EP2755829A1

EP2755829A1 - Multilayer structure incorporating at least one security element

Info

Publication number: EP2755829A1
Application number: EP12772814.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thibault Le Loarer; Alice GENET; Jean-Yves Leroy
Original assignee: ArjoWiggins Security SAS
Current assignee: ArjoWiggins Security SAS
Priority date: 2011-09-14
Filing date: 2012-09-13
Publication date: 2014-07-23
Also published as: US20140197626A1; HK1199427A1; FR2979852A1; BR112014005927A2; FR2979852B1; WO2013038361A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multilayer structure (10) comprising: a substrate (11) including a thermoplastic material and having at least one non-opaque area; a first outer layer (23) comprising a thermoplastic material; a first inner layer (15) between the substrate and the first outer layer, made from thermoplastic material and defining a first security area (A), in particular defined by an opening (30); and a first insert (35) arranged at least partially in the first security area, comprising a non-opaque first security element that is not defined by the shape of the contour of the insert, the first security element and the non-opaque area of the substrate at least partially overlapping.

Description

MULTILAYER STRUCTURE INTEGRATING AT LEAST ONE SAFETY ELEMENT

The present invention relates to securing a laminated structure, in particular a card, whether or not it has a function of identifying a person or an object.

The invention applies in particular but not exclusively to any laminated structure comprising at least one integrated electronic device.

To secure a document, it is known to use so-called "first level" security elements which comprise security elements detectable with the naked eye in visible light and without the use of a particular device and / or elements of security. So-called "second level" security that is detectable only with a relatively simple device such as a lamp emitting in the ultraviolet or infrared. It may be desirable to use so-called "third level" security elements capable of generating a specific signal when subjected to optoelectronic, electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic excitation.

Multilayer structures are known from publications EP 2 116 366 A1,

WO 03/095218 A1, WO 2011/072818 A1 or EP 1 719 637 A2.

Plastic RFID device cards, comprising only polymer layers, are known and have little or no security of authenticity, including visual, if not security printing, surface embossing or holograms applied by transfer such as the one marketed by Hologram Industries under the brand name DID.

It is relatively easy for a fraudster to obtain blank plastic cards and to reproduce the impressions, personalizations and visual security present on an authentic plastic card.

More recently, metal reflective elements on which is etched a micromotif and incorporated in a polycarbonate layer have been marketed by BAYER under the trade mark PROTEXXION. The elements are visually identifiable only using a microscope, and there is no security provided by the structure of the card itself.

There is a need to benefit from multilayer structures offering sufficient security guarantees and making it possible to produce, if desired, new visual effects for the observer seeking to authenticate the card. The subject of the invention is, according to a first aspect, a multilayer structure, comprising:

a substrate comprising a thermoplastic material, having at least one non-opaque zone,

a first outer layer comprising a thermoplastic material, between the substrate and the first outer layer, a first inner layer of thermoplastic material, defining a first safety zone,

a first insert disposed at least partially in the first safety zone, comprising a first security element,

the first security element and the non-opaque area of the substrate overlapping at least partially.

By "non-opaque", one must understand not completely opaque; it can be a fully translucent or transparent area.

The structure can thus have at least three layers of plastic, superimposed.

Thanks to the invention, the structure, by its construction, provides security vis-à-vis forgeries and counterfeits.

The first security element offers a security feature which is advantageously level 1 or 2, this characteristic being constituted for example by a watermark or pseudo-watermark, a micro-printing, a pattern formed by metallization or demetallization, among other possibilities. The first security element may comprise an encoded image which can only be apprehended through a revelation frame, the coded image comprising, for example, interlaced images producing, when observed through a revelation frame, with a change of the direction of observation or a relative movement of the frame and the image, an animated sequence. Examples of such securities are disclosed in publications FR 2 940 179, FR 2 948 216, FR 2 948 217 and FR 2 948 218 of the applicant. The safety feature is in particular other than defined by the shape of the contour of Γ insert.

The insert does not extend over the full extent of the structure when it is viewed from the front. The insert is preferably surrounded by the first inner layer, when the structure is viewed from the front. Alternatively, the insert may be in the form of a strip extending or not from one edge to the other of the structure. The insert can be compensated in thickness by the first inner layer, the thickness of the insert being preferably substantially equal to that of the first inner layer. The thickness of the insert is preferably between 10 and 200 μητ. The thickness of the first inner layer is preferably equal to that of the insert, with an accuracy of ± 20 μιη.

