EP2822781A1

EP2822781A1 - Security document provided with a tactile mark and a textured area and method for producing same

Info

Publication number: EP2822781A1
Application number: EP13707191.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Julien Gillot; Xavier Borde
Original assignee: Oberthur Fiduciaire SAS
Current assignee: Oberthur Fiduciaire SAS
Priority date: 2012-03-06
Filing date: 2013-03-05
Publication date: 2015-01-14
Also published as: AU2013229577B2; RU2014140199A; IN2014DN08197A; ZA201406524B; CA2865812A1; CN104271357A; FR2987783B1; CN104271357B; FR2987783A1; RU2628914C2; WO2013131919A1; KR20140146603A; AU2013229577A1

Abstract

The present invention relates, in particular, to a security document, such as a bank note, which is formed from a sheet (1) which comprises, on at least one of the opposing faces (10, 11) thereof, at least one protruding tactile mark or "mark for the blind" (2) suitable for enabling the blind and partially sighted to identify a specific feature such as the face value of said document, by touching said mark (2), and to participate in the determination of the authenticity thereof, characterised in that said mark (2) is at least partially surrounded by at least one first textured area (3), i.e. a surface whereof the feel is different and differs from that of the rest of said sheet (1), the second face (11, 10) also having a second textured area (4).

Description

Security document with tactile mark and textured area and method of manufacture

The present invention relates to a security document provided with a tactile mark and a textured area. It also relates to a method of manufacturing such a document.

In the field of fiduciary printing, securing the printed document is essential.

For this, the fiduciary printer applies on the document a certain number of recognizable and authenticated security by the sight, but also by the touch.

This last recognition technique is particularly relevant, especially for people with vision loss. It is therefore the blind, but also the visually impaired.

At first, the visually impaired or visually impaired makes a study of the shape and size of the document, which allows him to implement a first recognition of it. The sound emitted by the crumpling of the document paper is also a hallmark, especially when the document is new. But this singular sound changes over time, with aging.

In the end, the visually impaired or visually impaired user can not undoubtedly judge the authenticity of the document.

A recognition by touch must be able to be a means of identifying and authenticating the latter.

In the field of tactile recognition, the Braille language has been developed and proves particularly effective. However, not all visually impaired and blind people are autonomous in detecting and reading Braille.

On the other hand, the fiduciary printer uses a thin paper, of the order of 0.1 mm thick, which is not compatible with the size of the reliefs codified by the Braille language, which are the order of 0.8 to 1 mm, in any case on the French territory. Furthermore, the so-called "soft-sizing" printing technique generally used by those skilled in the art to apply an ink in relief on a secure support is limited by the height of ink that can be deposited, namely order of 100 μιτι maximum.

In the field of banknotes, it is known, by the technique of soft-cutting, "marks of blind" printed in relief. Often, these marks are located on one side of the note, in this case the front face, are isolated and can be difficult to detect for the visually impaired or blind. It is interesting to note here that no standard governs the coding of these marks.

In addition, the repeated use of the note can degrade the surface properties of the note and reduce its tactility, which makes the identification of the brand even more difficult.

The determination of a mark by a visually impaired or blind person generally follows the following procedures:

1. unspecialized exploration procedure: this procedure gives an overall information of properties, such as shape, size and orientation;

2. Specific procedure: This procedure gives information about shape, wrapping, contour, texture, etc.

During this specific procedure, the person identifies information relating to the surface, such as roughness, hardness, elasticity, etc., but also to the geometry of the relief elements.

We also note that when a visually impaired or a blind person examines a thin object, he does not use only his index finger but also his thumb.

Indeed, he takes the object with these two fingers in two opposite points, then moves them. The variations of distance between the thumb and the index inform it about the convergence or divergence of the relief of the document.

On the basis of this observation, the object of the present invention is to solve the problems mentioned above by proposing a security document whose location of the salient tactile mark, which is commonly known as a "blind mark", is facilitated. identifying a specific feature of the document as its face value when it comes to a bank note, and to participate in its authentication.

