RU2341379C2 - Images protected against forgery and shaped with metal, and also protection devices and documents protected with their help - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: textile fabrics; paper; information technologies.

SUBSTANCE: image protected against forgery and formed with metal is suitable for use on the surface of protected documents, such as bank notes, or on the surface of carrying wafer used on or in protected document. Image shaped with metal contains signs from the following groups: negative or reversed symbols preset with uninterrupted metal borders, in which one or more properly resolved visible pictures are available from alternating metal and non-metal lines includes inside the signs; positive symbols that are formed with one or more properly resolved visible pictures from alternating metal and non-metal lines; and their combinations. During copying of image formed with metal, using printing methods with metal paints, transfer from foil or hot impression, paint or foil covers and/or is absent in parts of at least some metal lines of one or more visible pictures. Method of protection device manufacture contains carrying wafer that has width, flat opposite surfaces and image protected against forgery and shaped with metal, which is installed on the wafer surface, in which image formed with metal includes properly resolved pictures from alternating metal and non-metal lines, which contains application of metal layer onto one surface of carrying wafer; coating of metal layer with resistive material.

EFFECT: prevention and elimination of counterfeiters efforts to copy appearance of window protective threads on bank notes.

22 cl, 5 dwg

Description

Related Applications

This application claims the priority of provisional application US No. 60/599583, filed April 5, 2004.

Technical field

The present invention generally relates to tamper-resistant, metal-generated images for use with security documents such as banknotes and the like. In particular, the invention is directed to metal-generated images that are difficult (if not impossible) to copy using printing methods with metallic inks, transfer from foil or embossing. A security device that uses at least one similar metal-generated image is also considered part of the invention, as well as security documents in which at least one metal-generated image is located on their surface or where at least at least one protection device is at least partially embedded in or installed on them.

State of the art

Security threads are widely used in banknotes and other valuable documents, providing a visual and / or mechanical means for verifying the authenticity of these documents. These threads, usually consisting of a metallized polyester strip with a width of 1.0 to 5.0 mm, are chemically etched to form distinctive marks that are easily distinguishable in reflected and / or transmitted light. Security threads can be either fully or partially embedded in these documents. For partially embedded security threads, these threads are embedded in the paper during manufacture and, alternatively, rise above the surface of the paper at regular intervals. These so-called “window” threads can be found in banknotes around the world, and therefore, they are subject to counterfeiting by counterfeiters. In fact, it is well known in the banknote industry that counterfeiters counterfeit the surface of “window” security threads by applying metallic foil to the counterfeit surface.

In one of these methods of copying with metal foil, a conventional laser printer is used to print the intended foil pattern onto the counterfeit surface. Conventional non-adhesive metallized art foil can be applied to a drawing and heated by a heat element such as a home iron. Under the influence of heat, the laser printer toner acts as glue, attracting a metal layer of the carrier foil in accordance with the printed pattern. When the foil is removed from the counterfeit surface, the silver metal surface of the foil adheres only to the printed area, while repeating simple text and drawings, reflecting the appearance of a typical demetallized security thread. This method can be further improved by using commercially available, color-changing new films for counterfeiting flowering or holographic “window” security threads.

Alternatively, it is known that counterfeiters produce hot stamping dies according to a desired pattern and perform foil stamping on counterfeit papers using traditional hot stamping materials and methods.

The present invention serves to prevent or eliminate the constant attempts of counterfeiters to copy the appearance of “window” security threads in banknotes by providing a metal-generated image that is difficult (if not impossible) to efficiently copy using printing methods with metallic inks, transfer from foil or hot stamping.

The present invention also provides a counterfeit-protected security device in which one or more such metal-generated images are applied or displayed, as well as security documents on which one or more such metal-generated images are located or where one or more such security devices at least partially embedded in or installed on them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, the present invention provides a metal-formed image that contains one or more visible patterns from alternating metallic and non-metallic areas that can take the form of lines, dots, patterns, or combinations thereof, while copying a metal-generated image using metal ink printing methods , transfer from foil or hot stamping, the paint or foil overlaps and / or is absent in parts of at least some metal regions of the visible pattern and (s), thereby resulting in a portion of the copied image is blurred or blurred state.

In a preferred embodiment, the visible pattern (s) contains alternating metallic and non-metallic lines, the width of the non-metallic lines within the pattern (s) being in the range of about 0.05 to about 0.10 mm, and the frequency of the non-metallic lines being in the range of about 4 up to approximately 14 lines per millimeter (i.e. the frequency of the lines is approximately 0.07 to 0.25 mm).