The insert may be of a fibrous material or not, being for example made of one or more natural fibrous materials such as cellulose and / or one or more synthetic materials. The insert can be made of paper reinforced with synthetic fibers. The insert may have one or more layers, especially when it is non-fibrous, for example a thermoplastic support layer and a metal pattern layer.

The structure according to the invention can be a card meeting the dimensional specifications of the ISO 10373 standard.

The invention provides security of plastic cards, provided by the structure of the card itself, and not only by security printing or holographic patches.

The security obtained by the invention is very difficult to counterfeit because it requires industrial technical means because it extends to the internal structure of the card, unlike a holographic patch for example, disposed only on the surface and can so be easily removed.

The invention makes it possible, with the first insert, to provide at least one Level 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 security, located in the security zone and observable according to the cases in transmitted and / or reflected light, or even by a movement of the structure or thanks to a device adapted to the detection of a security, for example a reader of a marker, a particular lighting such as an LCD screen or mobile phone or an external revelation frame.

In exemplary embodiments, the invention provides a level 1 security, thanks to the first security element, this security being located at a non-zero distance from the outer surface of the card. This is for example a watermark or pseudo watermark, or a coded image to be observed through a revelation frame or a lenticular array, or a revelation frame or a lenticular array.

The multilayer structure according to the invention advantageously comprises an electronic device, preferably at least partially integrated with the substrate. In this in particular, the substrate is still called "inlay", and may have one or more constituent layers.

The electronic device can be chosen from integrated microcircuits with non-contact communication, microcircuits with integrated antenna on a chip, resonant microcircuits, microcircuits with electromagnetic wave communication, micro transponders, photo-activatable micro transponders, in particular with a beam laser, and micro transponders responsive to a beam of light, for example diffuse light.

The electronic device can be programmable or not. The electronic device can be read only or read / write.

The structure may comprise an integrated microcircuit device with contact communication and an integrated microcircuit device with contactless communication, or an integrated microcircuit device for both contact and contactless reading.

The electronic device according to the invention may comprise in particular two electronic modules, one for contact technology and the other for contactless technology.

The electronic device may be able to communicate with an external reader. "External reader" means any device that makes it possible to communicate with the device, to activate it, to authenticate it, to read data contained therein, to receive such data and, where appropriate, to modify them. or even delete them partially or totally. The external drive can operate remotely or require contact.

The device can result from the association of a chip with at least one antenna, in the case of a contactless system.

A chip comprises for example a semiconductor base, generally a doped silicon wafer, sometimes made of a semiconductor polymer, and also generally comprises a memory, or even one or more microprocessors, for processing data. To function, it can receive the energy of a battery or a battery or be powered by a source of electrical energy brought by contact and / or without contact, that is to say in the latter case, to distance via a communication interface via an antenna. The chip is for example connected to the antenna according to a power supply without inductive or capacitive type contact. Antenna chips are called "transponders" and generally use radio frequency waves.

In the case where the device is said to be "active", the chip may include a battery, also called "micro-battery", integrated in its microcircuit or the chip may be connected to a micro-battery built into the structure. By "battery" is meant a source of energy of electrochemical origin, rechargeable or not.

The chip can still be powered by a photovoltaic system.

The antenna of the integrated non-contact microcircuit device may be of filament type, printed, in particular screen-printed, etched, glued, transferred, chemically deposited, electroplated, or carried by the integrated microcircuit device. Preferably, the antenna is filamentary, more resistant than a screen-printed antenna.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the integrated microcircuit device is flush with at least one face of the structure. The integrated microcircuit device may or may not be flush with each of the faces of the substrate, being for example housed entirely in the thickness of the substrate.

The integrated microcircuit device may be associated, for example connected, with one or more additional electronic devices selected from the following list:

an electroluminescent system, in particular LED or OLED, - a display device, for example a screen,

a captor,

a coupling antenna,

a switch.

The electronic device or devices can be supplied with electricity by a battery present on the integrated microcircuit device, in particular by an on-chip microbattery.

The electronic device or devices can still be powered by an external battery or battery, not present on the integrated microcircuit device, for example a flexible thin film battery that is distinct from a chip or by a photovoltaic cell, for example at least partially printed. The electronic device or devices can still be powered by capacitive or inductive coupling, for example during a communication between the integrated microcircuit device and an external reader.

The electronic device (s), and possibly the associated supply device (s), for example one or more batteries, can be accommodated in the thickness of at least one of the layers of the structure, in particular in the thickness of the substrate, or alternatively, by printing on at least one of the layers of the structure, in particular the substrate.

