CA2753958A1

CA2753958A1 - Data pages for book-like documents and method for producing such data pages

Info

Publication number: CA2753958A1
Application number: CA2753958A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Stefan Egli
Original assignee: Trueb AG
Current assignee: Gemalto AG
Priority date: 2010-09-28
Filing date: 2011-09-23
Publication date: 2012-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2031-09-23
Also published as: EP2433809A1; CA2753958C; EP2433809B2; EP2433809B1

Abstract

The data pages in each case have at least one layer (17) that is comparatively stiff and provided to hold data (18, 19), and a strip-like flap (3). The flap (3) is firmly connected by a first region (7) to the at least one layer (17) and has a second region (8) for binding the data page (2) into the book-like document (1). The data pages are in each case provided with a plurality of security features (4) arranged at a distance from one another, which in each case extend over the flap (3), at least in some regions. The security features (4) in the flap (3) extend at least partly from the first region (7) into the second region (8). In addition, they are at least partly different from data page to data page.

Description

Trub AG
Data pages for book-like documents and method for producing such data pages The invention relates to data pages for book-like documents, in each case having at least one layer that is comparatively stiff and provided to hold data, and a strip-like flap, which is firmly connected by a first region to the at least one layer and has a second region for binding the data page into the book-like document, having a plurality of security features arranged at a distance from one another, which in each case extend over the flap, at least in some regions.
Such data pages are needed in particular for producing passports. In a passport, they are generally personalized with a photograph and data relating to the passport holder. The personalized layer comprises, for example, one or two laminated thin sheets of a stiff thermoplastic material, in particular polycarbonate.
Such a layer is difficult to bind in, however, because of its stiffness. In order that binding in is possible, a binding flap made of a flexible and easily sewn material is added on to the layer, as disclosed in EP-B-1 502 765 from the applicant. The connection between the flap and the aforementioned layer results in a firm connection between this layer and the flap.
The said connection between the said layer and the flap now has to satisfy very high demands with regard to the desired document security. This is because a passport forger could aim to detach such a data page from a passport or document and to use it in another document.
Suitable points of attack for such manipulation are the point at which the flap is sewn into the passport booklet or the connecting point between the personalized data page and the flap. In principle, the flap and the aforementioned personalizable layer are

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connected as intimately as possible to each other in order to prevent detachment. However, there still remains the problem that the flap can be divided off directly at the edge to the aforementioned layer and then another data page could be mounted at this transition location.

It is now important that such manipulations not only can be made visible with laboratory examinations but are also made obvious during routine checks and visible at a glance. In order to make this possible, in the prior art a data page has been disclosed by EP-A-1 780 043 in which the passport number is applied both to the visa pages by means of perforation and to the data page, for example by means of laser marking. By using this identification, the intention is for checking of the integrity of data pages and the remaining pages of the passport booklet to be possible. To this end, the corresponding numbers would have to be checked with regard to their agreement.

DE-B-10 2009 010 800 has disclosed a data page in which security features are printed onto the data page and extend contiguously over at least a sub-region of the data region, the region of the seam and the region of the flap. The aforementioned severing along the transition point between the aforementioned layer and the flap and replacement of the data pages would also in principle be possible here without it being possible to detect this obviously.

In data pages of the generic type, the aforementioned object is achieved in that the security features in the flap extend at least partly from the first region into the second region and are at least partly different from data page to data page. Tn particular, provision is made for the distances between security features to be different.

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If a forger attempts to remove the personalized layer in the case of data pages according to the invention by cutting the flap loose at the flap attachment and to replace this by a data page from another passport, then such a manipulation on the security features can be detected immediately and clearly. Since the security features are applied to the flap differently from document to document and in particular at irregular intervals, these security elements no longer agree without any offset between the two regions of the flap after the said manipulation. Such an offset is now very quick and simple to detect visually. The security features are therefore monitoring elements which make the said manipulation visually detectable.

According to a development of the invention, provision is made for more than two security features to be provided in each case. Preferably, a plurality of such security features, in particular more than five and, still more preferably, more than ten such features are provided. These are preferably distributed substantially over the entire length of the flap. As a result, it is readily possible to produce a large number of data pages which are all different with respect to the arrangement of these security features.
According to a development of the invention, provision is made for the security features to be cuts or embossing in the flap or imprints on the flap. Such cuts and embossing or imprints can be produced very cost-effectively and reliably with suitable cutting and embossing devices. A particularly suitable imprint is, for example, produced with an inkjet printing machine.
The security features can, however, also be produced by means of threads, for example, which are woven and/or adhesively bonded into the flap, for example. The threads can be special threads, for example metal

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threads or threads made of a specific plastic.
According to a development of the invention, provision is made for the security elements in each case to merge substantially continuously from the first region of the flap into the second region of the flap. An offset following a manipulation is then particularly clearly detectable.