The present invention also provides a tamper-resistant, demetallized protection device that comprises a carrier substrate having planar opposed surfaces and at least one metal-generated image, such as described above, located on at least one surface of the substrate.

In addition, the present invention provides a security document in which at least one metal-generated image and / or at least one copy-protected, demetallized security device such as described above is applied.

Other functional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise indicated, all technical and scientific terms used here have the same meaning as is usually perceived by one with ordinary knowledge in a particular technical field by the person to whom this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference into this description. In the event of a conflict, the present description, including definitions, should be applied. In addition, the materials, methods and examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to narrow the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Specific functional features of the disclosed invention are illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a top view of a preferred holographic embodiment of the security thread of the present invention on a large scale, visible in transmitted light, showing negative or inverted letters with a pattern comprising metallic and non-metallic lines, while Figures 1A and 1B show parts top view of the security thread of figure 1, both on a large scale, showing the manifestation of the thread when viewed from different angles in reflected light.

Figure 2 shows a top view of another preferred embodiment of the security thread according to the invention on a large scale, visible in transmitted or reflected light, showing letters with a net pattern of lines and metal numbers surrounded by a thin non-metallic outline.

Figure 3 shows a graphical representation of an attempt to copy the security thread of figure 2, using traditional methods of transfer from foil or hot stamping.

Metal-formed images according to the present invention increase efficiency without compromising the main advantages of demetallized security devices (e.g., security threads) and security documents (e.g., banknotes). By carefully studying the methods of transferring from foil and hot stamping, as well as the method of printing with metallic inks, the inventors identified the limitations (i.e. dimensional key points) of these methods and, using this information and balancing between the readability and feasibility of manufacture, designed demetallized drawings or images that are difficult (if not impossible) to efficiently copy. In fact, any attempt to imitate or copy by printing with metallic paints, transferring from foil or hot stamping will result in a fake that is easy to distinguish (with the untrained and unaided eye) from the original (or genuine) security device or security document, since the design of the security device The protected document will be distorted, skipped or completely destroyed in the copy.

The present inventors have also examined the ability of an image formed according to the invention to metal to effectively act as an optical reflector in “window” security papers or banknotes. As is well-known to those skilled in a particular field of technology, metal layers can serve as optical reflectors in various optically variable devices and optical devices that perform the functions of an interference filter (OVD or DOVD). Therefore, for such applications, it was considered advantageous to retain as much metal as possible, along with the inclusion of demetallizing properties.

As mentioned above, metal-formed images according to the present invention include one or more visible patterns from alternating metallic and non-metallic regions, which can take the form of, for example, complex or simple patterns of lines, dots, patterns, or combinations thereof. The resolution and the intermediate distance of each component of the pattern (s) are selected so as to avoid the possibility of efficient copying using printing methods with metallic inks, transfer from foil and hot stamping. In particular, when an image formed by a metal is copied using these methods, a metallic paint or foil overlaps or joins and / or will be absent in parts of at least some of the metal regions of the visible pattern (s). As a result, portions of the copied image become blurry or blurred.

Examples of metals or metallic materials that are suitable for use in forming anti-counterfeiting images of the present invention include, but are not limited to, aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), gold (Au) , iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), silver (Ag), or alloys of one or more of these materials. In a preferred embodiment, the metal or metal material is aluminum.

For those counterfeit-protected embodiments that contain alternating metallic and non-metallic lines, the width of the non-metallic lines in the figure (s) ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.10 millimeters (mm) (preferably from about 0.06 to approximately 0.07 mm), while the frequency of non-metallic lines ranges from about 0.07 to about 0.25 mm (preferably from about 0.16 to about 0.17 mm).

In one embodiment, the metal-generated image contains negative or inverted characters (eg, symbols, letters and / or numbers) that contain one or more patterns with alternating metallic and non-metallic lines. For this embodiment, the frequency of non-metallic lines that is below the designated lower limit (i.e., <0.07 mm) causes the characters or text to appear gray, similar to fakes made with metallic paints, while the frequency of non-metallic lines that is higher the designated upper limit (i.e.,> 0.25 mm), causes the characters or text to look like traditional negative text (as shown and described in US Pat. No. 4,943,093 Melling et al.) and, thus, are fake by colors and transfer with foil.

