Classifications

• • 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
• • 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
  • B42D25/369—Magnetised or magnetisable materials
• • B42D2033/16—
• • B42D2033/26—
• • B42D2035/34—

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an authenticatable object including a cache for masking and revealing an authenticating pattern.
• the field of use of the present invention relates in particular to the fight against counterfeiting of documents or protected products.
• US 6,061,122 discloses a system whose authenticity is determined by recognition of the optical properties of cholesteric liquid crystals used in its manufacture. These liquid crystals can reflect light at certain wavelengths and thus allow the formation of holographic type images difficult to reproduce.
• US 2003/0173539 discloses a marking, comprising liquid crystals, invisible to the eye but can be detected using a detection apparatus such as a polarizer or a color filter.
• US 6,580,481 discloses a device with visible inscriptions and invisible inscriptions. Invisible inscriptions are recorded on a magnetic layer on which the information is recordable only once or in the memory of an integrated circuit in which the information can be recorded and erased. A detection device makes the inscriptions invisible visible. These devices therefore require special equipment to recover or reveal hidden information or information not hidden but difficult to reproduce.
• the detection device then reads the markers after deactivating the locking system concealing said markers.
• document US 2006/0126001 discloses a device in which an anti-counterfeiting pattern to be detected is incorporated into a material.
• This device has two distinct states, one allowing concealment of the anti-counterfeiting pattern and the other allowing its detection. It is therefore a first step, to make the material "transparent" to the detection light, before performing the actual reading of the pattern. While remaining difficult to duplicate, the anti-counterfeiting pattern of this device is made visible to the human eye without the need for specialized detection devices.
• the material has two stable states, it also contains the anti-counterfeiting pattern. It is also important to note that this device may pose compatibility problems between the materials constituting the pattern and those constituting the cache.
• WO 82/02445 discloses an identifiable article comprising a distinctive element such as a photograph.
• a mask usually opaque, permanently covers the distinctive element. This mask is made of material capable of passing from an opaque state to a transparent state under the effect of an electric field. The passage of the mask to the transparent state thus allows the revelation of the distinctive element (photography).
• US 2008/198278 discloses an object comprising a layer having an optical effect and can be masked by an opaque upper layer in the absence of electric current.
• This opaque upper layer may consist of liquid crystals or a photochromic material. It is made transparent by application of an electric current.
• the present invention relates to an object that can be authenticated, comprising an authentication pattern that is not apparent under normal conditions of use.
• the Applicant has developed an authenticatable object including a cache for concealing or hiding an authenticating pattern embedded in the substrate.
• a detection device deactivates this cache in order to be able to detect the authentication pattern, thus making it possible to distinguish the authenticated object from any counterfeit.
• the present invention relates to an authenticatable object comprising a substrate, said substrate containing at least one authentication or identification pattern.
• the pattern is covered with a cache for hiding and revealing, the cache being capable of undergoing a physical or structural transformation capable of allowing the revelation of said pattern.
• the authenticating pattern is fluorescent and comprises fluorescent organic particles and / or fluorescent inorganic particles incorporated into the substrate of the object that can be authenticated.
• the substrate of the authenticatable object according to the present invention is generally made of paper, fabric, polymer, glass, or metal.
• the fluorescence of the authenticating pattern is ensured by the presence of fluorochromes or fluorophores, that is to say a chemical substance capable of emitting fluorescence light after excitation.
• Inorganic fluorophores are generally unalterable over time and insensitive to different chemistries, thus facilitating their incorporation.
• they may advantageously be chosen from the group comprising quantum dots, fluorite minerals such as adamite, hemimorphite or calcite.
• the organic fluorophores are alterable in time and sensitive to the different chemistries of incorporation.
• they may advantageously be chosen from the group comprising the cyanine family such as Cy5, Cy3, or Alexa Fluor®.
• Organic fluorophores have the advantage of being excitable at a single wavelength unlike inorganic fluorophores, which have a broader absorption spectrum.
• organic fluorophores can be implemented for point-in-time use, since they are alterable when not encapsulated. Those skilled in the art will be able to choose the organic and / or inorganic fluorophores adapted according to the authenticating pattern.
• the authenticating pattern comprises fluorophores whose density is sufficient to allow the detection of the signal.
• fluorophores whose density is sufficient to allow the detection of the signal.
• the substrate itself may be fluorescent and therefore does not require the incorporation of fluorescent particles.
• the cache of this authenticatable object comprises two possible stable states in which the authenticating pattern is either (1) masked, or (2) readable, and at least revealable, for example by excitation.
