EP3218545A1 - Élément de formation de filigrane - Google Patents

Élément de formation de filigrane

Info

Publication number
EP3218545A1
EP3218545A1 EP15794255.8A EP15794255A EP3218545A1 EP 3218545 A1 EP3218545 A1 EP 3218545A1 EP 15794255 A EP15794255 A EP 15794255A EP 3218545 A1 EP3218545 A1 EP 3218545A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
watermark
formation element
watermark formation
drainage
cylinder mould
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP15794255.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3218545B1 (fr
Inventor
Christopher John Ames
Adrian Donald Ash
Paul Howland
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Portals Paper Ltd
Original Assignee
De la Rue International Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB1419978.0A external-priority patent/GB2532083A/en
Priority claimed from GB1419987.1A external-priority patent/GB2533264A/en
Priority claimed from GB1419960.8A external-priority patent/GB2532082B/en
Priority claimed from GB1419957.4A external-priority patent/GB2533263B/en
Priority claimed from GBGB1419986.3A external-priority patent/GB201419986D0/en
Priority claimed from GB1419956.6A external-priority patent/GB2532081B/en
Priority to PL15794255T priority Critical patent/PL3218545T3/pl
Priority to EP18179665.7A priority patent/EP3399097A1/fr
Priority to EP18179661.6A priority patent/EP3399096B1/fr
Application filed by De la Rue International Ltd filed Critical De la Rue International Ltd
Priority to DK18179661.6T priority patent/DK3399096T3/da
Priority to SI201530527T priority patent/SI3218545T1/sl
Publication of EP3218545A1 publication Critical patent/EP3218545A1/fr
Publication of EP3218545B1 publication Critical patent/EP3218545B1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21F—PAPER-MAKING MACHINES; METHODS OF PRODUCING PAPER THEREON
    • D21F1/00—Wet end of machines for making continuous webs of paper
    • D21F1/44—Watermarking devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a watermark formation element for forming watermarks in paper, a cylinder mould cover comprising such a watermark formation element, a method of making such a cylinder mould cover, a method of making paper using such a cylinder mould cover and paper made thereby.
  • the use of watermarks is fairly common in many security documents. High security multi-tonal watermarks are
  • Cylinder mould watermarks are formed by varying the density of paper fibres so that in some regions the fibres are denser, and in others less dense, than that of the base paper layer which surrounds and separates the denser and less dense regions. When viewed in transmitted light the less dense regions are lighter and the denser regions darker than the base paper and the contrasts can be seen very clearly.
  • Different types of watermarks have different advantages.
  • a cylinder mould watermark, usually formed on an embossed cylinder mould cover, is often a pictorial image, such as a portrait, and can be very detailed and complex which significantly reduces the risk of counterfeiting.
  • the variation in paper thickness in the final watermark is a result of fibre movement from the raised regions of the embossed mesh to the sunken regions of the embossed mesh as the water is drawn through the wire cloth.
  • watermark is governed by the drainage rate and that is dependent on the profile of the embossing. This enables excellent control in the gradation of the watermark pattern, producing a subtle tonal range that is unique to the
  • the watermark image resolution is also constrained by the coarseness of the mesh of the wire cloth. Furthermore, the wire cloth superimposes a mark on the paper as a
  • An alternative process for generating uniform light tonal regions is the electrotype process.
  • a thin piece of metal generally in the form of an image or letter, is applied to the wire cloth of the cylinder mould cover, usually by sewing or welding.
  • the electrotype creates a significant decrease in drainage and fibre deposition and thereby forms a light watermark in the paper.
  • electrotype watermark produced in this manner may be lighter than the lightest areas of an embossed cylinder mould watermark.
  • the electrotyping process is well known in papermaking and has been described, for example, in US-B- 1901049 and US-B-2009185.
  • An electrotype watermark is therefore an area of paper having just a uniform decrease in paper thickness. The area is typically quite small and the change in paper thickness (fibre density) is quite distinct so as to create very light areas.
  • the electrotype process is limited in that, if the electrotype is too large, this can produce a hole in the paper.
  • the typical width of the electrotype is between 0.2 to 1.2mm and the thickness is between 500 and 700 ⁇ , to avoid such problems.
  • Such complex designs may require the combination of both embossed cylinder mould and electrotype watermarks, or watermark areas, in the same design.
  • electrotypes have been used to produce very light highlights within an embossed cylinder mould watermark.
  • One such example is a watermark in the form of the head of an animal, in which the bright eyes of the lion are electrotype
  • a reinforced platform, or other form of support, is usually required whilst the electrotype is being welded to the wire cloth, to prevent deformation of the wire cloth, and therefore the embossing. Any deformation can lead to the watermark design being compromised.
  • a cylinder mould machine is generally used to manufacture a cylinder mould machine.
  • the web is
  • the length of the cylinder mould cover, on which the paper is formed is determined by the number of webs to be produced, where the width of each web corresponds to the width of one interim sheet. Typically the length will be such as to produce three webs.
  • the circumference of the cylinder mould cover is equivalent to the length of a number of interim sheets. As a non-limiting example, there may be three webs and six interim sheets, so the surface area of the cylinder mould cover would corresponding to the surface area of 18 (3 x 6) interim sheets. As each interim sheet is subsequently slit into a plurality of smaller security documents, the number of watermarks produced in each interim sheet must be such as to produce the requisite watermarks in each of the finished documents.
  • a typical mould cover may therefore have embossings/electrotypes for around 700 documents .
  • each of the webs may have different watermarks. This enables the production in a single manufacturing run of, for example, all the pages for a passport which have different watermarks on each page.
  • the requirement for different watermarks on different webs adds complications to the manufacture of the cylinder mould cover, because of the difficulty of placing them
  • electrotypes for each variant.
  • the weave structure of the wire cloth still allows water to drain laterally there through, albeit at a reduced rate. However radial drainage is blocked by the impermeable element .
  • control is achieved by increasing the overall drainage rate, for example by applying a vacuum to the cylinder mould, or by starting the draining process below the stock level, for example by using a mould curtain.
  • Another method is to increase the embossing depth of the forming surface. This, however, makes the mould cover more vulnerable to damage and can result in difficulties
  • Underwire drainage restriction is limited by the lateral drainage resulting from the 3-dimensional structure of the wire cloth.
  • the application of vacuum and the mould curtain both affect the raised and sunken areas simultaneously, making them coarse tools for selective drainage control.
  • US-A-2010/0175843 and US-A-2013/0092337 propose an alternative method of producing multi-tonal watermarks.
  • a perforated watermark "insert" is attached to the cylinder mould cover which provides a multi-level relief.
  • the insert may be injection moulded to provide the profiled surface perforations.
  • the insert is deep drawn or hot stamped .
  • US-A-2013/0255896 also proposes an alternative method of producing multi-tonal watermarks.
  • a "part" is attached to the cylinder mould cover, which part has a profiled surface and conical perforations extending from the profiled surface to an opposing drainage surface.
  • the part is made by a laser sintering method, such as SLM or SLS .
  • One object is to improve the quality of watermarks and in particular to improve the ability to create the effects produced currently by embossed cylinder mould and electrotype watermarks, so that complex multitonal designs or images can be created with sharply contrasting dark and very light areas adjacent each other.
  • Another object is to provide a process for the
