MXPA00010395A - Method for making a wallet card with an integral magnifying lens - Google Patents

Abstract

A wallet card (10) adapted for use in reading externally stored information includes a transparent, substantially non-foldable semi-rigid base (202). The semi-rigid base comprises a magnifying lens. The lens is formed by heating a lens forming die (210) to a temperature sufficient to soften the base material and then cooling the die prior to withdrawing the die from the base material.

Description

METHOD OF MAKING A CARD CARD WITH AN INTEGRATED INCREASE LENS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation in part of the co-pending US Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 758,640 filed on November 27, 1996, which is a continuation in part of the Patent Application.

• US Serial No. 08 / 582,601 filed January 3, 1996, now US Patent No. 5,608,203, which is a continuation of US Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 250,801 filed on May 27, 1994, the which is a continuation in part of the Patent Application US Serial No. 08 / 197,218, filed on February 16, 1994, now US Patent No. 5,434,405, which is a continuation in part of US Patent Application Serial No. 07 / 834,490, filed on February 12, 1992, now United States Patent No. 5,412,199. 2. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to pocket magnifiers and is especially directed to a wallet card, such as a credit card, having an integrated magnifying lens. 3. PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE Reading lenses have been around for a long time and magnifying lenses are available to help people read books, documents and the like without the use of reading glasses. These are particularly useful when the person finds small impressions during an activity that makes it inconvenient to stop and put on reading glasses. As an example, a book mark such as that shown in US Pat. No. 3,140,883 issued to R.L. Anthony on July 14, 1964 can be integrally linked to a book such as a telephone directory or a dictionary, where the end of the bookmark is provided with a sealed receptacle for receiving a plastic magnifying lens. The magnifying lenses can be moved up and down the page as desired to provide the amplification of the text in the book. This allows the user to read the text without first putting on his glasses. A pocket magnifying glass such as that shown in US Patent 3,409,347 issued to R. Vogel on November 5, 1968 includes a bag adapted to be carried in the pocket of the user's chest or hip or in a purse or wallet. The lens is formed of a material in the form of a transparent plastic sheet having a substantial degree of rigidity and fresnel lens contours molded on its upper surface. The unit lens can be retractably slid toward and extended out of the pocket. The pocket magnifier can be easily used to amplify small impressions and the like when the user is in a place where it is not feasible or desirable to stop an activity to put on reading glasses. Other examples of lens lenses for special purposes are shown by way of example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,044,889 entitled "Cosmetic Container Including an Integrated Lens Frame", issued to S. Orentreich et al., On August 30. , 1977, and U.S. Patent No. 4,393,610 entitled "Card Containing a Micro-Film and Associated Reading Lens and Process for Forming the Same", granted to D. Adrián on July 19, 1983. With the increasingly extensive use of cards of credit and other transaction cards, there is an increasing requirement that the card user be able to verify a transaction at the point of use. This means that the user must be able to read the card's invoice to determine the accuracy of the information before signing the bill to indicate its acceptance. Since most of the information on the invoice is printed by impact on a carbon or carbonless form, the printout must be controlled not only in size, but is often of a low contrast with respect to the form paper. base. This makes the form difficult to read, particularly for those who normally require reading glasses. Also, when the transaction card is used, it is often not convenient to take time to put on reading glasses before receiving the bill from the • card. Although pocket loupes of the prior art could be used for this purpose, the use of such devices requires a separate activity, which does not provide a great improvement over the use of eyeglasses. reading. As a result, many credit card users simply do not take the time and effort to verify exactly one transaction at the point of sale, depending on the seller for the accuracy of the information. A transaction card that incorporates a magnifying lens has been proposed in the Kokai Japanese Model and Utility Application No. 2-56680 published on April 24, 1990. This reference, however, does not disclose a method for efficiently manufacturing such a card.

