Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
  • D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D21H21/00—Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties
  • D21H21/14—Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties characterised by function or properties in or on the paper
  • D21H21/40—Agents facilitating proof of genuineness or preventing fraudulent alteration, e.g. for security paper
  • D21H21/44—Latent security elements, i.e. detectable or becoming apparent only by use of special verification or tampering devices or methods
  • D21H21/48—Elements suited for physical verification, e.g. by irradiation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
  • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
  • B42D25/20—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof characterised by a particular use or purpose
  • B42D25/24—Passports
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
  • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
  • B42D25/20—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof characterised by a particular use or purpose
  • B42D25/29—Securities; Bank notes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
  • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
  • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
  • B42D25/36—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery comprising special materials
  • B42D25/364—Liquid crystals
• • B42D2033/04—
• • B42D2033/08—
• • B42D2033/14—
• • B42D2033/26—
• • B42D2035/24—
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
  • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
  • G09F2003/0283—Forms or constructions food-compatible or edible

Definitions

• Safety structure comprising a thermochromic element and a photochromic element
• the present invention relates to a safety structure and an article incorporating such a structure.
• Document GB 2 272 861 discloses safety documents exhibiting photochromic or thermochromic prints, capable of changing their appearance as a function of temperature or of light according to a reversible process.
• the application WO 89/00319 still describes the use of photochromic elements for the marking of banknotes and the application EP 0 327 788 describes the use of photochromic ink for securing security documents.
• the present invention aims in particular to meet this need.
• the subject of the invention is a security structure comprising: at least one photochromic layer having at least one photochromic zone comprising a photochromic element, at least one thermochromic layer having at least one thermochromic zone comprising a thermochromic element and at least partially covering the photochromic zone.
• the authentication and / or identification of an article comprising such a security structure may require the observation of different aspects depending on the temperature and the lighting, which reinforces the protection of the article against forgery.
• the invention makes it possible, because of the presence of one or more photochromic and thermochromic elements, having a variable visual appearance and capable of creating new optical effects, attractive to the observer.
• thermochromic layer may also serve as a protective layer of the photochromic layer, which may be useful in the case of using a photochromic element that is not very resistant to aging, in particular because of its exposure to variable lighting.
• the photochromic element may for example be chosen from pigment dispersions or dyes marketed by the AIC, Gem'innov and Matsui companies.
• the appearance of the photochromic element for example its coloration or its transparency, varies according to the lighting to which it is subjected.
• the process of varying the appearance of the photochromic element may be reversible or not.
• the photochromic element may be arranged in at least one pattern, for example an alphanumeric character, a design, a logo, or a symbol.
• the photochromic layer may comprise a single photochromic zone or disjoint photochromic zones.
• thermochromic element may comprise a dye or a thermochromic pigment chosen, for example, from the Live Co range during Gem'innov, or from powders or dispersions from A.I.C or Davis Liquid Crystals.
• thermochromic element for example its coloration or its transparency, varies according to the temperature at which the thermochromic element is subjected.
• thermochromic element may be reversible or not.
• thermochromic element may be arranged in at least one pattern, for example one of those listed above, the thermochromic layer comprising for example a single thermochromic zone or disjoint thermochromic zones.
• thermochromic element can take a state sufficiently transparent to allow the observation of the underlying photochromic zone when it is in a state making it observable and a sufficiently opaque state to mask the underlying photochromic zone and make it it is difficult to observe or not observable.
• the sufficiently transparent state is, for example, taken at a temperature greater than ambient temperature, for example a temperature of between 25 and 50 ° C., preferably between 25 and 40 ° C., for example 35 ° C., and more particularly at a temperature of 25 ° C. temperature close to the external temperature of the human body, in particular so as to obtain the change of state by digital contact.
• the change of state can be caused by heating, in particular by an incandescent lamp.
• the superposition of the photochromic zone (s) by the thermochromic zone (s) may be exact or partial, the photochromic zone (s) possibly representing identical or different patterns.
• the photochromic zone or zones are completely covered by the thermochromic zone (s), in particular so as to ensure the protection of the photochromic zone (s).
• the photochromic element has a colorless appearance in the absence of light stimulation, for example a substantially transparent state, so that a pattern made from the photochromic element may appear only after the thermochromic element has been transparent and sufficiently stimulated by light.
• thermochromic element thus makes it possible to distinguish itself from a non-photochromic printing, always visible, which would already be present under the thermochromic element.
• thermochromic element may not be immediately visible depending on the illumination, even when the thermochromic element that covers it is substantially transparent, which may be the case in case of lighting weakly luminous or inactinic for example.
