Abstract:
An IC card includes an antenna formed as a flat coil wound several times having an inner vacant area, said antenna being made by punching or etching a thin metal strip and having an outermost loop partially connected to and supported by an outer frame of said thin metal strip, and said antenna having respective innermost and outermost terminals. A semiconductor element is electrically connected to said innermost and outermost terminals, respectively. One of said innermost and outermost terminals having an accommodation hole in which said semiconductor element is accommodated. The semiconductor element and the antenna are supported to maintain their form by a supporting material made of biodegradable resin.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an antenna frame, an integrated circuit (IC) card and a manufacturing method thereof. The antenna frame is used for IC cards or IC tags which are generally called “IC cards” in this specification hereinafter and send and receive signals using a non-contact system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an IC card and manufacturing method thereof, the characteristic feature of which is the method of holding an antenna of the IC card. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The IC card is composed as follows. A semiconductor element is electrically connected with and mounted on an antenna which is formed into a flat coil-shape, for sending and receiving signals, and a film which forms the outside of the IC card is laminated on both sides of the antenna and semiconductor element. In this connection, there is provided a tag product which is used for the discrimination of baggage, and this tag product is similar to the IC card. In the same manner as that of the IC card, this tag product is composed in such a manner that a semiconductor element is mounted on an antenna and a film is laminated on both sides of the antenna and semiconductor element. In the same manner as that of the IC card, the tag product is advantageous in that information can be sent and received in a non-contact system so that baggage can be effectively discriminated. In this connection, in this specification, the IC card includes a product such a tag product which is provided with an antenna and semiconductor element and is capable of sending and receiving a signal using a non-contact system. 
     When the IC card is manufactured, a metal sheet is subjected to punching or etching so that the metal sheet can be formed into a predetermined coil-shape antenna, and a semiconductor element is electrically connected with and mounted on the antenna, and then a film is laminated on both sides of the antenna and semiconductor element. FIG. 16 is a view showing a state in which a metal sheet is subjected to punching and formed into an antenna  10 , and a semiconductor element  12  is mounted on the antenna  10 . In this case, the tape  14  is made to adhere to the antenna  10  as a support member so that the coil-shaped antenna  10  cannot be deformed in the case of conveying the antenna or laminating the film on both sides of the antenna and semiconductor element. The periphery of the antenna  10  is supported by the frame  16 . 
     FIG. 17 is a view showing an example in which the antenna  10  and the semiconductor element  12  are interposed between the protective films  18  on both sides. The protective films  18  may be previously removed before the outside film for the IC card is laminated. Alternatively, the protective films  18  may be left being interposed between the outside film and the antenna  10  and semiconductor element  12 . 
     In this connection, it can be considered that a very large number of IC cards are used and discarded after they have been used. Due to the foregoing, as the number of the used IC cards has increased, disposal of the IC cards becomes a big problem. As described before, according to the conventional method of manufacturing the IC card, the tape  14  and the protective film  18  are used to prevent the antenna from being moved, and further the film is laminated outside the antenna  10 . The tape  14 , protective film  18  and film, which covers the outside of the IC card, are made of synthetic resin such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These synthetic resins used for the conventional IC card cannot be easily degraded in the nature. Even when these synthetic resins are incinerated, various environmental problems may be caused. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been accomplished by considering a IC card which will be consumed in large quantities. It is an object of the present invention to provide an antenna frame used for the IC card, IC card and preferable manufacturing method thereof, characterized in that: the IC card can be easily discarded at low cost without affecting the natural environment; the IC card can be mass-produced because the manufacturing cost is low; and the IC card can be effectively used for many purposes. 
     According to the present invention there is provided an IC card comprising: a semiconductor element; an antenna electrically connected to said semiconductor element; and a supporting material for supporting said semiconductor element and said antenna, said supporting material being made of biodegradable resin. 