When the electronic device comprises a microcircuit antenna integrated on a chip, this integrated antenna can be the only antenna or can be coupled to an amplification antenna, also called booster antenna, integrated into the substrate. The presence of such a booster antenna can increase the range of detection of the chip, for example by a factor equal to 10. In addition, such a booster antenna can provide a means of personalization of the substrate.

The electronic device may be dual-frequency HF / UHF, to allow through the longer-range radio link to prepare the device for further reading by the shorter-range link.

The structure according to the invention preferably comprises:

a second outer layer, comprising a thermoplastic material, between the substrate and the second outer layer, a second inner layer of thermoplastic material, defining a second safety zone,

a second insert disposed at least partially in the second safety zone,

the first and second inserts overlapping at least partially.

The thermoplastic material of the first and / or second outer layer may be transparent or translucent.

The second insert may be non-opaque, to allow light to pass through the structure in the viewing area in a region superimposed with the first and second security areas.

The first security zone may be delimited by a first opening or recess of the first inner layer, preferably an ajour. The bottom of this recess is preferably transparent or translucent. The second security zone may be delimited by a second ajour or recess of the second inner layer, preferably an ajour. The bottom of this recess is preferably transparent or translucent.

The second insert may comprise a second security element, in particular non-opaque. The second security element may comprise a level 1, 2 or 3 security feature. The first and second security elements may have security features of the same levels, for example level 1, and preferably of the same type, for example a watermark or pseudo-watermark. Alternatively, the security features on the first and second inserts are to be observed simultaneously to allow the user to check the security feature.

Preferably, the first and second openings overlap at least partially, being for example each reniform or circular, oval or polygonal. Preferably, the openings are superimposed exactly.

The structure according to the invention can comprise, thanks to the inserts, several securities that combine with each other, which is the case when the observation of the structure makes it possible to observe security features belonging respectively to the first and second security elements, which complement or cooperate.

When the first or the second insert is non-fibrous, the non-fibrous insert may have a multilayer structure, for example with a support layer and a pattern-bearing layer, for example formed by metallization or demetallization, as mentioned above. The support layer may be PET (polyethylene terephthalate), for example.

The first and second inserts may comprise respectively an encoded image and a revelation frame, each formed by metallization or demetallization, for example. Thus, by observing the structure through the insert comprising the frame, the coded image can be apprehended, giving rise, for example, to an animated sequence when the direction of observation changes, thanks to a parallax effect and interlaced images. . The pattern formed by metallization or demetallization is preferably located on the side of the support layer of the insert which is opposed to the substrate. The pattern may be coated with an adhesive.

According to another of its aspects, the subject of the invention is also an article, in particular a security document, in particular chosen from an access card or identification, a passport page, a data page relating to the bearer of the document, comprising a structure as defined above.

According to another aspect, the subject of the invention is also a method of authenticating an article or a structure as defined above, in which one observes through the first security element and the non-opaque zone and draws from this observation information concerning the authenticity of the article or structure.

When the structure comprises a second outer layer comprising a thermoplastic material, between the substrate and the second outer layer, a second inner layer of thermoplastic material, defining a second safety zone with a second insert disposed at least partially in the second safety zone , the second insert preferably comprising a second security element, in particular non-opaque, the first and second inserts overlapping at least partially, the method may comprise the observation of each security element from a corresponding face of the structure and the acquisition by this observation of information concerning the authenticity of the article or structure.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, examples of non-limiting implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

- Figures 1 to 4 are exploded views of examples of structures according to the invention, before assembly of the various constituent elements.

In the figures, the actual proportions of the constituent elements have not always been respected, for the sake of clarity.

A structure 10 according to the invention may comprise, as illustrated, a substrate 11 carrying all or part of an electronic device 13, for example an integrated microcircuit identification device, which can be contacts and / or contactless as detailed previously. In the case of a device with contacts, it has contacts 13a which are located on an outer face of the structure, in this case the lower face 21 in FIGS. 1 and 4, but alternatively this could be the opposite side,

Preferably, the structure 10 is a flat card of constant thickness, for example of thickness equal to 760 μιη +/- 80μιη. In the case of a device allowing a communication without contact, the substrate 11 (also called inlay or heart) may incorporate an antenna, preferably filament, which can be connected to a chip or electromagnetically coupled thereto.

In the examples corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 2, the RFID device is contactless. In the examples of Figures 3 and 4, the RFID device allows both a communication with contacts and a contactless communication.

The substrate 11 may be monolayer or multilayer, being mono or multimaterial. Preferably, the substrate 11 has a constant thickness, except possibly the receiving zone 1 la of the chip, as in the examples of Figures 3 and 4, which can be hollowed to partially accommodate it.

