AU619839B2 - New medium and its application - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-adhesive safety support (1) intended to be placed on a substrate. It consists of at least one printable planar structure, coated with a layer of adhesive, the planar structure and the adhesive being such that the layer of adhesive is partially absorbed into the thickness of the planar structure. The planar structure is preferably a sheet of natural and/or synthetic fibres whose degree of print writing adhesive bonding is 5. Application especially as means preventing the falsification of passports. <IMAGE>

Description

Our Ref: 276505 Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specificati Priorityi Related Art: tApplicant(s): Address for Service: AUSTRALIA FORM Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

on Lodged: Accepted: Published: -Arjvxar-F Ir -Pont 4de- Lodi -PAR-I-S- -75006

-FRANGE

F-v ls~ I I ARTHUR~ S. CAV7E CO.

Patent Trade Mark Attornerys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Complete specification for application" the invention ezitlitled "New medium and its The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- I 5020 lA The invention concerns a self-adhesive tamper-proof information medium,and more particularly pressure adhesive paper, especially of the type intended to receive a stamp and/or inscription eg. a visa.

Transparent self-adhesive films are already known and used to protect information media such as photographs, signatures written on passports or identity cards. Such films are described in the following documents GB-A-2 128 581, GB-A-615 666, GB-A-2 013 571 and GB-A-1 589 395. These films are S. transparent and made from sheets of plastic material. Their essential purpose is to protect information whilst leaving it visible. They contain print which is invisible to natural light and which is covered by a pressure- sensitive adhesive layer. As an example, the print has a greater affinity to the adhesive than to the plastic film. Therefore, when the film is adhered over an area of information and a counterfiiter attempts to remove the I film to modify the information, there occurs a delamination of both the adhesive and the film, while the print remains on the information medium and the latter thus becomes unusable by the counterfeiter.

t These plastic films known from prior art allow the protection of information media such as photographs or signatures written, for example, on a passport or any other official document and prevent the counterfeiter from removing these photographs to replace them by others and/or altering the filled in parts (name, age, signature).

US Patent number 3 623 944 discloses a self-adhesive friable polymer film for the protection of a substrate. The film and the adhesive must be chosen so that the tear resistance of the film is less than the adhesive force between the adhesive and the substrate. Attempts to falsify the substrate are evidenced by the partial (or total) destruction of the friable film in tearing it away. However, this security system has a number of drawbacks f V 0546k/LFP -2

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I Li Fl very specific compositions are required for both the polymer film and the adhesive, they are produced in a solvent medium, which means that in addition to the well-known problems connected with the use of solvents (cost, toxicity, explosion hazards) the self adhesive film itself can only be very partially tamper proof.

Indeed such a film cannot incorporate some anti-tampering agents used for safety documents, in particular those that react to solvents. This self adhesive film can therefore be counterfeited. Moreover, it can be unstuck by dissolving the adhesive using the solvent employed for its preparation.

The second aim of the invention is to provide an information medium which when printed and/or written on and when placed on an organic substrate such as the page of a passport or identity card, cannot be removed by counterfeiters without damage to the subs t,,.ate.

Another aim of the invention is to provide an informLtion medium intended to receive print and/or writing, said print and/or writing being infalsifiable.

Another aim of the invention is to make locally tamper-proof a document that was not initially intended to be so.

Indeed, passports are very' often marked, usually by means of stamps, with visas, marks, anid other signs. Up until now, counterfeiters could very easily modify the mark or writing appended to such a substrate. They could just as easily print over the substrate by making false stamps.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a means for preventing the falsification of visas marked over substrates, especially passport pages or identity cards.

The Invention provides a self-adhesive tamper-proof medium intended to be placed on an organic substrate comprising ait least one printable, tamper-proof planar structure coveved with a pressure-sensitive adhesive iyer, the planar structure having a fibrous structure partially impregnated by said pressure-sensitive adhesive and the pressure-sensitive adhesive partially impregnated ,-ee Z 0546k/LFP 3 within said planar structure having an adhesiveness such that the self adhesive tamper-proof medium cannot be removed from the substrate without at least partial destruction of the substrate and optionally the planar structure.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the planar structure is a partially or totally fibrous structure eg. a sheet formed by natural and/or synthetic fibres, and is preferably a sheet of paper obtained by a wet process.