Therefore, there remains a need for a practical, inexpensive method for manufacturing a financial transaction card with an integrated magnifying lens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object and feature of the subject invention is to provide a financial transaction card having an integrated magnifying lens that allows the user to immediately verify financial transactions at the point of sale without requiring First, the user should wear reading glasses or similar. Another object and feature of the invention is to increase the use of credit cards by allowing immediate verification of credit card transactions by users who normally have difficulty reading small printouts, without requiring an additional activity to place a magnifying lens or put on reading glasses. Another object and feature of the invention object 0 is to provide a credit card having an integrated magnifying lens and adapted to amplify small prints generally used in the confined space of the credit card transaction form. Yet another object and feature of the invention is to provide a lens integrated in a financial transaction card, where the lens does not interfere with the machine-readable information required on the card to complete a transaction at a point of sale. • The subject invention is directed to a wallet card, such as a credit card or the like, which incorporates an integrated magnifying lens. The use of the card of the subject invention automatically places a magnifying lens at the user's disposal, whereby, for example, the user can immediately verify a financial transaction at the point of sale without first putting on magnifying glasses or taking time and effort to put on reading glasses. As an illustrative example, the invention is particularly useful when credit card transactions are made during an activity where the user would normally not be using his reading glasses. For example, during sports or other activities or activities where a person does not normally find reading material, it may be desirable to make a transaction with a credit card to pay for the equipment rental or similar user fees. By using the credit card of the subject invention, the user can immediately read and verify the financial transaction at the point of sale by placing the magnifying lens incorporated in the credit card on the printed material on the transaction form. In this way, the printing is amplified with the card used for the transaction, eliminating the need to place a pocket magnifying glass or to take the time and effort required to put on reading glasses to verify the transaction. In a preferred form of the invention, a typical card model is subdivided into a plurality of zones, specifically a data area and a zone without data. The zone without data is adapted to receive and carry readable information by the machine according to the requirements of the ISO standards. The information can be carried on the card in the form of a strip such as a magnetic strip that includes magnetically encoded information, alphanumeric characters stamped to create an impression on the transaction form of the credit card, a bar code or variations thereof, and for electronic data, an IC contact area for smart cards or an area kept off the card Smart contactless, or a combination of smart card contact areas and maintained off the contactless smart card for so-called combi cards. The zone without data is generally free of any information that needs to be read by the machine, although this area often includes identification signs, logos and other information related to the issuing institution. In a preferred form of the invention, a portion of the zone without data includes an integrated magnifying lens included in and forming part of the card. It has been found that a transparent, substantially rigid plastic material of a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the base of the card in a window provided in the base can be incorporated. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transparent plastic includes fresnel lens contours on one of its surfaces to define a magnifying lens. By placing the lens in the area without data, the lens does not interfere with the machine transactions required to use the credit card for its main purpose. In a more specific embodiment of the invention, the lens is a hanging rectangle generally placed parallel to the magnetic strip that is commonly attached to the back of the card. In this mode,. there is no alteration of the data area commonly incorporated on the cards. A second embodiment of the invention incorporates a lens with a larger useful area. However, this particular mode requires an alteration of the data area. Depending on the issuing institution, one modality may be more desirable over the other, depending on the flexibility of the location and format of the data areas on the card.

In a typical wallet card, the base is made of a substantially semi-rigid plastic material, which is printed on one or both sides and laminated with • a thin material on both of the upper surface and the lower surface thereof. The card may include identification signs, logos and the like at the top, and a magnetic tape, a ribbon for the signature and several terms and conditions in the background. In one embodiment of the invention, the lens can be placed on the card before the lamination process, whereby the laminated cover materials can be used to superimpose the edge of the trajectory lens to help retain it on the card. The lens can be sonically welded, secured by means of an adhesive or otherwise mounted on a window in the base of the card, with or without using the laminated material of the card to help frame and mount the lens on the card. In another embodiment, the lens is integrated with the base of the card. In this mode, the base of the card is formed of a transparent material, such as an amorphous plastic. The base of the stamped card can be printed on the top, laminated with printed material, etc. Subsequently, fresnel lens contours are stamped on a model surface in a selected area to define the magnifying lens. A hologram can also be added after lamination. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the card of the invention comprises a semirigid base although flexible, although not substantially foldable. The semirigid base comprises a magnifying lens. The card further comprises a tape, such as a strip of magnetic tape, for carrying information readable by the machine, and optionally other features such as a signature tape or hologram patch. The semi-rigid base can be formed laminated of a plurality of layers, or it can be a single layer. The magnifying lens can be formed by stamping fresnel contours directly on the surface of the semi-rigid sheet, or a single layer surface. The fresnel contours are stamped on a transparent area of the sheet or single layer, and together with the transparent area it forms the magnifying lens. Methods for producing a portfolio card as described above are also provided. One such method comprises the steps of providing a semi-rigid, substantially non-folding, transparent base; form a shallow cavity in the base; partially filling the cavity with a liquid resin curable by radiation or heat; print a lens pattern on the surface of the resin with a disc; and exposing the resin to an intensity of radiation or sufficient heat to cure the resin. Another method for producing a portfolio card according to the present invention comprises the steps of making a card model having a transparent window region; heating a lens forming matrix to a first sufficient temperature to soften the pattern of the card; print the matrix that forms the lens in the region of the model window of the card; Cool the matrix that forms the lens to a second temperature at which the model • the card is not significantly softened; and removing the matrix that forms the lens to leave the pattern of the lens on the surface of the model of the card. This procedure can be carried out by providing heat to soften the model of the card with a sonic source, as well as more convenient heat sources to print the lens pattern.

«Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those experts in the art from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while implying preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes can be made and modifications within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all those modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention can be understood more easily by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 shows a top view of a portfolio card incorporating a magnifying lens, of H_0 according to the object invention; FIGURE 2 shows the bottom side of the wallet card of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 shows the upper side of an alternative embodiment of a portfolio card incorporating a magnifying lens according to the subject invention; FIGURE 4 shows the bottom side of the wallet card of FIGURE 3; FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of the portfolio card and lens combination, taken generally along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3; FIGURE 6 shows the upper side of the model of the wallet card having an integrated magnifying lens; FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view of the portfolio card model of FIGURE 6 taken generally along line 7-7 of FIGURE 6; FIGURE 8 shows the upper side of the portfolio card having a horizontally extending, integrated magnifying lens, and a patch with a hologram; FIGURE 9 shows the upper side of the portfolio card having a vertically extending, integrated magnifying lens, and a patch with a hologram; FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portfolio card comprising three layers of material having aligned transparent areas, in which lines of fresnel were formed in the upper layer thereof to form an integrated magnifying lens; and FIGURES 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views of portfolio cards comprising two layers of a material having aligned transparent areas, in which lines of fresnel were formed thereon to form integrated magnifying lenses. FIGS. 13-16 illustrate a method for manufacturing the magnifying lens of the present invention. FIGS. 17-19 illustrate another method for manufacturing the magnifying lens of the present invention. Similar elements were enumerated in the same way through the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following description, for purposes of explanation and without limitation, specific details are set forth to provide a complete understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced in other modalities based on those specific details. In other cases, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are oriented so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary details. A typical credit card 10 is shown in Figure 1. The size and general distribution of the card 10 have been standardized and similar cards are widely used for a variety of transactions and other purposes. In addition to credit cards, similar cards are used as debit cards, ATM access cards, driver's licenses, ID cards, library credentials, etc. Such cards are typically carried in a wallet and are generally referred to herein as "wallet cards". The card 10 includes, as is common, alphanumeric characters stamped on 12, which are readable by a machine to allow the credit card to be printed in a transaction at a point of sale. As shown in Figure 2, most credit cards now contain a band 14 for containing machine-readable information, for example a magnetic stripe material that includes magnetically-encoded information readable by the computer terminals used in many terminals of point of sale. Also included is a band for signature 16, which is on the back of the card and which is typically adapted to receive a signature to be applied manually by the user of the card. The card may also include uni or multidimensional bar codes, as well as an electronic information store for a combination card, contactless or smart card contact. The magnetic stripe 14 and the printed alphanumeric characters 12, together with the band of the signature 16, identify a data area on the card. For financial transaction cards, this data area is generally controlled by ISO standards in an effort to standardize the cards so that different cards issued by a multiplicity of institutions can be used in standard terminals at the point of sale. For example, the positioning of the magnetic stripe 14 in relation to the upper edge 18 of the card is standardized, as is the width of the band 14, to allow easy readability of the magnetically encoded information by a magnetic reader at the point of typical sale Similarly, the alphanumeric characters, size and position of the printed alphanumeric characters 12 is controlled to ensure the readability by the machine of the printed information of the card when a transaction is made at a point of sale on a credit card printer typical Only the position of the signature band 16 can be altered without interfering with the readability of the card by the machine. Nowadays, many cards also include identification signs such as logos and similar as indicated in 20 to identify the issuing institution. An increasing number of cards also includes a patch with a hologram 22, which includes signs of the issuing institution. The hologram panel 22 is generally located on or near the portion of the data area that includes the alphanumeric characters 12. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, a magnifying lens 24 is placed on a window 25 provided in the base 11 of the card 10, so as to be in a relationship that does not interfere with the magnetic stripe 14 and the printed alphanumeric characters 12. The magnifying lens 24 is an elongated rectangular lens mounted parallel to the magnetic stripe 14 in the space between the magnetic stripe and the alphanumeric characters printed. This space is generally sufficient in size to accommodate the lens 24 since it is required that the printed alphanumeric characters 12 be sufficiently separated from the magnetic strip 14 to ensure that the stamping of the card does not in any way alter the functionality of the magnetic stripe. In one embodiment of the invention, the lens-shaped member 24 comprises a transparent, substantially rigid plastic element that has approximately the same stiffness as the base of the credit card. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the base of the credit card 11 includes a window 25 having an upper edge 30, a lower edge 31 and side edges 32 and 33. The lens-shaped element 24 is adapted to be placed in window 25 and have external borders with the edges of the window 30-33. The lens can then be sonically soldered or adhesively secured to the base of the credit card 11 in the manner well known to those skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the lens 24 is of a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the base of the credit card 11, ensuring that the presence of the lens on the credit card does not interfere in any way with the readability of the lens. the information machine contained in the printed alphanumeric characters 11 or in the magnetic strip 14. It has been found that a lens with contours of the fresnel type is particularly useful for this type of application. Such a lens is formed with concentric fresnel contour lines 36. An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 3 and 4. There, the lens-shaped element 124 is of a substantially square cross section using a fresnel lens comprising the configuration of concentric circles shown at 60, and mounted on a complementary window 125 to the base 11. This • Particular configuration of the invention is useful when it is possible to alter the shape of the data area and the placement of the printed alphanumeric characters 112. As the terminal coders become more widely , and the magnetic coding band 14 (Figure 4) is most commonly used as the source for readable information on a machine, the importance of • Stamped alphanumeric characters will decrease. This will allow the acceleration of the placement of the characters alphanumeric stamps stamped on the card without interfering with readability with the card machine at the point of sale. This allows the embossed lens element 124 to be adapted to different wishes and tastes without interfering with the overall readability of the machine of the card.

As shown in Figure 5, the typical card base 11 is a laminated composite member that includes a solid core material as shown at 48 with a plastic sheet 50 on the top surface and a similar thin plastic material 52 laminated on the surface lower. The term "thin" here denotes that the thicknesses of the plastic sheets 50 and 52 are small relative to the thickness of the core 48. If desired, the core or center 48 and the plastic sheets 50 and 52 can have any relative thickness. The sheets 50 and 52 are generally printed in a four-color format which allows the attractive logos of the issuing institution to be identified and which allow custom color schemes for the card. The materials of the sheets 50 and 52 also contain the magnetic coding band 14, the band for the signature 16 and the panel for the hologram 22. As shown in Figure 5, the fresnel lens element 124 is located in the window 125 of the card and can be secured in it by sonic solders, adhesives or the like along the side edges of the window, as in 60. Where a laminated card is used, the laminated material 50 and 52 can overlap at the edges 62, 64 of the window and the lens 124 may include a peripheral lip or flange 58 to hold the lens in place. Of course, the lens can also be of a rectangular cross section and sonically welded or adhesively secured to the base 48 with or without the use of the sheets 50 and 52. It will be understood that the lens could be incorporated into the card in a variety of shapes, including in a unitary, integrated member of the base of the card, solitary, integrated lenses, can be formed in a number of ways, such as by molding or casting a transparent material in a window of a base Rigid, F or stamping a transparent area of a semi-rigid base. Figure 6 illustrates one such alternative embodiment of the invention in which the lens is integrated with the base of the card. The base of the card 48 comprises a substantially transparent plastic material. Preferably, The material is an amorphous plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, polyester or any other similar material. The lens 24 is formed at the base of the • card 48, for example, by embossing the desired fresnel outline lines 36 on the surface thereof. The printed alphanumeric characters (not shown) can be formed on the base simultaneously or they can be formed before or after the contour lines of fresnel 36 are