In yet another embodiment, the metal-generated image contains positive signs that are formed by one or more patterns with alternating metallic and non-metallic lines. For this embodiment, a frequency of non-metallic lines that is less than 0.07 mm causes the characters or text to look like traditional positive text (as shown and described in Timothy T. Crane, US Pat. No. 4,651, 2015) and thus are more suitable copying by means of metallic paint or transfer from foil, while the frequency of non-metallic lines, which is greater than 0.25 mm, brings the region of the sign or text into a state in which it is difficult to visually detect and disassemble.

For those embodiments that include metallic and non-metallic dots, the diameter of the dots inside the pattern (s) is in the range of about 0.05 to about 0.10 millimeters, while the density (i.e., the number of dots per inch) is chosen so that the dots they didn’t touch and at the same time were close enough to stop copying using methods of printing with metallic inks, transfer from foil or hot stamping.

The counterfeit-protected images of the present invention can be used individually, or in connection with, for example, optical marks, on the surface of banknotes or any document, or by means of identification for authentication purposes. In one proposed embodiment, images according to the invention are formed on a film or sheet with a release coating for transfer (typically a metallized foil provided on a film on a polyester carrier with release release coating) and, subsequently, are transferred from the film or sheet to the surface of a bill or other protected document using traditional methods. In another such proposed embodiment, images according to the invention are formed on optical marks (for example, diffraction gratings, hologram structures) contained in a film or sheet with a release coating for transfer (a typical example is a holographic foil attached to a film on a polyester carrier with release coating ), and the resulting combination is transferred from the film or sheet to the surface of the protected document.

Copy-protected images according to the present invention can also be permanently or permanently formed on the surface of a plastic carrier substrate (for example, a security strip or thread) and are subsequently used with banknotes and other security documents.

Referring to the figures, the protection device 10 of the present invention mainly comprises a carrier substrate 12 having flat opposing surfaces and at least one metal-formed image 14 located on at least one surface of the substrate 12.

The carrier substrate 12 is a light guide carrier substrate that has a thickness of from about 12 to about 26 microns (preferably from about 17 to about 21 microns). Preferably, the substrate 12 is formed using one or more substantially colorless polymers selected from the group of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and mixtures thereof. In a more preferred embodiment, the carrier substrate 12 is a polyester film.

In one preferred embodiment, the carrier substrate 12 is colored and / or luminescent, and in another preferred embodiment, the substrate 12 contains optical marks, such as a diffraction grating and / or holographic structures.

In addition to the foregoing, the carrier substrate 12 preferably provides adhesive properties in order to secure the security device 10 in or on a security document such as paper.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the security device 10 is a protective strip or thread that comprises: a carrier substrate 12 having flat opposing surfaces; at least one metal-formed image 14 located on one surface of the substrate 12; a holographic embossed pattern (not shown) formed on the opposite surface of the substrate 12. The metal-formed image 14, as it appears in transmitted light, consists of negative or inverted letters that contain a pattern with alternating metallic and non-metallic lines 16,18.

Due to the presence of a holographic relief pattern, as best shown in Figures 1A and 1B, when viewing this preferred embodiment of the security device 10, two different images will appear at different angles in reflected light.

In yet another proposed embodiment (not shown), the security device 10 is a protective strip or thread comprising: a carrier substrate having a holographic relief pattern formed on its surface, and at least one metal-generated image formed in the holographic relief pattern .

Figure 2 shows another preferred embodiment of the security thread 10 without applying a holographic embossed pattern. In this embodiment, the metal-formed image 14, visible in either transmitted or reflected light, consists of letters containing a grid pattern with lines and metallic numbers surrounded by a thin non-metallic outline. Security thread 10 also displays a series of voids or gaps 20 in the metal located on the substrate 12. As described in detail in US Pat. a bill or other security document containing a thread, as well as a means for indicating the denomination of the bill.

In another preferred embodiment (not shown), image 14 contains letters and numbers that are formed by patterns of metal dots.