In the case of a contactless RFID device, it is for example completely embedded in the thickness of the substrate 11 and does not come flush with the interface of the substrate with the adjacent layers of the structure, as shown in FIGS. Figures 1 and 2.

The structure according to the invention may comprise at least one apertured layer 15 disposed on one side of the substrate 11, better still two perforated layers 15 and 16 respectively disposed on either side of the substrate 11, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 .

Additional layers may be provided between the perforated layers 15 and 16 and the outer faces 20 and 21 of the structure 10, for example to carry impressions or laser markings.

In the examples illustrated, these additional layers are two in number on each side of the substrate 11, consisting of a transparent outer layer 23, preferably made of polycarbonate, with a thickness of between 25 and 75 μιη, for example approximately 50 μιη, and an underlying layer 25 which can be marked by laser, for example also made of polycarbonate, with a thickness of between 25 and 150 μιη, for example 50 μιη or approximately 100 μιη.

In the illustrated examples, the additional layers 23 and 25 are the same on the front or back side of the structure 10, but the additional layers 23 and 25 could be different, for example by their nature, their thickness and / or their appearance.

The openings 30 and 31 of the perforated layers 15 and 16 define respective observation zones A and B on each side of the structure 10, preferably in which at least one level 1 and / or 2 and / or 3 security is observable. . In the example of FIG. 1, a paper patch 35 having a security element consisting of a watermark or pseudo-watermark is placed in the aperture 30 of the perforated upper layer 15 and a second paper patch 36 is placed in the aperture 31 of the lower perforated layer 16. Each paper patch 35 and 36 is coated with a layer of adhesive 37 on at least one side, preferably that facing the adjacent layer 25, even on both sides. The second patch 36 also includes, preferably, a watermark or pseudo-watermark.

The openings 30 and 31 may be of the same shape in the upper layers 15 and lower 16 openwork, for example be circular diameter d. The shape can be other, for example polygonal or more complex.

Each patch 35 or 36 may be of slightly greater extent than that of the corresponding aperture, so as to cover the edge of this ajour. In the example where the contour of the aperture is circular of diameter d, the patch may be of diameter D> d. The difference between D and d is for example between 1 and 3 mm.

The layers 15 and 16 are preferably non-transparent, for example being opaque in white polycarbonate.

The substrate 1 1 can be made of a transparent thermoplastic material, preferably polycarbonate, and the thickness of the substrate 11 is for example between 300 and 400 μιη, for example about 350 μιη. The substrate 11 can also be translucent and diffuse the light, so that, for example, a pattern present on the insert 35 is visible only on the side of the face 23, and conversely a visible pattern on the insert 36 is not visible. is visible on the side of the face 21, due to the diffusion of light through the substrate 11. The term "translucent" means that the material of the substrate passes enough light to see through the substrate. Polycarbonate has natural optical properties giving it the necessary translucent and diffusing character.

The diffusing nature of the light of the substrate 11 can come from its refractive index, its composition, its thickness and / or also its surface irregularities.

In a particular case, the surface irregularities of the substrate can be obtained by embossing or graining this surface. In another particular case, the substrate has cavitations conferring a diffusing nature, for example bubbles.

According to another particular case, the substrate comprises a diffusing filler chosen in particular from mineral pigments, in particular kaolin or titanium dioxide, and organic pigments, in particular polystyrene or polyurethane beads.

The difference between the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 lies in the nature of the non-contact electronic device carried by the substrate 11, namely dual frequency RFID and UHF in the example of FIG. 1, and RFID device alone in the example of FIG. Figure 2.

Both patches 35 and 36 may carry different watermarks or pseudo watermarks, as level 1 security features.

It is interesting that the substrate 11 is translucent and non-transparent in the presence of patches each carrying a watermark or pseudo-watermark, as mentioned above.

The watermarks are conventionally obtained during the manufacture of a wet-phase paper sheet by depositing the pulp on the embossed web of a round-shaped paper machine, the quantity of pulp deposited being higher in the hollow and lesser on the bumps compared to the rest of the paper.

The watermarks can also be made by embossing a wet sheet with a watermarking roll (also called "dandy roll") on a flat-bed paper machine.

It is also known to make pseudo-watermarks on a sheet of paper. Pseudo-watermarks reproduce the appearance of a watermark with differences in opacity. These pseudo-watermarks can be obtained mechanically by applying pressure with or without heat and / or chemically by applying a composition, for example by locally increasing the transparency of the paper with suitable substances. The density of fibrous material between the lightest and darkest areas of the pseudo-watermark may be uniform unlike a conventional watermark. The pseudo-watermark may be produced in the finished fibrous layer of the paper patch by mechanical and / or chemical means by application of certain products, this drawing being always visible in transparency.