stamped on the base of the card 48. The plastic sheets 50 and 52 can also be applied optionally to the upper and lower surfaces of the base of the card 48. The order in which the steps of stamping, stamping and lamination are carried out is a matter of routine design choice. In a preferred embodiment, described in more detail below, the fresnel contours 36 are hot stamped after a card model has been laminated. As with the previous modalities, magnetic strips, signature bands, patches with holograms, etc. can also be added in a conventional manner. For example, Figure 8, one embodiment of a card 10 includes a lens 24, which extends horizontally partially through the base of the card 11. The card 10 also includes a patch with a hologram 22. If the desired plastic sheets 50 and 52 can be omitted, bands with patches, etc. can be applied directly to the base 48. Another embodiment, shown in Figure 9, includes a vertically oriented lens 24 stamped on one side of the base of the card 11, with a patch with a hologram 22 positioned near the opposite side of the base of the card 11. Such a mode can, of course, also be produced by mounting a separate lens 24 on the base of a card 11 in a similar fashion to the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Yet another embodiment is shown in Figure 10. The center or core of the card 48 and the upper and lower plastic sheets 50 and 52 comprise a substantially transparent plastic material, such as the amorphous plastics described above. The core or center of the card 48 may be comprised of a single layer, as shown, or may comprise multiple layers (a "center or divided core"). The upper and lower plastic sheets 52 and 50 are laminated on the core 48, forming the upper and lower layers around the core layer. The structure in this way forms a semi-rigid and substantially non-folding base. The lens 24 (not shown) is subsequently formed by stamping the desired fresnel outline lines 36 on the surface of either the upper layer 52 or the lower layer 50. Depending on the relative thicknesses the core or center 48 and the layers 50, 52, the fresnel contours 36 may be printed on the core or center 48 as well as on the layer 50 or 52. Preferably, the core or center 48 and the upper and lower plastic sheets 50 and 52 comprise the same material of substantially transparent plastic. The upper and lower plastic sheets 50 and 52 are colored on substantially all of their outer surfaces (areas 70 and 72), such as by printing, except for the areas of the window 74 and 76. The core or center 48 can remain transparent, or it may also be colored on substantially all of its side surfaces (areas 78, on either side of the core 48), except for the area of the window 80. The edges of the core or center 48 may also be optionally colored. The areas of the window 74, 76 • and 80 are located so that they are aligned when forming the structure aligned. In conjunction with the fresnel contours 36, the aligned window areas 74, 76 and 80 thus form the magnifying lens 24. The transparent material forming the core 48 and the upper and lower plastic sheets 50 and 52 should be chosen. so that they exhibit refractive properties so that, together with the appropriately designed fresnel contour lines 36, a magnifying lens 24 having the desired magnification or magnification is produced. The selection of suitable plastic materials, and the design of the appropriate contours, is a matter of choice of routine design by those skilled in the art. The card 10 may include stamped numeric characters (not shown), as described above, in addition to a magnetic stripe and optionally a band for 0 the signature. A patch with a hologram may also be included, other graphic features such as symbols, logos, pictorial representations, etc. may also be provided if desired. The magnetic stripe, signature band and / or patch with a hologram may be on either side of the card 10. That is, those characteristics may be placed on the same side of the card when the fresnel contours 36 are stamped in, or on the opposite side in any desired combination. 4r The placement of the different bands and patches in any • 5 modality is a matter of routine design choice. However, in the above embodiment it is preferable that the rolling steps are not carried out after the contour lines of fresnel 36 have been formed, or at least the rolling steps on , ___ j the entire surface of the card 10 including the contour lines of fresnel 36. This is because such subsequent rolling steps can fill or flatten the contour lines of fresnel 36 and thereby render the magnifying lens inoperative 24. 