Thus, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a security document, such as a bank note, which is formed of a sheet which comprises at least on one of its opposite faces, at least one marker tactile projection or "blind mark" capable of allowing persons who are not or have low vision, by the touch of said mark, to identify a specific characteristic of said document, such as its facial value and to participate in the determination of its authenticity, characterized by the fact that said mark is at least partially surrounded by at least a first textured area, that is to say a surface whose feel is different from and distinct from that of the remainder of said sheet, its second side also presenting a second textured area.

It is understood that, because of the presence of a textured zone near the tactile salient landmark, the blind or visually impaired will more easily identify where the tactile landmark is present, because the textured area, which the touch is different and is distinguished from that of the rest of the sheet, informs it, as a "distinctive sensory indicator element", on the immediate proximity of the marker.

Moreover, the specificity and the originality of these textures inform him about the authenticity of the document he examines.

According to the advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of this document:

said textured zones are plumb with each other; said textured zone comprises reliefs projecting from both sides of the general plane of the sheet;

said textured zone consists of at least one pair of regions disposed on either side of said salient mark;

said textured zone completely surrounds said mark; said textured zone partially surrounds said mark;

said textured zone is contiguous to the tactile mark;

said textured zone is distant from the tactile mark;

the document comprises a tactile mark on each of said faces;

- the tactile landmarks are not in line with each other, and the textured area region in "positive" on the front face associated with the first touch element extends plumb with a textured region region "negative" complementary shape on the reverse side, while the textured region region "positive" on the reverse side associated with the second touch element, s extends perpendicular to a textured region region "negative" of complementary shape on the front face, so that said regions on the same face are complementary and textured areas in "positive" are similar on said faces front and back.

The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a document according to one of the above characteristics.

According to this method, the simultaneous formation of said textured zones is carried out.

Moreover, according to other non-limiting features of this process:

said simultaneous formation is carried out by a intaglio printing;

- It proceeds to an intaglio printing without ink called dry stamp;

- Intaglio printing is performed with an ink, preferably colorless or white.

- Intaglio printing is done with colored ink.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments. This description will be made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an extremely simplified view from above of a bank note which is provided with a tactile salient marker as well as with a textured zone according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is an enlarged top view of a tactile landmark and a textured area that surrounds it;

- Figure 3 is a sectional view along the plane III-III of the view of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 also showing the shape of a plate of soft size to obtain the reliefs presented by the document; FIGS. 5A to 5G are shapes of a size plate profile that can be used in the context of the present invention;

- Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing another embodiment, wherein the reverse side and the front face of the document each have a tactile mark;

- Finally, Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 1 1 show other embodiments of textured areas associated with tactile landmarks.

In Figure 1 is shown very schematically a bank note formed of a sheet 1 of fiduciary paper.

By the term "sheet" is meant both a monolayer sheet and multilayer. When it is monolayer, the sheet contains in particular 100% natural cotton fibers. But it is possible to find other fibers in smaller proportions from flax or abaca, or even synthetic fibers. The support may be entirely derived from petrochemicals and consist exclusively of bi-oriented polypropylene for example. Finally in the case of a multilayer sheet, paper cotton and plastic (eg polyester, nylon) neighbor, and are laminated or extruded together.

The opposite sides front and back of this note are referenced 10 and 1 1, respectively.

In known manner, the front face 10 of the note has a tactile projecting mark 2 which is able to allow persons who are not or have low vision, by the touch of this mark 2, to identify the face value of said ticket and to contribute to the determination of its authenticity.

This marker is manufactured according to any method known to those skilled in the art that allows it to give it a certain relief in relation to the general plane of the sheet, and thus give it a certain tactility perfectly and clearly detectable by the non-visually impaired.

Preferably, and for ease of identification, this tactile mark is disposed near an edge of the sheet. However, this is not necessarily the case.

According to the main feature of the invention, the mark 2 is at least partially surrounded by at least a first textured zone 3, that is to say an area whose feel is different from that of the remainder of the sheet 1 and in any case particularly distinctive and whose extent, or area, is at least equal but preferably greater than that occupied by said mark, its second face, in this case the reverse side 1 1, also having a second textured area 4 of similar extent.