The protection device 10 of the present invention may contain additional layers, coatings or devices, although provided that any such additional layer, coating or device will not interfere with the visual perception of information transmitted by the metal-generated image 14 and / or for signals visible by the authentication device. Proposed additional layers, coatings, or devices include, but are not limited to, magnetic layers, two-dimensional arrays of non-cylindrical lenses used to enlarge the metal-generated image 14 (or optionally, to further influence image rotation, orthoparalactic movement and / or the observed visual depth), optically changing devices, optical devices acting as an interference filter, external protective layers, light-conducting adhesive layers on any of the sides n or on each side of the device 10, which facilitate the incorporation of the device 10 into or onto security documents, as well as fluorescent coatings made of eosin, fluorescein, fluorite, quinine sulfate, calcium sulfide, neodymium salicylate, samarium gluconate, yttrium salicylate and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, an external protective layer is used in the protection device 10. The outer protective layer is a light transmitting protective layer, which may be in the form of a protective film with a thickness ranging from about 3.0 to about 12.0 microns (preferably from about 3.0 to about 6.0 microns) or a printed coating with a thickness within from about 1.0 to about 6.0 microns.

More preferably, the protective layer is formed using one or more substantially colorless polymers selected from the group of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and mixtures thereof. In a most preferred embodiment, the protective layer is a laminated polyester film.

In yet another more preferred embodiment, the protective layer is colored and / or luminescent, and in yet another more preferred embodiment, the protective layer has adhesive properties for fixing the security device 10 in or on paper.

The outer protective layer can be laminated to the metal layer using the light-transmitting adhesives described above.

The protection device 10 may be manufactured using conventional methods. For example, the security thread shown in FIG. 1 can be made by:

a) embossing or embossing with a relief pattern of one surface of a polymer (for example, polyester) film;

b) coating the opposite surface of the polymer film with a metal (eg, aluminum) layer;

c) coating the metal layer with resistive material, with the exception of those areas where non-metallic lines 18 should be formed (inside each negative or reversed sign);

d) using a chemical on a printed metal layer to remove the metal layer from the entire surface except for the areas protected by the resist so that the non-metallic lines 18 turn into transparent areas on the opaque reflective surface of the metal.

In another example, where the metal-formed image 14 contains positive signs formed by patterns with alternating metallic and non-metallic areas (e.g., lines, dots, patterns, or combinations thereof), the metal layer is coated with a resist so as to protect the metal layer only in those areas in which metal areas of the pattern (s) should appear in the final thread.

The resist is preferably applied by means of a printing process, such as flexography, photography or silk screen printing.

As mentioned above, any attempt to copy the security device 10 of the present invention using methods of printing with metallic inks, transfer from foil or hot stamping will result in a fake that is easily distinguished (untrained and unaided eye) from the original device. As best shown in FIG. 3, which is a schematic representation of an attempt to copy the security thread of FIG. 1 using transfer methods from foil or hot stamping, the design of the thread is disrupted by the metal connections of the thin metal lines of the pattern within each letter. The reason for this is the inability to accurately transfer the foil.

The security document of the present invention is preferably security paper and a security device 10 (preferably in the form of a security thread) that is either fully or partially embedded in the paper. In the case of partially embedded threads, their parts are brought to the surface of the paper at certain intervals along the length of the thread in the “windows” or “holes” in the paper.

As mentioned above, security thread 10 can be at least partially embedded in security papers in the manufacture by methods commonly used in the paper industry. For example, the yarn 10 of the invention can be fed into a matrix paper machine, a round-mesh paper machine, or a similar machine of a known type, which will result in the full or partial incorporation of the yarn into the final paper.

In addition to the foregoing, the security device 10 of the present invention can be installed on the surface of security papers either during or after manufacture. The installation of the device 10 can be implemented by any of the known methods, including a method of applying pressure-sensitive glue to the surface of the device 10 and pressing the device 10 against the surface of the paper, as well as a method of applying hot-melt adhesive to the surface of the device 10 and installing the device 10 on the paper surface using thermal methods transfer.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present invention is not limited to any exemplary embodiment.

Claims (22)

