surge and more securely impales the log.

Abstract: Proximity cards or contactless smartcards manufactured by folding a metal layer along one or two fold lines to form a metal card body (MCB) having the dimensions of a standard ID-1 smartcard. An antenna structure (AS) on a flexible or rigid circuit sandwiched powering an RFID chip may be disposed between the folded metal layer or metal layers. A smartcard (SC) characterized by a booster antenna (BA) arranged on a rear plastic layer laminated to a front metal layer (ML) having a slit (S). A sense coil (SeC) component may be arranged around the slit, and may overlap the slit in a zigzag fashion or the like. The sense coil may have a loop, spiral or helix shape. The booster antenna may form a closed loop circuit or an open loop circuit.

Abstract: (i) Smartcards (SC) manufactured from a web of metal inlays (MI; FIGS. 12-14) with the coupling frame (CF) forming the metal card body (MCB) supported by metal struts (struts). In the production of smartcards having a coupling frame (CF) with a slit (S), the slit may form part of graphic elements (FIGS. 10-12). (ii) Printing and coating techniques may be used to camouflage the slit (FIGS. 9A-9D). (iii) Surface currents may be collected from one location in a card body (CB) and transported to another location (FIGS. 15AB). A flexible circuit (FC) may be connected to termination points (TP) across the slit (S), or may couple via a patch antenna (PA) with the slit (S). The flexible circuit may couple, via an antenna structure (AS) with the module antenna (MA) of a transponder chip module (TCM).

Abstract: (i) Smartcards (SC) manufactured from a web of metal inlays (MI; FIGS. 12-14) with the coupling frame (CF) forming the metal card body (MCB) supported by metal struts (struts). In the production of smartcards having a coupling frame (CF) with a slit (S), the slit may form part of graphic elements (FIGS. 10-12). (ii) Printing and coating techniques may be used to camouflage the slit (FIGS. 9A-9D). (iii) Surface currents may be collected from one location in a card body (CB) and transported to another location (FIGS. 15AB). A flexible circuit (FC) may be connected to termination points (TP) across the slit (S), or may couple via a patch antenna (PA) with the slit (S). The flexible circuit may couple, via an antenna structure (AS) with the module antenna (MA) of a transponder chip module (TCM).

Abstract: Smartcards with metal layers manufactured according to various techniques disclosed herein. One or more metal layers of a smartcard stackup may be provided with slits overlapping at least a portion of a module antenna in an associated transponder chip module disposed in the smartcard so that the metal layer functions as a coupling frame. One or more metal layers may be pre-laminated with plastic layers to form a metal core or clad subassembly for a smartcard, and outer printed and/or overlay plastic layers may be laminated to the front and/or back of the metal core. Front and back overlays may be provided. Various constructions of and manufacturing techniques (including temperature, time, and pressure regimes for laminating) for smartcards are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A capacitive coupling enhanced (CCE) transponder chip module (TCM) comprises an RFID chip (CM, IC), optionally contact pads (CP), a module antenna (MA), and a coupling frame (CF), all on a common substrate or module tape (MT). The coupling frame (CF, 320A) may be in the form of a ring, having an inner edge (IE), an outer edge IE, 324) and a central opening (OP), disposed closely adjacent to and surrounding the module antenna (MA). A slit (S) may extend from the inner edge (IE) to the outer edge (OE) of the coupling frame (CF) so that the coupling frame (CF) is “open loop”. An RFID device may comprise a transponder chip module (TCM) having a module antenna (MA), a device substrate (DS), and an antenna structure (AS) disposed on the device substrate (DS) and connected with the module antenna (MA). A portion of a conductive layer (CL, 904) remaining after etching a module antenna (MA) may be segmented to have several smaller isolated conductive structures.

Abstract: Smartcard (SC) having a metal card body (MCB) which is a coupling frame (CF) with a slit (S), and a coupling loop antenna/structure (CLA, CLS) connected to termination points (TP) on each side of the slit (S) and coupled with the module antenna (MA) of a transponder chip module (TCM). A portion of the card body (CB) may be metal and another, coplanar portion of the card body may be a synthetic material which may be transparent or translucent. Currents may be collected from the interface between the two portions. The card body (CB) may have two metal layers of different materials, adhesively joined to each other using a thermosetting epoxy that converts from B-stage to C-stage during lamination.

Abstract: Smartcards (SC) having a metal layer (ML) or metal card body (MCB) and a module opening (MO) for a transponder chip module (TCM). A slit (S) or notch (N) in the metal card body may extend from a peripheral edge of a metal layer or card body, without extending to the module opening. A flexible circuit (FC) with one or two patch antennae (PA) or sense coils (SeC) connected to a coupling loop structure (CLS) with an antenna structure (AS) on the same substrate may be incorporated into the card body (CB). A fingerprint sensing module comprising an electrically-conductive metal bezel housed in the card may be electrically isolated from the metal layer or metal card body by the application of coatings (DLC) or anodizing (oxidizing) the respective metal surfaces. The cards may be contactless only, contact only, or dual-interface (contact and contactless).