• the photochromic layer may advantageously comprise at least one non-photochromic zone comprising at least one non-photochromic printing, a demetallization or a metallization, corresponding for example to an ink printing without dye or photochromic pigment, for example a black ink, which can be visible independently of the illumination, for example when the thermochromic element becomes substantially transparent. This can create an additional effect or facilitate the perception of the appearance variation of the photochromic layer.
• the thermochromic layer may comprise at least one non-thermochromic zone comprising at least one non-thermochromic printing, a demetallization or a metallization, corresponding for example to an ink printing without a dye or thermochromic pigment, for example a black-colored ink, which may be be visible regardless of the temperature.
• the presence of a non-thermochromic zone within the thermochromic layer may favor the observation of a effect due to the presence of an additional layer covering the thermochromic layer and / or facilitate the observation of an aspect variation of the thermochromic layer.
• the photochromic layer and / or the thermochromic layer may comprise metallization or demetallization.
• the structure comprises an additional layer having at least one optically variable zone, for example comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal and / or interferential pigments, in particular activated by the thermochromic colored background (by for example, "colourswitch" pigments on a black background such as Colorstream pigments by Merck), giving an iridescent appearance, this optically variable zone at least partially covering the thermochromic or photochromic zone.
• an optically variable zone for example comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal and / or interferential pigments, in particular activated by the thermochromic colored background (by for example, "colourswitch" pigments on a black background such as Colorstream pigments by Merck), giving an iridescent appearance, this optically variable zone at least partially covering the thermochromic or photochromic zone.
• cholesteric liquid crystal refers to a liquid crystal in the cholesteric phase, that is to say a liquid crystal whose molecules have no precise positioning but have a preferred direction of orientation allowing the properties to be varied.
• an additional layer comprising an optically variable zone, comprising for example a cholesteric liquid crystal and / or interferential pigments, may in particular make it possible to obtain an iridescent effect on the surface of the safety structure as a function of the temperature conditions. and lighting, the optically variable area may be more or less visible depending on the color of the underlying layers, for example the cholesteric liquid crystal, observable with a dark background, is difficult to see on a light background.
• thermochromic element when the thermochromic element is dark or black in color, the cholesteric liquid crystal also becomes observable.
• thermochromic element when the thermochromic element is in a state where it is substantially transparent, the observation of the cholesteric liquid crystal can then be difficult, if not impossible, with the naked eye.
• the bottom back of the optically variable zone may consist of thermochromic and / or photochromic elements or non-thermochromic or non-photochromic prints or metallizations or demetallizations, present in one or more of the above-mentioned layers or thereabouts thereof.
• the security structure comprises at least one additional layer having at least one optically variable zone, for example comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal and / or interferential pigments, at least partially covering the area photochromic. This additional layer is for example between the photochromic layer and the thermochromic layer.
• the one or more optically variable zones may extend in one or more patterns, which overlap and coincide for example exactly with at least one pattern of the thermochromic and / or photochromic layers.
• thermochromic element is substantially transparent and the photochromic element is of a dark color, for example black.
• an additional layer comprising an optically variable zone makes it possible to obtain very varied aspects and further enhances the safety of the article.
• the security structure provides enhanced security against tampering, since a defect in the arrangement of the different layers can be detected relatively easily. Indeed, when the layers and the elements they comprise are superimposed exactly, it is possible to observe the patterns or expected effects depending on the temperature and / or lighting. On the other hand, when the layers and the elements which they comprise do not overlap exactly and overflow on neighboring zones, it can be impossible to observe the reasons or effects expected.
• the additional layer or layers in particular those comprising one or more optically variable zones, for example a cholesteric liquid crystal and / or interferential pigments, may optionally comprise a non-optically variable zone (lack) and / or a printed zone, non-photochromic and non-thermochromic, and / or metallization and / or demetallization.
• a non-optically variable zone latitude and a printed zone
• non-photochromic and non-thermochromic and / or metallization and / or demetallization.
• the unprinted area may have any shape, including rectangular, circular, oval, hexagonal, triangular, square, star or curved edges.
• the photochromic and / or thermochromic layers may also include one or more unprinted areas.
• At least one unprinted area made in the photochromic layer may be superimposed with an unprinted area made in the thermochromic layer.
• the security structure comprises at least one additional layer having a non-printed area and / or at least one printed area, non-photochromic and non-thermochromic. This additional layer may be below the photochromic layer.
• the security structure comprises a flexible support which can be at least partially, in particular entirely, transparent or translucent.