15 Fresnel contour lines 36 can be stamped on lower plastic sheet 50 or higher 52 in any desired orientation, such as horizontally, vertically, etc., and can be of any desired shape, such as rectangular, square , triangular, circular, oval, elliptical, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, etc., similar to the lenses 24 described above. The selection of a particular modality from those described here can be made by the individual manufacturer taking into account factors such as manufacturing capacity, manufacturing facility, costs, etc. Another embodiment is shown in Figure 11. Here the core or center of the card 48 functions as an "upper" layer, while the lower plastic sheet 50 comprises the "lower" layer the core or center 48 and the plastic sheet lower 50 again comprises a substantially transparent plastic material. The lower plastic sheet 50 is laminated to the core or center 48, forming the upper and lower layers. The two layers together form a laminated and semi-rigid structure, substantially non-collapsible. The lens 24 (not shown) is subsequently formed in the core or center 48 by embossing the desired fresnel outline lines 36 on the upper surface thereof. Alternatively, the contours of the lens can be stamped on the lower surface of the sheet 50. As with the above embodiment, the core or center 48 and the lower plastic sheet 50 preferably comprise the same substantially transparent plastic material. The lower plastic sheet 50 is preferably colored on substantially one or both of its sides (areas 70), as by printing, except for the area of the window 74. When both sides are thus colored, the core or center 48 can remain transparent , thereby allowing the information printed on the inner surface of the lower plastic sheet 50 (the side to which the core or center 48 was laminated) to be read through the transparent plastic material. In the alternative, the core or center 48 can also be colored over substantially the entire surface to which it was laminated with the lower layer 50 (area 78 on the outer side of the core or center 48), except for the area of the window 80. The areas of the window 74 and 80 are located so that they are aligned when the laminated structure is formed. Along with the fresnel contours 36, the aligned window areas 74 and 80 form the magnifying lens 24. A variant of the above preferred embodiment is shown in Figure 12. Here, the core or center of the credit card 48 it functions as a "lower" layer, while the upper plastic sheet comprises the "upper" layer. The core or center 48 and the upper plastic sheet 52 again comprise a substantially transparent plastic material. The upper plastic sheet 52 is laminated to the core 48, which forms the upper and lower layers. The two layers together form a semi-rigid laminate structure, substantially non-collapsible. The lens 24 (not shown) is subsequently formed in the upper layer 52 by stamping the desired fresnel outline lines 36 on the upper surface thereof. Alternatively, the contours of the lens can be stamped on the lower surface of the core or center. The core 148 and the upper plastic sheet 52 preferably comprise the same substantially transparent plastic material. The upper plastic sheet 52 is preferably colored on substantially all of one or both of its sides (areas 72), such as by printing, except for the area of the window 76. When both sides are thus colored, the core 148 may remain transparent, thus allowing the information printed on the inner surface of the upper plastic sheet 52 (the side to which the core 48 was laminated) to be read through the transparent plastic material. In the alternative, the core 48 can also be colored over substantially the entire surface opposite the surface to which it was laminated with the top layer 52 (areas 78 on the outer side of the core 48), except for the area of the window 80 The areas of the window 76 and 80 are located so that they are aligned when the laminated structure is formed. In conjunction with the fresnel contours 36, the aligned window areas 76 and 80 form the magnifying lens 24. A process for manufacturing a card according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 13-16. Referring first to Figure 13, a model or core or card center 202 is provided. The core or core material is transparent and is preferably made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) although other suitable transparent materials may be used. A shallow cavity 204 is formed in the core or center material with a reamer 26 • 5 or any other suitable means. The dimensions of the cavity 204 correspond to the desired dimensions of the lens 24 (Figures 1, 2, 6, 8 and 9) on the lens 124 (Figures 3, 4). As already explained, the cavity 204 should be located in a region without data from the card. The depth of the F cavity 204 will depend on the particular material used to make the lens as described below, but is generally in the order of 0.008 inches (0.2032 mm). It is important to minimize any residual tool marks that may remain on the floor of the cavity 204 with a glazed appearance and therefore the clarity and definition of the images seen through the lens is damaged. If necessary, the floor of the cavity 204 can be polished to remove residual tool marks. Referring now to Figure 14, the cavity 204 is partially filled with a liquid resin. The preferred class of resins for use with the method described herein comprises radiation curable resins, with the curing of the resin being carried out by exposure to a suitable source of actinic radiation, such as by light ultraviolet. A particular resin suitable for such use is a patented Decochem product having the designation 7294 modeled 7025. It has been found that this particular material produces an excellent duplication of the lens matrix profile, good adhesion to the core of the PVC card and poor adhesion to the surface of the matrix. Other suitable radiation curable resin systems or thermosetting resin systems may also be used. Referring to Figure 15, once the cavity 204 has been filled with a sufficient amount of liquid resin, a matrix 210 is brought into contact with the surface of the resin. Matrix 210 is machined