The plane structure can be a composite and can consist of at least one fibrous sheet in association with at least one continuous sheet, eg. a plastic sheet. This plane structure can for example be formed of a plastic sheet overlaid, at least on one face, by a layer composed of bonding agents and pigments.

According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the adhesive layer is partially absorbed in the thickness of 0 .0 the plane structure.

According to another emobdiment of the invention, the plane structure is a sheet of natural and/or synthetic fibres the sizing degree of which is equal to o0 According to another embodiment of the invention, the structure is a sheet of tamper-proof paper that includes a ;secure means chose among security threads and fibres, interrupted patterns and watermarks.

I so According to another emobidment of the invention, the plane structure is a paper that takes on a different colour to its original colour when submitted to an alkali, acid, and oxydoreduction couple, water, sodium hypochlorite, or solvents.

1 According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the plane structure contains, a coloured layer that reacts to the action of an alkali, acid or to water.

According to another alternative embodiment of the invention, the adhesive is such as to adhere the plan structure to r S': 0;*7 i,

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4 the substrate in a time period of a few minutes to five hours According to another alternative embodiments of the invention, the adhesive is overlaid with an anti-adhesion sheot.

Preferably, the adhesive layer is absorbed within approximately one third of the thickness of the plane structure.

It is indeed a requirement according to the invention that the adhesive layer only superficially and not totally penetrates into the plane fibrous structure. A penetration of the 0 0 f S' adhesive throughout the entire plane structure would bring in too great an adhesion of the latter. When the information medium is printed and subsequently placed over a substrate, one aim of the invention is that the information medium cannot be disassociated from the substrate; and when a counterfeiter attempts to mechanically remove the information medium, the structure becomes delaminated owing to the weak cohesion of the fibrous structure.

The information medium can for example be a highly sized paper, the size preventing the adhesive deposited on the information medium from being totally absorbed into the thickness of the latter. The degree of sizing can be equal to sizing degree n 0 5 according to the French AFNOR Q03-015 standard appended here for reference, which is similar to the American TAPPI standard "size test for paper by ink resistance" which is also appended here for referelnce.

Th; AFNOR QU3-015 standard consists in tracing lines on paper using coloured solutions of increasing degrees of aggressiveness.

The most aggressive of these solutions which allows ,ines to be drawn without smearing or transudation are taken to characterive the sizing degree of the paper under test. The compositions of the solutions to use are laid out in the following table L, A Composition of solutions Coloured solution N°s in order of increasing CI 74 180 CI 42 045 aggressiveness in grams per litre 1 10 0 2 7.5 3 5 4 2.5 1 5 0 d The following dye solutions are used as the reactants 0 a d" direct dye CI 74 180 colour index (weakly aggressive dye). This dye can be sold for example by ICI Francolor under the name 0 "Turquoise diazol lumiere JLS".

Acidic dye CI 42 045 colour index (highly aggressive dye). This dye can be sold for example by ICI Francolor under the o°o. name "Bleu sulfacide brillant 6J".

0 00 Solutions numbered 1 to 5 for each of the two dyes are prepared by dissolving in distilled water and by adding one gram of diluted phenol per litre to each solution.

Next are prepared paper test pieces that are conditioned 100 in an atmosphere specified in French standard AFNOR Q03-010. Then, a trace is made on each of the faces of the test pieces using the series of coloured solutions. This trace is the set of six crossed lines. An observation is then made on each face of the test piece to determine the number of the most aggressive solution that does not smear and the number of the most aggressive solution that does not transude the paper. The thus-recorded numbers constitute the results for the test pieces.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the plane fibrous structure is a tamper-proof paper such that when a counterfeiter attempts to erase markings by current methods (sodium hypochlorite, oxydoreducing combination, alkali, acids or solvents) it takes on a colour different to its original colour.

Thus, if the counterfeiter attempts to tear off such a 6 self-adhesive security paper, he tears off the substrate and/or the information medium;and if he attempts to erase the markings to insert another, the temper-proof paper forming the information medium becomes stained.

Preferably, the information medium includes threads or fibres within its bulk, these being for example fluorescent. It can also include interrupted patterns i.e. tiny confetti or light, *set, dark or greyish watermarks.

got The paper can be a tamper-proof paper of the type already disclosed and protected by the European patent application EP-A-0 174 885 filed by the applicant. It can also include a 0 4 C I coloured layor obtained by layering the paper on one face, the layering soup being coloured by a dye reactive to acids, alkali or even water.

