Abstract
Methods for manufacturing a magnetic stripe on a card element of a card-like data carrier. involve applying at least a portion of a magnetic stripe material layer onto a card element surface of the card element using different techniques. The application of the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer onto the card element surface generates a magnetic stripe on the card element surface such that the magnetic stripe has a stripe length that is less than a length of the card element surface and has a stripe width that is less than a width of the card element surface.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier, comprising: providing a card element having a card element surface; arranging a stamping element spaced apart from the card element surface; arranging a magnetic stripe material layer between the card element surface and the stamping element; pressing at least a portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface using the stamping element; applying a heat amount onto the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer using the stamping element, when pressing the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface; wherein pressing the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface generates a magnetic stripe on the card element surface such that the magnetic stripe has a stripe length that is less than a length of the card element surface and has a stripe width that is less than a width of the card element surface.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein pressing the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface comprises pressing only the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer that faces a stamping surface of the stamping element.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: arranging the magnetic stripe material layer between a carrier substrate layer and a heat-activatable substrate layer; wherein pressing the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface comprises pressing the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer together with a portion of the carrier substrate layer and a portion of the heat-activatable substrate layer towards the card element surface; wherein applying the heat amount onto the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer comprises activating the portion of the heat-activatable substrate layer using the stamping element, thereby providing an adhesion between the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer and the card element surface.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the card element is a cover layer of the card-like data carrier; further comprising: providing a base structure comprising one or more structural base layers; applying the card element to the base structure before or after pressing the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface.
5. A method for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier, comprising: providing a card element having a card element surface; arranging a roller element spaced apart from the card element surface, wherein the roller element comprises a plurality of functional elements spaced apart from each other around a circumference of the roller element; arranging a magnetic stripe material layer between the card element surface and the roller element; rotating the roller element relative to the card element surface and relative to the magnetic stripe material layer; pressing at least a first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface using a first functional element of the plurality of functional elements, when rotating the roller element; applying a heat amount onto the first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer using the roller element, when pressing the first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface; wherein pressing the first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface generates a first magnetic stripe on the card element surface such that the first magnetic stripe has a stripe length that is less than a length of the card element surface and has a stripe width that is less than a width of the card element surface.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: arranging the magnetic stripe material layer between a carrier substrate layer and a heat-activatable substrate layer; wherein pressing the first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface comprises pressing the first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer together with a first portion of the carrier substrate layer and a first portion of the heat-activatable substrate layer towards the card element surface; wherein applying the heat amount onto the first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer comprises activating the first portion of the heat-activatable substrate layer using the roller element, thereby providing an adhesion between the first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer and the card element surface.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising: pressing at least a second portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface using a second functional element of the plurality of functional elements, when further rotating the roller element; and/or applying a heat amount onto the second portion of the magnetic stripe material layer using the roller element, when pressing the second portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein pressing the second portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface generates a second magnetic stripe on the card element surface such that the second magnetic stripe has a stripe length that is less than a length of the card element surface and has a stripe width that is less than a width of the card element surface.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first magnetic stripe and the second magnetic stripe are generated on the card element surface such that the first magnetic stripe and the second magnetic stripe are spaced apart from each other on the card element surface by a predetermined distance that corresponds to a circumferential distance between the functional elements on the roller element.
10. The method of any one of claim 5, wherein the card element is a cover layer of the card-like data carrier; further comprising: providing a base structure comprising one or more structural base layers; applying the card element to the base structure before or after pressing the first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface.
11. A method for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier, comprising: providing a card element having a card element surface; arranging a silkscreen print element relative to the card element surface; printing a magnetic stripe material onto the card element surface using the silkscreen print element; wherein printing the magnetic stripe material onto the card element surface generates a magnetic stripe on the card element surface such that the magnetic stripe has a stripe length that is less than a length of the card element surface and has a stripe width that is less than a width of the card element surface.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the card element is a cover layer of the card-like data carrier; further comprising: providing a base structure comprising one or more structural base layers; applying the card element to the base structure before or after printing the magnetic stripe material onto the card element surface, thereby providing a laminated structure of at least the card element and the base structure.