     The antenna is made of a material which can be easily oxidized and eroded. Particularly, the antenna is made of iron. 
     The antenna is a flat coil wound several times having an inner vacant area. A whole surface of said flat coil including said inner vacant area is entirely supported by said supporting material. Otherwise, the whole surface of said flat coil except for said inner vacant area is entirely supported by said supporting material. 
     An IC card further comprises a pair of films laminated to respective surfaces of said flat coil and said semiconductor element to form outer surfaces of said IC card and said pair of films are made of biodegradable resin or paper. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an IC card comprising the following steps of: mounting a semiconductor element on an antenna and electrically connecting said semiconductor element to said antenna; and supporting said semiconductor element and said antenna by means of supporting material made of biodegradable resin. 
     The supporting material is made of liquid-like or paste-like biodegradable resin and said method further comprises: coating said antenna with said supporting material. 
     The supporting material is made of granular biodegradable resin and said method further comprises: melting said supporting material to support said antenna. 
     The antenna is a flat coil wound several times having an inner vacant area. In this case, the method comprises the following steps of: mounting a semiconductor element on said flat coil and electrically connecting said semiconductor element to said flat coil; arranging a pair of supporting sheets made of biodegradable resin over respective sides of said flat coil and said semiconductor element; and pressing said pair of supporting sheets toward said flat coil and said semiconductor element. 
     The method further comprises a step of: laminating a pair of films, made of biodegradable resin or paper, to respective surfaces of said flat coil and said semiconductor element to form external surfaces of said IC card. 
     According to a still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna frame used for an IC card comprising: an antenna formed as a flat coil wound several times having an inner vacant area, said antenna being made by punching or etching a thin metal strip and having an outermost loop partially connected to and supported by an outer frame of said thin metal strip, and said antenna having respective innermost and outermost terminals; one of said innermost and outermost terminals having an accommodation hole in which a semiconductor element is to be accommodated; and supporting material for supporting said antenna to maintain its shape, said supporting material being made of biodegradable resin. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an IC card comprising: an antenna formed as a flat coil wound several times having an inner vacant area, said antenna being made by punching or etching a thin metal strip and having an outermost loop partially connected to and supported by an outer frame of said thin metal strip, and said antenna having respective innermost and outermost terminals; a semiconductor element electrically connected to said innermost and outermost terminals, respectively; one of said innermost and outermost terminals having an accommodation hole in which said semiconductor element is accommodated; and supporting material for supporting said semiconductor element and said antenna to maintain their form, said supporting material being made of biodegradable resin. 
     The IC card further comprises a wiring pattern film for electrically connecting terminals of said semiconductor element to said innermost and outermost terminals of the antenna, respectively. 
     The IC card further comprises a pair of films laminated to respective surfaces of said flat coil and said semiconductor element to form external surfaces of said IC card and said pair of films are made of biodegradable resin or paper. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a state in which an antenna is supported by a frame; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic illustration showing a connection terminal formed in an antenna; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which an inside frame is removed; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which a semiconductor element is mounted on an antenna; 
     FIGS.  5 ( a ) and  5 ( b ) are schematic illustrations showing a method of mounting a semiconductor element on an antenna; 
     FIG.  6 ( a ) is a plan view of a wiring pattern film; 
     FIG.  6 ( b ) is a cross-sectional view of a wiring pattern film; 
     FIGS.  7 ( a ) and  7 ( b ) are schematic illustrations showing a method of electrically connecting a semiconductor element with a connection terminal by a wiring pattern film; 
     FIGS.  8 ( a ) to  8 ( c ) are schematic illustrations showing another method of electrically connecting a semiconductor element with a connection terminal by a wiring pattern film; 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which biodegradable resin is laminated on an antenna; 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration showing a state in which an antenna is held by biodegradable resin in a frame-shape; 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which an antenna is divided into individual pieces; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a neighborhood, on which a semiconductor element is mounted, is laminated by biodegradable resin; 
     FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which an antenna is laminated by a film which becomes the outside of an IC card; 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view of an IC card; 
     FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration showing an outline of the structure of a device for laminating biodegradable resin which is formed into a sheet-shape on an antenna; 
     FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state in which an antenna is partially held with a tape by a conventional method; and 
     FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a state in which an antenna is held when a protective film is laminated on both sides of the antenna by a conventional method. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description relates to only a preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention, and that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing the sprit and scope thereof. 
     Referring to the appended drawings, a preferable embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below. 
     FIGS. 1 to  14  are views showing a method of manufacturing an IC card of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a view showing an antenna frame used for an IC card in which an antenna  10  is formed by punching or etching of a metal sheet. In this embodiment, the metal sheet is made of material such as iron which can be easily obtained at low price and further can be easily oxidized and corroded so that the IC card can be easily discarded after the use. When a metal sheet is subjected to punching, it is easy to form a flat coil-shaped antenna  10  of a fine pattern from a metal sheet. It is also easy to mass-produce the antennae  10  from an elongated metal strip. 
     FIG. 1 is a view showing a state in which two antennae  10  are formed on the frame  16  while being connected with each other. It is possible to provide a frame in which three or more antennas  10  are formed in the longitudinal direction while being connected with each other. In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral sections of the antennas  10  are held by the frame  16 , and the inner peripheral sections of the antennae  10  are held by the inner frame  20 . 
     Reference numerals  22   a ,  22   b  are connection terminals for electrically connecting the antenna  10  with the electrode terminals of the semiconductor element  12 . The connection terminal  22   a  is formed at the end of the inner peripheral section of the antenna  10 , and the connection terminal  22   b  is formed at the end of the outer peripheral section of the antenna  10 . FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b . The connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b  are arranged at positions opposed to each other in such a manner that the lead of the coil-shaped antenna is interposed between the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b . In one  22   a  of the connection terminals, there is provided an accommodation hole  23  for accommodating a semiconductor element  12 . 
     Next, the inner frame  20  is removed from the antenna  10  by cutting the connecting section by which the inner frame  20  has been connected with the inner peripheral section of the antenna  10 . FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the inner frame  20  is removed. 
     Next, the semiconductor element  12  is mounted on the antenna  10 . FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the semiconductor element  12  is mounted on the antenna  10 . In this embodiment, the electrode terminals of the semiconductor element  12  and the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b  are electrically connected with each other by the wiring pattern film. 
     FIGS.  5 ( a ) to  7 ( b ) are views showing a method of electrically connecting the semiconductor element  12  with the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b . FIG.  5 ( a ) is a view showing a state in which the semiconductor element  12  is arranged in the accommodation hole  23  formed in the connection terminal  22   a . Reference numerals  12   a ,  12   b  are electrode terminals of the semiconductor element  12 . The electrode terminals  12   a ,  12   b  are electrically connected with the respective connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b . FIG.  5 ( b ) is a view showing a state in which the wiring pattern film  30  is made to adhere to the connection terminals  22   a  and  22   b  in such a manner that the wiring pattern film  30  crosses a lead of the antenna so that the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b  are electrically connected with the semiconductor element  12 . 
