US 4,790,893 AGranted

Replication of information carriers

AssigneeHallmark Cards, Incorporated

InventorJohn B. Watkins

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Abstract

A process for producing an information carrier containing recorded audio and/or video information wherein a web of a thermoplastic material is extruded onto the patterned surface of a metal master and pressure is applied to force said thermoplastic material into contact with the metal master. The thermpolastic material is cooled to a temperature below its softening point to form an imaged thermpolastic web which is separated from the metal master. Then a thin film of metal particles is deposited on the imaged surface of the thermoplastic web and said metallized thermpolastic web is laminated with a substrate carrying an uncured coating of a radiation curable resin. The resin is cured and individual information carriers are separated from the web of information carrying laminate. A center hole is placed in the separated individual information carriers, when appropriate.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A process for replicating an information carrier containing stored digitally encoded information which comprises:

(a) extruding in the form of a web a thermoplastic material at a temperature above its softening point onto a patterned surface of a master, the patterned surface of said master having vertically displaced areas corresponding to digitally encoded information;
(b) applying pressure to force said thermoplastic material into contact with the patterned surface of the master;
(c) cooling the thermoplastic material to a temperature below its softening point to form an imaged thermoplastic web carrying a replication of the patterned surface from the master;
(d) separating from the master the imaged thermoplastic web;
(e) depositing a thin film of metal particles on the imaged surface of said imaged thermoplastic web to provide for a metallized imaged surface on said imaged thermoplastic web;
(f) laminating a substrate carrying an uncured coating of a radiation curable resin onto said metallized imaged surface of said imaged theromoplastic web to form a web of information carrying laminate;
(g) radiation said laminate to cure the resin substantially instantaneously;
and
(h) removing an individual information carrier from said web of information carrying laminate.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/887,902Filed 18 Jul 1986 · continuation in part
Priority: 19 Jul 1984
Granted: 13 Dec 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

B29C 43/222
Of articles of indefinite length: characterised by the shape of the surface
B29C 59/02
Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor: by mechanical means, e.g. pressing
G11B 7/263
Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of record carriers: preparing and using a stamper, e.g. pressing or injection molding…
B29C 43/00
Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material