13. The method of claim 12, cutting the laminated structure to a predetermined size in order to provide the card-like data carrier.
14. A method for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier, comprising: providing a card element having a card element surface; arranging a tape application element relative to the card element surface; providing a tape element that at least comprises a magnetic stripe material layer; attaching the tape element including the magnetic stripe material layer onto the card element surface using the tape application element; wherein attaching the tape element including the magnetic stripe material layer onto the card element surface generates a magnetic stripe on the card element surface such that the magnetic stripe has a stripe length that is less than a length of the card element surface and has a stripe width that is less than a width of the card element surface.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein attaching the tape element including the magnetic stripe material layer onto the card element surface comprises providing an adhesion between the magnetic stripe material layer and the card element surface.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
[0050] FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier.
[0051] FIG. 2 shows a card-like data carrier with a magnetic stripe.
[0052] FIG. 3 shows a layer composition used for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows a stamping element for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier.
[0054] FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of another method for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier.
[0055] FIG. 6 shows a roller element for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier.
[0056] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of another method for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier.
[0057] FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of another method for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0058] The representations and illustrations in the drawings may be schematic and not to scale. A better understanding of the method and system described above may be obtained through a review of the shown illustrations together with a review of the detailed description that follows.
[0059] FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier, for example the magnetic stripe 5 of the card-like data carrier 1 as shown in FIG. 2. In a step S11, the method comprises providing a card element having a card element surface. In a step S12, the method comprises arranging a stamping element spaced apart from the card element surface. In a step S13, the method comprises arranging a magnetic stripe material layer between the card element surface and the stamping element. In a step S14, the method comprises pressing a portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface using the stamping element. In a step S15, the method comprises applying a heat amount onto at least the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer using the stamping element, when pressing the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface. Pressing the portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface generates a magnetic stripe on the card element surface such that the magnetic stripe has a stripe length that is less than a length of the card element surface and has a stripe width that is less than a width of the card element surface. In an example, the method steps are performed in the indicated order.
[0060] FIG. 2 shows a card-like data carrier 1 having a magnetic stripe 5 applied thereto by means of one of the various methods described herein. In particular, the methods as described herein enable improved manufacturing techniques to apply the magnetic stripe 5 onto the card element surface 3 of the card element 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the magnetic stripe 5 has a reduced length L.sub.1. This means that a magnetic stripe material layer, which is further explained below, can be pressed against the card element surface 3 to generate the magnetic stripe 5 on the card element surface 3 such that the magnetic stripe 5 has a stripe length L.sub.1 that is less than a length L.sub.2 of the card element surface 3 and has a stripe width B.sub.1 that is less than a width B.sub.2 of the card element surface 3.
[0061] In other words, the inventive methods described herein can apply a portion of magnetic stripe material layer onto the card element surface 3, thereby generating the final shape of the magnetic stripe 5 on the card element surface 3 as, for instance, illustrated in FIG. 1. In particular, a portion of the magnetic stripe material may be applied to the card element surface 3 such that the stripe length L.sub.1 does not extend over the entire card element length L.sub.2, but rather extends only over a part of the card element length L.sub.2. The final magnetic stripe 5 may also have a specified width B.sub.1 that does also not extend over the entire width B.sub.2 of the card element 2. In other words, the manufactured magnetic stripe 5 is limited in its dimensions to only a smaller part or area within the card element surface 3. It is noted that the ends or edges of the card element 2 or the card-like data carrier 1 may define the card element length L.sub.2 and the card element width B.sub.2, respectively. In the illustrated example, the card element 2 has four edges, wherein, in a length direction, the magnetic stripe 5 starts at a first edge and ends at a specified distance before reaching a second edge that is oppositely located to the first edge. In a width direction, the magnetic stripe 5 starts at a specified distance away from a third edge and ends at a specified distance before reaching a fourth edge that is oppositely located to the third edge. Other configurations may be possible. For example, the magnetic stripe 5 may be generated such that it is spaced apart by specified distances from all four edges.