As noted above, the textured area is defined as having a different, distinctive feel that distinguishes it from the rest of the sheet. The person who tries to identify the document will therefore be informed, by this change of tactile sensation of sensation that a reference "identifier" is close.

Said textured zone can be of any kind as long as it presents a different, singular, distinctive touch from that of the rest of the sheet. Thus, it can be configured to provide the following sensation (s) by way of example and without limitation: bumpy, soft, fuzziness, felted, gummy, grainy, bristling, smooth, fluffy , gnarled, pungent, rugged, rough, rough, rough, ribbed, grooved, satiny, silky, varnished, with relief elements arranged according to a particular or variable geometry, that is to say randomly extending, etc.

Thus, when the non-visually impaired person touches the document with the aid of two fingers, when he arrives at the level of the textured zones 3 and 4 acting as sensory indicator elements, he will reach a detection of the sensation of touch is distinguished from that of the rest of the leaf.

This information informs him about the immediate proximity of the touching tactile mark, so that his search for this tactile mark is facilitated.

It is also interesting to note that these textured areas, by their nature distinct from the rest of the document, can themselves be considered as additional tactile markers contributing, at the same time, to the determination of the authenticity of the ticket. .

According to the present invention, however, it is not excluded that, in another zone of the sheet, the bill also has at least one other textured zone but not associated with a tactile mark, this other zone being for example present element making it more difficult for unauthorized reproduction of the document. Among the techniques that can be used by those skilled in the art to make these textured zones, those which implement the deformation of the sheet throughout its thickness are particularly thought of. The intaglio printing is an example.

It is also possible to emboss deformation, that is to say between male and female forms.

In other embodiments, an outer member such as a plastic film having a particular texture or an ink coating may be transferred to the document sheet by heat transfer or cold transfer.

Typography and stamping techniques can also be used.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a possible embodiment of textured areas according to the present invention.

These two figures must be read in combination.

In this particular embodiment, the tactile mark 2 and the associated textured areas 3 and 4 are manufactured by the so-called "soft-sizing" technique.

As everyone knows, this technique of the soft-sizing consists in applying to the paper a plate comprising a set of engravings (in this case here a succession of grooves in the form of straight segments) which, when applied under strong pressure on the paper, causes a complementary deformation of the latter in the thickness of the sheet, thus showing ribs on the face opposite the plate and grooves similar to those of the plate on the opposite side.

In the embodiment described here, the tactile projecting mark 2 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above and is delimited, on the front face 10 of the sheet, by four ribs 21 and 20 which project above the plane. general of the leaf.

Due to the technique of the intaglio employed, the ribs 21 and 20 generate on the reverse face 1 1 grooves of substantially complementary shapes while the hollow delimited by the ribs 20 and 21 causes the presence of a projecting stud, substantially complementary, on the reverse side. The terms "practically or substantially complementary" are used here voluntarily because the grooves / ribs, the hollows / studs do not have exactly the same dimensions. This is due to the deformation of the sheet and the technique used

Indeed, the soft size is a process that does not restore all the etchings of the plate. It is common to observe relief rates on paper between 50 and 80% of the depths actually etched in the plates. This refund rate varies according to the equipment and the papers, and especially according to the pressure exerted between the plate cylinder and the printing cylinder.

In the case represented here, the textured zone 3 consists of a pair of regions 30 and 31 which are arranged on either side of the salient mark 2.

However, in an embodiment not shown, this textured area could completely surround the marker or partially encircle, the essential being that the non-visually impaired easily accesses said textured zone to reach the region where the tactile mark is present. .

In the case represented here, the two regions 30 and 31 of the textured zone 3 are slightly distant from the tactile mark 2.

However, in other embodiments also not shown, this textured zone could immediately be contiguous to the tactile mark.

