BRPI0714183B1 - METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF AN INFORMATION PAGE AND INFORMATION PAGE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing an information page (1) for a security document, said method comprising: producing an information part (3) for said information page, and producing a flexible and bending resistant attachment part (2) by utilizing a material (5) having a net-like structure, and attaching said attachment part to said information part (3). In order to obtain an information page with desired properties said material (5) having a net-like structure is, during manufacture, supported by attaching (D) a support layer (6) to the material (5) having a net-like structure.

Description

(54) Title: METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN INFORMATION PAGE AND INFORMATION PAGE (73) Holder: GEMALTO OY. Address: Turvalaaksonkaari 2, Vantaa, FI-01740 Vantaa, FINLAND (FI) (72) Inventor: MAILA KORHONEN; VESA HAAPA-AHO; TONI KASKIALA

Validity Term: 10 (ten) years from 5/2/2018, subject to legal conditions

Issued on: 05/02/2018

Digitally signed by:

Júlio César Castelo Branco Reis Moreira

Patent Director

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Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN INFORMATION PAGE AND INFORMATION PAGE.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention [001] The present invention relates to an information page for a security document, such as a passport.

2. Description of the Prior Art [002] The properties required from a security document information page are partially contradictory. First, the structure of an information part of an information page must make it impossible for a counterfeiter to disassemble the information part. Another requirement is that at least some of the information on the information page can be hosted there using a laser engraving. In order to achieve these goals, in practice, the information part has to be made of a material whose flexural and flexural strengths are weak.

[003] On the other hand, an information page must have the flexion information, as well as good flexural strength. Consequently, it is necessary to attach a flexible and durable flexing connection piece to the information part in order to allow the information page to be connected to the security document. In order to achieve a sufficient level of security, the information part of the information page must be linked to the connection part in a way that does not allow these parts to be separated from each other, without leaving visible marks that reveal this fact.

[004] A solution is previously known when a material with a mesh-like structure is used in the production of a fixture. The advantages obtained with this type of solution are good

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2/9 bending properties and good bending durability. However, a problem with this solution is that the material with a mesh-like structure is more difficult to handle during the manufacturing process of the information page, since even a relatively small unwanted stretch of the material leads to changes in shape or material breaks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [005] An objective of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problem and offer a solution that makes it possible to obtain an information page with the desired properties. This objective is achieved with a method of producing an information page, according to independent claim 1, and with an information page according to independent claim 8.

[006] In the present invention, a support layer is used in order to support a material with a mesh-like structure. This support layer is attached to the material with a mesh-like structure during the manufacturing process, in order to obtain a fixation piece that is easier to handle during subsequent manufacturing steps and that ensures that the information page produced presents the desired properties. Even after the production process, when using the security document, the support layer provides support for the material with a mesh-like structure. [007] The preferred modalities of the method and the information page are presented in dependent claims 2 to 7, and 9 and

10.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [008] In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail, by way of example, and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a security document with a

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3/9 information page according to the present invention;

figure 2 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention;

figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention;

figure 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention, and figure 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE MODALITY [009] Figure 1 shows an information page 1 according to the present invention, which has been linked to a security document. In the example in figure 1, the security document is a passport to which information page 1 has been attached via its connecting piece 2. Information page 1 can be attached to the security document, for example, via a sewing stitch, that is, in the same way as the other pages included in the security document.

[0010] An upper surface of information part 3 of the information page shows the identification information provided on the information page, such as name, date of birth, photograph, etc. of the passport owner. Some information can be stored using, for example, laser engraving technology, while other information can be stored using a printing ink.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows steps A to F for producing an information page.

[0012] In steps A and B, a piece of information 3 is produced. In this modality, the information part is manufactured by making available to the

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4/9 minus two sheets of material 4, one on top of the other, and by fixing these sheets together at an elevated temperature by means of lamination. A suitable material for sheets 4 is polycarbonate (PC), for example. In that case, at least one of the sheets 4 is preferably made of a transparent carbonized polycarbonate. In this way, the energy from a laser beam causes the plastic material to darken at the points where the energy was directed. Consequently, the desired information can be written or drawn using laser engraving on the information page. After lamination, a uniform piece of information 3 is obtained.