[0062] FIG. 3 shows a layer composition or layer stack used for manufacturing a magnetic stripe 5 of a card-like data carrier 1, for example the magnetic stripe 5 of the card-like data carrier 1 as shown in FIG. 2. A magnetic stripe material layer 4 is arranged between a carrier substrate layer 6 and a heat-activatable substrate layer 7. In particular, the magnetic stripe material layer 4 may be sandwiched between the carrier substrate layer 6 and the heat-activatable substrate layer 7. The carrier substrate layer 6 may act as a carrier, protection or form stabilizer for the magnetic stripe material layer 4 and the heat-activatable substrate layer 7 may act as an adhesive for attaching the magnetic stripe material layer 4 to the card element surface when being activated. The heat-activatable substrate layer 7 may be a hot melt.
[0063] FIG. 4 shows a stamping element 10 for manufacturing the magnetic stripe 5 of the card-like data carrier 1 as shown in FIG. 2. As described with respect to the method of FIG. 1, a portion 4a of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 can be pressed against the card element surface 3 which comprises pressing or pushing the portion 4a of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 together with a portion 6a of the carrier substrate layer 6 and a portion 7a of the heat-activatable substrate layer 7 towards the card element surface 3. The direction 14 of the stamping element 10 during the pressing procedure is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4. Simultaneously, heat can be applied onto the portion 4a of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 and also the portion 7a of the heat-activatable substrate layer 7, such that the portion 7a of the heat-activatable substrate layer 7 can be activated by the heat transferred from the stamping element 10. The activation of the portion 7a of the heat-activatable substrate layer 7 during the pressing procedure provides an adhesion generated between the portion 4a of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 and the card element surface 3 of the card element 2 in order to finally attach the magnetic stripe 5 as shown in FIG. 2 above.
[0064] In view of FIG. 4, it may be noted that the layer composition or layer stack of the layers 4, 6 and 7 may laterally extend beyond the portions 4a, 6a and 7a of these layers 4, 6 and 7 that are actually pressed against the card element surface 3. Accordingly, pressing the portion 4a of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 against the card element surface 3 may comprise pressing only the portion 4a of the larger magnetic stripe material layer 4 that faces a stamping surface 11 of the stamping element 10.
[0065] FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of another method for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier, for example the magnetic stripe 5 of the card-like data carrier 1 as shown in FIG. 2. In a step S21, the method comprises providing a card element having a card element surface. In a step S22, the method comprises arranging a roller element spaced apart from the card element surface, wherein the roller element comprises a plurality of functional elements, herein also referred to as roller segments, spaced apart from each other around a circumference of the roller element. In a step S23, the method comprises arranging a magnetic stripe material layer between the card element surface and the roller element. In a step S24, the method comprises rotating the roller element relative to the card element surface and relative to the magnetic stripe material layer. In a step S25, the method comprises pressing a first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface using a first functional element of the plurality of functional elements, when rotating the roller element. In a step S26, the method comprises applying a heat amount onto the first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer using the roller element, when pressing the first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface. Pressing the first portion of the magnetic stripe material layer against the card element surface generates a first magnetic stripe on the card element surface such that the first magnetic stripe has a stripe length that is less than a length of the card element surface and has a stripe width that is less than a width of the card element surface. In an example, the method steps are performed in the indicated order.
[0066] FIG. 6 shows a roller element 20 for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier, for example the magnetic stripe 5 of the card-like data carrier 1 as shown in FIG. 2. A card element 2 comprises a card element surface 3 and is arranged paced apart from the roller element 20. The roller element 20 comprises a plurality of functional elements 21, for example stamp elements or stamp segments, being spaced apart from each other around a circumference 22 or perimeter 22 of the roller element 20. Furthermore, at least the magnetic stripe material layer 4 is placed between the card element surface 3 and the roller element 20. The roller element 20 may be configured to press a first portion 4a of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 against the card element surface 3 using a first functional element 21a of the plurality of functional elements 21, when rotating the roller element 20. In addition, a heat amount can be applied onto the first portion 4a of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 using the roller element 20, e.g., using the first functional element 21a, when pressing the first portion 4a of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 against the card element surface 3. Afterwards, a second portion 4b of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 can be pressed against the card element surface 3 using a second functional element 21b of the plurality of functional elements 21, when further rotating the roller element 20. Accordingly, a heat amount can also be transferred onto the second portion 4b of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 using the roller element 20, e.g., using the first functional element 21a, when pressing the second portion 4b of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 against the card element surface 3.