  • cylinder mould covers which enables each watermark, or some watermarks, to be individually modified. Yet another object is to improve the process for the production of cylinder mould covers by decreasing the time taken from the production of the art work to the completion of the mould cover. A further object is to reduce the cost of production of cylinder mould covers by simplifying the manufacturing process, whilst retaining the ability to produce complex multi-tonal designs or images with sharply contrasting dark and very light areas adjacent each other from the resulting cylinder mould cover.
  • a further object still is to reduce the cost of production of cylinder mould covers by utilising a process which enables cheaper materials to be used and to reduce material wastage.
  • the invention therefore provides a watermark formation element for forming at least one watermark in a paper, said watermark formation element having an integrated body comprising a watermark forming surface, which has one or more watermark forming regions, and a drainage surface, said watermark formation element having a plurality of drainage channels extending from front surface apertures in the watermark forming surface to the drainage surface, in which each front surface aperture in the watermark forming surface has a rounded rim.
  • the rim has a radius of curvature lying in the range of 0.05mm to 0.25mm and more preferably in the range of 0.1mm to 0.15mm.
  • the watermark formation element is preferably formed from a plurality of layers, each layer being provided with drainage apertures, the drainage apertures in each layer at least partially overlap the drainage apertures in any adjacent layers to form said drainage channels.
  • Each layer may be formed from a plurality of sub layers .
  • the layers and/or sub layers are preferably fused together to form the integrated body.
  • the watermark formation element is formed by 3D printing.
  • the watermark formation element may be formed from a polymeric material or a plurality of different polymer materials or from a metallic material or a plurality of different metallic materials.
  • the minimum cross-sectional area of the front surface aperture and of any section of the drainage channels is 0.01mm .
  • the shape of the drainage apertures in different layers may be different.
  • any one layer may have drainage apertures, the cross sectional area and/or shape of are not all the same .
  • the total cross sectional area of the front surface apertures lies in the range of 1% to 40% of the total surface area of the watermark formation element, preferably 15% to 30% and more preferably 15% to 25%.
  • the layers may be planar or non-planar.
  • the watermark formation surface is contoured in the one or more watermark forming regions to provide tonal variation in the paper formed thereon.
  • the shape, size, spacing and or distribution of the drainage surface apertures may be varied within the one or more watermark forming regions to provide tonal variation in the paper formed thereon.
  • the invention further provides a cylinder mould cover for manufacturing a paper having at least one watermark, comprising at least one foraminous layer and at least one watermark formation element attached thereto.
  • the watermark formation element may be located in a recess formed in the at least one foraminous layer or in a cut out portion formed in the at least one foraminous layer. Alternatively the watermark formation element is located in a recess formed in the at least one foraminous layer and a cut out portion formed in another foraminous layer .
  • the invention further provides a method of making the cylinder mould cover wherein the one or more watermark formation elements are formed by a 3D printing process.
  • the one or more watermark formation elements are formed and subsequently attached to the least one foraminous layer.
  • the one or more watermark formation elements are formed directly on the at least one foraminous layer.
  • the invention further provides a method of making watermarked paper comprising the step of depositing fibres on the cylinder mould cover.
  • the invention further provides paper formed by this method .
  • the invention further provides a secure document made from this paper comprising a banknote, a passport, a
  • Figure 1 is cross section of a section of a wire cloth used to form a cylinder mould cover
  • FIGS. 2a and 2b are plan views of different watermark formation elements
  • Figure 3a is a cross sectional side elevation of the watermark formation element of Figure 2a on the line III- III;
  • Figures 3b to 3d are cross sectional side elevations of the watermark formation element of Figure 2b;
  • Figure 4 is a plan view of a front surface aperture in the watermark formation surface of the watermark formation element of Figure 2;
  • Figures 5a and 5b are cross sectional elevations through an adjacent pair of two different aperture defining members defining the front surface aperture of Figure 4 on the line V-V;
  • Figures 6a to 6e illustrate the construction of an alternative watermark formation element;
  • FIGS. 7a to 7d illustrate the construction of a further alternative watermark formation element
  • Figures 8 to 17 are cross sectional side elevations of yet further alternative watermark formation elements attached to the wire cloth of a cylinder mould cover;
  • Figure 18 is a plan view of a single watermark
  • Figure 19 is a tessellated sheet section made up of the watermark formation elements of Figure 18;
  • Figure 20 is a single watermark formation element used to produce multiple documents having identical watermarks
  • Figures 21 to 24 and 26 to 28 are parts of different watermark formation surfaces of different watermark
  • Figure 25 is a further alternative watermark formation element
  • Figures 29 to 32 are perspective views showing how adjacent sheets of watermark formation elements can be joined together.
  • Watermarked paper is usually formed on a partially submerged cylinder mould cover, at the wet end of a
  • the paper slurry generally comprises an aqueous suspension of paper fibres, which maybe natural fibres, synthetic fibres or a combination of both.
  • the cylinder mould rotates, liquid is drawn through the wire cloth 10 depositing fibres onto the face cloth 11.
  • a typical prior art cylinder mould cover is formed from a multi-layered wire cloth 10, as shown in Figure 1.
  • the layers are usually made from wire mesh or another foraminous surface.
  • the outermost layer (when the wire cloth 10 is wrapped around the cylinder mould) is known as the face cloth 11 and the next layer is a backing layer, referred to herein as the first backing layer 12.
  • the face cloth 11 and first backing layer 12 are the layers which are usually provided with embossings 13 which form the watermarks.
  • a second backing layer 14 which typically has cut-out areas 15 which accommodate the inwardly projecting areas of the embossings 13.
  • the innermost layer (when the wire cloth 10 is wrapped around the cylinder mould) is usually a third backing layer 16 which is not embossed or cut out, which provides overall support and strength to the overlying layers 11,12,14.
  • electrotypes 17 may be attached to the face cloth 11 by a suitable method, such as welding or soldering.
  • supporting elements 18 may be inserted between the rearmost embossed layer, in this example first backing layer 12, and the next adjacent layer, in this example the third backing layer 16.
  • the supporting elements 18 are typically made from stainless steel with holes drilled therein to provide drainage. These supporting elements 18 do not provide drainage restriction in the way that electrotypes 17 do, but are provided to help prevent distortion of the embossings 13 when the mould cover is subjected to pressure during the papermaking process.
  • watermarks may be formed using watermark formation elements 20. At least one
  • watermark formation element 20 is preferably attached to the wire cloth 10 of the cylinder mould cover. It should be noted that the wire cloth 10 may have a similar construction to that of Figure 1, in terms of the number of layers
  • the watermark formation element 20 has a watermark forming surface 21. At least a part of the watermark forming surface 21 may have a contoured profile, like the surface of a watermark embossing 13, which provide one or more watermark forming sections 52. The fibres deposit with a lesser or greater thickness on the raised and sunken elements of the watermark forming section (s) 52 to form a 3-dimensional watermark in the finished paper.
  • the watermark forming surface 21 may also have non-contoured sections (non- watermark forming sections) on which paper is produced which has no watermarks. However, the deposition of fibres to form watermarks may be controlled by additional and/or
  • the watermark formation element 20 has an integrated body (i.e. one not comprising discernible separate layers) a plurality of drainage channels 22 extending from front surface apertures 23 in the watermark forming surface 21 to drainage surface apertures 24 in an opposing drainage surface 25 (see Figures 3a to 3d) .
  • the drainage channels 22 are not just located in the watermark forming sections 52, but also in the non-watermark forming sections.