     FIG.  6 ( a ) is a plan view of the wiring pattern film  30 , and FIG.  6 ( b ) is a cross-sectional view of the wiring pattern film  30 . On the wiring pattern film  30 , there are provided wiring patterns  32   a ,  32   b , which are made of a conductive material such as copper, on the surface of the adhesive layer  34  having an electrically insulating property. As shown in FIG.  6 ( a ), the wiring patterns  32   a ,  32   b  are divided from each other in the width direction of the film. On the wiring patterns  32   a ,  32   b , there are provided through-holes  36   a ,  36   b , the positions of which agree with the positions of the electrode terminals  12   a ,  12   b , respectively. On the wiring patterns  32   a ,  32   b , there are provided through-holes  38   a ,  38   b , the positions of which agree with the connecting positions of the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b.    
     FIGS.  7 ( a ) and  7 ( b ) are cross-sectional views showing a method of electrically connecting the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b  with the semiconductor element  12  by making the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b  adhere to the wiring pattern film  30 . FIG.  7 ( a ) is a view showing a state in which the wiring pattern film  30  is made to adhere to the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b  via the adhesive layer  34 . A bump formed in the electrode terminal  12   b  of the semiconductor element  12  is inserted into the through-hole  36   b , and the through-hole  38   b  is arranged so as to be positioned on the connection terminal  22   b.    
     FIG.  7 ( b ) is a view showing a state in which the conductive paste  40  is filled in each through-hole  36   a ,  36   b ,  38   a ,  38   b  formed on the wiring pattern film  30 . When each through-hole  36   a ,  36   b ,  38   a ,  38   b  is filled with the conductive paste  40 , the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b  and the electrode terminals  12   a ,  12   b  of the semiconductor element  12  are electrically connected to each other by the wiring patterns  32   a ,  32   b . In this way, the semiconductor element  12  is mounted while being connected with the antenna  10 . 
     FIGS.  8 ( a ) to  8 ( c ) are views showing another method of mounting the semiconductor element  12  on the antenna using the wiring pattern film  30 . According to the method described before, after the semiconductor element  12  has been arranged in the accommodation hole  23  of the connection terminal  22   a , the wiring pattern film  30  is made to adhere to the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b . However, according to this method, after the wiring pattern film  30  has been made to adhere to the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b , the electrode terminals  12   a ,  12   b  are positioned to the through-holes  36   a ,  36   b , the semiconductor element  12  is made to adhere, and then the conductive paste  40  is filled into the through-holes  36   a ,  36   b ,  38   a ,  38   b . The conductive paste  40  is used for electrically connecting the electrode terminals  12   a ,  12   b  of the semiconductor element  12  with the wiring patterns  32   a ,  32   b . Other conductive materials apart from the conductive paste  40  can be appropriately used. 
     As shown in the present embodiment, the method of connecting the semiconductor element  12  with the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b  by using the wiring pattern film is advantageous in that the semiconductor element  12  can be easily positioned to the wiring pattern film when the semiconductor element  12  is accommodated in one  22   a  of the connection terminals formed into a frame-shape, so that the assembling operation can be easily carried out. Also, the method is advantageous in that the connection section, in which the semiconductor element  12  is connected with the connection terminals  22   a ,  22   b , can be made thin when the wiring pattern is used. Also, the method is advantageous in that the conductive paste  40  can be easily filled in the through-holes  36   a ,  36   b ,  38   a ,  38   b.    
     In this connection, in the above embodiment, in the inner peripheral section of the antenna  10 , the connection terminal  22   a  is formed in which the accommodation hole  23  for accommodating the semiconductor element  12  is formed. However, it is possible to form a connection terminal, in which the accommodation hole  23  for accommodating the semiconductor element  12  is formed, in the outer peripheral section of the antenna  10 . 
     After the semiconductor element  12  has been mounted on the antenna  10  as described above, both faces of the antenna  10  and the semiconductor element  12  are laminated on each other by the support member made of the biodegradable resin  50 . In this connection, in the case where the antenna  10  is laminated by the support member made of the biodegradable resin  50 , only one face of the antenna  10  and the semiconductor element  12  can be laminated and supported. FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the antenna  10  is laminated by the biodegradable resin  50 . In this embodiment, all the regions including the inner region of the antenna  10  are laminated by the biodegradable resin  50 . However, it is possible for the antenna  10  to be partially laminated and held. FIG. 10 is a view showing an example in which after all the regions of the antenna  10  have been laminated by the biodegradable resin  50 , the inner region of the antenna  10  is punched so that the antenna  10  is supported in a frame-shape. The smaller the region for holding the antenna  10  by the biodegradable resin  50  is, the thinner the IC card can be made in the case of forming the IC card. 