Preferably, the adhesive used is an acrylic adhesive in an aqueous, reticule emulsion. This adhesive must possess all three of the following main characteristics good adhesion, good tack (instantaneous glueing capability) and good internal cohesion. This t adhesive can be obtain& by mixing an acrylic copolymer of the ACRONAL V 20P, sold by BASF, which gives tack, an ACRONAL 290 type acrylate, sold by BASF, and a DERMULSEN 51i type colophane in 0101 emulsion, sold by DRT (France); the last two components providing adhesion and internal cohesion. The relative quantities of these components shall be determined by the man of the art according to the characteristics required for the end product. There can also be added rheology regulating additives which are commonly used by the man of the art.

ACRONAL V 206' is an anionic aquaeous dispersion of an acrylic ester copolymer with carboxylic groups. It contains 70 1% of dry extract, ACRONAL 290 Iis an equaeous dispersion of an acrylate and styrene copolymer. It contains 50 1% of dry extract.

DERMULSEN 5 1P is an aquaeous dispersion of a modified colophane, with 55 1% of dry extract.

The following description with reference to the appended 7 drawings shall give an understanding of how the invention can be put into practice.

-Figure 1 is a three-quarter view of an embodiment of the self adhesive tamper-proof information medium according to the invention.

-Figure 2 is a three-quarter view of the information medium of Figure 1 which has been printed r.

-Figure 3 is a view along the line AA of the information medium shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows an information medium according to the 0 aainvention, placed on a substrate, eg. page from a t.

000The self-adhesive tamper-proof information inrft~um 00 according to the invention, shown in Figure i, has a fl~exible, 0 printable, planar structure 2 that can be formed f:z'om cellulosic and/or synthetic fibres. This planar structure 2 can also be 0 0 formed from any other printable matter provided that it be more or less porous. The planar structure 2 is covered with an edhesive layer 3. The essential characteristic of the information medium 0. according to the invention is that the planar structure is a sheet that allows partial r~netration of the adhesive into the thickness of the planar structure.

0 cnb According to the invention, the planar structure, whicph 4 Ccnb made of paper, has two further characteristics. First, the K adhesi~ve 3 is made such that when the self adhesive medium I. is placed on a substrate 4 (Figure eg. on a page of a passport the mechanical removal of the medium I. brings about a delamination ond tearing of the substrate 4 and/or the planar structure 2. rhus, a counterfeiter attempting to recuperate a passport 5, and in so doing tries to remove the self adhesive 0, medium I# would delaminate the substrate 4 and thus the page of the passport 5. The latter would then no longer be reusable. The counterfeiter would also delaminate the planar structure 2 which could then no longer be placed on a substrate 4 again.

The self adhesive medium I. can have a planar structure 2 that is the tamper-proof paper. The term tamper-proof paper is 8 taken to mean paper that includes threads or fibres in its bulk, eg.

fluorescent threads or fibres, and interrupted patterns or watermarks. Such types of paper are difficult for a counterfeiter to reproduce.

The Figures show a planar structure 2 that is a tamper-proof paper that contains a watermark 6. Also, in Figure 3 is shown a planar structure 2 which is a tamper-proof paper that includes a security thread 7.

According to one embodiment, the planar structure 2 is a tamper-proof paper such that when an attempt is made to erase printing by sodium hypochlorite or an oxydoreduction combination of the "Corector" type, or acids, alkali, solvents etc., it takes on a colour different to its original colour.

,o t Indeed, this planar structure 2 is intended to receive print 8, eg. a stamp. The problem is therefore to prevent counterfeiters from attempting to erase and/or alter this stamp 8.

Thus, when the planar structure 2 is submitted to chemical action, Ioo it can take on a colour different to its original colour.

The planar structure 2 or security paper 6 can also include a surface-coloured layer, eg. a layer deposited by a classical layering device.

Finally, the self-adhesive medium according to the Sinvention can be provided with an anti-adhesion coating 9 placed Sover the adhesive 3.

The self-adhesive tamper-proof medium i is used as follows the medium 1 (Figure 1) is printed over so as to have a motif 8, eg. a visa. Next, the user unsticks the anti-adhesion covering 9 and sticks the medium 1 on the substrate 4 which is a page of the 3 passport 5. It can thus be seen that the motif 8 is external and is not contained between the substrate 4 and the plane fibrous structure 2.