  • the drainage channels 22 allow liquid from the paper slurry to drain through the watermark formation element 20 to enable the fibres to deposit on the watermark forming surface 21.
  • the cross sectional area of each drainage channel 22 preferably increases as it extends from the watermark forming surface 21 to the drainage surface 25 to encourage the flow of liquid (as shown in Figures 6a to 6e) .
  • the minimum cross sectional area of the front surface apertures 23 and of any section of the drainage channels 22 is
  • each of the front surface apertures 23 preferably has a curved rim 26 which extends from the watermark formation surface 21 to an inner wall 29 of the drainage channel 22.
  • the radius of curvature (r) of the rim 26 is selected to reduce fibre retention as the liquid drains through the watermark formation element 20 and to help in the cleaning of the watermark formation element 20.
  • r radius of curvature (see Figures 5a and 5b) in the range of 0.05 to 0.25mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 0.15mm.
  • the continuous flow of liquid through the drainage channels 22 is important, as blockages can lead to
  • the size, number, cross- sectional shape and/or profile of the drainage channels 22 are preferably selected to provide controlled drainage rates in different areas to form the desired watermark (s) .
  • the watermark formation element (s) 20 and cylinder mould cover provide a forming surface with variable porosity, such that areas with lower porosity produce reduced grammage (i.e. lighter areas with a lower density of fibres) areas in the paper, and areas with higher porosity enable higher grammage areas (i.e. darker areas with a higher density of fibres) to be produced.
  • some of the drainage channels 22 may be longer than others as a result in a varying profile of the watermark forming surface 21.
  • the longer drainage channels 20 provide more resistance to the flow of liquid flow than the shorter drainage channels 20 and therefore produce lighter areas in the paper than those produced by the shorter drainage channels 20.
  • Variations in paper density may thus be controlled not only by the variations in the profile of the watermark forming surface 21, but also (alternatively or in addition) by the rate of liquid flow through the drainage channels 22.
  • the watermark formation surface 21 comprises solid areas 27. These solid areas 27 further enable the control of deposition of fibres on the watermark formation surface 21. These solid areas 27 may be regular and small or may be used, by varying their size and position, to create the equivalent of electrotype watermarks, i.e. significantly brighter/lighter areas.
  • the fibre deposition on each solid area 27 is a function of the width of the solid area 27 (i.e. the distance between adjacent front surface apertures 23) and the height of solid area 27 relative to adjacent portions of the watermark forming surface 21. In order to produce a watermark, the preferred maximum width of a solid area 27 is approximately 2mm; otherwise the fibres are unable to bridge the solid area 21 which would result in a hole in the paper. However, if it is desirable to create a hole in the paper, the solid areas 27 may be bigger.
  • the solid areas 27 may be rounded (as shown in Figure 5a) or flat (as shown in Figure 5b) .
  • the solid areas 27 may be located within the peaks or the troughs, having differing effects.
  • a peak alone would produce a light area
  • a high solid area 27 located within the peak would produce an even lighter area
  • a trough alone would produce a dark area
  • a high solid area 27 located within the trough would produce a very bright high light directly adjacent to, or completely surrounded by, a dark area.
  • the solid areas 27 of the watermark formation element 20 may form a regular pattern, for example the mesh like pattern as shown in Figures 2a and 2b. They may also form larger areas, for example the areas marked with reference numeral 28 in Figure 2b. These larger solid areas 28 can be formed in a number of different ways, some examples of which are shown in Figures 3b-3d. In the example illustrated in Figure 3b the larger solid areas 28 extend over, and block off, a number of drainage channels 22. In the examples illustrated in Figures 3c and 3d the larger solid areas 28 extend from the watermark formation surface 21 to the drainage surface 25. In the examples illustrated in Figure 3b and 3c one of the larger solid areas 28 has a variable profile, in this case a stepped profile, whereas the other has a flat surface.
  • the larger solid areas 28 between the drainage surface apertures 24 preferably have a cross sectional area of at least three times that of the drainage surface apertures 24.
  • the front surface apertures 24 define a shape, and the shape defined by the front surface apertures 24 may be different from one set of front surface apertures 24 to another.
  • the shape may be a geometric shape, such as a rectangle.
  • the shape may be a circle, hexagon or another geometric shape.
  • they may define a non-geometric shape.
  • the shape defined by the front surface apertures 24 may be regular or irregular.
  • the shape defined by the front surface apertures 24 may be in the form of at least one alphanumeric, a pictorial image or a symbol. In the example illustrated in Figure 22, the front surface apertures 24 themselves are in the shape of an apple. In Figures 23 and 24 the front surface
  • apertures 24 are in the form of text, in this example the letters TNW.
  • the watermark formation element 20 has front surface apertures 24 which define at least two different shapes.
  • the front surface apertures 24 define the shapes positively. However they may alternatively define the shapes negatively, so that the solid areas 27 between the front surface apertures 24 have the aforementioned shapes.
  • some of the drainage surface apertures 24 may define the shapes
  • the stem width of the character (where it acts a front surface aperture 24) is preferably no thinner than 0.3mm in width and the space between the characters (the solid areas 27 between the front surface apertures 24) is preferably no smaller than 0.3mm.
  • the minimum and maximum character size used for the front surface apertures 24 may also be determined by the style of the type face. It should also be noted that, although a minimum front surface
  • aperture 24/stem width size of 0.3mm may be intended, during the manufacturing process, these dimensions may vary
  • the watermark formation element 20 may have one set of front surface apertures 23 which define one shape, and another set of front surface apertures 23 which define a different shape.
  • the first set may be located within the second set.
  • the watermark formation surface 21 in the watermark forming section 52 does not need to be contoured, although it may be.
  • the watermark formation element 20 may be of a particular shape. For example, as shown on
  • the watermark formation element 20 has the shape of an apple.
  • the shape of the front surface apertures 24, the shape of the watermark formation element 20 and/or the watermark formed may also be selected to be the same as, or related in context to each other.
  • watermark formation element 20 are in the form of apples, whilst the watermark is a portrait of Sir Isaac Newton.
  • the shape of the watermark formation element 20 may be a symbol, a pictorial image, an alphanumeric or a geometric or non- geometric shape.
  • a first watermark forming section 52a forms a pictorial watermark having light and dark shades, in the form of a head.
  • the watermark formation element 20 may have a border provided by larger solid areas 28. These may provide a suitable means of anchoring the watermark formation element 20 to the face cloth 11.
  • a second watermark forming section 52b is provided which forms an electrotype type of watermark in the shape of an apple which has just light shades.
  • the finished paper manufactured thereon may have two different "wire marks".
  • the profile of the mesh of the face cloth 11 produces what is known as a "wire mark" across the entire web.
  • a knuckle is formed which is slightly raised relative to the warp and weft wires. The knuckles cause a very minor variation in the density of the substrate fibres which are deposited on the surface of the mould cover.
  • the imprint of the face cloth 11 also causes a barely perceptible
  • the finished paper will have one wire mark formed by the mesh of the face cloth 11 and another formed by any regular pattern formed by front surface apertures 23 and solid areas 27 watermark formation element 20.
  • the drainage rate can be controlled by a number of different means (either alone or in combination) and this can be used to provide tonal variation within the watermark (s) .
  • the size and/or shape of the drainage surface apertures may be varied in a given horizontal plane, which is parallel to the drainage surface 25, to achieve this.