• the present invention comprises four main particular embodiments in which the cache comprises a masking layer that can be:
• a photochromic material that is to say a material capable of changing color under the effect of an external field. It is a material that is opaque to the detection light of the authenticating pattern; it becomes transparent under the effect of an external field.
• a phototochrome substance has a different color depending on the intensity of the field to which it is exposed.
• a material able to deform physically under the action of an external field is comparable to a deformable blade under the action of an external field; a material comprising liquid crystals, passing from an opaque to transparent state under the effect of an external field;
• a material comprising magnetic particles that disperse or cluster under the action of a magnetic field.
• the thickness of the cache is between 1 and 500 micrometers, so as to mask the authenticating pattern while allowing a fast and abrupt transition from the masked state to the readable state and vice versa.
• the secrecy of the cache is also assured.
• the cache masking the authenticating pattern is arranged to cover at least the area of the substrate comprising the authenticating pattern.
• the cache must be "open" for the detection light to access the authentication pattern.
• the masking layer is either transparent or physically deformed.
• the external field may be an electric current, an electric field and / or a magnetic field.
• photochromes are sensitive to light (electromagnetic field) while some polymers are sensitive to electric current (structure or conformation modification).
• liquid crystals are sensitive to the electric field and mixtures comprising magnetic particles are sensitive to the magnetic field.
• the masking layer covering the authenticating pattern of the authenticatable object according to the invention comprises in particular at least one material advantageously chosen from the group comprising:
• an electrochromic system ITO / WO 3 / electrolyte / Ir0 2 / ITO In 2 O 3 / SnO 2
• said electrolyte may be a proton-conductive anhydrous polymer obtained by dissolving orthophosphoric acid in a polymer, preferably branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI); polymeric actuators operating in the open air, preferably based on polyoxyethylene (POE) and PEDOT (poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) in the case where the masking layer comprises a physically deformable material under the effect of an external field;
• 70CB heptyloxycyanobiphenyl
• MBBA N- (4-methoxybenzylidene) -4-butylaniline
• PAA para-azoxyanisole
• silver metallogen in the case where the masking layer comprises liquid crystals
• US 2006/0126001 discloses a hiding screen.
• This device can thus present problems related to the chemical incompatibility between the materials constituting the authenticating pattern and those constituting the cache, since the screen contains the "authenticating" image.
• the authenticatable object according to the present invention does not have such problems.
• a cache masks the authenticating pattern. The cache must be activated to reveal the area containing the authentication pattern. A (excitation) light signal is then required to activate the signature (emission wavelengths) specific for the fluorophores or the combination of fluorophores present.
• the cache of the authenticated object according to the invention comprises:
• a first layer of transparent conductive material deposited on at least the area of the substrate comprising the authenticating pattern
• a masking layer, of photochromic material deposited on at least a portion of the layer of transparent conductive material, so as to cover at least the area of the substrate comprising the authenticating pattern;
• the cache of the object that can be authenticated according to the invention comprises:
• a transparent release layer deposited on at least the area of the substrate comprising the authenticating pattern
• a first layer of transparent conductive material deposited on at least the area of the transparent release layer covering the area of the substrate comprising the authenticating pattern
• a masking layer of physically deformable material under the effect of an external field, deposited on the layer of transparent conductive material, so as to cover the area of the substrate comprising the authenticating pattern;
• a second layer of transparent conductive material deposited on at least a portion of the masking layer, and not in contact with the first layer of transparent conductive material.
• the transparent conductive layers located on either side of the masking layer, are connected to electrical contacts. These electrical contacts, advantageously made of metal or of conductive material, form the electrodes.
• the transparent conductive layers are made of ITO (In 2 O 3 / SnO 2 ), or PEDOT (poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene).
• the cache of the object that can be authenticated according to the invention comprises:
• a vertical polarization filter deposited on at least the area of the substrate comprising the authenticating pattern
• the electrodes may be IZO (In 2 03 / ZnO) or ITO (In 2 0 3 / Sn0 2);
• liquid crystals deposited on the glass with electrodes so as to cover at least the area of the substrate comprising the authenticating pattern
• the cache according to the third particular embodiment is similar to a liquid crystal display.
• the detector must, simultaneously:
• the present invention also relates to manufacturing processes associated with the four particular embodiments described above.
