Method of fabricating electronic cards including at least one printed pattern

Abstract

A method for fabricating electronic cards includes: A) forming a plurality of card bodies in the form of a thick sheet in which is respectively imbedded a plurality of electronic units or modules; B) printing a plurality of first patterns on a first face of the thick sheet in a printing station in which ink is applied on the first face for making the first patterns; and C) applying a first at least partially transparent coating on each printed first pattern, that adheres to the card body. The method also includes printing a plurality of second patterns on the inner surface of a film forming the first coating. Preferably, the printing of the first patterns is carried out in an offset type station for printing high definition patterns, essentially of the security type. The second patterns define personal data. The printed thick sheet defines an intermediate product.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . An intermediate product involved in the fabrication of electronic cards, wherein it is formed by a sheet incorporating or embedding a plurality of electronic units and defining a respective plurality of card bodies, said sheet having, on the side of a first surface, a plurality of first patterns printed with an ink, which are each associated with a different card body. 
     
     
         38 . The intermediate product according to  claim 37 , wherein said plurality of first patterns is covered with a protective coating, in particular by a plastic film, a resin layer or a lacquer. 
     
     
         39 . The intermediate produce according to  claim 38 , wherein said protective coating is arranged in a removable manner on said first surface of said sheet. 
     
     
         40 . The intermediate product according to  claim 38 , wherein said protective coating adheres securely to said sheet and is for forming a layer of cards fabricated from said intermediate product. 
     
     
         41 . The intermediate product according to  claim 37 , wherein said first patterns define security patterns. 
     
     
         42 . The intermediate product according to  claim 37 , wherein said sheet has on the side of its second surface a plurality of second printed patterns which are each associated with a different card body. 
     
     
         43 . A plate forming a plurality of cards and including a thick sheet or layer incorporating or embedding a plurality of electronic units, said thick sheet or layer defining a respective plurality of card bodies and having, on a first surface, a plurality of first patterns printed with an ink, said plate further including an at least partially transparent film arranged on said first surface of said thick sheet or layer and having a plurality of second patterns printed on the inner surface thereof, each card body being associated with a first pattern and a second pattern, which are approximately located at the same level of the card. 
     
     
         44 . The plate according to  claim 43 , wherein said plurality of first patterns and said plurality of second patterns are separated from each other by a thin, at least partially transparent layer forming an adherence interface. 
     
     
         45 . The plate according to  claim 43 , wherein the first patterns define high definition security patterns and the second patterns define at least in part personal data. 
     
     
         46 . The plate according to  claim 43 , wherein the first patterns are printed in an Offset type printing station or similar. 
     
     
         47 . The plate according to  claim 43 , wherein it has, on the side of the second surface thereof, at least one plurality of third printed patterns protected by an at least partially transparent coating.