  • watermark formation surface 21 in each of these examples does not have to be contoured (although it may also be contoured) as the size of the drainage surface apertures 24 varies to provide the tonal variation.
  • the drainage surface apertures 24 have the same circular shape, although the shape may be varied.
  • the size of the solid areas 27 between the drainage surface apertures 24 also therefore varies.
  • the drainage surface apertures 24 may positively define a shape (such as the circle in Figures 28a and 28b) or they may negatively define a shape (so that the solid areas 27 therebetween positively have that shape) .
  • the watermark forming section 52 may have drainage surface apertures 24 some of which positively define a shape and some of which negatively define the same shape.
  • the drainage surface apertures 24 have a circular shape.
  • a tonal variation can be achieved by varying the shape and/or size of symbols, pictorial images or alphanumeric shapes.
  • the areas of the watermark formation element 20 which form the darker regions in the final halftone image in the watermark would have a larger stem width than the drainage surface apertures 24 forming the lighter part of the halftone image.
  • the spacing between the front surface apertures 24 in a given horizontal plane, which is parallel to the drainage surface 25, can also be varied to provide tonal variation. This again can avoid the need for the watermark formation surface 21 to be contoured (although it could also be) .
  • the areas formed by the regions of the watermark formation element 20 in which closer spaced front surface apertures 24 are located are darker than the areas formed by the areas in which the front surface
  • apertures 24 are more widely spaced. In the example
  • Such watermark formation elements 20 can be used to provide a continuous variation in the tone of the watermark from one section (preferably an end or an edge) thereof, which has the lightest tone, to an opposing section
  • the watermark forming section 52 is configured to produce at least one watermark in the finished paper which is a continuous spiral and has a continuous tonal graduation from one end of the spiral, which is the darkest region, to the other end, which is the lightest region.
  • the light end of the spiral is produced by larger solid areas 28 which are raised relative to the "normal" level (i.e. that of the non- watermarking sections of the watermark formation surface
  • Such watermark (s) which has (have) a continuous tonal variation are preferably in the form of a continuous line or band which may be straight, curved and which may change direction e.g. a single straight line, an arc, a spiral, a zig-zag or the like and which clearly have opposing ends.
  • a watermark can provide a convenient method of checking for counterfeits in that it comprises all multi-tones from light to dark within a single watermark in a continuous graduation .
  • the preferred grammage of the finished paper in the darkest region of the watermark is at least 140% of the grammage of the non-watermark regions.
  • this would be approximately 140 gsm, and for 90 gsm background paper it would be approximately 126 gsm.
  • these regions could have a heavier grammage still, preferably at least 160%, or more preferably at least 180%, of the
  • the grammage in the non-watermarked regions is preferably no more than 50% of the grammage in the non-watermarked regions, more preferably no more than 40% and more preferably still no more than 25%.
  • the grammage in the lightest region is 2 Ogsm .
  • the grammage may range from approximately 20gsm to up to approximately 200gsm.
  • a radiograph is generated by exposing a sample sheet to a beta ray source (C-14) and recording the radiation transmitted through the sheet on an X-ray film.
  • the developed film is scanned with a flat-bed scanner, and the grey levels of the image are transformed to actual grammage values through a calibration scale obtained from a sample of known grammage.
  • the watermark formation element 20 may also be
  • the continuously graduated watermark provides a reference chart, in that its darkest end matches the darkest regions in the adjacent watermark, and the lightest end matches its lightest
  • the continuously graduated watermark also has the colour of the base paper in the middle.
  • the watermark formation element 20 may also be
  • a first watermark forming section 52a produces corner reinforcing watermarks of the type known from EP-A-1468142 , which has just darker shades formed by channels 60 having a constant depth.
  • a second watermark forming section 52b is formed adjacent the first watermark forming section 52a, which is configured to provide a continuous tonal graduation from the end of the channels 60 to a pictorial watermark in a third watermark forming section 52c.
  • the watermark formation element 20 may also be configured to produce such a continuously graduated
  • watermark which has text or patterns within the continuous band or line. These may be darker and/or lighter regions.
  • the watermark formation element 20 may be formed from a plurality of separate layers, especially if formed using a 3D printing process as described below. However in the finished watermark formation element 20 these layers may be integrally fused together and indistinguishable as separate layers.
  • the layers are formed with apertures, which combine to form the drainage channels 22.
  • the apertures in the top layer(s), which form the watermarking forming surface 21, preferably have a smaller cross sectional area than those in the bottom layer(s), which form the drainage surface 25. However they may alternatively have a larger cross sectional area or the same cross sectional area.
  • first layers 30, second layers 31, third layers 32 and fourth layers 33 there are pluralities of first layers 30, second layers 31, third layers 32 and fourth layers 33.
  • Each of the first layers 30 are provided with apertures of one size, which form the front surface apertures 23.
  • Each of the second layers 31 are provided with apertures 34 which have a larger cross sectional area than the front surface apertures 23.
  • Each of the third layers 31 are provided with apertures 35 which have a larger cross sectional area than the apertures 34 in the second layers 31.
  • Each of the fourth layers 31 are provided with apertures which have a larger cross sectional area than the apertures 35 and which form the drainage surface apertures 24.
  • the number of layers forming the watermark formation element 20 is not restricted and the number of identical layers may also vary.
  • the apertures 23,34,35,24 in the different layers may have the same cross sectional shape as each other, albeit with different cross sectional areas or the shape may be varied from layer to layer.
  • the cross sectional area of the apertures 23,34,35,24 in any one layer may also be varied, with larger apertures 23,34,35,24 providing increased drainage and fibre
  • the total cross sectional area of the front surface apertures 23 is preferably between 1% and 40% of the total surface area of the watermark formation element 20, more preferably between 5% and 30%, and more preferably still between 15% and 25%.
  • the layers 30,31,32,33 illustrated in figures 6a-6d and 7a-7d are shown as planar. However the layers may be non- planar, for example curved in one or more directions.
  • the drainage rate through the watermark formation elements 20 can additionally be controlled by the open area and mean open diameter of the openings in the wire cloth 10 (or other foraminous surface), which provides the supporting structure.
  • the mean diameter of the openings is preferably between 0.02 and 0.4 mm and more preferably between 0.05 and 0.1mm.
  • the wire cloth 10 (or other foraminous surface) is preferably produced by a method that is not constrained by the rate of change of gradient of the watermark forming surface 21. This enables improved resolution and contrast to be archived.
  • the drainage rate through the watermark formation elements 20 can further be controlled by spraying, coating or otherwise covering the watermark formation surface 21 with a material which changes the hydrophobic property of the material from which the watermark formation element 20 is made.
  • the hydrophobicity can be controlled by printing the watermark formation element 20 with two or more
  • the structure of the watermark formation elements 20 may also be designed to allow sideways (lateral) drainage of liquid below the watermark forming surface 21, one example of which is shown in Figures 7a to 7d.
  • the first layer 30, which forms a substantial portion of the watermark forming surface 21, has a mesh like construction with square front surface apertures 23.
  • the underlying second layer 31 is provided with apertures 34 in the form of channels extending across from one edge of the layer 31 to an opposing edge.