[0013] It is shown, as an example, with respect to steps A and B of figure 2, that the information part 3 is produced in order to present a step in the lower left corner. Although such a step makes it possible to produce an information page with a smooth bottom surface in figure 2, since the fixing part can be housed on the step, this step is not absolutely necessary. In the example of figure 2, the step is produced by fixing the sheets of material 4 of different sizes to each other. This is, however, only an alternative. Another alternative would be to use sheets of material of a corresponding size, preferably of a size that is sufficient to produce a plurality of pieces of information. In this case, the sheets are fixed to each other by lamination. After lamination, the attached sheets are cut into a plurality of pieces of information. Finally, the parts of a single piece of information are processed in an appropriate way to produce a step, as shown in figure 2. A prior art solution for such processing, in order to obtain a step in the information part, is known from the Patent Document EP-A-1380442, for example.

[0014] In step C, a material 5 with a mesh-like structure

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5/9 is put into practice. The term mesh-like structure refers to a layer of material with holes through it, such as a perforated sheet, a cloth or a layer of woven material consisting of a plurality of intersecting threads. In order to make it easier to handle material 5 with a mesh-like structure, a support layer 6 is placed on top of it. The support layer 6 is then attached to the material 5 with a mesh-like structure by laminating layers 5 and 6 together, for example. When lamination is used, the lamination process can be carried out with a hot roll laminator, for example. During the fixing step, the size of the material layers 5 and 6 is preferably sufficient to produce a plurality of fixing pieces for a plurality of information pages. Examples of suitable materials for layers 5 and 6 include a polyester cloth (fabric) for material 5 with a mesh-like structure and a copolyester film for support layer 6.

[0015] With respect to step C, a certain pattern or text can be printed on one of layers 5 or 6 before or after these layers have been fixed together. In this case, the fixture will have a pattern or text when the manufacturing process is complete. If a counterfeiter tries to manipulate the fastener in order to alter the security document information page, for example, this attempt will be easier to detect, as the pattern or printed text may change its shape during the attempt to falsification.

[0016] To avoid practical difficulties when printing on material with a mesh-like structure, printing is, on the other hand, preferably provided on the backing layer 6. A preferred alternative is to print on the surface of the backing layer support 6, which is in contact with material 5 with a structure of the type maPetição 870180016966, from 03/02/2018, p. 9/20

6/9 lha when layers 5 and 6 are fixed together. In that case, at least one of the layers 5 or 6 must be transparent so that the printed pattern is visible. An alternative is to use a combination of white polyester as the material with a mesh-like structure and a transparent copolyester film as the backing layer, for example.

[0017] In step D, the layer consisting of material 5 with a mesh-like structure and support layer 6 is cut into a plurality of fixing pieces 2, each having a certain shape. Therefore, the size of the backing layer 6 is substantially the same as the size of material 5 with a mesh-like structure.

[0018] In step E, one of the fixing pieces 2 is placed against the surface of the information part 3, and the fixing piece 2 is fixed to the information part. The fixing can be carried out by raising the temperature in the area indicated by the arrows 7, for example, in a rolling or welding phase. Practice has shown that a very advantageous way of securing the fastening part 2 to the information part 3 is by means of ultrasonic welding. Preferably, the support layer 6 is thick enough to support the layer 5 during its manufacture, however thin enough to let the material of the information part 3 (of, for example, polycarbonate) partially penetrate through it to the holes of layer 5, while the fixation piece is being fixed to the information part (during an ultrasonic welding, for example). This is achieved by using a layer 5 with a thickness of 250 μηι and a layer 6 with a thickness of 75 pm, for example. [0019] In a preferred embodiment, a tool that is pressed against the surface of the fixture 2 at the location of the arrows 7 in order to apply heat to the fixture 2 can be molded in a DePetition 870180016966, of 02/03/2018 , p. 10/20

7/9 finished shape. In this case, a certain surface pattern is created on the surface of the fixture 2, which makes counterfeiting even more difficult.

[0020] After step Ε, the manufacturing process can end, once the information page is ready to be attached to a security document. However, in a preferred embodiment, a surface layer 8 can still be attached to the information page in an additional step F. An alternative is to use a surface layer made of a transparent or non-transparent polyester (PET), for example example. The surface layer 8 preferably covers at least one seam 9 between the information part 3 and the fixing piece 2. When a transparent material is used for the surface layer 8, an advantage is that an attempt at counterfeiting in the sense of breaking the seam 9 between the information part 3 and the fixing piece 2 becomes easier to detect, since the seam 9 is visible through the transparent surface layer.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a surface 10 of the information part 3 to which the fixing piece 2 is to be attached can be formed to have a certain shape including protrusions, grooves or cavities, for example. This improves the fixation of the fixture 2 to this surface during welding, for example.

[0022] Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. More precisely, figure 3 shows an information page T, which is very similar to that shown with respect to step F in figure 2, and which is manufactured in a similar manner to that shown in figure 2.