Preferably, a heat resistant adhesive 3 is used.

Moreover, the adhesive 3 can be chosen to provide a maximum adhesion to the fibrous structure 2 on the substrate 4 of the passport within a maximum period of 5 hours, but preferably the adhesive is chosen to provide sufficiently high adhesion in a few 0546k/LFP 9 minutes, i.e. after about 3 minutes. Indeed, the planar structure 2 or sheet of paper must rapidly adhere to the substrate 4. Thus, when a counterfeiter attempts to remove the planar structure 2 from the substrate 4, after a few hours, the substrate delaminates and likewise the fibrous structure delaminates. These parts cannot therefore be reused by a counterfeiter.

The self adhesive tamper-proof information medium 1 according to the invention is prepared in the following manner.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE An adhesive is prepared in an aquaeous emulsion having the following composition. Quantities are expressed in ."To terms of weight.

SoO ACRONAL V 205, sold by BASF, 0 0 a".o approximately 70% dry extract 78 o ACRONAL 290 D, sold by BASF, approximately 50% dry extract 22 DERMULSEN 511, sold by DRT (France) approximately 55% dry extract The adhesive thus obtained in a aquaeous dispersion is 0e deposited on an anti-adhesion paper. After drying, the planar structure is stuck thereto by pressure. This planar structure is a tamper-proof paper such as described above.

If the thus-obtained product is cut out aid stuck on a substrate 4, eg. a page of a passport, an attempt at mechanically removing the planar structure will not result Sin the delamination of that plan structure, but the adhesive I will separate from the substrate.

Thus, this preparation mode does not achieve the aim sought for by the invention. Indeed, the adhesive mass could not penetrate sufficiently into the thickness of the planar structure.

EXAMPLE ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION Use is made of an acrylic adhesive in the previously-obtained aquaeous dispersion, deposited on a fibrous planar structure 2 to obtain a layer of between and 45 g of adhesive sec/m 2 of planar structure 2. This

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4.4 054 6k/LFP 9a planar structure 2 is prefereably :0 9 0 9 0 0 f 00 90 0 0 0 0 @0 S 0 9 O 0: 9:00 ft to 9090

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rmimm" .0 r.r.0 I-M a temper-proof paper having a grammage of 65g in 2 Then, after drying of the adhesive mass, an anti-adhesion paper is glued against the planar structure 2. When using such a self-adhesive information medium, i.e. when removing the anti-adhesion paper, end then g:lueing the planar structure 2 o~n a substrate 4, there result8 a delamination of that structure and/or substrate 4.

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Claims (6)

1. A self-adhesive tamper-proof medium intended to be placed on an organic substrate, the self-adhesive tamper-proof medium comprising at least one printable, tamper-proof planar structure covered with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the planar structure having a fibrous structure partially impregnated by said pressure-sensitive adhesive and the pressure-sensitive adhesive partially impregnated within said planar structure 1 having an adhesiveness such that the self-adhesive tamper-proof medium cannot be removed from the substrail without at least partial destruction of the substrate and optionally the planar structure.

2. Self-adhesive medium according to claim 1 wherein the planar structure is a sheet of natural and/or synthetic fibres whose sizing degree is equal to I 3. Self-adhesive medium accordiny to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the structure is a sheet of tamper-proof paper having security means chosen among security threads and a fibres, interrupted patterns and watermarks. i 4. 4. Self-adhesive medium according to one of claims to 3 Swherein the planar structure is a paper that takes on a colour different to its original colour if it is submitted S* to the action of an alkali, an acid, an oxydorediction Scouple, water, sodium, hypochlorite, or solvents. Self-adhesive medium according to one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the planar structure includes a coloured layer that is reactive to the action of an alkali, an acid or water.

6. Self-adhesive medium according to one of claims 1 to wherein the adhesive is an adhesive that allows the adhesion of the planar structure on the substrate in a time period from 3 minutes to 5 hours.

7. Self-adhesive medium according to one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the adhesive is overlaid with an anti-adhesion sheet.

8. A self-adhesive tamper proof medium substantially as il, U 054 Gk/LFP

12- herein described with reference to the Example and the drawings. DATED this 30th day of August, 1991. ARJOMARI EUROPE By Its Patent Attorneys ARTHUR S. CAVE CO. C> S. I S.. 1:' S. *SSS 7~1 I I I