The security features of a data page can be different, for example one security feature can be formed by an incision or embossing and other security features by a print. Also conceivable is an embodiment in which the features have different colours. These colours can then be varied, so that the data pages differ. The security against forgery is increased further as a result.

According to a development of the invention, provision is made for the at least one layer to have an imprint, for example an offset print in the region of the security features. This printed layer is arranged over the flap having the monitoring elements. The imprint is formed in such a way that it makes the security features in the area of the first region of the flap visually detectable. According to a development of the invention, this is made possible by the security elements being formed in such a way that they result in a change in the volume of the flap and that this volume change is visible on the imprint. The change in the volume of the flap can, for example, be caused by incisions, embossing or by a special thread. Other means which change the thickness of the flap are also conceivable. The corresponding impressions in the imprint can be implemented, for example, by means of lamination or by means of a welding operation since, during such a procedure, the thermoplastic material of the layer is softened and flows to a greater extent in the region of the volume-changing security features

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than elsewhere. In this way, the result in these security features is a changed ink layer thickness or pigment concentration, which becomes optically visible as an identifier in the printed element on the data page.

According to a development of the invention, the aforementioned imprint is strip-shaped. It runs preferably parallel to and congruently with the aforementioned first region of the flap. The imprint preferably extends substantially over the entire length of the flap.

According to a development of the invention, the imprint is applied to a thin opaque sheet or layer.

The material of the flap is preferably chosen such that, during a laminating procedure, it is not softened or is softened only slightly, so that the security features of the flap are maintained.

The flaps can, for example, be produced from a fabric.
The connection between the flap and the layer can be produced in a manner known per se by lamination. In particular, provision is made for the flap to be laminated in between two layers. Here, the flap can extend partly or fully between these two layers.
However, a design in which the flap is connected to the said layer by adhesive bonding or else by mechanical means is also conceivable.

According to a development of the invention, provision is made for the security features to contain graphic elements and/or text elements and in particular micro-text. As a result, the security against forgery can be increased still further.

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According to a development of the invention, provision is made for the security features to be visible, at least in some areas, through a transparent window-like region of the at least one layer. The window-like region extends into the first region of the flap. In the event of a manipulation, an offset is particularly easily and reliably detectable through this window.

The invention likewise relates to a method for producing data pages according to one of Claims 1 to 15. The method is characterized in that at least one security feature is changed non-repetitively from data page to data page. Distances between adjacent security features are preferably changed non-repetitively.
According to a development of the method according to the invention, provision is made for the security features to be applied by means of rotary punching, rotary embossing or by means of continuous printing, for example offset printing or flexographic printing.
This permits particularly cost-effective and secure production of the data pages according to the invention.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below by using the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows, schematically, a three-dimensional view of a passport booklet having a data page according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows, schematically, a view of a data page according to the invention with a flap partially severed in some regions during a manipulation attempt, Fig. 3 shows a view of the data page without manipulation, Fig. 4 shows, schematically, a view of a data page in which the aforementioned manipulation has been carried out,

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Fig. 5 shows a view of a data page according to one variant, Fig. 6 shows a view of a data page according to the invention according to a further variant, Fig. 7 shows a view of a data page according to the invention according to a further variant, Fig. 8 shows a section through a data page according to the invention in the area of the flap, Fig. 9 shows a further section through a data page according to one variant, Fig. 10 shows a schematic view of a data page according to a further variant, and Fig. 11 shows a schematic view of a data page according to the invention according to a further variant.

The document 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a passport booklet which, in a manner known per se, has a data page 2 and visa pages 20 between a cover 9. With regard to the fundamental structure of such a document 1 and the data page 2, reference is made to EP-B-1 502 765. The data page 2 has a layer. 17 of comparatively stiff material, for example polycarbonate. This layer 17, which, for example, can consist of thin laminated sheets, is personalized with respect to the passport holder or holder of the document 1. To this end, the layer 17 is provided with data 18 about the passport holder and a photograph 19, for example according to Fig. 2.