[0023] The difference between the modality in figure 3 and the modality in figure 2 is that layers 5 and 6 are arranged in a different order. In this modality, material 5 with a structure of the type

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8/9 mesh is at the top of support layer 6, while in the mode of figure 2 the order is reversed. The information page T can be manufactured exactly as explained in relation to figure 2, with the exception that, in step E, the fixing part 2 is arranged in an upside-down position, compared to that illustrated with respect to step E in figure 2.

[0024] The information page T of figure 3 is shown in order to present a surface layer 8 similar to that shown in figure 2. However, as in figure 2, it is not absolutely necessary to have a surface layer 8 in the modality of figure 3.

[0025] Figure 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention. The modality of figure 4 is, in several aspects, similar to that explained in relation to figure 2, and, therefore, the modality of figure 4 will be mainly explained by pointing out the differences between these modalities.

[0026] Steps A and B 'for the manufacture of information part 3 correspond to steps A and B described in relation to figure 2. [0027] In step C', the fixing part consists of material 5 with a structure of the independent mesh type, and this material is fixed to the information part 3. The fixation can be done by rolling or welding, for example. In step D ', a support layer 6 is attached to the material 5 with a mesh-like structure. Fixing can be done by rolling or welding, for example.

[0029] In step E ', layers 5 and 6 are cut in order to obtain a fixture with a certain shape. The support layer 6 supports the material 5 with a mesh-like structure during cutting to ensure that layer 5 does not change its shape or break during cutting. In addition, step E 'may include fixing a surface layer 8 to cover at least the seam 9 between the fixing piece and the information part T. However,

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9/9 this surface layer is in no way necessary.

[0030] Figure 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The information page 1 shown in figure 5 corresponds mainly to the modalities described above. However, in the case of figure 5, the fastening piece 2 is arranged so as to penetrate the material of the information part 3, instead of resting against the top or bottom surface of the information part, as in the previous embodiments. Layers 5 and 6 of the fixing piece can be arranged as shown in figure 5, or, alternatively, in an opposite direction, in which case layer 6 is on top of layer 5.

[0031] The production of information page 1 of figure 5 can be performed when first producing the fixing part 2, as shown in steps C and D of figure 2, for example. Then, the fastening piece 2 is arranged so as to penetrate between the sheets, which, after lamination, will form the information part 3. In this position, the sheets are laminated between themselves and the fastening piece 2.

[0032] It should be understood that the description above and the attached figures are only intended to illustrate the present invention. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be varied and modified in other aspects as well, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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Claims (7)

1. Method for producing an information page (1, T, 1) for a security document comprising the steps of: produce a piece of information (3) for the information page, produce a flexible and flexion-resistant fixture (2) using a material (5) with a mesh-like structure, fix the fixture to the information part (3), and support, during the manufacture of the information page (1, T, 1), the material (5) having a mesh-like structure by attaching (D, D ') a support layer (6) to the material (5) with a mesh-like structure characterized by the fact that still comprises the stage of: attach (F, E ') a surface layer (8) of a transparent material to the information page (1, T) to cover at least one seam (9) between the information part (3) and the fastening part ( 2). 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the support layer (6) is fixed (D) to the material (5) with a mesh-like structure before fixing (E) the fixing part ( 2) the information part (3). 3. Method, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that: the fixing part with a material (5) with a mesh-like structure is fixed (C) to the information part (3) before fixing (D ') the support layer (6) to the material (5) with a structure of network type, and the fixing part is cut (E ') in a predeterm formatPetition 870180016966, from 03/02/2018, p. 14/20 2/2 swimming after the support layer (6) is fixed (D ') to the material (5) with a mesh-like structure. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises the step of printing a predetermined pattern or text on the material (5) with a mesh-like structure or on the support layer ( 6). Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fixing part (2) is fixed to the information part (3) by means of ultrasonic welding. 6. Information page (1, Γ, 1) for a security document comprising: an information part (3), and a fixing part (2) to fix the information page to the security document, and whose fixing part (2) is fixed to the information part (3), the fixing part ( 2) comprising a material (5) having a mesh-like structure and a support layer (6) which is attached to the material (5) having a mesh-like structure and which is the same size as the material (5) having a structure of mesh type, characterized by the fact that the information page (1) comprises a surface layer (8) of transparent material that covers at least one seam (9) between the information part (3) and the fastening part ( 2). 7. Information page, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the fixing part (2) is provided with a predetermined pattern or text. Petition 870180016966, of 03/02/2018, p. 15/20 1/3 Ζ