  • the third layer 32 which in this embodiment forms the drainage surface 25, is also provided with apertures 35 in the form of channels extending across from one edge of the layer 31 to the other in a similar direction to those of the second layer 31.
  • the channels of the third layer have a greater width to those of the second layer 31.
  • a watermark formation element 20 having a cross section as shown in Figure 7a.
  • one or more additional drainage channels are provided which extend laterally within the watermark formation element 20 beneath the watermark forming surface.
  • These laterally extending drainage channels may extend from one side of the watermark formation element 20 to another as shown in Figures 7a-7d. Alternatively they may simply extend from one point on the perimeter of the watermark formation element 20 to another point.
  • These drainage channels may be straight, angled, curved or any other suitable shape, and may extend in the machine or cross-direction.
  • the lateral drainage channels may lie in a single plane (or layer 30-33) or they may be stepped across two or more layers 30-33.
  • each of the 30,31,32 is formed from a plurality of layers described previously. Additionally, although the illustrated example shows three layers 30, 31, 32, the number of layers forming the watermark formation element 20 is not restricted. Furthermore, different layers from those shown may have the laterally extending apertures 35.
  • the watermark formation elements 20 described above can therefore combine the advantages of contour formed
  • watermark formation elements 20 can be used to form any part of the watermark
  • the watermark formation elements 20 are not limited to specific dimensions in order to obtain good clarity and contrast compared to the background, as are traditional electrotypes.
  • the use of such watermark formation elements 20 allows for a greater range be used more flexibly in order to achieve a greater range of artistic effects.
  • electrotype image contrast can be reduced by reducing the thickness if such an effect is desirable from an aesthetic point of view.
  • Such subtleties may also contribute to enhanced security by increasing the complexity of the image tonality;
  • watermark formation elements 20 as opposed to embossing the wire cloth 10 of the cylinder mould cover or attaching electrotypes thereto, provides the ability to produce complex multitonal designs or images can be created with sharply contrasting dark and very light areas adjacent each other. However it brings a number of additional manufacturing challenges.
  • Durability of the resulting cylinder mould cover is extremely important as it is subjected to significant stresses.
  • the stresses may result from a couch roll, dandy roll or the felt (formex) depending on the configuration of the paper machine.
  • the couch roll rotates in contact with the cylinder mould and is used to transfer the partially formed paper web from the cylinder mould cover to the felt (formex) which carries the web from the wet end of the papermaking machine to the press section.
  • the couch roll rotates in contact with the cylinder mould and is used to transfer the partially formed paper web from the cylinder mould cover to the felt (formex) which carries the web from the wet end of the papermaking machine to the press section.
  • the watermark formation elements 20 may also be any watermark formation elements 20.
  • shock absorbing properties which enable the watermark formation element 20, and therefore the cylinder mould cover, to withstand the pressure from the couch roll. This may be achieved by making the whole, or a part, of the watermark formation element 20 from a resilient material, such as rubber.
  • the watermark formation element 20 may comprise a support layer 40, as an additional layer to those described previously, at the back of the watermark formation element 20 either behind or forming the drainage surface 25.
  • a support layer 40 as an additional layer to those described previously, at the back of the watermark formation element 20 either behind or forming the drainage surface 25.
  • the support layer 40 may be located on the back of the fourth layer (s) 33 in Figures 6a-6e or the third layer 32 in Figures 7a-7d.
  • the support layer 40 may be one or more of the layers 30,31,32,33 of these previously described embodiments .
  • the support layer 40 may be made from a resilient material.
  • the support layer 40 is an additional layer located at the back of the watermark formation element 20.
  • the support layer 40 may be attached to the watermark formation element 20 by any suitable means, for example UV cured resin.
  • the support layer 40 may be made from a material which has a different tensile modulus from the main body of the watermark formation element 20.
  • Preferred minimum and maximum values for the tensile modulus of a conventional material used for the main body of the watermark formation element 20 and for a shock absorbing, rubber like polymer material, for the support layer 40 are given below with the more preferred values shown in brackets.
  • the support layer 40 may have a structure which is resilient. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the support layer 40 is located at the back of the watermark formation element 20.
  • the support layer 40 is formed from a series of springs (which may be leaf, volute, coil, zigzag or other types of spring configurations) .
  • the support layer 40 may have a honeycomb or tessellated structure. It is important that the support layer 40 has a shape and/or configuration which does not interfere with the drainage flow through the drainage surface 25 of the
  • the support layer 40 must therefore have apertures which ensure that the support layer 40 does not interfere with the drainage requirements identified above and/or which form part of the drainage channels 22.
  • the watermark formation element 20 comprises an annular resilient support layer 40 which extends around the
  • the method used to locate and/or attach one or more of the aforementioned watermark formation elements 20 to the wire cloth 10 is also an important factor in ensuring the durability of the cylinder mould cover.
  • the following description refers to the location/attachment of a single watermark formation element 20 to the wire cloth 10.
  • the wire cloth 10 is formed from a face cloth 11, first backing layer 12, a second backing layer 14 and, in the case of Figure 10 only, a third backing layer 16.
  • the face cloth 11 and first backing layer 12 each have a cut out area 15a, 15b
  • the cut out area 15a in the face cloth 11 is smaller than that in the first backing layer 12 and is substantially the same size as, or slightly larger than, an upper section 41 of the watermark formation element 20. This allows the upper section 41 to pass through the cut out area 15a.
  • the support layer 40 of the watermark formation element 20 and/or a lower section 42 of the watermark formation element 20 has at least one cross sectional dimension which is greater than that of the cut out area 15a in the face cloth 11, but is the same or slightly smaller than the cut out area 15b in the first backing layer 12. This enables the watermark formation element 20 to be anchored between the layers of the wire cloth 10.
  • watermark formation element 20 (whether this is the drainage surface 25 or the support layer 40) is located against, and supported by, the second backing layer 14.
  • a watermark formation element 20 may be at least partly located in a recess 43 in the face cloth 11 of the cylinder mould cover as shown in Figure 12.
  • the recess 43 is preferably formed by embossing the face cloth 11 (and possibly also the underlying first backing layer 12) .
  • the recess 43 is preferably shallow (for example between 0.5mm and 2mm deep) .
  • the recess 43 is preferably arranged so that the watermark formation element 20 is pushed up against a locating corner.
  • formation element 20 is thus protected by the surrounding walls of the recess 43.
  • Figure 13 shows an alternative arrangement in which the face cloth 11 is provided with a cut out area 15 (similar to the cut out area 15 illustrated in Figures 8 and 9) through which a watermark formation element 20 projects.
  • the first backing layer 12 is provided with a recess 43 in which a watermark formation element 20 may be at least partly located.
  • One or more watermark formation elements 20 may also be attached to one or more layers of the wire cloth 10.
  • Suitable methods of attaching a metallic watermark formation element 20 to the wire cloth 10 are resistance or laser welding and soldering. Plastic welding may be used to attach polymeric watermark formation elements 20.
  • the watermark formation element (s) 20 may be sewn, for example with a fine wire, onto the wire cloth 10.
  • the watermark formation element (s) 20 may also be adhered to the wire cloth 10, for example with a UV cured resin or another suitable adhesive.
  • One or more fixings 45 may be used to attach one or more watermark formation elements 20 to one or more layers of the wire cloth 10.
