US5413839A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Transfer film
Assignee: De la Rue International Ltd
•
Filing: 1991-07-12
•
Granted: 1995-05-09
•
Expires: 2011-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A transfer film for use, for example, with security documents includes a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern, and a retaining layer overlying and releasably filling the concavities of the pattern defining layer. The pattern defining layer is removable from the retaining layer to transfer the relief pattern from the pattern defining layer to the retaining layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Chatwin
- 👤 Karen S. Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:44
CPC Classifications
B; B44; B44C; B44C1/00; B44C1/16; B44C1/165; B44C1/17; B44C1/1712; B44C1/1716; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/30; B42D25/324; B42D25/40; B42D25/405; B42D25/425; B44C1/172; B42D2033/24; B42D25/318; B42D25/36; B42D25/373; B42D25/378; B42D25/45; B42D25/455; B42D25/465; B42D25/47; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/914; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24612; Y10T428/2462; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24843; Y10T428/24851; Y10T428/2486; Y10T428/24868; Y10T428/24876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A transfer film comprising a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern; and a retaining layer overlying and releasably filling the concavities of the pattern defining layer, the pattern defining layer being removable from the retaining layer to leave the parts of the retaining layer filling the concavities defining the relief pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
A transfer film comprising a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern; and a retaining layer overlying and releasably filling the concavities of the pattern defining layer, the pattern defining layer being removable from the retaining layer to leave the parts of the retaining layer filling the concavities defining the relief pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein the retaining layer is colored.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein the pattern defining layer comprises a carrier layer having a coating into which the concavities are embossed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The film according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer provided on the surface of the retaining layer facing away from the pattern defining layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The film according to claim 4, wherein the adhesive layer is a heat activatable adhesive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein the pattern defining layer is printed on its surface facing the retaining layer such that the printing will transfer on to the retaining layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The film according to claim 6, wherein the printing defines security indicia.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The film according to claim 1, further comprising a metallic layer releasably applied to the pattern defining layer for transfer with the retaining layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein the retaining layer comprises a clay, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate or zirconium oxide composition in an aqueous dispersion with an emulsion polymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The film according to claim 1, further comprising a release layer in the concavities.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The film according to claim 10, wherein the release layer comprises a wax composition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The film according to claim 1, wherein the retaining layer is adapted to receive a signature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method for making the transfer film according to claim 1, comprising providing a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern; releasably filling the concavities with a relief material; and covering the pattern defining layer with a retaining layer overlying the concavities so as to adhere to the relief material wherein the pattern defining layer is removable from the retaining layer and the relief material to leave the relief material defining the relief pattern on the retaining layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A film according to claim 1, wherein said concavities comprise a depth in the range of 50-120 microns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A film according to claim 1, wherein said concavities comprise a depth in the range of 100-125 microns.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of forming a transfer film, the method comprising providing a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern; overlying and releasably filling the concavities of the pattern defining layer with a retaining layer wherein the pattern defining layer is removable from the retaining layer to leave the parts of the retaining layer filling the concavities defining the relief pattern.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of forming a transfer film, the method comprising providing a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern; overlying and releasably filling the concavities of the pattern defining layer with a retaining layer wherein the pattern defining layer is removable from the retaining layer to leave the parts of the retaining layer filling the concavities defining the relief pattern.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 16, further comprising providing a release layer in the concavities prior to filling the concavities.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the pattern defining layer is provided on a support layer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the pattern defining layer comprises polyethylene.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the pattern defining layer is corona treated on its surface facing the retaining layer so as to decrease the release properties of the surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 16, further comprising printing the pattern defining layer on its surface facing the retaining layer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein the printing is provided by dry or wet offset lithography.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein the printing defines security indica such as, alphanumeric characters, signs, symbols, logos, geometric designs or fine line tracings.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the retaining layer is colored.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the retaining layer comprises a clay, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate, zirconium oxide or other white or mutely colored pigment composition in an aqueous dispersion with an emulsion polymer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the retaining layer is adapted to receive a signature.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of forming the concavities with a depth in the range of 50-120 microns.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of forming the concavities with a depth in the range of 100-125 microns.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
71 words
A transfer film comprising a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern, the concavities being releasably filled with a relief material; and a retaining layer overlying the concavities of the pattern defining layer so as to adhere to the relief material, the pattern defining layer being removable from the retaining layer and the relief material to leave the relief material defining the relief pattern on the retaining layer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