The pseudo-watermark may for example be produced by depositing or printing in certain zones of the fibrous layer a composition which modifies the transparency of the fibrous layer, in particular in order to produce light areas and dark areas, similar to those of a watermark, but without obtaining a result to obtain fineness and brightness variants comparable to those of a conventional watermark.

For example, the finished fibrous layer can be made transparent by applying to specific areas, for example, a generally oily composition which permanently renders the fibrous layer transparent, such as, for example, a composition made of oil and transparent mineral material as described in US Pat. No. 2,021,141 or as for example a composition in the form of a wax combined with a solvent as described in US Pat. No. 1,479,337.

The finished fibrous layer can also be rendered transparent by locally applying a wax by heat transfer as described in US Pat. No. 5,118,526.

It is also possible to use a fibrous layer comprising a hot-melt material, for example polyethylene as described in patent EP 0 203 499, which under the local action of heat will vary in its transparency.

The finished fibrous layer can be opacified, without, however, rendering it completely opaque, by applying, in certain zones, an opacifying agent which increases the opacity of the fibrous layer, as for example described in the patent application FR 2,353,676.

The opacifying agent may for example be an aqueous suspension of a pigment or a filler or a solution of a chemical compound, a colored compound or a dye. This agent can be applied during the manufacture of the fibrous layer, on the fibrous web, and before its removal from the fabric, so that the agent penetrates the interstices of the web and causes a change in the opacity of the web to be treated in selected areas, after drying. This manufacturing technique has the disadvantage of requiring special devices of rollers to apply the agent, and to employ preferably a suction device for penetrating the agent in the interstices of the web.

It is also possible to perform a pseudo-watermark according to the method described in W. WALENSKI, "Watermarks and Those That Are Not", Druckspiegel 52, No. 3: 66-68 (March 1997). This document describes a method of making a pseudo-watermark on uncoated paper, comprising applying under heat and pressure a marking piece, representing the pseudo-watermark pattern, on a rewetted paper sheet.

The international application WO 97/17493 also describes the manufacture of coated paper comprising pseudo-ligands resulting from a variation of the weight of the layer applied in given zones, which induces a variation of thickness and opacity in the zones where the weight of the layer is reduced or increased.

International application WO 1999/014433 also discloses another method of manufacturing a pseudo-watermark on a coated paper, which provides for imaging in the paper after the drying step which follows the last coating operation, by performing the steps in which a rewetting solution is applied to at least one side of the coated paper in one or more predetermined areas and pressure and heat is applied to the area (s) of the rewetted coated paper so as to evaporate the solution and densify the coated paper in the area or areas relative to the rest of the paper.

The pseudo-watermark can finally be produced mechanically by making marks by mechanical embossing of determined areas of the fibrous layer as described in patent DE 3 718 452.

When two paper patches 35 and 36 each have a watermark or pseudo-watermark, the two watermarks or pseudo-watermarks may be different. In particular, watermarks or pseudo-watermarks can be complementary. They can be complementary in their visual effect or in relation to a concept or an image. For example, in the case of a structure according to the invention, it is possible to put as a first watermark or pseudo-watermark on one side a national emblem and as a second watermark or pseudo-watermark on the other side, a text.

According to another embodiment, the two watermarks or pseudo-watermarks are identical but placed symmetrically. In the case of authentication, it can then be interesting to verify this identity between the watermarks or pseudo-watermarks on both sides of the structure (for example a character always looking on the same side).

As indicated above, it is advantageous when the structure 10 comprises a watermark carried by at least one of the paper patches, that it is superimposed at least partially on a translucent region of the rest of the structure, so that the watermark it is observable in light transmitted through the structure only from the face of the structure adjacent to the considered paper patch. When the structure comprises two paper patches each having a watermark or pseudo-watermark, it may be observable in transmitted light through the structure, at its level, that the face of the adjacent structure patch considered. Thus, the observations of the watermarks or pseudofiligranes are made separately from respective different faces of the structure.

In the example of FIG. 3, the structure comprises a paper patch 35 in the aperture 30 and a non-fibrous patch 38 coated with a pattern 41, in the other aperture.

In the variant of FIG. 4, the structure comprises two non-fibrous patches, for example each with a support 38 made of transparent polycarbonate, coated with different patterns 40 and 41.

In all the examples of FIGS. 2 to 4, it is advantageous, as mentioned with reference to the example of FIG. 1, for the patch to be slightly larger than the size of the aperture, so as to slightly cover the perforated layer. and ensuring continuity of the material between the substrate 11 and the adjacent layer 25.