• the manufacturing process comprises the following steps:
• a masking layer made of photochromic material on at least a portion of the layer of transparent conductive material, so as to cover at least the area of the substrate comprising the authenticating pattern;
• the manufacturing method according to the second particular embodiment of an authenticatable object whose cache comprises a masking layer made of material capable of undergoing deformation under the effect of an external field, and a fluorescent authenticating pattern, comprises the following steps :
• the method of manufacture according to the third particular embodiment of an authenticatable object in which the cache comprises a masking layer comprising liquid crystals able to pass from an opaque state to a transparent state under the effect of an external field includes the following steps:
• the manufacturing method according to the fourth particular embodiment of an authenticatable object in which the cache comprises a masking layer comprising magnetic particles further comprises the incorporation of a material comprising magnetic particles.
• the present invention also relates to the use of an authenticatable object as described above in an anti-counterfeiting system.
• the authenticatable object according to the present invention may be a bank card, a security badge, a document, a piece of identification, luxury items (jewelry, clothing, accessories ...), products pharmaceuticals.
• the present invention also relates to a method of authenticating an object comprising an authenticating pattern masked by a cache, in which the cache is either physically deformed or optically activated using an external field, advantageously using an electric current, an electric field, and / or a magnetic field, to allow the identification of the authenticating pattern.
• the cache can only be activated by placing the electrical points in a localized manner. This system makes it possible to precisely locate the anode and the cathode for the optical measurement. The probability of discovering the presence of fluorophores by counterfeiters is therefore reduced.
• FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically represent an object that can be authenticated in a first mode embodiment of the invention.
• the cover (13) comprises a masking layer in photochromic or liquid crystals. This masking layer becomes transparent under the effect of an external field as illustrated in FIG. 1B.
• the fluorescent particles (2) incorporated in the substrate (1) can thus emit fluorescent light, the excitation light being no longer blocked by the cache (13) become transparent.
• FIGS. 2A and 2B diagrammatically represent an authenticatable object according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• the cover (13) comprises a masking layer made of a deformable material. This masking layer is physically deformed under the effect of an external field as illustrated in FIG. 2B.
• the fluorescent particles (2) incorporated in the substrate (1) can thus emit fluorescent light, the excitation light being no longer blocked by the cover (13).
• FIG. 3A diagrammatically represents an optical detection authentication system according to the prior art, in which fluorescent particles (2), or fluorophores (2), are incorporated in a substrate (1).
• FIG. 3B shows the emission of the fluorophores (2) of the authentication system according to the prior art when they are subjected to excitation.
• FIG. 4A represents the cache of the authenticatable object according to the invention when it comprises a masking layer (6) in photochrome.
• the layer of photochromic material which is sensitive to the external field, is between two transparent conductive layers (5).
• the two transparent conductive layers (5) are respectively connected to an anode (3) and a cathode (4).
• FIG. 4B represents the cache of the authenticatable object according to the invention when the masking layer (6) comprises liquid crystals.
• the masking layer (6) is between two glasses with electrodes corresponding to the vertical (8) and horizontal (9) filters. These glasses are connected to electrical contacts (4).
• the glass with electrode corresponding to the vertical filter (8) is covered with a (vertical) polarization filter (7).
• the glass with electrode corresponding to the horizontal filter (9) is covered with a horizontal filter which allows to block and let the light (10). The latter is covered with a reflective surface (11).
• FIGS. 5A to 5D show the successive steps of producing an authenticatable object provided with a cache comprising a photochromic material that can pass from an opaque state to a transparent state under the effect of an external field.
• FIGS. 6A to 6D show the successive steps of producing an authenticatable object provided with a mask comprising a material physically deformable under the effect of an external field.
• FIGS. 7A to 7E show the successive steps of producing an authenticatable object provided with a cache comprising liquid crystals able to pass from an opaque state to a transparent state under the effect of an external field.
• FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate the state 2 for which the simultaneous application of an electric current and / or a magnetic field on the anode and the cathode of the cache is necessary to activate said cache.
• the activated cache (become transparent in FIGS. 8A and 8C or having risen in FIG. 8B) makes it possible to detect the authenticating pattern.
• the present invention relates to an authenticatable object whose substrate comprises at least one authentication or identification pattern, and in which a cache makes it possible to mask and reveal the portion of the substrate containing the authenticating pattern.
• this authenticatable object can be made according to one of the three preferred embodiments detailed below, in the particular case where the authenticating pattern comprises fluorescent particles incorporated in the substrate.
• the first particular embodiment relates to an authenticatable object whose cache comprises a photochromic material changing color under the effect of an external field.
• the device is prepared according to the following steps illustrated by FIGS. 5A to 5D:
• fluorophores (2) are incorporated in the substrate (1) to form the authenticating pattern.
