Abstract: A 10-year universal contactless composite card is provided that can be personalized by both color and black&white surface printing and laser-engraving. The card includes a prelam layer or core that is a combination of polyvinyl chloride and polycarbonate. A co-extruded polycarbonate layer is then provided external to the polyvinyl chloride/polycarbonate core. The co-extruded polycarbonate layer is capable of being engraved by a laser. A clear polyvinyl chloride layer, which is capable of accepting printing ink, may then be provided on top of the co-extruded polycarbonate layer, thereby allowing the card to be personalized with either printing techniques or laser-engraving techniques.

Abstract: A thermally stable proximity identification card is provided. The card includes a prelam layer that is a combination of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polycarbonate (PC). The PC provides for efficient heat distribution from electrical components held within the card. By evenly distributing heat, especially around metal components like antennas contained within the prelam, a thermal gradient is minimized between the inside of the card and the outside, thus reducing internal stresses of the identification card.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for printing an image on a substrate. An image is printed onto a carrier substrate that has been coated with a receptive layer having at least two layers: a transferable skin layer and an absorptive layer. The image is then transferred to a final substrate using heat and pressure.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for printing an image on a substrate. An image is printed onto a carrier substrate that has been coated with a receptive layer having at least two layers: a transferable skin layer and an absorptive layer. The image is then transferred to a final substrate using heat and pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides a protective film which includes a base film, a release layer, a protective layer and an adhesive layer. The protective layer is formed using a curable composition. The invention is also directed towards methods of making the protective film of the invention. According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective film is made using a one-step curing process. In an alternate embodiment, the protective film of the invention is formed using a two-step curing process. The invention is also directed towards a method of making a protected data carrying device. According to the invention, the protected data carrying device includes a polymeric substrate and a protective coating. Optionally, the protected data carrying device can include more than one layer of the protective coating. The invention is also directed towards a protected data carrying device which includes a polymeric substrate and the protective coating of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a protective fihn which includes a base film, a release layer, a protective layer and an adhesive layer. The protective layer is formed using a curable composition. The invention is also directed towards methods of making the protective film of the invention. According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective film is made using a one-step curing process. In an alternate embodiment, the protective film of the invention is formed using a two-step curing process. The invention is also directed towards a method of making a protected data carrying device. According to the invention, the protected data carrying device includes a polymeric substrate and a protective coating. Optionally, the protected data caring device can include more than one layer of the protective coating. The invention is also directed towards a protected data carrying device which includes a polymeric substrate and the protective coating of the invention.

Abstract: A cutable topcoat composition and apparatus useful for preparing stable data carrying devices, such as multi-layered laminates, and methods for preparing and using the composition. The composition includes a polymerizable composition and a polymeric binder. The polymerizable composition includes hard and flexible polymerizable subunits in a ratio that optimizes flexibility while retaining good adhesion and plasticizer resistance. In a preferred embodiment, a polymerization initiator is also included in the composition. Optionally, a chain transfer agent may also be added to the composition. The composition is substantially plasticizer free. The methods of using the composition include incorporating the composition into a topcoat film useful for storing the topcoat composition prior to use in preparing data-carrying devices, such as cards.

Abstract: A curable topcoat composition and apparatus useful for preparing stable data carrying devices, such as multi-layered laminates, and methods for preparing and using the composition. The composition includes a polymerizable composition and a polymeric binder. The polymerizable composition includes hard and flexible polymerizable subunits in a ratio that optimizes flexibility while retaining good adhesion and plasticizer resistance. In a preferred embodiment, a polymerization initiator is also included in the composition. Optionally, a chain transfer agent may also be added to the composition. The composition is substantially plasticizer free. The methods of using the composition include incorporating the composition into a topcoat film useful for storing the topcoat composition prior to use in preparing data carrying devices, such as cards.

Abstract: A method for making an optically readable medium containing a relief information track comprising the sequential steps of(a) laminating a dry photohardenable film to a surface of a transparent dimensionally stable substrate;(b) embossing the exposed surface of the photohardenable film with the relief information track by applying thereto under pressure a stamper die containing a reverse relief image of the information track;(c) passing actinic radiation through the transparent substrate and the photohardenable film to effect hardening of the photohardenable film while it is contact with the stamper die; and(d) separating the stamper die from the embossed photohardened film;The embossed film of the medium is made reflective by applying a reflective layer to either the photohardenable film prior to embossing or to the photohardened film subsequent to embossing.

Abstract: A method for making an optically readable medium containing a relief information track comprising the sequential steps of(a) laminating a dry photohardenable film to a surface of a transparent dimensionally stable substrate;(b) embossing the exposed surface of the photohardenable film with the relief information track by applying thereto under pressure a stamper die containing a reverse relief image of the information track;(c) passing actinic radiation through the transparent substrate and the photohardenable film to effect hardening of the photohardenable film while it is contact with the stamper die; and(d) separating the stamper die from the embossed photohardened film;The embossed film of the medium is made reflective by applying a reflective layer to either the photohardenable film prior to embossing or to the photohardened film subsequent to embossing.

Abstract: A method for making an optical image element having a high aspect ratio relief hologram comprising the sequential steps of(a) applying a dry photohardenable film to a surface of a transparent dimensionally stable substrate;(b) embossing the exposed surface of the photohardenable film with the holographic image by applying thereto under pressure a stamper containing a reverse relief image of the hologram having an aspect ratio of at least 3:1;(c) passing actinic radiation through the transparent substrate and the photohardenable film to effect hardening of the photohardenable film while it is in contact with the stamper; and(d) separating the stamper die from the embossed photohardened film.

Abstract: There are provided compounds which give quasi-liquid crystals, which comprise a mesogenic group, which can contain bridging groups, a bridging group and a spiropyran moiety having a 2H pyran ring, a terminal group being attached to the mesogenic group. The mesogenic group contains two aromatic, heterocyclic or cycloaliphatic ring structures. The compounds are prepared by a coupling reaction of mesogenic groups with a spiropyran compound via a suitable bridging group. There is provided a process for producing quasi-liquid crystalline (QLC) films which are useful for producing a wide variety of devices based on the optical non-linearity of generation of second harmonics by such films. Such devices can also be based on ferroelectric, pyroelectric, piezoelectric effects and photoactivity of such oriented QLC films.

Abstract: A cold-setting mixture for the production of casting moulds and cores comprises the following components, in parts by weight:Refractory filler -- 100Binder, viz., novolac phenol-formaldehyde resin -- 0.5 to 5.0Hardener, viz., polyisocyanate -- 0.005 to 1.0Organic solvent -- 0.5 to 5.0Hardening catalyst -- 0.0025 to 5.0The catalyst employed in this mixture is a composition which comprises silicates and aluminates of alkaline-earth metals, cements, slags of ferrochrome manufacturing process, nepheline slurry and basic salts, e.g. sodium carbonate.The catalyst due to easy proportioning thereof, makes it possible to reduce the cost of the mixture, reduce the amount of polyisocyanate required, and simplify the preparation of this mixture.The proposed cold-setting mixture has enhanced strength properties and improves the quality of casting mould and cores being made therefrom.