In the various examples, the thickness of the insert 35, 36 or 38, 40 or 38, 41 is for example greater than 10 μιη, being advantageously between 70 and 150 μιη.

The security element present on each insert 35, 36 or 38, 40 or 38, 41 can be visible either by reflection, by transmission, or by transmission and movement according to one of the axes of the card, depending on how the security elements are realized.

The lamination process and the method of pre-assembly (also called collating) of the different layers, as well as any adhesives present between the layers, are chosen according to the desired structure.

The structure according to the invention may comprise one or more security elements chosen from among the following, among others: components, dyes and / or photochromic or thermochromic pigments, in particular in printed form or mixed with at least one constituent layer of the structure,

a specific light-collecting material, for example of the "waveguide" type,

an interference multilayer film,

a structure with variable optical effects based on interferential pigments or liquid crystals,

a birefringent or polarizing layer,

a diffraction structure,

- an embossed image,

means producing a "moiré effect", such an effect being able for example to reveal a pattern produced by the superposition of two security elements on the article, for example by bringing lines of two security elements closer together,

a partially reflective refractive element,

a transparent lenticular grid,

a lens, for example a magnifying glass,

a colored filter,

a security thread incorporated for example in the mass of at least one constituent layer of the structure or in a window, optionally comprising a positive or negative printed impression, a metallic, gonio chromatic or holographic effect, with or without a or more demetallized parts,

a foil metallized, goniochromatic or holographic,

a layer with a variable optical effect based on interferential pigments or on liquid crystals,

a flat and relatively small security element such as a board, visible or not visible, with or without an electronic device,

particles or agglomerates of pigment particles or dyes of HI-LITE type, visible or non-visible,

- security fibers, in particular metallic, magnetic (with soft magnetism and / or hard), or absorbing, or excitable to light, an automatically readable security having specific characteristics of light absorption, Raman activity, magnetism, microwave interaction, X-ray interaction or electrical conductivity.

An impression can be made on the inner face of the layer 23 front and / or back.

An impression can be made on both sides of the layer 25, especially when the latter is thicker, as in the example of Figure 4, and is for example 100 μιη of thickness in transparent PC laser markable. When the layer 25 is thinner, and is for example only 50 μιη thick, it can be printed only on its face facing the layer 23, for example. This or these impressions can take place before lamination of the different layers of the structure.

The transparent PC layer 25 advantageously comprises laser-markable fillers or pigments, which makes it possible to customize the structure 10 after the lamination step of the various layers. On the other hand, the perforated layers 15 and 16 are preferably of a different nature from the layer 25 since they are preferably intended to receive an impression before the lamination step, constituting a background graphic with which the personalized printing on the layer 25 comes complete. As a result, the apertured layers 15 and 16 have a chemical composition different from the layer 25. A spectral analysis would easily show the difference in chemical composition. In addition, the perforated layers 15 and 16 may comprise adjuvants to obtain the white color, which further differentiates it from the layer 25.

Example 1

Non-contact identity card with double watermark type security

The structure corresponds to that shown in Figure 2.

The substrate 11 and the layers 23 and 25 are in translucent polycarbonate and the layers 15 and 16 in white polycarbonate, for example 100 μιη thick.

The substrate 11 is about 350 μιη thick and the layers 23 and 25 are

50 μιη.

The patches 35 and 36 made of paper are printed and made on a round machine. The watermark of the patch 35 is obtained with a conventional galvano and the watermark of the patch 36 is obtained by the plain-line watermark technology of the Applicant, described in the application US 2001/0018113. The final card has a thickness of the order of 760μηι +/- 80μηι, thus fulfilling the ISO 10373 standard. The card is equipped with a contactless communication system meeting the same ISO 10373 standard.

The manufacture of the card comprises the following steps:

manufacture of the filigree papers intended to form the patches 35 and 36, depositing the adhesive layer 37, for example a polyurethane, in the zones of the watermarks of the papers,

perforation at a diameter d of two layers of white polycarbonate (PC)

15 and 16,

- Cutting the fluorescent zones to a diameter D to form the patches

35 and 36; D is preferably slightly greater than d, for example of the order of 1 to 2 mm, in order to allow a perfect overlap of the translucent zone,

assembling the patches 35 and 36 by means of the adhesive layer 37 by hot pressing to the corresponding PC layer, so that the patches 35 and 36 are arranged facing the white polycarbonate (PC) layer perforations 15 and 16, and so that the patches 35 and 36 and the corresponding PC layer are joined together to facilitate the subsequent pre-assembly and lamination steps,

pre-assembly of the various layers constituting the card, namely white PC, transparent PC with patches previously deposited by hot compression, substrate,

ultrasonic formation of fixing points, or by application of a hot iron, to maintain the layers stacked before lamination, for example on a machine type Muehlbauer.

hot lamination on a laminating press at a temperature of about 180 ° C for about 20 minutes, the platen press being for example that marketed by Lauffer or Burkle,

ID1 format of the cards,

graphic personalization of the card, by a laser marking step of the layer 25.