By convention, in Figure 2, there is shown in the form of black lines of different thicknesses the ribs that has the front face 10 of the sheet, while are shown in white grooves that separate two neighboring ribs. The term "groove" considered on the front corresponds in fact to the non-ribbed zones equivalent to the zero altitude of the plane of the sheet, reciprocally to that of the soft-sided plate.

When considering the left-hand part of FIG. 2, the region 30 consists of a juxtaposition of grooves 301 and ribs 300, the intaglio technique used to create these reliefs being reflected on the back side 11 by a complementary region 30 'provided with ribs 301' and grooves 300 'which are complementary to the grooves 301 and ribs 300. In the case shown here, the width 11 of the grooves is of the order of 200 μητι, while the width 12 of the ribs is of the order of 800 μηη.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the tactile mark 2, there is a second textured region 31 which has ribs 310 of width 15 200 μιτι, separated by grooves 31 1 of 800 μιτι of width 16. In a complementary manner, and as already indicated for the left part of the figure, the reverse side comprises a complementary region 31 'consisting of grooves 310' and ribs 31 1 '.

The pairs of regions 30 and 31 on the one hand, and 30 'and 31' on the other hand, respectively constitute the first and second textured zones 3 and 4 according to the invention. It is important to note that the region 30 'is similar to, or almost identical to, the region 31 and conversely that the region 31' is similar to the region 30.

On the tactile plane, where the ribs are the most spaced, we will feel the presence of the ribs, while where they are close, we will feel the presence of the grooves, reciprocally ribs on the opposite side. Thanks to the soft-cutting technique used, these elements are made in a single machine pass.

In the embodiment shown in these Figures 2 and 3, we are dealing with sets of ribs and grooves. However, other forms of relief patterns are possible, as will be seen later in the description and more particularly with reference to Figures 7 to 9.

In Figure 4 is shown schematically substantially the same structure as that of Figure 3, except that it is also shown the size plate 6 used to deform the sheet of paper. Note that this plate has engraved elements 60 and 61 which are of a shape complementary to the ribs and grooves that it is desired to obtain on the paper.

In the case shown with reference to these figures, we are dealing with textured zones consisting of an alternation of lines delimiting ribs and grooves. In straight section, they are angular in shape similar to crenellations.

The present Applicant has engaged in a series of measurements which, depending on the shape of the reliefs, their spacing and other criteria, to determine which is the optimal form allowing the best possible detection and sensory appreciation of the texture.

The data collected are listed in the table below.