  • Such fixings 45 may be threaded metal inserts, weldable metal inserts, flanged plastic or metal components, staples, components with bendable legs and so on.
  • the fixings 45 are preferably porous or hollow (e.g. tubular) .
  • Figure 14 illustrates one type of suitable fixing 45.
  • shank 46 which may be a wire or plastic filament or an elastic thread, which passes through one or more layers of the wire cloth 10 and a drainage channel 22 of the watermark formation element 20.
  • foot 47 integrally formed thereon or attached
  • the foot 47 may at least one dimension greater than that of the wire mesh opening in the rearmost backing layer to which the fixing 45 is attached, in the illustrated example first backing layer 12.
  • the opposite end of the shank 46 is threaded through the drainage channel 22 and a head 48 is attached thereto or formed thereon.
  • the size of the head 48 is greater than the size of the front surface aperture 23 of the drainage channel 22 to ensure that the watermark formation element 20 is held securely in position.
  • One or more fixings 45 may be used per watermark formation element 20.
  • Figure 15 illustrates the use of another form of suitable fixing 45.
  • This has a flexible shank 46, which may be a wire or plastic filament or an elastic thread.
  • the shank 46 passes through one or more layers 11,12,14,16 of the wire cloth 10, up one drainage channel 22, across the watermark formation surface 21, down an adjacent drainage channel 22. And back through the one or more layers
  • Feet 47 are formed on, or attached to, each end of the shank 46, which feet 47 have at least one dimension greater than that of the wire mesh opening in the rearmost backing layer to which the fixing 45 is attached.
  • Figure 16 illustrates the use of yet another suitable form of fixing 45.
  • This comprises a tubular or porous barbed spigot which extends from the drainage surface 25 of the watermark formation element 20 through one or more layers of the wire cloth 10.
  • the watermark formation element 20 is located in cut out areas 15a, 15b in the face cloth 11 and first backing layer 12, so the spigot is pushed through the wire mesh openings in the second and third backing layers 14,16.
  • the spigot has a central drainage passage 50 and its distal end is provided with one or more barbs 49 which hook on the wire of the rearmost backing layer through which the spigot passes; in the illustrated embodiment this is the third backing layer 16.
  • Figure 17 illustrates the use of yet another suitable fixing 45.
  • This is in the form of a wire which extends from the drainage surface 25 of the watermark formation element 20 through one or more layers of the wire cloth 10.
  • the watermark formation element 20 is located in cut out areas 15a, 15b in the face cloth 11 and first backing layer 12, and the wire is threaded through a wire mesh opening in the second backing layer 14. The end of the wire is bent over to form a hook 51.
  • the aforementioned fixings 45 may additionally be adhered or welded to the wire cloth 10 to ensure that they are firmly attached.
  • the aforementioned watermark formation elements 20 can be produced by 3D printing or another suitable manufacturing process, such as injection moulding, laser ablation, vacuum formation, machining etc. 3D printing, also known as rapid prototyping or
  • additive manufacturing is a relatively new technology, which uses a digital model, usually created by some form of computer aided design (CAD) package or a 3D scanner, to create a 3 dimensional object.
  • CAD computer aided design
  • the 3D printer reads the data from the CAD drawing and lays down successive layers of material to build up a physical object from a series of cross sections.
  • 3D printing processes including (but not limited to)
  • SLA stereolithography
  • SLS Selective Laser Sintering
  • SLM Selective Laser Melting
  • LOM LOM
  • FDM Fused Deposition Modelling
  • SGC Solid Ground Curing
  • DMLS Direct Metal Laser Sintering
  • EBM electron beam melting
  • 3D printing methods may be used to manufacture the watermark formation elements 20 from a variety of materials. Examples include one or more polymeric materials, one or more metals or a combination of both metals and polymers, for example with a metal incorporated into a polymer matrix. The material or materials selected for the watermark
  • formation elements 20 need to be sufficiently durable to with stand the pressure created between the cylinder mould and the couch roll and the continuous percussion therefrom.
  • the selection of the material (s) will also depend on the 3D printing process used.
  • FDM fused deposition manufacture
  • ABS - acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
  • PC polycarbonate
  • PC-ABS selective laser sintering
  • SLS selective laser sintering
  • SLM selective laser melting
  • a significant advantage of using a 3D printing process to form the watermark formation element (s) 20 is that the time taken to manufacture a cylinder mould cover, and therefore the cost, is significantly reduced compared to the traditional process, as the artwork is used directly to form the watermark formation elements 20. There is no longer a need to produce embossing dies, which must then be used to emboss the cylinder mould cover.
  • each individual watermark formation element 20 makes it possible to customise each individual watermark, for example for unique passport pages or banknote serial numbers.
  • a further advantage of 3D printing is that it makes it considerably easier to accommodate shrinkage. As the paper web passes through the various stages of the papermaking process, it shrinks. The degree of shrinkage at the edge of the paper web is greater than in the centre and may vary according to the particular machine, wetness, type of stock processing speed used. To get a uniform finished document width, the actual document width on the cylinder mould cover during manufacture has to vary to compensate for shrinkage. The design of any watermark must also allow for shrinkage. Using 3D printing means that the watermark formation
  • Another advantage of 3D printing is that many of the methods described above can be used to form the watermark formation elements 20 directly on the wire cloth 10 of the cylinder mould cover with no need for additional fixings 45.
  • one or more watermark formation elements 20 may be formed onto a section of wire mesh which is subsequently attached to the wire cloth 10, for example to the face cloth 11, of the cylinder mould cover with suitable fixings 45.
  • 3D pens are also available, such as 3Doodler (TM) or Lixpen (TM) . These can be used to attach the watermark formation elements 20 to the wire cloth 10 by drawing loops from a 3D printed watermark formation element 20 around the wires of the face cloth 11 and back to the watermark
  • Such 3D pens may also be used with the watermark formation elements 20 which have been manufactured by a method other than 3D printing.
  • elements 20 may be attached to a perforated skin or sleeve, which fits over a traditional wire cloth 10.
  • the resulting mould cover may have attached thereto a number of discrete watermark formation elements 20 at regular intervals, each watermark formation element 20 being designed to produce a single watermark.
  • the watermark formation elements 20 may all be designed to produce the same watermark, or different watermarks.
  • Each watermark formation element 20 may be the same size as a single document (see Figure 18) and be designed to produce all the watermarks (and holes or apertures) required for a single document. This may include several different
  • watermarks 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d may be, inter alia, pictorial watermarks, corner reinforcing watermarks, security thread tracks and/or electrotype style alphanumeric watermarks.
  • Sufficient identical watermark formation elements 20 may be attached to the wire cloth 10 adjacent each other (to form a tessellated sheet section as shown in Figure 19) to produce an interim sheet which, when slit, will form a number of identical smaller documents all having the same combination of
  • watermarks 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d This may be repeated around the circumference of the mould cover, so that at least one of the paper webs can be split to form identical interim sheets and then identical documents.
  • the use of the aforementioned watermark formation elements 20 in the manufacture of paper is particularly advantageous where each one designed to produce multiple watermarks 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d.
  • the paper shrinks at an uneven rate across the web.
  • 52d may vary depending on where on the web the watermark is being formed. The use of 3D printing simplifies this
  • Figure 21 provides a clear illustration of a section of a watermark formation surface 21 of a watermark formation element 20, part of which has a contoured profile.