with a negative image of a fresnel lens pattern. The matrix is brought into contact with the surface of the liquid resin, taking care to avoid trapping air and expelling resin from the cavity. Once the matrix 210 is properly placed, the resin 208 is exposed to the appropriate source of radiation or heat for a period of time sufficient to cure the resin. Using the preferred resin system, curing takes place in about 1-3 seconds. With reference to Figure 16, the matrix 210 is removed after the resin has cured, leaving the fresnel contours on the surface of the cured resin thereby forming a lens 212. The contours of the lens are placed below the lens. upper surface of the core 202, thereby helping to protect the lens from damage during routine handling. An alternative process to manufacture a card • according to the present invention is illustrated in the Figures - 5 17-19. Referring first to Figure 17, the structure of a card model 302 before the formation of the magnifying lens is shown in cross section. The model of card 302 comprises a multilayer laminated structure. The core or core material 304 is a transparent thermoplastic material. Suitable materials include PVC, polyethylene terephthalate modified with cyclohexanedimethanol (PETG) and polycarbonate, although other transparent plastic materials may also be used. The upper and lower surfaces of core or center material 304 are printed with a screen printing and / or engraving process to provide the graphics of the card as described above. Depending on the process used and the nature of the inks used, the The thickness of the printed layers 306 can range from less than 1 (25.4 μm) to more than 5 mils (127 μm). The printing applied to the core 304 will generally be opaque or at least translucent, over the entire card, except for the region of the window 308. This region must remain transparent for further formation of the magnifying lens. After having applied the printed layers 306, • the upper and lower surfaces of the core 304 are laminated with clear films 310. The films 310 are preferably PVC or other suitable clear plastic material. The films 310 are suitably joined to the core 304. Such bonding may require the use of a clear adhesive to adhere to the printed layers 306. • The films 310 typically have a thickness of about 1-3 mils (25.4). -76.2 μm). If the printed layers 306 are relatively thick, it may be desirable to apply a clear ink or a clear adhesive on the region of window 308 at the time of printing. Otherwise, the films 310 may have a tendency to "fold" through the region of the window with the potential for gaps to form between the films 310 and the material of the core 304 in the region of the window. window. Such holes would degrade the optical properties of a magnifying lens formed in the region of the window. The card models 302 can be conveniently manufactured in large sheets. The printing of the core material or center 304 and the The lamination with films 310 is preferably carried out in large sheets. Matrix models 310 of the large sheets can then be cut with matrix for further processing. Referring now to Figure 18, a magnifying lens is formed on a card model 302 with a hot stamping process using a die 320. Before being printed on the model of the card 302, the die 320 is mounted to a temperature which is sufficient to soften, but not necessarily melt, the plastic material of the film 310 and the core or center ^^ - ^ 304. Matrix 320 can be conveniently heated in a conventional heating cartridge, although heating is only an attractive alternative since it allows for faster cycle times. Once the matrix has been brought to the temperature, printed on the card model 302 at a sufficient depth to completely form the contours of the fresnel lens. An effective magnifying lens can be formed with contours that have a depth of approximately 10 thousandths of inch (254 μm). In the case of sonic heating, heating and printing can occur simultaneously. It is important to keep the matrix precisely parallel to the surface of the card, so that the contours of the lens are formed uniformly within the region of the window 308. Such uniformity is necessary so that the magnifying lens has the desired optical properties and also the winding of the finished card is avoided. The contours of the lens are formed • preferably on the bottom surface of the model of the card 302; however, an equally effective lens may be formed on the upper surface. The die 320 preferably has a window 322 so that air is not trapped between the die and the surface of the card. Any trapped air would interfere with the proper formation of the contours of • the lens and would degrade the optical properties of the lens. The need of the window 322 and its location, if necessary, depends on the design of the contour of the particular lens. Once the die 320 'has been printed to a desired depth in a card model 302, the die is cooled, so that the plastic hardens before the die is removed. The cooling of the matrix 320 is important for the quality and transparency of the lens increase. The cooling of the matrix prevents the flow of plastic when the matrix is removed, thus ensuring that the contours of the fresnel lens have sharp or sharp edges. This is important to achieve a high quality lens. In addition, it has been found that the withdrawal of The matrix before cooling tends to dull the plastic.