     After the antenna  10  has been laminated by the biodegradable resin  50 , the connecting section  16   a  (hanging section) of the outer peripheral section with the frame  16  and the connecting section  10   a  for connecting the antenna coils adjacent to each other are separated from each other and the biodegradable resin  50  is cut off along the outer peripheral edge of the antenna  10 . In this way, the antenna  10  is separated from the frame  16 . FIG. 11 is a view showing an antenna  10  which has been separated from the frame  16 . Since the connecting section  16   a  of the antenna  10  with the frame  16  is punched and also the connecting section  10   a  for connecting the antenna coils adjacent to each other is punched, the cutout portion  50   a  and the punched hole are formed in the support member of biodegradable resin  50 . The semiconductor element  12  mounted on the antenna  10  is also held by the biodegradable resin  50 . 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connecting section of the connecting terminals  22   a ,  22   b  of the antenna  10 , which has been laminated by the biodegradable resin  50 , with the connecting section of the semiconductor element  12 . The connecting terminals  22   a ,  22   b  and the semiconductor element  12  are electrically connected with each other by the wiring patterns  32   a ,  32   b , and the outside of the connecting section is covered with the biodegradable resin  50 . 
     After the antenna  10  has been separated, the antenna  10  is further laminated by the film  60  which is arranged outside the IC card. Then the IC card is formed into a predetermined profile. In this way, the IC card can be produced. 
     FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which the film  60  arranged outside the IC card is laminated. A film of resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is preferably used for the film  60  arranged outside the IC card. Also, biodegradable material such as biodegradable resin or paper is preferably used for the film  60  arranged outside the IC card. The antenna  10  is held by the biodegradable resin  50 , and the biodegradable resin  50  acts as an adhesive agent. Therefore, it unnecessary to apply an adhesive agent when the film  60  to be arranged outside the IC card is laminated. 
     FIG. 14 is a view showing the IC card  70  which has been finally obtained. The antenna  10  and the semiconductor element  12 , which are held by the biodegradable resin  50 , are interposed between the films  60  arranged outside the IC card  70 . In this way, the IC card is formed into a predetermined profile. 
     The structure of the IC card of this embodiment is primarily characterized in that the biodegradable resin  50  is used for holding the antenna  10  and preventing the antenna  10  from being shifted from a predetermined position. The biodegradable resin  50  is a film which can be decomposed by the action of microorganisms. Therefore, when the antenna  10  is held by the biodegradable resin  50 , the IC card can be discarded without having a bad influence on the natural environment. 
     When the biodegradable resin  50  is used as material for holding the antenna  10  and further, when material which is easily decomposed such as iron is used for the antenna  10  itself and furthermore, when material which is easily subjected to biodegradable such as paper is used for the outside film of the IC card, the biodegradable resin  50 , antenna  10  and outside film of the IC card  70  are naturally decomposed when the IC card  70  is simply discarded without being subjected to a special treatment such as incineration. In this connection, depending upon a case, it is also possible to make the film, which is arranged outside the card, of a biodegradable resin  50 . 
     Even in the case where the antenna  10  is made of iron which can be easily decomposed, since the antenna  10  is airtightly closed by the biodegradable resin  50  or the outside film in a normal condition of use, there is no possibility that the antenna  10  becomes rusty. Therefore, appearance of the product is not affected. On the other hand, in the case where the IC card is discarded into the ground, the biodegradable resin  50  is decomposed in a few weeks by the action of microorganisms, so that the antenna arranged inside the IC card can be decomposed. 
     In this connection, it is necessary for the biodegradable resin  50 , which is used for assembling the IC card, to have a predetermined profile-holding property so that the biodegradable resin  50  can be preferably used for mass production. 
     The biodegradable resin used for assembling the IC card can be made of various products such as polyester synthetic resin, cellulose derivative and starch derivative. In this embodiment, the biodegradable resin  50  is made from corn. The physical property of the biodegradable resin used in these embodiments are shown as follows. In this case, the physical property is shown with respect to films A and B. In these specific examples A and B, the material is made of corn starch. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Softening 
                 Tensile 
                   
                 Melting 
                 Equi- 
               
               
                   
                 Density 
                 tem- 
                 elastic 
                 Tensile 
                 vis- 
                 librium 
               
               
                 Film 
                 (g/cm 3 ) 
                 perature 
                 modulus 
                 strength 
                 cosity 
                 moisture 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Film A 
                 1.18 
                 80° C. 
                 3200 
                 190 
                 4550 
                 0.8 
               
               
                 Film B 
                 1.19 
                 64° C. 
                 4200 
                 210 
                 — 
                 1.3 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     On Table 1, values are shown in the case where the thickness is 400 μm. The unit of tensile elastic modulus is kgf/cm 2 , the unit of tensile strength is kgf, and the unit of melting viscosity is poise. The biodegradable resin is decomposed in about 60 days. 
     The biodegradable resin  50  used in these embodiments can be thermally deposited at low temperatures. When the antenna  10  is interposed and thermally pressed between the films of the biodegradable resin  50 , it is easy for the biodegradable resin  50  to be laminated on the antenna  10 . 
     FIG. 15 is a view showing an outline of a device for laminating a long piece of the biodegradable resin  50  onto the antenna  10  by thermally pressing the biodegradable resin  50  with rollers. Reference numerals  50   a ,  50   b  are rolls of the biodegradable resin  50  which are formed when a long piece of the sheet-shaped biodegradable resin  50  is rolled up, and reference numerals  80   a ,  80   b  are rollers used for thermally pressing the long piece of the sheet-shaped biodegradable resin  50 . Since the biodegradable resin  50  is melted at low temperatures, it is easy to laminate the biodegradable resin  50  on the antenna  10  by the thermal pressing method in which the rollers  80   a ,  80   b  are used. 
     The method of laminating the antenna  10  with the sheet-shaped biodegradable resin  50  as shown in FIG. 15 is advantageous in that the device structure can be made so simple that the manufacturing line can be easily accomplished and further the antenna  10  can be continuously laminated so that the line structure can be made effective. When the manufacturing line is provided, it is possible to make the antenna  10  into a reel-shape. Further, when the biodegradable resin  50  is formed into a sheet-shape, it becomes possible to suppress fluctuation of the film thickness. Therefore, when the sheet thickness of the biodegradable resin  50  is changed, the strength for fixing the antenna  10  can be easily changed. 
     In this connection, the biodegradable resin  50  is not necessarily used in the form of a sheet, for example, it is possible to hold the antenna  10  by using the granular biodegradable resin  50 . In the case of using the granular biodegradable resin  50 , the granular biodegradable resin  50  is melted with a thermal press, and the antenna  10  is interposed, under pressure, via the melted biodegradable resin  50 . Due to the foregoing, the antenna  10  can be held with a thin sheet-shaped biodegradable resin  50 . The method of holding the antenna  10  with the granular biodegradable resin  50  is advantageous in that the antenna  10  can be positively filled with the biodegradable resin  50  when it is compared with the method of laminating with the sheet-shaped biodegradable resin  50 . Further, the granular biodegradable resin  50  is less expensive than the sheet-shaped biodegradable resin  50 . 
     Concerning another method of utilizing the biodegradable resin  50 , the biodegradable resin  50  is dissolved in organic solvent so that the biodegradable resin  50  is made to be paste-like, and a thus formed paste-like biodegradable resin  50  is coated on the antenna  10  with a dispenser. In the case where the paste-like biodegradable resin  50  is used, it is necessary to take time for drying the paste-like biodegradable resin  50 . However, when the program of the dispenser is changed, it is possible to easily cope with a product, the card size of which is different, and a tag product apart from the IC card, and further, it is possible to appropriately select the coating pattern. The paste-like biodegradable resin  50  easily gets into the antenna, so that the antenna  10  can be positively held. 
     The solubilities of the biodegradable resins shown on Table 1 with respect to inorganic solvent are as follows. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Solvent 
                 Solubility 
                 Solvent 
                 Solubility 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Toluene 
                 Δ-x 
                 Diethyl ether 
                 x 
               
               
                 Xylene 
                 x 
                 Ethyl Cellosolve 
                 ∘ 
               
               
                 Acetone 
                 ∘ 
                 Butyl Cellosolve 
                 ∘ 
               
               
                 MEK 
                 ∘ 
                 Methanol 
                 x 
               
               
                 Cyclohexanone 
                 ∘-Δ 
                 Ethanol 
                 x 
               
               
                 Ethyl acetate 
                 ∘ 
                 Methylene chloride 
                 ∘ 
               
               
                 n-butyl acetate 
                 ∘ 
                 Chloroform 
                 ∘ 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     On Table 2, reference mark ◯ represents a state of complete dissolution, reference mark Δ represents a state of difficult dissolution to partial dissolution, and reference mark x represents a state of only swelling to non-dissolution. 
     When an antenna is held by biodegradable resin in the manufacturing process of an IC card as explained above, the following advantages can be provided. When the antenna is conveyed after it has been formed into a predetermined pattern by means of punching or etching, it is possible to prevent the antenna from being deformed. When the antenna is held by using a biodegradable resin, it is possible to provide an IC card not affecting the natural environment when the IC card is discarded. In this connection, the method of holding the antenna by using biodegradable resin can be applied to not only the IC card but also a tag product used for distinguishing baggage or other articles. Especially, biodegradable resin made from corn can be mass-produced at low cost. Therefore, it can be effectively used for manufacturing IC cards. 
     According to the IC card and the method of manufacturing the IC card of the present invention, when biodegradable resin is used for a support member, which supports an antenna so as to prevent the deformation and displacement of the antenna, in the manufacturing process of the IC card, the IC card can be discarded, in safety and at low cost, without affecting the natural environment. Further, when the film, which is arranged outside the antenna and card, is made of material which can be easily decomposed, it is possible to provide an IC card, the safety of which is high, which can be easily discarded.