1. A tamper-resistant metal-formed image suitable for use on the surface of security documents such as banknotes or on the surface of a carrier substrate used on or in a security document in which the metal-formed image contains characters from the following group: a) negative or inverted characters defined by solid metal borders, in which there is one or more perfectly resolved, visible patterns of alternating metallic and non-metallic lines included inside the characters; b) positive characters, which are formed by one or more perfectly resolved, visible patterns of alternating metallic and non-metallic lines; c) their combinations, moreover, when copying a metal-generated image using methods of printing with metallic inks, transfer from foil or hot stamping, the paint or foil overlaps and / or is absent in parts of at least some metal lines of one or more visible patterns. 2. The tamper-resistant metal-formed image of claim 1, wherein the non-metallic lines have a width lying in the range of about 0.05 to about 0.10 mm and a frequency lying in the range of about 4 to about 14 lines per millimeter. 3. The tamper-resistant metal-formed image of claim 1, wherein the non-metallic lines have a width ranging from about 0.06 to about 0.07 mm and a frequency lying from about 5 to about 6 lines per millimeter. 4. The tamper-resistant metal-formed image of claim 1, wherein the metal regions of one or more perfectly resolved, visible patterns of the metal-formed image are formed using one or more metals selected from the group — aluminum, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold , iron, nickel, silver, and their alloys. 5. Protected against counterfeiting, a metal-formed image according to claim 4, in which metal lines are formed using aluminum. 6. A protection device that contains a carrier substrate having flat opposing surfaces, and at least one tamper-resistant metal-formed image according to claim 1, located on at least one surface of the substrate. 7. The protection device according to claim 6, in which the carrier substrate is a light transmitting carrier substrate, which is formed using one or more essentially colorless polymers selected from the group of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and combinations thereof. 8. The protection device according to claim 7, in which the carrier substrate is a polyester film. 9. The protection device according to claim 7, in which the carrier substrate is a colored carrier substrate. 10. The protection device according to claim 7, in which the carrier substrate is a luminescent carrier substrate. 11. The protection device according to claim 7, in which the carrier substrate contains one or more optical labels. 12. The protection device according to claim 11, made in the form of a protective strip or thread, which contains: a supporting substrate having flat opposite surfaces; at least one copy-protected, metal-formed image located on one surface of the substrate; and a holographic relief pattern formed on the opposite surface of the substrate. 13. The protection device according to claim 11, made in the form of a protective strip or thread, which contains: a supporting substrate having flat opposite surfaces; a holographic relief pattern formed on at least one surface of the carrier substrate; and at least one copy-protected, metal-generated image located on a holographic relief pattern. 14. The protection device according to claim 11, made in the form of a protective strip or thread, which contains: a supporting substrate having flat opposite surfaces; at least one copy-protected, metal-formed image located on one surface of the substrate; and a two-dimensional array of microlenses located on the opposite surface of the substrate. 15. The protection device according to claim 6, made in the form of a protective strip or thread having a length and a width, which comprises: a carrier substrate having flat opposite surfaces; a plurality of metal regions that are stretched along the length of the strip or thread, wherein the metal regions are separated by non-metallic regions that are stretched across the width of the protective strip or thread; and at least one tamper-resistant metal-formed image located within one or more metal regions and / or one or more non-metal regions. 16. The protection device according to claim 6, which further comprises at least one external protective layer. 17. A method of manufacturing a protection device containing a carrier substrate having a width and flat opposite surfaces, and at least one tamper-resistant metal-formed image located on at least one substrate surface in which the metal-formed image Includes perfectly resolved patterns of alternating metallic and non-metallic lines, containing: a) applying a metal layer to one surface of the carrier substrate; b) coating the metal layer with a resistive material, wherein i. when at least one copy-protected metal-generated image contains negative or inverted signs defined by solid metal borders, and these signs include one or more perfectly resolved visible patterns of alternating metallic and non-metallic lines, the metal layer is coated with a resistive material except those areas where non-metallic lines of one or more perfectly resolved visible patterns should be formed and, if necessary, voids or tearing metal on the carrier substrate stretched width; ii. when at least one copy-protected metal-generated image contains positive signs formed by one or more perfectly resolved, visible patterns of alternating metal and non-metal lines, the metal layer is coated with resistive material only in those areas, while metal lines of one or more perfectly resolved, visible drawings; c) the use of a chemical on a printed metal layer to remove the metal layer, with the exception of areas protected by resistive material. 18. A protected document having at least one counterfeit protected metal-formed image according to claim 1, located on or in the document. 19. The security document of claim 18, wherein the security document has two opposing surfaces, and the security document contains one or more optical marks on at least one surface and at least one tamper-resistant image formed by the metal, formed on one or more optical tags. 20. The security document according to claim 19, in which one or more optical labels are selected from the group of diffraction gratings, hologram structures, or combinations thereof. 21. The security document of claim 20, wherein the one or more optical tags are a holographic foil. 22. The security document according to claim 18, which comprises at least one security device at least partially embedded in or located on it, in which at least one security device comprises: a carrier substrate having flat opposite surfaces; and at least one tamper-resistant metal-formed image located on at least one surface of the carrier substrate.

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