Board

Space

Thickness Frequency between two Tactility Tactility Representation

Shape (Mm) (Mm) lines (μιτι) recto verso Schematic form

200 1000 800 ++ -

400 1000 600 ++ - 90 ° 45 ° shoulder

600 1000 400 - + 20

800 1000 200 - ++

200 1000 800 ++ -

400 1000 600 ++ - 90 ° 45 ° shoulder

600 1000 400 - + 0

800 1000 200 - ++

200 1000 800 ++ -

400 1000 600 ++ - 45 ° 45 ° shoulder

600 1000 400 - + 20

800 1000 200 - ++

200 1000 800 ++ -

400 1000 600 ++

Lines - 45 ° 45 ° shoulder

600 1000 400 - + 0

800 1000 200 - ++

200 1000 800 ++ -

400 1000 600 ++ - 67 ° 67 ° shoulder

600 1000 400 - + 20

800 1000 200 - ++

200 1000 800 ++ -

400 1000 600 ++ - 67 ° 67 ° shoulder

600 1000 400 - + 0

800 1000 200 - ++

200 1000 800 ++ -

400 1000 600 ++ - 90 ° 90 °

600 1000 400 - +

800 1000 200 - ++

200 500 300 + -

300 500 200 + -

200 1000 800 ++ -

800 1000 200 - ++

200 1500 1300 ++ -

1300 1500 200 - ++

200 2000 1800 ++ -

1800 2000 200 - ++

200 2500 2300 ++ -

2300 2500 200

Lines - ++

100 500 400 + -

400 500 100 - +

300 1500 1200 ++ -

1200 1500 300 - ++

600 3000 2400 ++ -

2400 3000 600 - ++

800 4000 3200 ++ -

3200 4000 800 - ++

10000 50000 40000 ++ -

40000 50000 10000 - ++

90 ° 90 °

100 500 400 + -

400 500 100 - +

300 1500 1200 ++ -

1200 1500 300 - ++

Dotted 600 3000 2400 ++ - squares 2400 300 600 - ++

800 4000 3200 ++ -

3200 4000 800 - ++

10000 50000 40000 ++ -

40000 50000 10000 - ++

100 500 400 + -

400 500 100 - +

300 1500 1200 ++ -

1200 1500 300 - ++

Dotted 600 3000 2400 ++ - Round 2400 3000 600 - ++

800 4000 3200 ++ -

3200 4000 800 - ++

10000 50000 40000 ++ -

40000 50000 10000 - ++ (continued table)

Legend:

Thickness: Width of the relief

Frequency or linearization: Space separating, repeatedly, the edges of reliefs of the same nature. Thus the frequency corresponds here to the addition of the thickness and the space between two lines. Tactilities front and back: Depending on the sensitivity of the touch that provides these reliefs, notes -, -, + and ++ have been assigned to prioritize the level of sensitivity, the best tactility benefiting from the rating ++, while that the worst is noted -. Shape: This is described as the juxtaposition of two angles and possibly the presence of a shoulder. Thus, the form "90 ° 45 ° shoulder 20" corresponds to the schematic representation located next to the table and which is also illustrated in Figure 5B. The other shapes shown in the table are also found in FIGS. 5A to 5G. In all of these tests, the engraving depth of the soft-sanding plate was made at 100 m and the use of this soft size without ink has created a tactile effect.

However, using the intaglio with an ink makes it possible to create a tactility on one side that is accompanied by a feeling of texture given by the ink itself.

The inks used are for example those referenced SICPA 9SP0001 S which is a white covering and SICPA 9SP00021 which is a transparent white. They can be used independently of one another or mixed in any proportion. In the case where for aesthetic reasons, and / or technical reasons related to the configuration of the intaglio printing, or to combine the functionality of the blind mark and textured areas with a security aspect, inks soft-sizing color can be used.

In the case of securing, the intaglio inks can be fluorescent, visible under infra-red radiation or not, provided with chemical tracers etc. This also applies to white and transparent inks.

The table above shows that the profile of the engraving does not have a great influence on the detection of the relief by the touch. It appears that the profile called "90 ° 90 °", which has the shape of a slot, may be the profile retained. The term "crenel" is understood to mean the alternating succession of salient elements and recesses each having a cross-section in a square or a rectangle.

In the same way, a line, that is to say a rib, of 200 μιτι width spaced from the next one of a space of 800 μιτι, allows an optimum tactility on the front.

Similarly, a line (rib) of 800 μιτι of width spaced from

200 μιτι allows optimum tactility on the back and a lower spacing does not provide good tactility.

Under these conditions, it is the regions 30 'and 31 that offer the best "tactility", ie the best finger sensitivity of the "tester".

An application of these teachings is also illustrated in Figure 6 in which there is shown, on a single sheet 1, two tactile marks 2 each disposed on one of the faces 10 and 1 1. These tactile landmarks are not arranged to plumb one another.

The region 30 of textured zone 3 in "positive" on the front face

10 associated with the first tactile element 2 extends vertically above a region 30 'of textured zone 4 in "negative" of complementary shape on the reverse side 1, while the region 31' of textured zone 4 in "positive on the reverse side 1 1 associated with the second touch element, extends in line with a region 31 of textured zone 3 in "negative" of complementary shape on the front face 10, so that said regions 30,31 and 30,31 'located on the same face 10,1 1 are complementary.

Thanks to the intaglio printing technique, we can therefore implement textured areas on both sides of the note in a single step, which is particularly advantageous from a technical point of view.

The table below gives, according to the technique used, the depth of the reliefs obtained, knowing that the intaglio plate has an etching depth of 100 μιτι. The prints are made on a "Soft Proof" machine.