The white PC layers 15 and 16 and / or the layers 23 and 25 may be printed in offset and / or screen printing with a security print, for example microtext, marker. The personalization is preferably card-by-card laser engraving, for example on a Datacard machine, on the layer 25, laser markable. Alternatively, the customization can be done by inkjet.

Example 2

Driver's license card

An ID1 format card is produced for a driver's license with a contact / contactless dual interface communication system, meeting the ISO 10373 standard

The structure of the card is that illustrated in Figure 4. The substrate 1 1 is transparent PC, 350 μιη thick.

Security units 40 and 41 for coded image and revelation frame as described in the application FR 2 940 179 of the Applicant are made on support layers 38 of PET 10 μιη thick by a vacuum metallization technique / demetallization by laser ablation.

The thickness of the PET support and its pattern being very small, there is no need to compensate for it by producing an additional window in the layers 25 and 23.

During hot lamination, the creep of plastics allows the compensation of thickness.

The manufacture of the card comprises the following steps:

metallization of support layers 38 of PET,

demetallizing to form a first pattern 40 constituting an encoded image,

demetallizing to form a second pattern 41 constituting a revealing frame, complementary to the first pattern,

depositing an adhesive, for example polyurethane, on each pattern 40 and 41, - cutting the patches to a diameter D,

perforation to a diameter d (with d preferably less than or equal to D) of the two layers 15 and 16 of white PC, with a thickness of ΙΟΟμιη,

assembly of the hot stamping patches each with a layer 25 of laser-markable transparent PC, for example of thickness ΙΟΟμιη, on a coil / format machine, for example from CTLay, the patches and the corresponding layer 25 are thus joined together to facilitate the subsequent pre-assembly and lamination steps, pre-assembly of the various layers constituting the card, namely the white PC layers, the transparent PC layers with patches, substrate, ultrasound, example on a machine type Muehlbauer,

hot lamination on a laminating press at a temperature of about 180 ° C for about 20 minutes; a tray press marketed by the companies Lauffer or Burkle, for example, can be used,

cut in ID1 format of each card,

milling for the location of the electronic module, on a Muehlbauer machine for example,

- Milling holes to make the contact of the electronic module with the antenna,

removal of conductive glue in the holes,

depositing the adhesive in the cavity of the electronic module, removing the module,

- numbering of the driving license by embossing,

electronic personalization of the card,

graphical personalization of the PC.

The layers of white PC and / or transparent laser markable can be printed in offset and / or screen printing with a security print, for example microtext, marker, ...

The customization is done card by card by laser etching on the laser-marked transparent PC layer 25, for example on a datacard machine.

Example 3

Hybrid voting card with dual watermark security and demetallized microtext

The structure of the map corresponds to FIG.

The card has two chips, one with contact, the other without contact.

The first insert 35 is a paper patch having a watermark.

The watermark is only visible on one side of the structure.

The second insert is a patch with a pattern 41 made in demetallization, for example a microtext. Example 4

Dual Frequency UHF / HF Crossover Card with Dual Watermark Security

The structure of the map is that shown in Figure 1.

A border crossing card equipped with two communication systems 13 of different frequencies, namely UHF with its long range, which makes it possible to "prepare" the reading of the card, and HF with the RFID device for example at 13, is produced. 56MHz, for time savings, during border control.

In all the examples, the invention makes it possible to provide a card predominantly made of plastic, preferably polycarbonate (PC), comprising a security level 1 or more, integrated directly into the very structure of the card, and making it very difficult to counterfeit and impossible to falsify.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. Characteristics of the various examples can be combined within non-illustrated variants.

In particular, all the layers of the structure, except patch, is preferably of the same chemical nature, and for example consisting of PC, PVC, ABS (Acrylo Butyl Styrene), PETg, PE, PLA , from PMMA etc. Alternatively, the layers of the structure, out of patch, may each consist of a material of different chemical nature, for example chosen from: PC, PVC, ABS (Acrylo Butyl Styrene), PETg, PE, PLA , PMMA etc.

The expression "comprising one" must be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one" unless the contrary is specified.