• This support can be made of plastic, for example polyester.
• the photochromic and thermochromic layers can extend on the same side of the support.
• the security structure may comprise at least one element known from the prior art, in particular chosen from the following examples: an electronic chip, in particular RFID, an element holographic or diffractive, a magnetic or crystalline coating, liquid crystals, an imprint of a varnish, a marker, in particular a biological, mineral or synthetic marker, an ink or a phosphor, a piezochromic pigment.
• the structure may be in various forms, for example strip, and constitute for example a security thread, or patch, to be intended to be integrated in a paper mill in formation or to a sheet or be formed in situ by printing and or inductions of a support such as a sheet of paper or plastic for example.
• the structure is arranged to be incorporated in or on the article.
• the structure is incorporated in or on a support, for example the substrate of the sheet or article, so as not to prevent the observation of the patterns or effects expected and produced by the elements of the different layers constituting the structure .
• the incorporation of the structure may not prevent the variation of the appearance of the photochromic elements of the photochromic layer depending on the illumination to which they are subjected.
• the structure comprises a support constituting a carrier strip and arranged to be separated from at least one of the layers, in particular the thermochromic layer, after application of the structure to the article.
• the structure may for example consist of the succession of the following layers: layer comprising a heat-sealing varnish applied to a support, layer comprising an impression or a metallization or demetallization, photochromic layer, thermochromic layer, optionally layer comprising a protective varnish, release layer and carrier tape.
• the structure may comprise, where appropriate, between the support and one of the layers, for example the thermochromic layer, at least one release layer.
• the invention further relates, in another of its aspects, an article, for example a security document and / or value, comprising a security structure as mentioned above.
• the structure may be at least partially embedded in a layer of the article, and may comprise for example alternately zones embedded in a layer of the article and exposed portions.
• the structure may, alternatively, come flush with a face of the article or be entirely embedded therein.
• the article may comprise, in contact with the structure, at least one fibrous layer, for example containing paper fibers, in particular cellulose fibers and / or fibers of synthetic nature.
• the article may comprise, in contact with the structure, at least one non-fibrous layer, for example plastic.
• the security structure extends from a first edge of the article to a second edge, opposite the first.
• the article may be intended to receive an impression.
• the article can be for example a banknote, a security paper, a slip or a passport cover, an access or identity card, a visa, a coupon, a playing card, a valuable document other than a bank note, for example a check or a credit card, a protection and / or authentication label, a traceability label, an optical disk, a ticket, this list not being limiting.
• the invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to a method of authenticating and / or identifying an article comprising a structure as defined above, the method comprising the following steps: observing at least one variation of the appearance of the security structure of the article according to the temperature and the lighting, to conclude as to the authenticity and / or the identity of the article starting from at least the variation of aspect observed.
• FIG. 1 represents, schematically and partially in section, an example of an article made according to the invention
• Figures 2 to 4 show, schematically and partially, different aspects observable with an article made according to the invention, according to different temperature conditions
• FIGS. 6 to 8 show, schematically and partially, different aspects that can be observed with an article produced in accordance with FIG. invention, for different temperature and lighting conditions
• Figure 9 illustrates, schematically and partially, in section, another example of article or structure made according to the invention.
• FIG. 1 shows a security or value article 1 comprising a support 40 carrying a security structure 3 according to the invention.
• the structure 3 comprises, in the example considered, a first photochromic layer 4 comprising at least one photochromic zone 8 comprising at least one photochromic element, a second thermochromic layer 5 comprising at least one thermochromic zone 9 comprising at least one thermochromic element and a third covering layer 6 comprising at least one optically zone variable 10, for example comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal and / or interferential pigments.
• thermochromic zone 9 is continuous and entirely covers the first layer 4, and the optically variable zone 10 is also continuous and entirely covers the second layer 9.
• the photochromic zone or zones 8 of the first layer 4 extend for example according to one or more predefined patterns and may have been deposited by printing on the support 40.
• the first layer 4 also comprises at least one non-photochromic zone 7 corresponding to an impression of a non-photochromic ink, for example a black-colored ink.
• the non-photochromic zone (s) 7 may have been deposited according to one or more predefined patterns.
• the photochromic element has optical properties sensitive to light radiation, for example visible, ultraviolet or infrared radiation.
• the opacity of the photochromic element may vary depending on the light it receives.
• the photochromic element has an opacity that increases with illumination.
• the photochromic element is for example substantially transparent in the absence of light, being for example colorless, and can darken with light, for example taking a black color.
• thermochromic element has optical properties that change with temperature.