Any means for cooling matrix 320 can be employed. In practice, it has been found that cooling can be effected effectively with • compressed air blown directly on the matrix. From -5 Alternatively, the matrix can be manufactured with internal channels for cooling with liquid or air. Regardless of the means by which the matrix is cooled, it is desirable to minimize the thermal mass of the matrix, so that the temperature of the matrix can be cycled rapidly. Using a hot stamping technique to form the magnifying lens, it is important to confine the heat of the matrix as much as possible. Therefore, the platen 330 on which the model of the card 302 rests is preferably cooled. This helps to minimize the 5 distortions on the finished card. Once the contours of the fresnel lens have been formed, the optical quality of the lens can be conveniently tested using a simple photocell test arrangement. By securing the focal length of a properly formed lens 0, a light source is placed in a separate relationship relative to the photocell. The light from the light source is focused on the photocell by the hot stamped lens. The output of the photocell is proportional to the focusing properties of the lens and provides an approximate quantitative measure of the quality of the lens. Also, more sophisticated automatic or manual image quality tests I can be implemented as appropriate for fresnel lenses. The different embodiments of the invention -5 described here use a fresnel lens for amplification. Although this is the type of lens preferred so far for its ease of manufacture, the invention is not limited in this respect. Suitable magnifying lenses can comprise conventional convex lenses and ^ Other optical devices such as holograms. Any type and optical device that is used for amplification or augmentation, can be mounted inside the card or formed integrally with the card by any of the means described above. He The augmentation device can be formed in the core or center material, and a filler inside a window in the core or core material and / or in a sheet applied over the core or core material. It will be recognized that the invention described or above may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the description. Thus, it should be understood that the invention is not limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but is defined by the appended claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (18)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A method for manufacturing a card having an integrated magnifying lens, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: manufacturing a card model having a region in the form of a transparent window; heating a die to form a lens at a first temperature; print the matrix that forms the lens in the region of the model window of the card; cooling the matrix forming the lens to a second temperature; Remove the matrix that forms the lens from the model of the card.
2. 2. The method of compliance with the claim 1, characterized in that the step of manufacturing a card model comprises laminating a plurality of transparent plastic layers.
3. 3. The method of compliance with the claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the transparent plastic layers is printed with transparent markings in regions different from the region of the window.
4. 4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating and printing steps are carried out substantially concurrently.
5. 5. A method for making a card that has 5 an integrated magnifying lens, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: making a card model from a material in the form of a transparent plastic sheet; print at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the card model leaving a region of • transparent card on each printed surface; apply a transparent film on each printed surface of the card model; heat a matrix to form a lens at a 15 first temperature; print the matrix that forms the lens on the transparent film in the region of the window; • cooling the matrix that forms the lens to a second temperature; and removing the matrix that forms the lens from the transparent film. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the first temperature is sufficiently high to soften the film transparently but sufficiently lower than the melting temperature of the transparent film. 7. The method of compliance with the claim • 5, characterized in that the second temperature is less than a temperature that softens the transparent film. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that material in the form of a transparent plastic sheet is a thermoplastic. 9. The method of compliance with the claim 10 5, characterized in that the sheet material of F transparent plastic is selected from the group consisting of PVC, PETG and polycarbonate. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the printing step is carried out 15 using a process of serigraphy or screen printing. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the printing step is carried out using an engraving process. 12. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the printing step comprises printing the region of the window, with a transparent ink. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that it also comprises the step of applying a transparent adhesive on the side of the card in the region of the window. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the matrix forming the lens is printed at a depth that penetrates the model of the card. 15. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the matrix forming the lens is printed at a depth of approximately 10 thousandths of a 10 inch (0.00254 mm). • The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the transparent film is a thermoplastic. 17. The method of compliance with the claim 15 5, characterized in that the transparent film is PVC. 18. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the heating steps and F printing is effected in a substantially concurrent manner.