Claims

A multilayer structure (10), comprising:

a substrate (1 1) comprising a thermoplastic material, having at least one non-opaque zone,

a first outer layer (23) comprising a thermoplastic material,

between the substrate and the first outer layer, a first inner layer (15) of thermoplastic material, defining a first safety zone (A), in particular defined by an aperture (30),

a first insert (35; 38; 40) disposed at least partially in the first safety zone, comprising a first non-opaque security element and other than defined by the shape of the contour of the insert;

2. Structure according to claim 1, comprising:

a second outer layer (21), comprising a thermoplastic material,

between the substrate (11) and the second outer layer (23), a second inner layer (16) of thermoplastic material, defining a second safety zone (B),

a second insert (36; 38; 41) disposed at least partially in the second safety zone, the second insert preferably comprising a second security element, in particular a non-opaque element,

the first and second inserts overlapping at least partially.

3. Structure according to claim 2, the second insert being non-opaque.

4. Structure according to one of claims 1 to 3, the first security zone being delimited by a first ajour (30) or recess whose bottom is transparent or translucent, the first inner layer (15), preferably an ajour (30).

5. Structure according to claim 2 or one of claims 3 and 4, dependent on claim 2, the second security zone being delimited by a second aperture (31) or recess whose bottom is transparent or translucent, the second inner layer (16), preferably an aperture (31),

6. Structure according to claims 4 and 5, wherein the insert or inserts being larger than the corresponding openings (30, 31).

7. Structure according to claims 4 and 5 or 6, the first and second openings (30, 31) superimposed, in particular each being circular in shape, preferably superimposed exactly.

8. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the first insert and / or the second insert being in the form of patch (s).

9. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the first and / or second inserts (35, 36) comprising a fibrous material, preferably a paper, the first and / or second security element being preferably constituted by a watermark. or pseudo watermark.

The structure of claim 9, wherein the first and second inserts have respective first and second watermarks or pseudo watermarks.

11. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the first security element (35) being observable on one side only of the structure.

12. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first layer (25) of printing medium, comprising a thermoplastic material, under the first outer layer (23).

13. The structure of claim 2 or one of claims 3 to 12 taken in combination with claim 2, comprising a second layer (25) of printing medium, comprising a thermoplastic material, under the second outer layer (23). ).

14. Structure according to claim 2 or one of claims 3 to 13, taken in combination with claim 2, the first and second security elements cooperating in transmitted light.

15. Structure according to the preceding claim, the security elements being watermarks or pseudo-watermarks.

The structure of claim 14, the first and second security elements respectively comprising a set of elementary patterns or an encoded image, and an optical structure imparting an image of at least a portion of the patterns. elementary or coded image, in particular a lenticular network or a revelation frame.

17. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the thermoplastic material of the substrate (11) or the first and / or second outer layer (23) being transparent or translucent.

18. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the substrate comprising an electronic device (13), in particular an RFID chip with or without external electrical contacts.

19. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, satisfying the dimensional specifications of the ISO 10373 standard.

20. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the first layer and / or the second inner layer (s) (15, 16) being opaque (s), preferably white polycarbonate.

21. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the substrate (11) comprising polycarbonate, preferably transparent or translucent.

22. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one layer of adhesive (37) on the first insert (35), in particular between the first insert and an adjacent layer (25) covering the first insert, preferably on the opposite side to the substrate (11).

23. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the substrate (11) housing a wire antenna.

24. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the first insert (38, 40) comprising elementary patterns or an encoded image, can be observed through a revealing frame or a lenticular array carried by the structure.

25. Structure according to the preceding claim dependent on claim 2, the revealing frame or the lenticular array being carried by the second insert (38, 41).

26. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the substrate (11) being translucent and diffusing light, especially so that a watermark or pseudo-watermark carried by the first insert (35) is only observable d ' only one side of the structure.

27. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an impression on the first outer layer (23) and / or on a layer (25) adjacent to this first outer layer.

28. Article, including security document, in particular selected from an access card or identification, a passport page, a data page relating to the bearer of the document, comprising a structure according to any one of the preceding claims.

29. The method of authenticating an article according to claim 28 or a structure as defined in any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein one observes through the first security element and the non-hazardous area. opaque and one draws from this observation information concerning the authenticity of the article or the structure.

30. Authentication method according to the preceding claim, an article according to claim 28 dependent on claim 2 or a structure as defined in claim 2 or in any one of claims 3 to 27, taken into account. combination with claim 2, wherein each security element is observed from a corresponding face (20, 21) of the structure and from this observation is derived information about the authenticity of the article or structure.