• the opacity of the thermochromic element varies, for example, as a function of temperature.
• the thermochromic element may, for example, reversibly change from a substantially transparent state to a temperature above a threshold temperature T or to a substantially opaque state at a temperature below T seml .
• Temperature T SEU ii is for example greater than room temperature, being for example between 25 and 40 0 C.
• FIGS. 2 to 4 show different aspects of the security structure according to the illumination and the temperature.
• the temperature and lighting conditions are such that the thermochromic zone 9 is not transparent, the security structure being for example at ambient temperature.
• thermochromic zone 9 The optically variable zone 10 covering the thermochromic zone 9 is visible because of the underlying dark background defined by the thermochromic layer.
• thermochromic zone 9 becomes transparent.
• the layers 5 and 6 are sufficiently transparent so that the pattern (s) 11 formed by the non-photochromic printed area (s) 7 are visible.
• the optically variable zone 10 becomes difficult to observe on a light background.
• the temperature is the same as in FIG. 3, but the incident light stimulates the photochromic zone or zones 8, so that these zones 8 appear in the form of one or more patterns 12.
• the security structure 3 is for example formed in situ on the support 40 or transferred to it after detachment of a carrier strip.
• the security structure is carried by a carrier strip which is attached to the support 40, for example during the formation thereof in a paper machine.
• FIG. 5 shows a variant of article 1.
• the security structure 3 comprises, under the photochromic layer 4, a printed layer 14 comprising first impressions 16, preferably of dark color, for example black, and second impressions 15, for example of any color .
• the printed layer 14 is covered by the photochromic layer 4, which comprises the photochromic zones 8 and one or more unprinted zones 21. The latter can be superimposed on the second impressions 15.
• thermochromic layer 5 which comprises the thermochromic zone (s) 9 and one or more non-printed zones 22.
• Unprinted areas 21 and 22 may have substantially the same dimensions.
• the covering layer 6 comprises at least one optically variable zone 10, comprising for example a cholesteric liquid crystal and / or interferential pigments, and one or more non-printed zones 23.
• the latter may have substantially the same dimensions as the second prints 15, for example the unprinted zone or zones 23 may be larger than the unprinted areas 21 and 22.
• Unprinted areas 21, 22 and 23 may for example correspond to material shortages in the corresponding layers.
• FIGS 6 to 8 show different stages of observation of the security structure 3 of Article 1 of Figure 5.
• thermochromic zones 9 are colored, which makes the optically variable zone or zones 10 visible.
• the unprinted areas 23, 22 and 21 present in the layers 4, 5 and 6 allow to see part of the second prints 15 corresponding to the part seen through the unprinted areas 22.
• thermochromic zone or zones 9 become transparent, the photochromic zone or zones 8 being also transparent.
• optically variable zone (s) 10 are no longer visible, except in the areas where the first impressions 16 appear. Thus, it is possible to observe another pattern formed by the first impressions 16 and also the part of the second impressions 15 corresponding to the part seen through the unprinted areas 23.
• the temperature is the same as that of FIG. 7 and the lighting conditions are such as to activate the photochromic zone or zones 8.
• These photochromic zones 8 become opaque and make it possible to hide at least partially part of the first impressions 16 and can reveal other patterns 60.
• the layer 14 is a support film comprising metallizations and demetallizations or prints.
• FIG. 9 illustrates another example of structure 3 according to the invention, comprising an additional layer 6 having at least one zone optically variable circuit 10, for example comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal and / or interferential pigments, between the thermochromic and photochromic layers, for example completely covering the photochromic zone or zones 8.
• zone optically variable circuit 10 for example comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal and / or interferential pigments
• thermochromic layer is opaque and hides the underlying layers.
• the optically variable zone (s) may appear above the printed areas (7), if they are dark in color.
• the photochromic zone or zones are activated and can improve the perception of the optically variable zone or areas covering them, or the one or them to appear.
• thermochromic elements passing from an opaque state to a transparent state when the temperature rises or to photochromic elements passing from a transparent state to an opaque state in the presence of light.

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• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
• Finance (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
• Printing Methods (AREA)
• Heat Sensitive Colour Forming Recording (AREA)
• Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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• 2007
  • 2007-10-26 FR FR0758613A patent/FR2922905B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2008
  • 2008-10-21 WO PCT/FR2008/051899 patent/WO2009056728A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2008-10-21 US US12/738,724 patent/US20100245044A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-10-21 CA CA2703169A patent/CA2703169A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-10-21 EP EP08844926A patent/EP2242884A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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