[0067] Since the first and second functional elements 21a, 21b are circumferentially spaced apart on the roller element 20, these functional elements 21a, 21b will, at respective times, subsequently be in an orientation relative to the magnetic stripe material layer 4 in which these functional elements 21a, 21b can press the respective portions 4a, 4b of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 against the card element surface 3. In particular, the first functional element 21a may press the first portion 4a of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 against the card element surface 3 timely before the second functional element 21b presses the second portion 4b of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 against the card element surface 3.
[0068] As can also be derived from FIG. 6, a composition or stack of the magnetic stripe material layer 4, a carrier substrate layer 6 and a heat-activatable substrate layer 7 can be provided in the same manner as described above with respect to FIG. 3. Pressing the first portion 4a of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 against the card element surface 3 may thus comprise pressing, by the first functional element 21a, the first portion 4a of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 together with a first portion 6a of the carrier substrate layer 6 and a first portion 7a of the heat-activatable substrate layer 7 towards the card element surface 3. Afterwards, i.e., after further rotating the roller element 20, the second functional element 21b can press the second portion 4b of the magnetic stripe material layer 4 together with a second portion 6b of the carrier substrate layer 6 and a second portion 7b of the heat-activatable substrate layer 7 towards the card element surface 3. During the rotation of the roller element 20, the layers 4, 6 and 7 and/or the processed card element 2 can be moved in a direction 30 as indicated by arrows in FIG. 6.
[0069] The pressing by the first functional element 21a may result in a first magnetic stripe 5 on the card element surface 3, wherein this first magnetic stripe 5 has a stripe length that is less than a length of the card element surface 3 and has a stripe width that is less than a width of the card element surface 3, similar as shown in FIG. 2. The pressing by the second functional element 21b may result in a second magnetic stripe 5 on the card element surface 3, wherein this second magnetic stripe 5 also has a stripe length that is less than a length of the card element surface 3 and has a stripe width that is less than a width of the card element surface 3, similar as shown in FIG. 2. The first magnetic stripe 5 and the second magnetic stripe 5 may be generated on the card element surface 3 such that the first magnetic stripe 5 and the second magnetic stripe 5 are spaced apart from each other on the card element surface 3 by a predetermined distance, as shown in FIG. 6, wherein the predetermined distance corresponds to a circumferential distance between the functional elements 21 on the roller element 20. In the same manner, a plurality of further magnetic stripes 5n can be applied to the card element surface 3.
[0070] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of another method for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier, for example the magnetic stripe 5 of the card-like data carrier 1 as shown in FIG. 2. In a step S31, the method comprises providing a card element having a card element surface. In another step S32, the method comprises arranging a silkscreen print element relative to the card element surface. In another step S32, the method comprises printing a magnetic stripe material onto the card element surface using the silkscreen print element. Printing the magnetic stripe material onto the card element surface generates a magnetic stripe on the card element surface such that the magnetic stripe has a stripe length that is less than a length of the card element surface and has a stripe width that is less than a width of the card element surface. In an example, the method steps are performed in the indicated order.
[0071] FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of another method for manufacturing a magnetic stripe of a card-like data carrier, for example the magnetic stripe 5 of the card-like data carrier 1 as shown in FIG. 2. In a step S41, the method comprises providing a card element having a card element surface. In another step S42, the method comprises arranging a tape application element relative to the card element surface. In a step S43, the method comprises providing a tape element that at least comprises a magnetic stripe material layer. In a step S44, the method comprises attaching the tape element including the magnetic stripe material layer onto the card element surface using the tape application element. Attaching the tape element including the magnetic stripe material layer onto the card element surface generates a magnetic stripe on the card element surface such that the magnetic stripe has a stripe length that is less than a length of the card element surface and has a stripe width that is less than a width of the card element surface. In an example, the method steps are performed in the indicated order.