• the cache is constituted during the steps 5B to 5D:
• the second step illustrated in FIG. 5B consists of depositing a transparent conductive material (5) on at least the zone of the substrate comprising the authenticating pattern, then etching it by chemical or laser means in order to give it the desired shape to obtain an electrode preferably the anode;
• a photochromic material is deposited on the transparent conductive layer to form the masking layer (6), either by printing or full layer.
• the photochromic material is then chemically etched or laser etched when it is intended to be located on the anode.
• the anode must be disengaged, advantageously by chemical etching or laser, to allow electrical contact; the fourth and last step of this process is illustrated in Figure 5D. It comprises depositing a transparent conductive material (5) on the masking layer (6) of photochromic material. This second transparent conductive layer is then etched chemically or laser to the desired shape to obtain an electrode, preferably the cathode.
• anode and the cathode must be well separated to avoid any short circuit.
• the second particular embodiment relates to an authenticatable object whose cache comprises a physically deformable material under the effect of an external field.
• the authenticatable object is prepared according to the following steps illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6D.
• fluorophores (2) are incorporated in the substrate (1) to form the authenticating pattern.
• the cache is constituted during steps 6B to 6D:
• a so-called “transparent release layer” layer (12) is deposited at least on the area of the substrate (1) comprising the authenticating pattern. It allows the upper layers not to adhere to the substrate, at least on the substrate area (1) comprising the authenticating pattern. Thus, the cover can be lifted during electrical activation;
• Figure 6C illustrates the deposition of a transparent conductive material (5) which is then chemically or laser etched to the desired shape to obtain an electrode, preferably the anode. This layer partially adheres to the substrate.
• 6C also illustrates the deposition of the masking layer (6) made of physically deformable material under the effect of an external field, either by printing or by a full layer; before being etched by chemical or laser when it is intended to be located on the anode.
• the anode must be unobstructed to allow electrical contact.
• Figure 6D illustrates the deposition of a transparent conductive material (5) which is then etched chemically or laser to the desired shape to obtain the cathode. Anodes and cathodes must be well separated to avoid short circuits. 3. Masking layer in liquid crystals
• the third particular embodiment relates to an authenticatable object whose cache comprises liquid crystals.
• the device is prepared according to the following steps illustrated by FIGS. 7A to 7E:
• fluorophores (2) are incorporated in the substrate (1) to form the authenticating pattern.
• the cache which can be likened to a liquid crystal display, is constituted during steps 7B to 7E:
• FIG. 7B illustrates the deposition of a polarization filter (7) (vertical),
• FIG. 7C illustrates the deposition of a glass with electrodes corresponding to the vertical filter (8) on the polarization filter (7);
• FIG. 7C illustrates the deposition of the liquid crystals to form the masking layer (6), deposited by printing by capillarity or by any other means, on the glass with electrodes (8);
• FIG. 7D illustrates the deposition of a glass with electrodes corresponding to the horizontal filter (9) on the masking layer (6) in liquid crystals;
• FIG. 7E illustrates the deposition of the horizontal filter for blocking / allowing the light (10) to pass over the glass with electrodes (9);
• Figure 7E illustrates the deposition of a reflecting surface (11) on the horizontal filter (10). All these production techniques represent non-limiting examples. The skilled person can use all appropriate techniques such as screen printing, heliography, buffer.
• the activation of the cache must be performed simultaneously with the optical detection of the authenticating pattern (2).
• FIGS. 5D, 6D and 7E illustrate the state 1 in which the cache covering the region of the substrate (1) comprising the authenticating pattern renders any measurement of photo-luminescence of the fluorophores impossible.
• FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C illustrate the state 2 for which the simultaneous application of an electric current (or magnetic current) on the anode and the cathode of the authenticatable object is necessary to activate the cache.
• the activation of the cache (which became transparent in FIGS. 8A and 8C or raised in FIG. 8B) allows the "reading" or optical measurement to detect the presence of fluorophores (2), a guarantee of traceability.

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• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
• Finance (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
• Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
• Printing Methods (AREA)
• Inks, Pencil-Leads, Or Crayons (AREA)
• Liquid Crystal (AREA)

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• 2010
  • 2010-09-10 FR FR1057187A patent/FR2964596B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2011
  • 2011-06-30 WO PCT/EP2011/060998 patent/WO2012031795A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2011-06-30 EP EP11728838.1A patent/EP2613947A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2013
  • 2013-02-26 US US13/777,039 patent/US20130163828A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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