  • one watermark in the shape of a bird of which a section of the bird's wing is shown
  • Another watermark is formed from solid areas 21 in the form of the numerals "0", which are raised above the rest of the watermark formation surface 21. This produces a watermark similar to that of a prior art electrotype watermark.
  • a single watermark formation element 20 can made, which is designed to produce all the required watermarks 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d for multiple documents (see Figure 20) .
  • formation element 20 can be used to provide slitter/chop guide marks 52e, which are used to assist in the accurate cutting of the webs/sheets. Margins may also be included between the areas which will form an individual document, which can be used as fixing points. Fixing points are required for attaching different sets of watermark formation elements 20 used to form different webs either together or to the cylinder mould cover. These will be cut away when the paper is slit into the individual interim sheets and then the documents.
  • the entire face cloth 11 of a cylinder mould cover may be a watermark formation element 20 formed by 3D printing.
  • the backing layers 12,14 may also be 3D printed.
  • the watermark formation element (s) 20 replaces the wire cloth 10 (cylinder mould cover) it is formed into a sleeve which fits over the cylinder mould itself.
  • the sleeve may comprise a single sheet or a plurality of smaller sheets joined together.
  • Figure 29 - a hinge joint may be used to join end to end of individual sheets to allow forward and backward motion of the sheets.
  • Figure 30 - a spigot joint may be used to join the main body of the watermark formation element 20 to the face cloth 11.
  • the drainage surface 25 may have spigots that slot into the wire of the face cloth 11.
  • a clip lock joint may be used to join two ends of adjacent sheets by slotting them end to end, enabling tight locking of the sheets at the joint.
  • Figure 32 - a socket joint may be used, which is similar to a ball and socket joint, where a square end of a sheet is slotted and into square groove and locked into place .
  • Figure 33 - a lap joint may be used in which two sheets are joined end to end. The fixing of the joint is completed by adding a clip to fix the two sheets together to prevent one sheet from popping out.
  • a traditional process using an embossed cylinder mould the presence of many embossings can make it difficult to hold the mould cover firm whilst the wire cloth 10 is being embossed.
  • the use of watermark formation elements 20 overcomes this disadvantage as they are formed separately.
  • the watermark formation elements 20 are produced so as not to have the knuckles associated with the woven wire mesh of the face cloth. This eliminates
  • watermark formation elements 20 may then be inserted into the recesses 43 or through the cut out areas 15 as required .
  • the watermarked paper thus produced is suitable for many applications, including paper used in banknotes, passports, certificates, tickets and many more applications. It is especially convenient for producing paper for many applications, including paper used in banknotes, passports, certificates, tickets and many more applications. It is especially convenient for producing paper for many applications, including paper used in banknotes, passports, certificates, tickets and many more applications. It is especially convenient for producing paper for many applications, including paper used in banknotes, passports, certificates, tickets and many more applications. It is especially convenient for producing paper for
  • a watermark formation element for forming at least one watermark in a paper, said watermark formation element having an integrated body comprising a watermark forming surface, which has one or more watermark forming regions, and a drainage surface, said watermark formation element having a plurality of drainage channels extending from front surface apertures in the watermark forming surface to the drainage surface, said watermark formation element which has shock absorbing properties.
  • a watermark formation element for forming at least one watermark in a paper, said watermark formation element having an integrated body comprising a watermark forming surface, which has one or more watermark forming regions, and a drainage surface, said watermark formation element having a plurality of drainage channels extending from front surface apertures in the watermark forming surface to the drainage surface, said watermark formation element further comprising integral means for fixing the watermark formation element to a wire mesh of a cylinder mould cover.
  • the integral fixing means is porous and/or has an internal drainage passage there through.
  • formation element is formed by a 3D printing process, and is configured to produce at least one watermarked region and at least one non-watermarked region for a single document cut from said at least one web.
  • formation element is formed by a 3D printing process, and is configured to produce watermarked and non-watermarked regions for a plurality of identical documents cut from said at least one web.
  • formation element is formed by a 3D printing process, and is configured to produce watermarked and non-watermarked regions for a plurality of non-identical documents cut from said at least one web.
  • a method of making a watermark formation element for a cylinder mould cover for forming a plurality of watermarks in at least one web of paper wherein the watermark formation element is formed by a 3D printing process, and is configured to produce watermarked and non-watermarked regions for all documents cut from all webs formed on the cylinder mould cover.
  • a method of making a cylinder mould cover comprising the step of making the or each watermark formation element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and
  • a method of making a cylinder mould cover comprising the step of making the or each watermark formation element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims by forming the or each watermark formation element directly on a foraminous layer.
  • a watermark formation element made by the method of clause 13 configured to produce at least one watermarked region and at least one non-watermarked region for a single document cut from said at least one web.
  • a watermark formation element made by the method of claim 14 or 15 configured to produce all required watermarked and non-watermarked regions for a single document cut from said at least one web.
  • a watermark formation element made by the method of clause 16 configured to produce watermarked and non- watermarked regions for a plurality of identical documents cut from said at least one web.
  • a watermark formation element made by the method of clause 17 configured to produce watermarked and non- watermarked regions for a plurality of non-identical documents cut from said at least one web.
  • a watermark formation element made by the method of clause 18 is configured to produce watermarked and non- watermarked regions for all documents cut from all webs formed on the cylinder mould cover.
  • a method of making watermarked paper comprising the step of depositing fibres on a cylinder mould cover made by the method of any one of clauses 19 to 21.
  • a watermark formation element for forming at least one watermark in a paper, said watermark formation element having an integrated body comprising a watermark forming surface, which has one or more watermark forming regions, and a drainage surface, said watermark formation element having a plurality of drainage channels extending from front surface apertures in the watermark forming surface to the drainage surface, wherein the watermark forming surface comprises a plurality of first solid areas between the drainage surface apertures and at least one second solid area between the drainage surface apertures in the watermark forming regions, the at least one second solid area having a larger cross sectional area than the first solid areas, and the cross sectional area of the second solid area being at least three times that of each of the drainage surface apertures .
  • a watermark formation element of clause 30 in which a surface of at least one of the solid areas is planar.
  • a watermark formation element for forming at least one multi-tonal watermark in a paper said watermark formation element having an integrated body comprising a watermark forming surface, which has one or more watermark forming regions, and a drainage surface, said watermark formation element having a plurality of drainage channels extending from front surface apertures in the watermark forming surface to the drainage surface, wherein the shape of, size of, and/or spacing between, the front surface apertures in a given horizontal plane, which is parallel to the drainage surface, is varied in the one or more watermark forming regions to create tonal variation in paper formed on said watermark formation element.