Measurements made at Altisurf 500 (registered trademark).

The depth of the engravings on the plate must be at least 50 μιτι, and ideally of the order of 100 μιτι.

Let e be the thickness of an engraved line and E the space or distance between two lines. F is the frequency of the screen, that is to say the distance between two lines.

By definition: e + E = F

The present invention, in response to tactile recognition guidelines, tested by a panel of non / partially sighted, must ideally meet the formulas below:

e> 100 μιτι, and preferably 200 μιτι

F> 500 μιτι, and preferably 1000 μιτι

The result is E = F - e> 400 μιτι, and preferably 800 μιτι. Figures 7 to 9 illustrate, seen from above, on the front face of a document, neighboring tactile landmarks 2 and their surrounding textured areas.

By convention, the regions represented in black are overhanging the general plane of the leaf, while the regions represented in white are hollow. These figures show that in addition to an alternation of lines defining grooves and ribs, other forms of relief can be used.

Thus, in Figure 7, we are dealing with regions represented in black of square shape and of different dimensions.

As for Figures 8 and 9, are used shapes of circles and four-pointed stars.

Finally, in FIG. 10, it is a tactile marker 2 surrounded by a textured zone 3, the portion 31 of which consists of small projecting squares randomly arranged, whereas the portion 30 has small square cavities arranged also randomly. The squares are identical in size and do not have an angle of rotation between them (that is to say they are oriented in the same direction).

Figure 11 is similar to Figure 10 except for the shape of any protruding or recessed elements. Moreover, these elements are arranged relative to each other in a random manner.

Of course, these examples are not limiting.

Claims

1. Security document, such as a banknote, which is formed of a sheet (1) which has at least on one of its opposite faces (10, 1 1), at least one tactile projecting mark or "Blind mark" (2) capable of allowing persons who are not or have low vision, by the touch of said mark (2), to identify a specific characteristic of said document, such as its face value, and to participate in the determination of its authenticity, characterized in that the said mark (2) is at least partially surrounded by at least a first textured area (3), that is to say a surface whose touch is different and is distinguished from that of the rest of said sheet (1), its second face (1 1, 10) also having a second textured area (4).

2. Document according to claim 1, characterized in that said textured areas (3,4) are plumb with each other.

3. Document according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said textured zone (3) comprises reliefs (300, 310, 301 ', 31 1') which project on either side of the general plane of the leaf.

4. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said textured area (3) consists of at least one pair of regions (30, 31) disposed on either side of said projecting mark (2). .

5. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said textured zone (3) completely surrounds said mark (2).

6. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said textured zone partially surrounds said mark (2).

7. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said textured zone (3) is contiguous to the tactile mark (2).

8. Document according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said textured zone (3) is distant from the tactile mark (2).

9. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a tactile mark (2) on each of said faces (10, 1 1).

10. Document according to claims 3 and 9 taken in combination, wherein the tactile marks (2) are not in line with each other, characterized in that the region (30) of textured area (3) in "positive on the front face (10) associated with the first touch element (2) extends vertically above a region (30 ') of textured zone (4) in" negative "complementary shape on the reverse side ( 1 1), while the region (31 ') of textured zone (4) in "positive on the reverse side (1 1) associated with the second touch element, extends vertically above a region (31) of textured zone (3) in "negative" form complementary to the front face (10), so that said regions (30,31; 30,31 ') located on the same face (10,1 1) are complementary, and that the zones textured in "positive" are similar on said faces recto (10) and verso (1 1).

11. A method of manufacturing a document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one proceeds to the simultaneous formation of said textured areas (3,4).

12. The method of claim 1 1, characterized in that one proceeds to said simultaneous formation by intaglio printing.

13. The method of claim 12, characterized in that one proceeds to an intaglio printing without ink.

14. The method of claim 12, characterized in that one carries out a printing intaglio with an ink, preferably colorless or white.

15. The method of claim 12, characterized in that one proceeds to a soft printing with a color ink.