# US 2020/0323084 A1 · Method for depositing functional traces > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0323084 A1 - Document ID: US20200323084A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/492,001 - Filed: 2018-03-08 - Published: 2020-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-09 - Assignees: MGI Digital Technology; Inkjet Engine Technology - Applicants: Mgi Digital Technology; Inkjet Engine Technology - Inventors: Edmond ABERGEL; Louis GAUTIER LE BOULCH; Clement BEGES - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200323084A1 ## CPC - H05K 3/046: {by selective transfer or selective detachment of a conductive layer} - G06K 19/0723: {the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs} - H05K 2201/0129: Thermoplastic polymer, e.g. auto-adhesive layer; Shaping of thermoplastic polymer - H05K 2201/0145: Polyester, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate [PET], polyethylene naphthalate [PEN] - H05K 2203/013: Inkjet printing, e.g. for printing insulating material or resist - H05K 2203/0156: Temporary polymeric carrier or foil, e.g. for processing or transferring - H05K 2203/0522: Using an adhesive pattern - H05K 2203/0528: Patterning during transfer, i.e. without preformed pattern, e.g. by using a die, a programmed tool or a laser - H05K 2203/122: Organic non-polymeric compounds, e.g. oil, wax or thiol - H05K 2203/1545: Continuous processing, i.e. involving rolls moving a band-like or solid carrier along a continuous production path - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract The present invention relates to a printing method comprising a step of printing a pattern on a substrate, preferably by ink jet printing, followed by a gold plating step by means of contact between the pre-printed pattern to be gold plated and a gold plating deposition device, such as a preferably conductive metal sheet, e.g. a multilayer film comprising a preferably conductive metal sheet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for depositing traces of functional material on a substrate in a printing machine comprising a printing station followed by a film-applying station, comprising the following steps: a. providing the substrate, b. printing, in the printing station, a printing product according to a pattern on the substrate, c. providing a film comprising at least one application film coating comprising a material B, a film coating of functional material and a transport layer, d. applying, in the film-applying station, the film onto the substrate under pressure and temperature conditions leading to the selective co-adhesion between the pattern printing product and the application film coating, e. removing the film from the substrate, e. 1. the substrate comprising the application film coating co-adhered to the pattern printing product and thus forming the traces of functional material according to said pattern, e.2. the remainder of the film coating of functional material, and preferably of the application film coating, being recovered with the film removed, wherein the printing product comprises a thermoplastic material A, the material B of the application film coating is thermoplastic, the materials A and B each have a glass transition temperature Tg, and that the conditions of step d are such that the Tgs of each of the materials A and B are achieved and that chemical bonds are created between the materials A and B. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printing product is a UV ink and/or a UV varnish and in that it comprises a thermosetting material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the printing product is crosslinked after printing and before application of the film, for example by means of LED and/or of UV radiation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein after deposition/crosslinking, this UV varnish and/or UV ink forms a film coating which is characterized by a Tg value of between 0° C. and 200° C. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the printing product is a toner. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein after deposition, this toner forms a film coating which is characterized by a Tg value of between 0° C. and 200° C. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application film coating comprises at least 50% by weight of the thermoplastic material B. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material B is characterized by a Tg value of between 0° C. and 200° C. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application film coating is characterized by a Tg value of between 40° C. and 80° C. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of applying, in the applying station, the film onto the substrate is carried out at an application temperature of between 70° C. and 190° C. or between 130° C. and 170° C. ### Claim 11 (canceled) ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the functional material of the film coating of functional material is electrically conductive. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the functional material of the film coating of functional material comprises copper and/or silver, and/or tin and/or chromium and/or gold and/or aluminum, and/or conductive alloys. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film coating of functional material has a thickness of at least 200 nm or at least 500 nm. ### Claim 15 (canceled) ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film comprises a release film coating included between the film coating of functional material and the transport layer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the release film coating comprises electrically conductive material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film comprises a protective film coating included between the film coating of functional material and, either the transport layer, or a release film coating included between the film coating of functional material and the transport layer, said protective film coating comprising electrically conductive material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in any claim 1, wherein the film does not comprise a protective film coating for the film coating of functional material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printing of the printing product is relief printing of the printing pattern carried out by inkjet printing. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising printing insulating traces in a single pass in the printing machine. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The use of the method as claimed in claim 1, for the fabrication of chipless radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags further comprising generation of an identification code that can be read by an electromagnetic-wave emitter-receiver.