The data page 2 has a flap 3, which is produced from flexible material and thus is substantially less stiff than the layer 17. By using this flap 3, the data page 2 is bound into the document 1. The binding-in is carried out here, by way of example, by means of a seam along a sewing-in position 6. The flap 3 is firmly connected to the layer 17. The connection is in particular flat and is carried out, for example, by laminating in, welding or by means of a suitable

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adhesive. As can be seen, the flap 3 extends substantially over the entire length of one side of the layer 17. As can be seen, the flap 3 is joined flat to the layer 17 along a first flap region 7. A second flap region 8 protrudes out of the layer 17 and is used to bind the flap 3 into the document 1 along the sewing-in position 6. The sewing-in position 6 runs parallel to and at a distance from a flap extension 5, which forms the transition between the two regions 7 and 8 and which runs along one edge 21 of the layer 17.
In the event of a manipulation attempt, in principle the second flap region 8 can be divided off along the flap extension 5 or along the edge 21, as indicated in Fig. 2. As a result, a personalized layer 17 could be used in another document. In order that such a manipulation is visible, the flap 3 is provided with security features 4. As shown, these are arranged at irregular intervals and extend, at least in some areas, from the first flap region 7 into the second flap region 8. In Fig. 3, by way of example here, distances A and B are shown which, as can be seen, are different.
A plurality of such security features 4 is preferably provided. Preferably, more than two, preferably more than five and still more preferably more than ten such security features 4 are provided. As can be seen, they are distributed substantially over the entire length of the flap 3.

The security elements 4 are, for example, incisions in the flap 3, embossing in the flap 3 or imprints on one or both sides of the flap 3. Such imprints can be applied, for example, by means of an inkjet printing device. The security features 4 are preferably formed in such a way that they change the thickness or the volume of the flap 3 at the corresponding location.

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The security elements 4 can be substantially rectilinear and line-like, as shown in Figs 2 and 3.
The security elements 4 then therefore extend substantially at right angles to the flap extension 5.
As explained further below, the security elements 4 can, however, also run differently, for example obliquely or in a curve.

The aforementioned distances, for example the distances A and B, are now changed during the production of the data pages in such a way that ultimately each data page 2 has a different arrangement of the security elements 4.

Fig. 4 shows a data page 2a' in which the personalized layer 17 has been inserted into a document 1 by a first flap region 7' having been connected to the second flap region 8 of the document 1. Such a connection can be produced such that this would be barely visible. Now, since the flap regions 7' and 8 originate from different flaps 3, the security features 4 are accordingly arranged. differently. For example, the distances A and B of the region 8 are opposite the distances A' and B' of the region 7'. The corresponding offset in the security features 4 is immediately visually detectable. This means that during an inspection, it is readily possible to detect that the personalized layer 17 does not belong to the corresponding document 1 or to the corresponding passport booklet. The manipulation is therefore immediately detectable without any aids.

Fig. 5 shows a variant of a data page 2a according to the invention which, in principle, has been produced like the above-mentioned data page 2. In the case of this data page 2a, on the other hand, a flap 3a extends substantially further into a layer 17a. The flap 3a thus has a first region 7a which is substantially -T riib AG
longer than a second region 8a. In addition, in the case of the data page 2a, provision is made for security elements 4a to be provided which are curved or arcuate and do not cross a flap extension 8a and a 5 sewing-in position 6a exactly at right angles. The distances between the security features 4a here are likewise variable from document to document, as explained above.

10 The data page 2b shown in Fig. 6 is provided with security elements 4b which are formed by micro-text.
This micro-text can be printed on, embossed or otherwise applied. As can be seen, it extends substantially at right angles to a flap extension 5b.
Also conceivable here, however, is a design in which the security elements 4b run at an angle to the flap extension 5. In addition, the security elements 4b can also be curved or arcuate. Instead of a text, however, graphic elements and the like can also be provided here.

Fig. 7 shows a data page 2c which has a flap 3c that is provided with security elements 4c which are formed as explained above. In addition, however, here still other types of security elements in the form of threads 22 are provided. These threads 22 are special threads, for example threads of metal or a special plastic. The threads 22 are woven in, for example, or adhesively bonded onto the flap 3c. The threads 22 are likewise arranged at different intervals. As can be seen, they run obliquely with respect to a flap extension 15 and a sewing-in position 6c. In principle, however, the threads 22 could also run at right angles to the flap extension 15 and to the sewing-in position 6c. They could additionally have different colours or other easily monitored properties.