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Abstract

La présente invention concerne un élément de formation de filigrane permettant de former des filigranes dans du papier, un couvercle de moule de cylindre comprenant un tel élément de formation de filigrane, un procédé de fabrication d'un tel couvercle de moule de cylindre, un procédé de fabrication de papier à l'aide d'un tel couvercle de moule de cylindre et du papier ainsi fabriqué. L'élément de formation de filigrane a un corps intégré comprenant une surface de formation de filigrane, laquelle a une ou plusieurs régions de formation de filigrane, et une surface de drainage, ledit élément de formation de filigrane (20) ayant une pluralité de canaux de drainage (22) s'étendant depuis des ouvertures de surface avant (23) dans la surface de formation de filigrane jusqu'à la surface de drainage. Chaque ouverture de surface avant dans la surface de formation de filigrane (21) a un bord arrondi (26).
EP15794255.8A 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Élément de formation de filigrane Not-in-force EP3218545B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SI201530527T SI3218545T1 (sl) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Element za tvorjenje vodnega znaka
DK18179661.6T DK3399096T3 (da) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Vandmærkedannelse
PL15794255T PL3218545T3 (pl) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Element tworzący znak wodny
EP18179661.6A EP3399096B1 (fr) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Filigranage
EP18179665.7A EP3399097A1 (fr) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Améliorations en matière de filigranage

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1419978.0A GB2532083A (en) 2014-11-10 2014-11-10 Improvements in watermarking
GB1419956.6A GB2532081B (en) 2014-11-10 2014-11-10 Improvements in watermarking
GBGB1419986.3A GB201419986D0 (en) 2014-11-10 2014-11-10 Improvements in watermarking
GB1419957.4A GB2533263B (en) 2014-11-10 2014-11-10 Improvements in watermarking
GB1419960.8A GB2532082B (en) 2014-11-10 2014-11-10 Improvements in watermarking
GB1419987.1A GB2533264A (en) 2014-11-10 2014-11-10 Improvements in watermarking
PCT/GB2015/053370 WO2016075442A1 (fr) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Élément de formation de filigrane

Related Child Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18179665.7A Division EP3399097A1 (fr) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Améliorations en matière de filigranage
EP18179665.7A Division-Into EP3399097A1 (fr) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Améliorations en matière de filigranage
EP18179661.6A Division EP3399096B1 (fr) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Filigranage
EP18179661.6A Division-Into EP3399096B1 (fr) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Filigranage

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3218545A1 true EP3218545A1 (fr) 2017-09-20
EP3218545B1 EP3218545B1 (fr) 2018-09-26

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ID=54541108

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18179661.6A Active EP3399096B1 (fr) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Filigranage
EP18179665.7A Withdrawn EP3399097A1 (fr) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Améliorations en matière de filigranage
EP15794255.8A Not-in-force EP3218545B1 (fr) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Élément de formation de filigrane

Family Applications Before (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18179661.6A Active EP3399096B1 (fr) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Filigranage
EP18179665.7A Withdrawn EP3399097A1 (fr) 2014-11-10 2015-11-06 Améliorations en matière de filigranage

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (3) EP3399096B1 (fr)
DK (1) DK3399096T3 (fr)
ES (2) ES2927756T3 (fr)
HU (1) HUE059834T2 (fr)
PL (2) PL3218545T3 (fr)
SI (1) SI3218545T1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2016075442A1 (fr)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2532084B (en) * 2014-11-10 2017-09-06 De La Rue Int Ltd Improvments in watermarking
SE543042C2 (en) * 2019-01-03 2020-09-29 Celwise Ab Tool and method for producing a 3D molded pulp product
DE102020007606A1 (de) 2020-12-11 2022-06-15 Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology Gmbh Entwässerungssieb, Spritzgusswerzeug und Verfahren zum Herstellungsverfahren für Entwässerungssiebe

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DE102006058513A1 (de) * 2006-12-12 2008-06-19 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Entwässerungssieb und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung
WO2010036104A1 (fr) * 2008-09-26 2010-04-01 Vhp Veiligheidspapierfabriek Ugchelen B.V. Méthode de production d'un élément de filigrane, élément de filigrane, et applications
FR2957943B1 (fr) * 2010-03-24 2021-11-05 Arjowiggins Security Filigrane, procedes de fabrication d'une piece pour la formation d'un filigrane et piece obtenue selon ledit procede
DE102014010062A1 (de) * 2013-07-18 2015-01-22 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Entwässerungssieb und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung

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EP3399096A1 (fr) 2018-11-07
DK3399096T3 (da) 2022-10-17
EP3399097A1 (fr) 2018-11-07
HUE059834T2 (hu) 2023-01-28
EP3218545B1 (fr) 2018-09-26
PL3399096T3 (pl) 2023-01-02
PL3218545T3 (pl) 2019-05-31
WO2016075442A1 (fr) 2016-05-19
ES2691231T3 (es) 2018-11-26
SI3218545T1 (sl) 2019-01-31
ES2927756T3 (es) 2022-11-10
EP3399096B1 (fr) 2022-08-24

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