Secure id badge construction utilizing inkjet printing

#The present invention relates generally to image retaining laminates. More particularly, the present invention relates to imaged security laminates for such things as identification cards.

#A laminate in accordance with the present invention may be utilized for such things as identification cards. Identification cards and related products have been used for many years as a means for persons to establish their identity and credentials. Examples of identification cards include customer loyalty cards, corporate identification cards, and drivers licenses. These identification cards may include a number of images.

#One popular method of imaging identification cards has been through the use of a printing process known as diffusion dye thermal transfer (D2T2). In this printing process, heat is utilized to cause a colored dye to migrate into a layer of the card construction. This process is described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,738 entitled Security Card and Method for Making Same. Despite its obvious utility, the D2T2 imaging process is a relatively expensive one, both in the cost associated with the equipment to perform this process, and the cost associated in the required printing ribbons. In addition, only a small fraction of the dyes contained on the D2T2 printing ribbon is transferred to a card, with the remainder of the dyes on the printer ribbon thus being waste.

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sheet in accordance with an additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a sheet in accordance with an additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is a plan view of a micro-embossed sheet in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

#The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like fashion. The drawings which are highly diagrammatic, depict selected embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Examples of constructions, materials, dimensions, and manufacturing processes are provided for various elements. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives which may be utilized.

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sheet 10 in accordance with the present invention. Sheet 10 includes a first surface 12. A plurality of features 14 are disposed on first surface 12. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, each feature 14 comprises a post 16 having a top 18. Tops 18 of posts 16 define a plane of a second surface 20.

#Many embodiments of features 14 are possible without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Examples of features which may be suitable in some applications include projections which generally protrude from a reference surface, cavities which are generally recessed relative to a reference surface, and particles such as beads which are preferably bondable to first surface 12. A “micro-embossed” or “microstructured” sheet in accordance with the present invention may have a topography in which the average pitch, that is, the center to center distance between features, is from about 1 to about 2000 micrometers and average peak to valley distances of individual features is from about 1 to about 200 micrometers.