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Fig. 8 shows a possible structure of a layer 17c. This comprises a thin transparent sheet 12, a thin opaque sheet 11 and a thin transparent sheet 13. A flap 3c is laminated in between these thin sheets 11, 12 and 13.
The flap 3c is visible through the thin transparent sheet 13. This does not apply to the other side, which has the thin opaque sheet 11. In principle, however, the thin opaque sheet 11 could be replaced by a thin transparent sheet. Since the thin sheet 13 is transparent, the security features 4 and 4a, 4b and 4c, not shown here, can accordingly also be detected visually in the region of the layer 17c. In order to illustrate these security features 4, a printed element 10 has been applied to the thin transparent sheet 13.
The printed element 10 can be strip-shaped, according to Fig. 10, and, for example, applied by offset printing or flexographic printing. During the lamination, the printed element 10 is influenced on account of the security elements 4, so that these security elements 4 are accordingly visually detectable in the printed element 10, for example in the form of lines. In Fig. 10, the appropriate features 24 of the printed image 10 are indicated. These features 24 result in particular when the security features 4 effect a change in volume in the flap 3. Such volume changes, for example incisions or elevations of the flap 3, accordingly effect a change in the print. For example, such a change effects an increase in the colour intensity or partial breakdown of the colour.
Such a change can also be achieved if, according to Fig. 9, a layer 17d is provided which has two thin transparent sheets 15 and thin opaque sheets 16. In the area of the layer 17d, the features 4 are thus then visible only in the area of the printed element 10.
Fig. 11 shows a data page 2f in which a layer 17f is provided which, in the area of a window 14, is transparent at least on the one side. This window 14

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extends into a first region 7f of a flap 3f. Security elements 4f are thus visible here in the first region 7f through the transparent window 14. As can be seen, the window 14 extends along a flap extension 5f and a sewing-in position 6f. Substantially all the security features 4f can be detected through the window 14. The window 14 is strip-shaped but can also have another shape. For instance, a plurality of windows are also conceivable.

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LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 Document 2 Data page 3 Flap 4 Security feature Flap extension 6 Sewing-in position 7 First flap region 8 Second flap region 9 Cover Printed element 11 Thin opaque sheet 12 Thin transparent sheet 13 Thin transparent sheet

14 Window Thin transparent sheet 16 Thin opaque sheet 17 Layer 18 Data 19 Photograph Visa pages 21 Edge 22 Thread 24 Feature A Distance B Distance

Claims

1. Data pages for book-like documents (1), which in each case have at least one layer (17) that is comparatively stiff and provided to hold data (18, 19), and a strip-like flap (3), which is firmly connected by a first region (7) to the at least one layer (17) and has a second region (8) for binding the data page (2) into the book-like document (1), having a plurality of security features (4) arranged at a distance from one another, which in each case extend over the flap (3), at least in some regions, characterized in that the security features (4) in the flap (3) extend at least partly from the first region (7) into the second region (8) and are at least partly different from data page to data page.

2. Data pages according to Claim 1, characterized in that distances (A, B) between the security features (4) are at least partly different from data page to data page.

3. Data pages according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the security features are cuts, embossing, imprints or threads in the flap (3).

4. Data pages according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the security elements (4) in each case merge substantially continuously from the first region (7) into the second region (8).

5. Data pages according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that they in each case have a printed element (10), at least in the area of the layer (17), which make security features (4) in the first region (7) detectable.

6. Data pages according to Claim 5, characterized in that the security elements (4) are formed in such a way that they effect a change in the volume of the flap.

7. Data pages according to Claim 6, characterized in that the volume changes can be detected on the said printed element (10).

8. Data pages according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the printed element (10) is strip-shaped.

9. Data pages according to one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the printed element (10) runs substantially parallel to the flap (3).

10. Data pages according to one of Claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the printed element (10) is applied to a thin opaque sheet (16) or to a thin transparent sheet (15).

11. Data pages according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the security elements (4) are linear or two-dimensional.

12. Data pages according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the security features (4) contain graphic elements and/or text elements and in particular micro-text.

13. Data pages according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the security features (4) in the said first region (7) are visible through a transparent window-like region of the layer (17f).

14. Data pages according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least one of the security features (4) is formed by a thread (22) introduced into the flap (3c).

15. Data pages according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least one of the security features (4) is implemented as an imprint and in particular as an inkjet print.

16. Method for producing data pages according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that at least one security feature (4) is changed non-repetitively from data page to data page.

17. Method according to Claim 16, characterized in that the security features (4) are applied by means of rotary punching, rotary embossing or by means of continuous printing, for example offset printing or flexographic printing.

18. Method according to Claim 16 or 17, characterized in that at least one distance between two security features (4) is changed non-repetitively.