71 words
A transfer film comprising a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern, the concavities being releasably filled with a relief material; and a retaining layer overlying the concavities of the pattern defining layer so as to adhere to the relief material, the pattern defining layer being removable from the retaining layer and the relief material to leave the relief material defining the relief pattern on the retaining layer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The film according to claim 29, wherein the relief material comprises an ink.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
The film according to claim 29, wherein the retaining layer is colored.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The film according to claim 29, wherein the pattern defining layer comprises a carrier layer having a coating into which the concavities are embossed.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The film according to claim 2, further comprising an adhesive layer provided on the surface of the retaining layer facing away from the pattern defining layer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The film according to claim 33, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a heat activatable adhesive.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
The film according to claim 29, wherein the pattern defining layer is printed on its surface facing the retaining layer such that the printing will transfer on to the retaining layer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The film according to claim 35, wherein the printing defines security indicia.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
A film according to claim 29, further comprising a metallic layer formed on at least part of the retaining layer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
The film according to claim 29, wherein the retaining layer comprises a clay, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate or zirconium oxide composition in an aqueous dispersion with an emulsion polymer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The film according to claim 29, further comprising a release layer in the concavities.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The film according to claim 39, wherein the release layer comprises a wax composition.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The film according to claim 29, wherein the retaining layer is adapted to receive a signature.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
A film according to claim 29, wherein said concavities comprise a depth in the range of 50-120 microns.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
A film according to claim 29, wherein said concavities comprise a depth in the range of 100-125 microns.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of forming a transfer film, the method comprising providing a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern; releasably filling the concavities with a relief material; and covering the pattern defining layer with a retaining layer overlying the concavities so as to adhere to the relief material wherein the pattern defining layer is removable from the retaining layer and the relief material to leave the relief material defining the relief pattern on the retaining layer.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of forming a transfer film, the method comprising providing a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern; releasably filling the concavities with a relief material; and covering the pattern defining layer with a retaining layer overlying the concavities so as to adhere to the relief material wherein the pattern defining layer is removable from the retaining layer and the relief material to leave the relief material defining the relief pattern on the retaining layer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein the relief material comprises an ink.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 45, wherein the ink is selected from colored opaque inks, translucent inks, solvent responsive (fugitive) inks, metallic inks, colour metallic inks, ultraviolet, visible or infra-red radiation responsive inks, photochromic inks, anti-Stokes inks, optically variable inks, iridescent inks, and sensor responsive inks such as magnetic inks.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 44, further comprising providing a release layer in the concavities prior to filling the concavities.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein the pattern defining layer comprises polyethylene.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein the pattern defining layer is corona treated on its surface facing the retaining layer so as to decrease the release properties of the surface.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 44, further comprising printing the pattern defining layer on its surface facing the retaining layer.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 50, wherein the printing is provided by dry or wet offset lithography.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 50, wherein the printing defines security indicia.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 52, wherein said security indicia is selected from the group consisting of alphanumeric characters, signs, symbols, logos, geometric designs and fine line tracings.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein the retaining layer is colored.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein the retaining layer comprises a member selected from the group consisting of clay, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate and zirconium oxide.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein the retaining layer comprises a white or mutely colored pigment composition in an aqueous dispersion with an emulsion polymer.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein a signature panel is formed on the retaining layer.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 44, further comprising the step of forming the concavities with a depth in the range of 50-120 microns.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 44, further comprising the step of forming the concavities with a depth in the range of 100-125 microns.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
57 words
A transfer film comprising a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern, and a retaining layer overlying and releasably filling the concavities of the pattern defining layer, wherein the pattern defining layer is removable from the retaining layer so as to transfer the relief pattern from the pattern defining layer to the retaining layer.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
57 words
A transfer film comprising a pattern defining layer having concavities defining an inverted relief pattern, and a retaining layer overlying and releasably filling the concavities of the pattern defining layer, wherein the pattern defining layer is removable from the retaining layer so as to transfer the relief pattern from the pattern defining layer to the retaining layer.
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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) | 1998-05-08 | 1998-11-07 | 1999-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-08 | 2002-11-07 | 2003-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-08 | 2006-11-07 | 2007-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |