Method of manufacturing cards comprising at least one electronic module, assembly produced during this method and intermediate products

The assembly (22) involved in the fabrication of electronic cards comprises a plate (14) exhibiting a plurality of apertures (16) in which are respectively housed a plurality of electronic modules (2). These electronic modules are assembled to the plate 14 by fixing means, in particular by fixing bridges leaving a slot (26) over the major part of the surround of the electronic module. For example the fixing means are formed by projecting parts (18) at the periphery of the apertures (16), these projecting parts exhibiting a smaller thickness than the thickness of the plate (14) and serving as supports for the electronic modules, in particular for a substrate (12) of these modules. Fixing is performed for example by welding or adhesive bonding. The invention also relates to an intermediate product formed by such an assembly and a filing material that fills at least the major part of the remaining space in the apertures (16). The invention also relates to a method of fabricating cards in which the assembly according to the invention is finally coated in a resin to form substantially plane cards.

This is a National Phase Application in the United States of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2007/055530 filed Jun. 5, 2007, which claims priority on European Patent Application No. 06012550.7, filed Jun. 19, 2006 and International Patent Application PCT/EP2006/008552, filed Oct. 5, 2006. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a method of manufacturing cards that each include an electronic module, in particular, an electronic module comprising an electronic display. The card obtained from the method according to the invention is, for example, a bankcard, in particular, which conforms to the ISO standard. However, the present invention can also apply to electronic cards whose general profile is not rectangular, particularly circular cards. The present invention also concerns assemblies and intermediate products obtained within the scope of the method according to the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic cards or integrated circuit cards have considerably developed over the last few years. Initially, electronic cards were formed of a card body including a resistive contact module housed in a recess in the body of the card. Then, contactless cards were made, i.e. cards including a transponder formed of an electronic circuit connected to an antenna. As electronic cards develop, it is sought to integrate other electronic elements for other functions into the cards. By way of example, cards including a switch that can be activated by the user and an electronic display have been disclosed. Such cards generally require relatively large batteries or powering means of the photovoltaic cell type. In order to integrate these various elements in a card, they are generally grouped together in the form of at least one electronic module, including a support or substrate, on the surface of which various electronic elements are arranged.FIG. 1shows a schematic example of this type of module. Module2includes an integrated circuit4, connected to an electronic display6, a battery8and an activator10, arranged on a support12, forming a PCB interconnecting these various elements. In order to limit the thickness of these modules, the battery and/or the display can be arranged at the periphery of support12or in recesses therein.

It is not easy to integrate a relatively large electronic module, made up of various elements of variable shape and size, in a card. Further, integrating a digital display, which has to be precisely positioned in the manufactured card, causes an additional problem, which the present invention proposes to overcome.

EP Patent No. 0 570 784 discloses, in one implementation, a method of manufacturing cards including an electronic assembly, in particular, a transponder, which is placed in a main aperture of a positioning frame. According to the implementation disclosed, the transponder and the positioning frame are embedded in a binding agent that can be added in viscous liquid form, particularly a resin. In EP Patent No. 0 570 784, the positioning frame is only used for delimiting an inner zone for the transponder, formed of an integrated circuit and a coil, inside the card. Thus, when pressure is applied to the various elements and the binding agent to form a card, the transponder is held in an inner zone, whereas it is possible for the binding agent, in a non-solid state, to spread out on to form a layer that passes through the manufactured card. Those skilled in the art can find, in this Patent document, a method for integrating a relatively large and complex-shaped electronic module in a compact, flat card. However, the electronic module placed in the main aperture of a positioning frame, as described in that document, will often be moved slightly when the card is being formed. Indeed, this document does not disclose how to maintain the transponder in a precise, determined position inside the aperture of the positioning frame. Those skilled in the art might certainly think of reducing the dimensions of the main aperture to make them approximately match the dimensions of the electronic module, in particular the external profile of the module. However, manufacturing tolerances must be taken into account, so that it is difficult to envisage too tight a fit. Moreover, depending upon the way in which the modules are manufactured, the positioning of the various elements on the support may also vary slightly. Thus, for example, digital display6is arranged on the surface of the PCB or at the periphery thereof in a position that may vary slightly. However, to obtain a high quality card, this digital display must be positioned precisely relative to the external contour of the manufactured card. This is particular important when a transparent aperture, which fits the dimensions of the digital display, is arranged above the digital display to allow the user of the card to read the display.

There is a further problem in addition to this problem of positioning the electronic module relative to the external contour of the card. This problem concerns introducing the electronic module within the card manufacturing installation. It will be noted here that electronic cards are generally manufactured in batches, i.e. several cards are manufactured simultaneously in the form of a plate that includes a plurality of electronic modules. Then, each card is separated from the obtained plate during a cutting step, as is described in EP Patent No. 0 570 784. Within the scope of the embodiments described in the latter disclosure, the transponder remains free in relation to the positioning frame until the card is formed. This requires precautions in the handling of the various elements brought to form the card, to ensure that the transponders remain in the corresponding apertures in the positioning structure until the press is activated.

The present invention thus also proposes to answer this latter problem, in order to simplify the provision of electronic modules, while ensuring that the electronic modules are held in the apertures of a positioning structure and to facilitate assembly of the various elements and materials provided for manufacturing the cards.

Therefore, the present invention concerns, firstly, an assembly produced during the manufacture of cards, which each include an electronic module. The card manufacturing process includes the provision of a plate, which has at least one, at least partially through aperture, and at least one electronic module, which is electrically independent of said plate and housed, at least partially, in said at least one aperture, in an installation where a resin is added to at least one side of said electronic module, said plate forming a positioning structure for said electronic module. This assembly includes said plate and said at least one electronic module and is characterized in that, before said assembly is brought to said installation, said plate and said at least one electronic module are assembled in a sufficiently rigid manner for said at least one electronic module to remain in a substantially defined position relative to said plate, firstly until the resin is added, and subsequently during said resin is added.

It should be noted that the resin could be added in various forms and in various states. The term “resin” should be understood in a broad sense, including various known adhesives, PVC and Polyurethane resins or other resins available to those skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, each aperture and/or the electronic module located in said aperture are arranged such that a space remains in the aperture, and open on at least one side of the plate. The card or intermediate product manufacturing process then includes a step where a filling material is introduced into this space remaining in the apertures.

Assembling the plate pierced with apertures and electronic modules in a preliminary step of the card manufacturing method has numerous advantages and answers the aforementioned problem. The fact that a material connection is made between the electronic module and the plate means that the assembly can be handled, in particular, via the plate, in order to implement subsequent steps in the card manufacturing method. The assembly according to the invention resolves the problem of holding the electronic modules in the apertures of the plate, when the plate and electronic modules are brought into an installation where a resin is added in accordance with the card or intermediate product manufacturing method of the invention.

In the preferred embodiment, wherein a space remains in the apertures of the pierced plate after the assembly according to the invention has been assembled, the spaces remaining in the apertures are generally filled with a filling material or a resin by applying pressure, particular using a press or a roller that spreads out the filling material or resin. If no particular precautions are taken, this step may move the electronic modules relative to the frame. The assembly according to the present invention resolves this problem in an advantageous manner, by maintaining the modules in a precise position during the entire card manufacturing method; both in the general plane of the plate and along the axis perpendicular to the general plane.

The present invention also concerns an intermediate product of the card manufacturing process, which comprises an assembly according to the aforementioned preferred embodiment, and a filling material, which fills at least most of the space remaining in the plate apertures where the electronic modules are situated. The top and bottom surfaces of this intermediate product are preferably more or less flat. In a first variant, the thickness of the intermediate product is approximately the same as said plate, the filling material being essentially provided in the spaces remaining in the plate apertures. In a second variant, the filling material is formed by a resin, which covers at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the plate. In this latter case, the intermediate product has improved rigidity, because the resin covers at least one side of the plate and preferably both sides.

If the resin covers both sides of the plate and the electronic modules, the intermediate product can already be used as a card, when the outer surfaces are approximately flat. However, there are several advantages to making the intermediate product according to the invention in a card manufacturing method that includes at least one further step of adding resin to both sides of the intermediate product. The present invention also concerns this manufacturing method. According to this method of manufacturing at least one card, an intermediate product, as defined above, is made, and then the resin is deposited on at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the intermediate product. Finally, pressure is applied to the deposited resin, which is then in a non-solid state, to form at least one card that has a flat outer surface, since the resin deposited on the intermediate product fills in any variations in thickness in the intermediate product. The resin deposited on the intermediate product preferably forms a thin layer. The resin can be added in a single step or in several successive steps to further improve flatness.

This method is particularly advantageous for obtaining cards which have a perfectly flat surface and which incorporate a relatively large electronic module that has variations in thickness and is formed of various elements. In fact, when the electronic module is formed of various elements, made of different materials and with different levels of thickness and empty intermediate zones, the filling material or resin added to the remaining space in the plate aperture is distributed in an irregular manner, with variations in thickness. When the filling material or resin hardens, shrinkage, and thus a variation in thickness, may occur in the resin, which then generates a surface with slight hollows or bumps. The surface state of the intermediate product generally does not meet the bankcard standards, but the variations in thickness can be removed, by subsequently depositing a resin film on both sides of the intermediate product, when the finished cards are formed. The cards then have perfectly flat outer surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the invention concerns a method of manufacturing at least one intermediate product or at least one card including the following steps:making an assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the invention described above, said assembly including a plate that has at least one aperture and at least one electronic module arranged, at least partially, in said aperture, said plate and said at least one electronic module being assembled, before a filling material is added to the remaining space in said at least one aperture, in a sufficiently rigid manner to hold said at least one electronic module in said at least one aperture, in a substantially fixed position relative to said plate, prior to and during the following step of:adding a filling material and introducing said filling material in a viscous liquid state into said remaining space in said at least one aperture;solidifying said filling material.

According to a preferred variant, the method is characterized in that a resin is deposited over at least one of the bottom and top surfaces of said plate, at least on the side where the filling material was introduced into said at least one aperture in said plate. According to a preferred variant, the filling material is identical to the resin and is added simultaneously.

According to a particular feature of the method described above, the resin is spread out using at least one roller or one blade, which moves relative to the plate-electronic module assembly. An intermediate product or card with more or less flat outer surfaces is thus obtained.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

With reference toFIGS. 2 to 4, we will now describe a first embodiment of an assembly according to the invention, which is produced in a card manufacturing method, also in accordance with the invention. The method of the invention is particularly well suited to manufacturing cards in batches, i.e. manufacturing several cards simultaneously. The assembly22shown partially inFIG. 4includes several electronic modules2for manufacturing several batches of cards. However, it will be noted that the present invention is not limited to the batch manufacture of cards, but can also, in a particular variant, apply to card-by-card manufacture, i.e. individual card manufacture.

Assembly22includes a plate14that has at least one, at least partially through aperture16, and at least one electronic module2at least partially housed in said at least one aperture16. In the example shown inFIG. 2, plate14has a plurality of through apertures16and defines as many frames for electronic modules2as there are modules housed in said apertures16. The plate defines a positioning structure for the electronic modules. According to the invention, projecting portions18are arranged at the periphery of each aperture16. In the variant shown inFIGS. 2 to 4, two projecting portions18are arranged on two opposite sides of aperture16, substantially along a diagonal of said aperture. It will be noted, however, that there can be any number of projecting parts and they can be arranged anywhere along the periphery of each aperture16. Preferably, at least two projecting portions are provided in each aperture16. These projecting portions form stop members for the electronic modules inserted in the apertures.

FIGS. 2 and 4show, in dotted lines20, the final periphery of each card obtained from the manufacturing method of the invention, in which assembly22is involved. In a conventional manner, each card obtained is cut out by means known to those skilled in the art.FIG. 3Ashows plate14in the cross-sectional plane III-III ofFIG. 2. The thickness or height of projecting portions18is less than that of plate14. Projecting portions18are formed before electronic module2is brought, in a variety of manners. These portions can be obtained by hot or cold pressing in a press. They can also be obtained using an ultrasound head or a head generating a high frequency electric field. This provides an initial plate14of constant thickness, pierced with apertures16that have projecting portions. Next, the thickness of the projecting portions is reduced, by a tool or head acting in a localised manner on these projecting portions. This step can be performed quickly and efficiently using one of the aforementioned means. In another variant of plate14, the thickness of projecting portions18is reduced by machining, in particular by using a milling cutter. In another variant, plate14is formed of two layers, laminate welded to each other, the bottom layer including projecting portions18, whereas the top layer has rectangular apertures that match apertures16in the projecting portions. Projecting portions18can thus be made by any means known to those skilled in the art.

Once plate14has been made, one electronic module2, which is electrically independent of the plate, is inserted into each aperture16. The electronic module and all the electrical connections thereof, are made beforehand. In the example described here, module2includes a substrate12, which extends into at least some zones at the edge of said module, beyond the electronic elements4to8which said module carries. The dimensions and shape of substrate12are such that it has two zones24which are superposed on the two projecting portions18, when electronic module2is inserted into aperture16. Thus, substrate12abuts against projecting portions18, as shown inFIG. 3B.

According to the invention, electronic modules2are assembled to plate14in a sufficiently rigid manner, firstly, so that electronic modules2remain in apertures16during the card manufacturing method according to the invention, and secondly, so that they approximately maintain the initial position defined when projecting portions18are assembled. The electronic module can be positioned when it is inserted into aperture16relative to a defined reference on plate14. This positioning of module2relative to plate14may concern the module as a whole and thus in particular substrate12, or it may concern one particular element of the module, in particular electronic display6. This is particularly advantageous, given that display6is, by definition, meant to be visible on one surface of the finished card. Precise positioning of the display relative to the contour20of the card is important for aesthetic reasons, and also functional reasons, when the display appears through an aperture in a covering layer of the card. When positioning is required relative to the display, means are provided for marking electronic display6and then inserting module2in such a way that display6is in a determined position relative to plate14, which thus forms a positioning structure.

Electronic module2can be secured to projecting portions18in various ways. By way of example, provided that the materials forming the two zones24of substrate12and projecting portions18can adhere directly to each other, said zones24are simply heat welded to projecting portions18, using thermodes. Module2can also be secured to plate14using an ultrasound head or other means known to those skilled in the art. In another variant, an adhesive film is deposited, either on projecting portions18, or on zones24, so as to bond them to each other. In other variants, substrate12is secured to projecting portions by adding drops of adhesive or a strip of adhesive between the edge of the substrate and the projecting portions. Any chemical or physical means that assemble module2to the projecting portions in a sufficiently rigid manner can be used within the scope of the present invention.

A secure assembly is thus obtained, formed of plate14and electronic modules2, which are housed in apertures16of the plate. Two particular, advantageous features of assembly22will be noted:firstly, the thickness of module2is substantially identical to the thickness of plate14, electronic module2being entirely housed in the corresponding aperture16;secondly, a slot26remains between module2and the edge of aperture16, with the exception of the zones where projecting portions18are located.

The fact that module2is housed entirely inside aperture16, i.e. in the thickness of plate14, means that the manufacture of relatively thin cards can be better controlled. This means cards that have the smallest possible increase in thickness relative to the thickness of module2. The presence of a slot26reduces manufacturing tolerances for pierced plate14and modules2and also allows substrate12to be positioned slightly differently from one aperture to another, depending upon the position of the electronic display assembled to the substrate. Moreover, as will become clear below, slots26can then be filled by a resin, which thus provides an adherent bridge between substrate12and the wall of through aperture16. This ensures, finally, that electronic module2and plate4are perfectly secured to each other, such that, when the finished card is bent or subjected to other stress, electronic module2follows the deformation of plate14properly. This prevents the edges of substrate12of module2marking the external surfaces of the finished card and thus damaging the aesthetic appearance of the card. It will be noted that the material used, in particular for making substrate12, is selected so that it can withstand a certain amount of elastic deformation and can allow electronic module2to be bent, when the card is subjected to stress, particularly within the scope of tests carried out to ensure compliance with the relevant standards.

A first alternative embodiment is shown inFIG. 5, which shows a single aperture16of a plate14, which here has approximately the dimensions of a single card. This simplified diagram, which is also used inFIGS. 6 and 8, is in no way restrictive, and describes an assembly30, which is similar to assembly22ofFIG. 4, i.e. for batch manufacturing a plurality of cards.

The variant ofFIG. 5differs in that the projecting portions18A are formed in the four corners of aperture16. The portions thus define truncated corners in the bottom area of aperture16. Projecting portions18A, which project relative to the generally rectangular shape of aperture16, can be made by the same, aforementioned techniques. The dimensions of module2are such that the four corners of substrate12are superposed on the four parts18A. The electronic module is assembled to plate14in a similar manner to the previously described variant.

FIG. 6shows a second alternative embodiment of the assembly according to the invention. This alternative is characterized in that it provides a step34, which forms an intermediate level against which two lateral zones36of substrate12abut, along two opposite edges of rectangular aperture16. Steps34can be formed in a similar manner to the projecting portions described in the other variants. The electronic module is assembled to plate14by welding or bonding, or by any other physical or chemical means available to those skilled in the art.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bshow an assembly according to a third variant of the first embodiment. Frame14includes a plurality of apertures16. The peripheral area of each aperture has at least one notch38or preferably at least two notches38. Each notch defines a small circular step. Electronic module2has projecting portions40at the edge thereof, which are partially superposed on notches38when module2is inserted in aperture16. These projecting portions40rest on the small circular steps38. Module2is assembled to plate14via zones40, which are either welded, or bonded in notches38. In a particular variant, the notches are sized such that projecting zones40have to be forcibly pushed into these notches, which secures electronic module2to plate14. However, this latter variant has the drawback of requiring substrate12and notches38to be machined very precisely in the peripheral area of each aperture16. It will be noted that the first and third variants can be combined, with projecting portions18then being superposed on projecting zones40.

The various variants of the first embodiment of an assembly according to the invention, which have been described up until now, are characterized in that distinct zones on the edge of the electronic module, in particular on the substrate, are superposed on corresponding peripheral areas of the plate aperture, which houses said electronic module. The thickness of these peripheral areas is preferably smaller than that of the pierced plate. According to the invention, said edge zone and said peripheral area, which is superposed thereon, are assembled to each other so that the electronic module is secured in the plate aperture. The edge zone of the electronic module can directly abut against the corresponding peripheral area or be connected thereto via a resin film. Material connections are thus created between the electronic module and the pierced plate by means of specific zones on the edge of the electronic module, located opposite corresponding peripheral zones of the aperture, in which the electronic module is arranged.

FIG. 8shows a fourth, particular variant of the first embodiment of an assembly of the invention. Assembly44is formed by a frame14that includes at least one aperture16, which is separated into two secondary apertures by a crossbeam46whose thickness is less than that of plate14. One could say that aperture16has two secondary apertures or equally that there are two apertures separated by a relatively narrow crossbeam. Electronic module2is arranged so that there are no electronic elements in a central area of substrate12, which is superposed on crossbeam46once module2has been inserted in aperture16. Module2is assembled to plate14via horizontal member46, to which module2is, for example, welded or bonded. Other assembling means could be provided by those skilled in the art.

In all of the variants of the first embodiment of an assembly according to the invention that have been described, the thickness of the areas of plate14that are peripheral to apertures16is preferably smaller than the thickness of the plate in general. It will be noted that other variants with a plate of constant thickness could be envisaged. In such case, substrate12is located above plate14, with the electronic elements in aperture16.

FIG. 9shows a second embodiment of an assembly50according to the invention. The references that were described above will not be described again in detail here. This embodiment is characterized in that electronic module2is assembled to plate14via portions of adhesive strip52, in particular two portions. In this embodiment, electronic module2is entirely contained within the corresponding aperture16and has no parts superposed on plate14. The adhesive strip portions52define material connections between each electronic module and the pierced plate. These portions52can be arranged on either side of electronic module2. In the example ofFIG. 9, these portions52form a bridge between substrate12of module2and the peripheral area of aperture16. These portions are arranged on the opposite side to the electronic elements carried by substrate12. This example is in no way restrictive.

This second embodiment is characterized generally by the arrangement of strips formed of distinct material elements forming bridges between the edge of the electronic modules and the corresponding peripheral areas of the apertures housing the electronic modules. An “adhesive strip portion” means generally a strip portion with a surface that adheres both the plate14and to substrate12. The adherence must be sufficient to hold the electronic module in the corresponding aperture16during transport and handling of assembly50, and also during the steps of the card manufacturing method, in which this assembly50is produced as a constituent element in the batch of simultaneously manufactured cards.

FIG. 10shows an advantageous variant of the second embodiment of an assembly56. The material connection or bridge between the electronic module and the peripheral area of aperture16in plate14is achieved here via self-adhesive discs58. The peripheral area of each aperture has notches60defining two small intermediate steps. The parts of self-adhesive discs58superposed on plate14are arranged inside these notches60in order to avoid creating any excessive thickness relative to frame14. The depth of notches60can be relatively small, at least equal to the thickness of disc58, or, conversely, their depth can be relatively large but less than the thickness of frame14. The references that have already been described are not all described again here.

FIG. 11shows a third embodiment of an assembly according to the invention. This assembly62also includes a pierced plate14and electronic modules2arranged in apertures16. These modules2are assembled to plate14here by heat-reactivatable adhesive wires64. These heat-reactivatable adhesive wires64pass through plate14and, in particular, apertures16. Each heat-reactivatable adhesive wire64is arranged to adhere to plate14and to the modules2through which it passes. In the example shown inFIG. 11, each electronic module2is held in the corresponding aperture16by two wires64arranged in proximity to two opposite edges of the module. The heat-reactivatable adhesive wire64can be a wire made of synthetic or natural material, or covered with adhesive. In another variant, the wire itself is formed by a solid resin, which can be made to adhere by applying heat or ultra-violet light. Of course, in another variant, an adhesive strip that passes through apertures16can form wire64. In another variant, the heat-reactivatable adhesive wires could pass grooves made in plate14between two adjacent apertures16, to prevent the wires causing excessive thickness relative to plate14.

Heat-reactivatable adhesive wires64can be added before or after the electronic modules, depending upon the arrangement anticipated. Likewise, the heat-reactivatable adhesive wires can be provided on the side of substrate12opposite the electronic elements carried by the substrate, as shown inFIG. 11, or located elsewhere, relative to substrate12, on the same side as the electronic elements. The heat-reactivatable adhesive wire can adhere either to substrate12or to some of the electronic elements above which it is arranged. Those skilled in the art will understand that the possible variants are numerous. The assembly method here comprises an element that adheres to the electronic module and to plate14and passes through spaces16from a peripheral area to another peripheral area of each aperture16.FIG. 11shows the heat-reactivatable adhesive wires parallel to one edge of rectangular apertures16, but the wires could very well be arranged obliquely, particularly along a diagonal direction of said apertures16.

FIGS. 12 to 15show two variants of a fourth embodiment of an assembly according to the invention. The references that have already been described previously will not be described again here in detail. This fourth embodiment differs in that electronic modules2are assembled to plate14by introducing a resin in slot26between module2and the corresponding aperture16. In the variant shown inFIGS. 12 and 13, the adhesive is introduced, for example by using a syringe, into slot26so that a small strip of adhesive70forms an adherent bridge between the lateral wall17of aperture16and the edge of substrate12of the electronic module. This strip of adhesive can be added once the electronic module has been placed in the corresponding aperture in the plate or before the module is brought. In this latter case, a strip of adhesive is applied against lateral wall17of aperture16. The strip of adhesive can be added in a viscous liquid state or in a paste like state, or even in a solid state and then made soft or viscous by applying heat. Strip70can be formed by any resin that adheres sufficiently well to frame14and the electronic module, in particular to the substrate12thereof, to hold the electronic module in the corresponding aperture and thus enable assembly68to be handled, without the electronic modules coming out of their respective apertures. The material connection made beforehand between the electronic module and plate14is important for holding the electronic module in a given position during the initial handling operations and also during the various steps of the method according to the invention, which will be described below.

The variant ofFIGS. 12 and 13is characterized in that the strip of resin70defines a small bridge in slot26, i.e. between the edge of substrate12and the lateral surface17of plate14. This obviously does not mean that resin strip70cannot also extend partly over one or other of the top or bottom surfaces of substrate12and also over the top surface of plate14. However, it will be noted that, preferably, the resin for securing the module is entirely inside aperture16and does not therefore cause any excessive thickness relative to the plate.

The variant shown inFIGS. 14 and 15differs in that the assembly72includes drops of resin for securing electronic elements2to plate14. These drops74are preferably added to the side of substrate12where the electronic elements are arranged. The drops of resin72form a joint essentially between the lateral wall17of aperture16and the top surface of substrate12. This does not, however, mean that drop74flows into slot26. The two variants of this fourth embodiment of an assembly according to the invention are thus relatively close to each other. In this fourth embodiment, a resin is applied locally to create a bridge or joint between the electronic module and the peripheral area of the corresponding aperture. This bridge or join is preferably located inside aperture16so that it does not cause any excessive thickness relative to the thickness of frame14, which is approximately equal to the maximum thickness of electronic module2.

It will be noted that the resin can be applied over several distinct edge zones of module2. InFIGS. 12 and 14, the resin is only deposited in two diametrically opposite zones. Evidently, more zones could be provided, in particular, four zones approximately at the four corners of aperture16. It will also be noted that the distinct zones can be relatively short as shown inFIGS. 12 and 14, or extend over a longer distance, for example, along the two small sides of rectangular aperture16.

In all of the embodiments of the assembly according to the invention described above, the electronic module can have various configurations. This electronic module can have electronic elements on both sides of substrate12so that the substrate12is located in the median area of the corresponding aperture. Some elements can also be arranged in apertures in substrate12or at the periphery thereof, to prevent their respective thickness being added. In this latter case, it is also possible for an electronic element to pass through the substrate and come out of both sides of the substrate. Preferably, the thickness of plate14is approximately identical to the thickness of the electronic module; but this is not a compulsory requirement. Some elements, in particular an electronic display, have a greater thickness than that of plate14. Finally, it will be noted that various embodiments and/or various variants could be combined with each other.

Two main variants of an intermediate product produced during the card manufacturing method according to the invention will be described below with reference toFIGS. 16 and 17.

The intermediate product80shown inFIG. 16is formed by an assembly according to the invention, said assembly including a pierced plate14and electronic modules housed in corresponding apertures16. Substrate12of module2rests abutting against projecting parts arranged at the periphery of apertures16, as described with reference to the first embodiment of an assembly according to the invention. Initially, electronic modules2and pierced plate14are assembled to each other by an adherent film provided between the projecting parts of plate14and substrates12of the electronic modules. In another variant, modules2are secured to plate14by adding drops of resin or strips of resin, in particular in the slot remaining between substrate12and wall84. It will be noted inFIGS. 16 and 17that the example chosen for the assembly according to the invention is given by way of non-limiting illustration. In fact, any assembly according to the invention can form an intermediate product by adding a filling material82in the space remaining in apertures16. In the variant ofFIG. 16, the filling material82approximately fills each aperture16, without, however, covering the top and bottom surfaces of plate14, or the surfaces of electronic display6that have the same thickness as plate14. Filling material82fills at least most of the space remaining in apertures16. This filling material is added in viscous liquid form and inserted in the apertures by various means available to those skilled in the art, in particular by casting pouring or any other technique known to those skilled in the art. It will be noted, in particular, that it is possible to envisage introducing filling material82by an injection technique, by pressing the mould cover on plate14, the cover mastering the top surface of electronic display6during injection. One variant can be envisaged wherein electronic display6is also covered by the filling material, which is then transparent. Once again, the examples given are in no way restrictive. In the variant ofFIG. 16, the filling material is added entirely through the top surface of frame14, i.e. on the opposite side of substrate12to electronic module2.

Filling material82can be formed by various suitable materials, which preferably have some elasticity once they have solidified. Preferably filling material82has a good adherence with the lateral walls of openings16. In particular, a synthetic or natural resin forms material82. By way of example, material82can be a polyurethane resin or a PVC resin. Material82could also be formed by an adhesive that hardens at ambient temperature or reacts, for example, to ultraviolet light (UV). In another variant that could be envisaged, material82could be formed by a gel or silicon-based material.

The intermediate product86shown inFIG. 17differs from that ofFIG. 16in that filling material82is formed by a resin that covers at least the top surface88of plate14, i.e. the surface on the side of which resin82was introduced. In the example ofFIG. 17, resin82also covers bottom surface89of plate14and module2, in particular, substrate12. In another variant, plate14and the electronic modules are placed on a work surface or a worksheet as in the case ofFIG. 16, and the resin is only introduced slowly, from above, into the space remaining in apertures16. In such case, only top surface88of plate14and the top surface of display6will be covered. If electronic display6is covered by resin82, this resin82will obviously be sufficiently transparent to allow the display to be read. As in the example ofFIG. 16, electronic circuit4is covered by resin82.

Once the resin has been added and distributed in apertures16, a step is provided for solidifying the resin to form the intermediate product. In the example ofFIG. 17, the assembly according to the invention is embedded in resin82. However, in the example ofFIG. 16, resin82does not define a through layer, but it is localised essentially in apertures16of plate14. InFIGS. 16 and 17, the top surface of the solidified resin is slightly rippled, i.e. it has slight variations in thickness. This does not mean that the resin was only added by a casting technique, but it can indicate that, when the resin or filling material solidified, the material may have shrunk in a non-homogenous manner, given the presence of relatively bulky electronic elements, formed of various materials. Thus, the non-flat surface of intermediate product86can also result from a method wherein the resin is spread using a roller or blade, and even in the case where the resin is injected or spread in a press with flat surfaces. The intermediate product86can already be used to form a card or electronic token once it has been cut out, but its surface state can be improved within the scope of a method according to the invention, which will be described below.

FIG. 18shows an alternative embodiment of the intermediate product. This variant is characterized in that two worksheets are also provided on either side of the assembly according to the invention, i.e. covering the top and bottom surfaces of the resin layer. These worksheets104and106thus have poor adherence to resin82and facilitate the manufacture of the intermediate product. In fact, the resin is not then placed in contact with the surfaces of the manufacturing installation for the intermediate products according to the invention. The worksheets are removed once the resin has solidified. In another variant, a thin plastic film is provided on each side of the resin, which adheres securely to the resin. This film remains in the cards manufactured in accordance with the method described below.

With reference toFIG. 19, we will describe below a method of manufacturing at least one card according to the invention. The steps in this method include:making an intermediate product according to the invention, for example intermediate product80ofFIG. 16, or intermediate product86ofFIG. 17;depositing a resin over at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the intermediate product;applying pressure on the resin deposited on the intermediate product to spread the resin out and make said bottom and/or said top surface of the intermediate product level, said resin then being in a non-solid state and preferably viscous liquid, to compensate for any variations in thickness in the intermediate product.

FIG. 19shows a plurality of cards that are batch manufactured in accordance with the method described below. After intermediate product86was made, two resin layers92have been added on either side of intermediate product86, in addition to two external solid layers94and96. Using a press, pressure is applied against external layers94and96so as to form a plurality of cards90. The references that have already been cited will not be described again here in detail. If the intermediate product includes two external plastic films, the resin is then deposited above and the films are covered with resin on both sides.

It will be noted that there are various possible variants as regards the addition of resin92on either side of intermediate product86. A first main variant consists in adding the resin in a viscous liquid state, either before or simultaneously with the addition of external layers94,96. The card according to the invention can be formed for example in a press with flat surfaces in which the various elements are placed, or using press rollers known to those skilled in the art. Resin92can be identical to the filling material or resin82, used to form the intermediate product. However, a different resin that is suited to application in thin layers could very well be selected for layers92. Moreover, a resin92that is particularly stable and has no significant shrink during solidification, will preferably be selected.

As is clear fromFIG. 19, intermediate product86has a slightly rippled top surface. Resin92is distributed when pressure is applied so as to fill in the ripples in the intermediate product, to form a card, or a plurality of cards90, whose external layers94and96have a perfectly flat surface. Manufacturing by adding the resin or filling material in two steps results in cards that have a given thickness and thus overcomes the flatness problems encountered in the manufacture of cards that have relatively large electronic modules or elements inside, in particular electronic elements whose thickness is variable, which cause variable resin thickness inside the card. The resin can be added to the intermediate product and pressure can be applied above in several successive steps. Thus, during the first application of resin, two worksheets are preferably used, and then removed once resin layers92have solidified. A second resin layer can then be added above to further improve the flatness of the card. As already mentioned, a multi-layered structure with thin plastic films between two depositions of thin resin layers, could also be provided.

According to a second main variant, the resin layers92are added in the form of solid resin sheets, which are then at least partially melted prior to or simultaneously with the application of pressure to form the finished cards. The resin sheets are thus sufficiently soft and easily deformed for the resin to be able to spread and fill the surface unevenness of the intermediate product86, in order to form a high quality flat card. Heat can be applied by various means and, in particular, via the actual press. Finally, resin92can also be solidified in various ways, depending upon the features of the resin. The resin can solidify at ambient temperature, or by other means known to those skilled in the art, particularly by a chemical reaction or polymerisation with thermosetting materials.

It will be noted that the finished card90can include several external layers and transparent protective layers, for example, to protect any printing performed on layer94or96. Generally, any intermediate product and any card obtained within the scope of the present invention, can then be laminated with a variable number of plastic layers, without using any additional resin. An intermediate layer that has been laminated with external layers in this way can form finished cards after the cutting operation.

With reference toFIGS. 20 to 22, we will describe another implementation of the card or intermediate product manufacturing method according to the invention. In this implementation, one may take any assembly according to the invention, formed of a pierced plate14and electronic modules, in particular a display6and an electronic circuit4mounted on a substrate12. As inFIGS. 16 and 17, the electronic display is arranged in an aperture of substrate12or at the periphery thereof. It is secured to the substrate by connecting pins or other connecting or securing means. This assembly according to the invention is provided with a resin98, in a viscous liquid state, between two solid layers94and96, respectively104and106in an installation provided with press rollers100and102, between which the various elements are continuously introduced. Rollers100and102preferably rotate freely and the assembly formed of the electronic modules and the pierced plate, and the external layers, are pulled. This implementation is not restrictive, but has the advantage of allowing the assembly according to the invention and the external layers in contact with press rollers100and102to move forward in an identical way. Resin98is preferably added to bottom layer94, or respectively top layer104and over the assembly according to the invention. This is in no way restrictive and any other way of adding the resin that allows the electronic assembly to be properly embedded or coated could be used by those skilled in the art. The installation supports have been shown entirely schematically and do not form any particular feature of the method of the invention.

It will be noted that press rollers100and102, and the arrangement thereof in the card manufacturing installation, have been shown schematically. It is possible to provide several pairs of press rollers arranged one after the other or other similar means of pressure, for example a continuous press fitted with a conveyor belt. These pairs of rollers can have different diameters and the distance between the rollers of one pair can also be different. In particular, the distance between the press rollers could decrease in the direction of movement of the elements that pass through the press rollers. Thus, the thickness gradually decreases between external layers94and96, or104and106respectively. This enables the resin98to be better distributed to obtain improved flatness for the manufactured cards.

Means other than press rollers could be provided, for example blades for spreading out the resin and distributing it in the remaining spaces in the apertures in the pierced plate and on either side of the assembly of the invention.

FIG. 21shows a batch of cards obtained by the method described above. Cards108thus include an electronic module connected to a pierced plate14and coated with resin98. These cards include two external solid layers94and96, which have approximately flat surfaces. These layers94and96adhere properly to resin98, so that they form part of the finished cards. In a known manner, each card is cut out of the batch of simultaneously manufactured cards using a cutting tool or by means known to those skilled in the art, particularly using a jet fluid.

FIG. 22shows an intermediate product or a batch of cards110obtained by the manufacturing method described with reference toFIG. 20. Here, solid layers104and106form worksheets that do not adhere well to resin98so that these sheets104and106are removed once resin98has solidified. An intermediate product, or batch of cards is thus obtained, whose body is formed by resin98, the external surfaces of the resin then defining the external surfaces of the product obtained. According to various variants, other external layers can be subsequently added, by laminating either side of the intermediate product110. Likewise, the cards108shown inFIG. 21can also receive other external layers, in particular a printing layer and a final transparent protective layer. The cards can be individually cut before or after these additional layers are added.

In another implementation of the method described here, the intermediate product or cards can be formed in a press that has flat surfaces. All of the elements are added between these surfaces before any pressure is exerted to form the intermediate products or approximately flat cards. It will be noted that it is possible, firstly, to use press rollers and then to place the product obtained in a press with a flat surface until the resin solidifies. It will be noted finally, that resin98is preferably added in a viscous liquid state. However, in a variant, it is possible to add the resin or any other filling material in a solid state and then to melt it so that it can then fill the remaining spaces in the apertures in pierced plate14and thus form compact and substantially full cards, i.e. cards that have a relatively low level of residual air.