US4747620A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Security card and security card blank
Assignee: De la Rue Holdings Ltd
•
Filing: 1986-08-13
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Granted: 1988-05-31
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Expires: 2006-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A security card blank comprises a plurality of superposed layers (5,5',6,7,8,9) including a metallic layer (5,5'). The metallic layer comprises any radiation absorbent, metal, metalloid, or their alloys or derivatives, such as oxides or sulphides. The metallic layer (5,5') is positioned within the card blank and is imageable only under the influence of high intensity radiation to produce a security card. After imaging, at least part of the imaged metallic layer is detectable from outside the card.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Kay
- 👤 Martin C. Gomme
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:43
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K1/00; G06K1/12; G06K1/126; B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/40; B42D25/405; B42D25/41; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/08; G06K19/10; G06K19/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A security card blank comprising a plurality of superposed layers including a metallic layer selected from the group of radiation absorbent metals, metalloids and their alloys and derivatives, said metallic layer being positioned within the card blank, said metallic layer being imageable under the influence of high intensity radiation to produce a security card, said metallic layer having a melting point in the range 1500°-2000° C., whereby, after imaging, at least part of said imaged metallic layer is detectable from outside said card.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A security card blank comprising a plurality of superposed layers including a metallic layer selected from the group of radiation absorbent metals, metalloids and their alloys and derivatives, said metallic layer being positioned within the card blank, said metallic layer being imageable under the influence of high intensity radiation to produce a security card, said metallic layer having a melting point in the range 1500°-2000° C., whereby, after imaging, at least part of said imaged metallic layer is detectable from outside said card.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A security card blank according to claim 1, wherein said metallic layer has a thickness in the range 5-30 nm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A security card blank according to claim 1, wherein said metallic layer absorbs, and is imageable with, infra-red radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A security card blank according to claim 1, wherein said metallic layer defines a perimeter, said perimeter of said metallic layer being spaced from the edges of the card blank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A security card constructed from a blank according to claim 1, wherein said metallic layer carries an image which is detectable from outside the card.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A security card according to claim 5, wherein said image in said metallic layer includes at least one portion which contains information unique to the bearer of the card.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A security card according to claim 6, wherein said image comprises a representation of the signature of the bearer of the card.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A security card blank according to claim 1, wherein said metallic layer is imageable under the influence of radiation with a power in the range of substantially 4-10 watts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A security blank according to claim 8, wherein said radiation has a beam diameter of about 25 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A security card comprising a plurality of superposed layers including a metallic layer selected from the group of radiation absorbent metals, metalloids and their alloys and derivatives, said metallic layer being imageable under the influence of high intensity radiation, said metallic layer carrying an image detectable from outside the card, and said metallic layer having a melting point in the range 1500°-2000° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
A security card comprising a plurality of superposed layers including a metallic layer selected from the group of radiation absorbent metals, metalloids and their alloys and derivatives, said metallic layer being imageable under the influence of high intensity radiation, said metallic layer carrying an image detectable from outside the card, and said metallic layer having a melting point in the range 1500°-2000° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A security card according to claim 10, wherein said image in said metallic layer includes at least one portion which contains information unique to the bearer of the card.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A security card according to claim 11, wherein said image comprises a representation of the signature of the bearer of the card.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A security card according to claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said image in said metallic layer is visible to the unassisted human eye.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A security card according to claim 10, further comprising one of a reflection hologram and a transparent optical device contained in a layer adjacent said metallic layer, part of said metallic layer being positioned behind said hologram or transparent device to provide a reflecting surface cooperating with said hologram or device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A security card according to claim 10, wherein said metallic layer is imageable under the influence of radiation with a power in the range of substantially 4-10 watts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A security card according to claim 15, wherein said radiation has a beam diameter of about 25 microns.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
86 words
A security card blank comprising a plurality of superposed layers including a metallic layer selected from the group of radiation absorbent metals, metalloids and their alloys and derivatives, said metallic layer being positioned within the card blank, said metallic layer being imageable under the influence of high intensity radiation to produce a security card, said metallic layer being selected from the group consisting of nichrome, chromium and stainless steel, whereby, after imaging, at least part of said imaged metallic layer is detectable from outside said card.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
86 words
A security card blank comprising a plurality of superposed layers including a metallic layer selected from the group of radiation absorbent metals, metalloids and their alloys and derivatives, said metallic layer being positioned within the card blank, said metallic layer being imageable under the influence of high intensity radiation to produce a security card, said metallic layer being selected from the group consisting of nichrome, chromium and stainless steel, whereby, after imaging, at least part of said imaged metallic layer is detectable from outside said card.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A security card blank according to claim 17, wherein said metallic layer has a thickness in the range 5-30 nm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A security card blank according to claim 17, wherein said metallic layer absorbs, and is imageable with, infrared radiation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A security card blank according to claim 17, wherein said metallic layer defines a perimeter, said perimeter of said metallic layer being spaced from the edges of the card blank.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A security card constructed from a blank according to claim 17, wherein said metallic layer carries an image which is detectable from outside the card.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A security card according to claim 21, wherein said image in said metallic layer includes at least one portion which contains information unique to the bearer of the card.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
A security card according to claim 22, wherein said image comprises a representation of the signature of the bearer of the card.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
A security card blank according to claim 17, wherein said metallic layer is imageable under the influence of radiation with a power in the range of substantially 4-10 watts.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A security card blank according to claim 24, wherein said radiation has a beam diameter of about 25 microns.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
66 words
A security card comprising a plurality of superposed layers including a metallic layer selected from the group of radiation absorbent metals, metalloids and their alloys and derivatives, said metallic layer being imageable under the influence of high intensity radiation, said metallic layer carrying an image detectable from outside the card, and said metallic layer being selected from the group consisting of nichrome, chromium and stainless steel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
A security card comprising a plurality of superposed layers including a metallic layer selected from the group of radiation absorbent metals, metalloids and their alloys and derivatives, said metallic layer being imageable under the influence of high intensity radiation, said metallic layer carrying an image detectable from outside the card, and said metallic layer being selected from the group consisting of nichrome, chromium and stainless steel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
A security card according to claim 26, wherein said image in said metallic layer includes at least one portion which contains information unique to the bearer of the card.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A security card according to claim 27, wherein said image comprises a representation of the signature of the bearer of the card.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
A security card according to claim 26, wherein at least a portion of said image in said metallic layer is visible to the unassisted human eye.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
A security card according to claim 26, further comprising one of a reflection hologram and a transparent optical device contained in a layer adjacent said metallic layer, part of said metallic layer being positioned behind said hologram or transparent device to provide a reflecting surface cooperating with said hologram or device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A security card according to claim 26, wherein said metallic layer is imageable under the influence of radiation with a power in the range of substantially 4-10 watts.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
A security card according to claim 31, wherein said radiation has a beam diameter of about 25 microns.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-31 | 1991-11-30 | 1992-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-31 | 1995-11-30 | 1996-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-31 | 1999-11-30 | 2000-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |