EP3356154B1 - Dispositif d'impression de sécurité et son procédé de fabrication - Google Patents

Dispositif d'impression de sécurité et son procédé de fabrication Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3356154B1
EP3356154B1 EP16775851.5A EP16775851A EP3356154B1 EP 3356154 B1 EP3356154 B1 EP 3356154B1 EP 16775851 A EP16775851 A EP 16775851A EP 3356154 B1 EP3356154 B1 EP 3356154B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
security
print
layer
print medium
opacifying
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Active
Application number
EP16775851.5A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3356154A1 (fr
Inventor
Alan KEEN
Malcolm Baker
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De la Rue International Ltd
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De la Rue International Ltd
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Publication of EP3356154A1 publication Critical patent/EP3356154A1/fr
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
    • B42D25/351—Translucent or partly translucent parts, e.g. windows
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/20—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof characterised by a particular use or purpose
    • B42D25/21—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof characterised by a particular use or purpose for multiple purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/20—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof characterised by a particular use or purpose
    • B42D25/24—Passports
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/20—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof characterised by a particular use or purpose
    • B42D25/29—Securities; Bank notes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
    • B42D25/36—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery comprising special materials
    • B42D25/373—Metallic materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
    • B42D25/36—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery comprising special materials
    • B42D25/378—Special inks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/40—Manufacture
    • B42D25/45—Associating two or more layers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to security print media suitable for use in making security documents such as banknotes, identity documents, passports, certificates and the like, as well as methods for manufacturing such security print media, and security documents made from the security print media.
  • security documents are typically provided with one or more security elements which are difficult or impossible to replicate accurately with commonly available means, particularly photocopiers, scanners or commercial printers.
  • Some types of security element are formed on the surface of a document substrate, for example by printing onto and/or embossing into a substrate such as to create fine-line patterns or latent images revealed upon tilting, whilst others including diffractive optical elements and the like are typically formed on an article such as a security thread or a transfer foil, which is then applied to or incorporated into the document substrate.
  • a still further category of security element is that in which the security element is integrally formed in the document substrate itself.
  • a well-known example of such a feature is the conventional watermark, formed in paper document substrates by controlling the papermaking process to as to vary the density of the paper fibres as they are laid down in accordance with a desired image.
  • Techniques have been developed which can achieve highly intricate, multi-tonal watermarks which become visible when the substrate is viewed in transmitted light.
  • Security elements such as watermarks which are integral to the document substrate have the significant benefit that they cannot be detached from the security document without destroying the integrity of the document.
  • Polymer document substrates comprising typically a transparent or translucent polymer substrate with at least one opacifying layer coated on each side to receive print, have a number of benefits over conventional paper document substrates including increased lifetime due to their more robust nature and resistance to soiling. Polymer document substrates also lend themselves well to certain types of security features such as transparent windows which are more difficult to incorporate in paper-based documents. However, due to the non-fibrous construction of polymer substrates, conventional watermarking techniques are not available and as such the potential for forming security elements integrally in the substrate itself is limited. Instead, for polymer security documents, security elements are typically applied after the document substrate has been manufactured, for example as part of a subsequent security printing process line, or by the application of a foil.
  • security print media suitable for use in making security documents may be found in EP 1680285 B1 , WO 2008/031170 A1 , WO2010/130755 A2 , US 5449200 A , WO 2009/010714 A1 , EP 2566704 B1 and WO 02/094578 A1 .
  • a polymer document substrate - i.e. a security print medium, which can then be printed upon and otherwise processed into a security document - with an integral security feature, to enhance the security of the document substrate itself, and ultimately of security documents formed from it.
  • a security print medium for forming security documents therefrom is defined in claim 1.
  • the present invention also provides a method of making a security print medium as defined in claim 14.
  • the primary function of the opacifying layers is to render the majority of the document non-transparent and to provide a suitable background on which to print graphics, security patterns and other information as may be required on the finished security document.
  • the presently disclosed security print media also provides a security feature which resembles the integral security features, such as watermarks, that are common in fibrous document substrates.
  • the presently disclosed security print media provides that, when viewed in reflection, the second print, i.e.
  • a screened working of a multi-tonal image is visible and dominates the appearance of the security print media, but when held up to the light so as to be viewed in transmission, provides that the multi-tonal image of the first print, which was obscured in reflection by the opacifying layer(s) and the second print, is revealed and displayed to the viewer by light passing through the security print media.
  • screened working it is meant a layer formed of an array of screen elements whose characteristics may be spatially modulated across the layer so as to provide regions of visual contrast.
  • the screen elements (or analogously the background surrounding the elements) may vary in their size, thickness, spacing, ink density, colour, tone, hue and/or saturation.
  • the screened working of the multi-tonal image is a version of the image formed of an array of screen elements, whose shape, and placement form the version of the image.
  • the second print is a screened working, and comprises an array of print elements which together form a version of the image.
  • the first print of the multi-tone image is a print located on the surface of the substrate and covered by the opacifying layers.
  • the print is a layer of at least semi-transparent or semi-translucent material which, in its most basic form, affects the intensity of light passing through it by different amounts for all or a selection of the wavelengths of visible light in different lateral locations to produce the appearance of a multi-tonal image.
  • the term "print” is intended to cover an image formed of a composition such as ink applied by any technique including conventional printing methods such as gravure, flexographic printing, lithography etc., but also ablation methods in which an all-over ink layer is applied and then selectively removed to leave an image, e.g. using a laser.
  • first print and/or the at least one opacifying layer need not be in direct contact with the surface of the polymer substrate. Rather, one or more additional (transparent or translucent) layers could be present between the polymer substrate and the first print and/or opacifying layers, such as a primer layer, the opacifying layers still being considered disposed "on" the substrate surface.
  • second print need not be directly in contact with the continuous opacifying layer, and, again, one or more additional (transparent or translucent) layers could be present between them.
  • the first print of the multi-tonal image is a multi-coloured print, preferably comprising multiple workings and preferably comprising multiple workings in different colours.
  • a multi-coloured multi-tonal image as the print which is covered by the screened working, a very striking transition can be achieved when the viewer switches from viewing in reflection to viewing in transmission and vice versa, with the image displayed changing between that presented by the single screened working in reflection and the multi-coloured, multi-toned version in transmission.
  • a monochromatic, multi-toned print may instead be used.
  • the multi-colour print is formed by multiple print workings applied to the substrate.
  • This maybe in the form of a first half of the image being formed of a first working in a first colour and a second half of the working formed in a second colour, or of a second, and optionally a third, monochromatic print of the multi-tone image being applied over and in register with a first monochromatic print of the multi-tone image, in different colours, to produce a single multi-colour depiction of the multi-tone image.
  • the at least one opacifying layer further includes one or more opacifying layers disposed continuously across the first print of the multi-tone image so as to additionally cover the first print from the point of view of an observer on the second side of the security print medium.
  • the image is concealed from the side of the medium not intended for viewing, which results in a more striking appearance of the image when viewed as intended.
  • the first print may also be uncovered from the point of view of an observer on the second side of the security print medium.
  • both sides of the document with approximately the same number of opacifying layers so as to give a consistent appearance between the two sides of the document.
  • opacifying layers may be provided on one side of the document or more opacifying layers may be provided on one side than the other.
  • the term 'print' is intended to be construed broadly, and there are many types of print, and corresponding methods for applying said prints, which would be suitable for forming the second print; however, in particularly preferable embodiments, the second print is an intaglio print, i.e. formed using an intaglio printing method. While intaglio is preferable for reasons including that it enables the printed screen working to be provided with a raised tactile feel, and that there is a feathering effect of the lines which is characteristic of intaglio printing and provides an additional authentication over more commercial printing techniques used in the packaging industry, other types of print and corresponding printing methods may alternatively be used.
  • the first print is covered by at least one opacifying layer which, typically this opacifying layer will extend across substantially the entire surface of the substrate, since opacifying layers are normally used to provide a suitable surface across the entire medium for printing and applicating of security document features.
  • each surface of the security document will be coated in multiple layers to give the medium a high opacity.
  • the multiple opacifying layers cover the first print, they will act to reduce the intensity of the image when viewed in transmission. It is therefore preferable that the at least one opacifying layer further includes one or more opacifying layers each defining at least one gap, laterally inside which the multi-tonal image is located.
  • a raised pattern layer is applied to the outermost opacifying layer on one or both sides of the substrate, the raised pattern layer comprising an array of screen elements which are sufficiently large to be individually discernible to the naked eye, the raised pattern layer preferably being tactile and/or of varying visibility depending on the viewing angle.
  • the raised pattern layer may be applied to any portion of the upper and/or lower surface of the substrate, however preferably it is applied in the region of the multi-tonal image.
  • the raised pattern layer may cooperate with the second print in either or both of a visual and tactile manner.
  • the second print is the raised pattern layer, which is to say that second print is raised with respect to the surface onto which it is applied, and is preferably tactile.
  • the screen elements of the screened working have dimensions which render them individually discernible to the naked eye. It is generally considered that the naked eye can resolve individual objects down to a scale of about 40 ⁇ m when viewed from a distance of about 15 cm. However, it will be appreciated that it is preferable that at least some of the screen elements of the screened working have a smallest dimension in a direction along the first or second surface of the polymer substrate of 100 micrometres or more, more preferably 200 micrometres or more, such that the screen elements are comfortably visible to the naked eye.
  • the screened working is a multi-tonal screened working.
  • the multiple tones of the multi-tonal screened working are provided by variations in the dimensions and/or frequency of the screen elements.
  • the size of the screen elements may be increased without altering their spacing, thereby increasing the surface area of the elements of the second print and providing a darker tone to the region.
  • the frequency i.e. the number of equal sized screen elements per unit area, may be increased to achieve the same effect.
  • a combination of these two effects may be used to provide regions of different tone. It will be appreciated that regions of different tone need not be discrete, and the tone could change according to a gradient, e.g. the screen elements could be provided to produce a half-tone effect.
  • the screen elements of the screened working comprise one or more of lines, dots, squares and indicia.
  • the screened working may be a line screen comprising an array of lines whose delineations produce a version of the multi-tonal image, with the thickness of the lines varying to provide multiple tones to a multi-tonal screened working.
  • the screen elements have an average area in a plane parallel to the first or second surface of the polymer substrate greater than the average area in a plane parallel to the first or second surface of the polymer substrate of elements of any element structure in any other layer.
  • all opacifying layers may be substantially continuous layers of opacifying material.
  • At least one opacifying layer is a printed opacifying layer, preferably applied to the substrate by gravure printing. While it is preferable that the opacifying layers are printed, any method of application may be used.
  • the opacifying layer is polymeric and non-fibrous, and will scatter light (as opposed to allowing clear light transmission therethrough), and will be translucent to a degree.
  • at least one of the opacifying layers will contain electrically conductive particles (desirable to reduce the effects of static charge), whereas others will not.
  • all of the opacifying layers are substantially the same colour as one another, most preferably a light and bright colour such as white (including off-white) or grey to provide an ideal surface on which additional printing or applicating can be performed in the manufacturing of a security document. While preferable, opacifying layers of different colours may be used.
  • the screen elements of the screened working are substantially all of the same colour. This will provide that a monochromatic image is visible in reflection, which can lead to visually striking transitions, in particular if the multi-tonal image seen in transmission is a multi-coloured, multi-tonal image.
  • the second print is registered to the first print. This is achieved during the making of the security print media, by using registration techniques when applying the second print to the substrate such that it is in precise alignment with the first print of the multi-tonal image.
  • the multi-tonal image can depict anything, however, the effect is most visually striking when the multi-tonal image comprises an image of a three-dimensional object, preferably a geometrical solid or wireframe model, a person, an animal, a building or other architectural structure or a three-dimensional logo.
  • the method of making a security print medium already introduced above can be adapted to make any of the preferred features described above.
  • the invention further provides a security document comprising a security print medium as described above, and at least one graphics layer applied on the outermost opacifying layer(s) on the first and/or second surfaces of the polymer substrate.
  • the security document could be for example any of: a bank note, an identification document, a passport, a licence, a cheque, a visa, a stamp or a certificate.
  • a corresponding method of manufacturing a security document comprises making a security print medium in accordance with the above-described method; and applying at least one graphics layer to the outermost opacifying layer(s) on the first and/or second surfaces of the polymer substrate.
  • the step of applying at least one graphics layer to the outermost opacifying layers will be carried out in a separate manufacturing process (e.g.
  • the at least one graphics layer may preferably be applied in register with the multi-tone image and or the screened working in the opacifying layers so as to achieve a visual co-operation between the graphics layer and the multi-tone image and/or screened working. This can be achieved by using a sensor such as a camera system to detect the location of the multi-tone image and/or screened working and adjust the position of the applied graphics layer accordingly.
  • the graphics layer can be applied using any available printing process such as gravure, flexographic, lithographic or intaglio printing, for example.
  • the graphics layer may typically include security patterns such as fine line patterns or guilloches, information as to the nature of the security document such as denomination and currency identifiers for a banknote, and/or personalisation information such as a serial number on a banknote or bibliographic data of the holder on a passport.
  • security patterns such as fine line patterns or guilloches
  • information as to the nature of the security document such as denomination and currency identifiers for a banknote
  • personalisation information such as a serial number on a banknote or bibliographic data of the holder on a passport.
  • Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a security print medium 1.
  • Figures 1(a) and 1(b) show the security print medium before the application of any opacifying layers and before application of the second print, with Figure 1(a) showing a plan view of the security print medium, and Figure 1(b) showing a cross-section along the line X-X'.
  • Figure 1(b) shows the layers forming the security print medium 1 spaced apart for clarity whereas in practice all of the layers will contact one another and form a cohesive unit. The same applies to all other cross-sections shown in other Figures.
  • the security print medium 1 comprises a polymer substrate 5, which is transparent (i.e. optically clear, but may be tinted) or translucent (i.e. optically scattering, but non-opaque).
  • the polymer substrate 5 may be monolithic or could be multi-layered and may carry additional layers on its first and/or second surfaces 5a, 5b such as a primer layer for improving the adhesion of outer layers.
  • the polymeric substrate may comprise BOPP or polycarbonate, for example.
  • the polymer substrate 5 has opposing upper and lower surfaces 5a, 5b. In a region, on the upper surface 5a, there is disposed a multi-tonal image 10 in the form of a single print working 10a (the first print).
  • the multi-tone image 10 is of a hemisphere;
  • the circular print working 10a is a halftone print working, and is provided with a lighter tone towards its centre, and a darker tone towards its edges to give the impression to the viewer that the centre is closer than the edges.
  • the print working 10a may be formed by a conventional colour ink using a process such as gravure printing or flexographic printing.
  • the ink may be selected so as to be translucent to allow the colour to be visible in transmitted light.
  • substantially all of the medium 1 carries a coating 6 formed of a plurality of opacifying layers as described further below.
  • This renders the medium non-transparent across the whole of the coated area and provides a suitable background for printing thereon.
  • the coating 6 may optionally be omitted in certain areas of the medium to form features such as strip 2 and window 3, which are transparent or translucent (relative to the coated areas).
  • Such transparent areas may be provided as security features in their own right or may be later equipped with additional security devices during the manufacture of a security document using the medium 1, as described further below.
  • the opacifying coating 6 is formed by first and second opacifying layers 6a, 6b, disposed on the upper and lower surfaces 5a, 5b of the substrate 5 respectively. While one opacifying layer is provided on each side in this case, more than one opacifying layer may be used to increase the optical density of the coating 6.
  • Each opacifying layer comprises a translucent, semi-opaque material which is preferably polymeric and non-fibrous, e.g. white ink.
  • the opacifying layers are each preferably substantially the same colour as one another (and are spatially uniform in colour), most preferably white or another light colour such as off-white or grey so that a later-applied graphics layer will contrast well against it.
  • the opacifying layers each have a brightness L* in CIE L*a*b* colour space of at least 70, preferably at least 80 and more preferably at least 90.
  • the opacifying layer 6a on the upper side 5a of the substrate 5 entirely covers the multi-tone image from the point of view of an observer viewing the upper side 5a of the substrate 5. While in this embodiment, the opacifying layer covers substantially all of the upper side 5a of the substrate 5, with the only gaps being those for additional security features such as strip 2 and window 3, it will be appreciated that the opacifying layer need only cover the print working 10a of the multi-tonal image 10, outside of the area directly over the multi-tonal image, the opacifying layer may cover anywhere between none and all of the rest of the surface of the substrate 5.
  • the opacifying layer 6b on the lower side 5b of the substrate is identical to the upper opacifying layer 6a, and covers substantially all of the lower side 5b of the substrate, with the only gaps being those for additional security features such as strip 2 and window 3.
  • this opacifying layer is optional, and may be completely absent, or may cover any amount of the lower side of the substrate 5 up to an entire coating of the lower side 5b.
  • each opacifying layer 6a, 6b is laid down in a substantially homogenous manner so as to uniformly cover the desired portions of the substrate 5, at least on a macroscopic scale which is visible to the naked eye.
  • layers may be formed by gravure printing for example, which involves applying the opacifying material from an array of cells, the size of which is typically too small for any resulting pattern structure to be visible to the naked eye.
  • the opacifying layers 6a, 6b and print working 10a should preferably be applied in register with one another, as may be achieved by applying all in the same in-line process.
  • additional layers such as a primer could be applied to the substrate before the opacifying layers (and any optional print workings).
  • Further layers could be applied to the outside of the opacifying layers, such as a protective layer (preferably transparent) or a print-receptive coating.
  • a print in the form of a screened working 7 (second print) of the multi-tonal image is disposed on top of the opacifying layer 6a from the point of view of an observer viewing the upper side 5a of the substrate 5, the screened working of the multi-tonal image being in registered alignment with the print working 10a of the multi-tonal image.
  • the screened working is an array of screen elements in a colour which contrasts with that of the opacifying layer 6a, and which form a version of the multi-tonal image 10.
  • the screened working is a line screen comprising straight lines of print material that run along the surface of the opacifying layer 6a.
  • Each screen element has a width of approximately 200 ⁇ m, and is separated from the adjacent screen element by a gap of approximately 150 ⁇ m, thereby rendering the individual screen elements individually discernible to the naked eye.
  • the line screen 7 is in registered alignment with the multi-tonal image, in an area directly over the multi-tonal image 10, which means that the line elements are arranged in the form of a circle, matching the outline of the multi-tonal image 10, with placement being registered to that of the print working 10a.
  • the opacifying coating 6 appears as a substantially continuous white or grey surface.
  • the opacifying layer 6a and screened working obscure the multi-tonal image 10, and the appearance is dominated by light reflecting off the line elements of the screened working 7. Since the screen elements are visible to the naked eye, the viewer sees, in the region of the multi-tonal image 10, a version of the multi-tonal image formed by the screen elements of the screen working 7, i.e. they see a circle formed of a series of line elements.
  • Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention formed based on the same principles as described in relation to the first embodiment.
  • the construction of the security print medium 1 is largely the same as previously described, common components being denoted in the Figures using the same reference numerals as used above.
  • the multi-tonal image is formed by three print workings 10a, 10b, 10c applied one on top of the other.
  • the multi-tonal image 10 is a multi-coloured portrait of a person.
  • Each print working 10a, 10b, 10c is a halftone image in a different component colour, e.g. print working 10a is in yellow, print working 10b is in cyan, and print working 10c is in magenta, which together form a multi-colour, multi-tonal image. While yellow, cyan and magenta are used in this embodiment, many combinations of print workings may be used to achieve different appearances of the multi-tonal image.
  • a black halftone print working may be used in combination with one or more print workings of other colours, with the black print working providing additional shading to the multi-tone image, e.g. being provided only in the portions of the image which are intended to have the darkest tone.
  • a second working could be in a different colour to a first, and configured to provide different elements of the multi-tone image - e.g. the first working could be provided only in a first half on the image and the second working in a second half to provide two halves in different colours - or could overlap with the first to provide an intermediate colour such as orange where the first working is red and the second yellow.
  • the workings 10a, 10b, 10c could be identical and in the same colour, to increase the intensity of the colour.
  • opacifying layers 6a, 6c, 6e Over the multi-tonal image, on the upper side 5a of the substrate 5, is provided a series of opacifying layers 6a, 6c, 6e, each extending over the entire upper side of the substrate. Similarly, on the lower side 5b of the substrate 5, there is provided a series of opacifying layers 6b, 6d, 6f each extending over the entire lower side of the substrate. It should be appreciated that whilst in practice the opacifying layers will typically be white, here the opacifying material is illustrated as black in order to be visible in the Figure.
  • the screened working is comprised of an array of indicia arranged in accordance with the portrait to form a representation of that portrait.
  • the screened working being positioned directly over and in registered alignment with the multi-tonal image 10 beneath the opacifying layers 6a, 6c, 6e.
  • the screened working 7 is a multi-tonal screened working.
  • the multiple tones of the multi-tonal screened working 7 are provided by incremental changes in the weight and density of the indicia used as the screen elements; in areas intended to be darkest in tone, the surface area of each indicium is greater, and the indicia are positioned closer together to increase the covering of that area with print material.
  • the black colour of the print material used for the screened working results in the areas having the most print material appearing darkest when viewed in reflection.
  • the screened working 7 of the multi-tonal image 10 dominates the appearance of the medium.
  • the screened working is multi-tonal, and displays a monochromatic version of the portrait which is the multi-tonal image 10 to the viewer.
  • the medium is switched to being viewed in transmission the multi-coloured, multi-tonal image 10 is displayed to the viewer as light passes through the medium 1 and, in particular, through the print workings 10a, 10b, 10c.
  • a very striking transition is observed between a monochromatic, multi-tonal image made up of individually visible elements in reflection, and a multi-coloured version of the same image in the same location in transmission.
  • FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of Figure 1 , and the differences will now be described.
  • This embodiment features a second print working 10b on the lower surface 5b of the substrate 5, as shown in Figure 3(a) .
  • the second print working 10b is identical to the first print working 10a, and is placed on the lower surface in register with the first print working 10a, as shown in Figure 3(b) .
  • the opacifying layer 6b on the lower surface 5b of the substrate now also covers the second print working 10b from the point of view of an observer viewing the lower surface 5b of the substrate 5.
  • the screened working 7 which is applied to the opacifying layer 6a, has screen elements that are a series of concentric rings of decreasing radius.
  • the elements of the screened working 7 are present within an area directly over the multi-tonal image 10, i.e. the outermost ring substantially matches the periphery of the multi-tonal image 10, and the remaining rings complete the area within the outermost ring to give the screened working the appearance of a circle, with its placement being registered to that of the print working 10a.
  • the screened working 7 in this case is a multi-tonal screened working, with the multiple tones being provided by an decreasing line width of the ring elements of the screened working towards the centre of the screened working.
  • the second screened working 7' is identical to the first screened working 7 and sits on the opacifying layer 6b that overlaps the second print working 10b, with its placement being registered to that of the second print working 10b.
  • This embodiment further includes additional opacifying layers 6c, 6e on the upper side 5a of the substrate 5, and 6d, 6f on the lower side 5b of the substrate. These additional opacifying layers cover substantially all of their respective surface of the substrate 5, including gaps in certain areas of the medium to align with the gaps for the strip 2 and window 3 in the first opacifying layers 6a, 6b.
  • the opacifying layers 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f differ from the first opacifying layers 6a, 6b in that they each additionally include a circular gap 12 laterally inside of which is the multi-tonal image 10 and the screened workings 7, 7'. In this embodiment, the circular gap 12 closely matches the periphery of the multi-tonal image 10 and the screened workings 7, 7'; however, in other embodiments, they may present these features in a larger 'window' region.
  • Figure 4(a) shows an exemplary raised pattern layer 13 which may be applied over the outermost opacifying layer and/or across the screened working 7.
  • the raised pattern layer 13 may be applied over the screened working 7 on the first surface 5a of the substrate 5.
  • the raised pattern layer may comprise for example a colourless, transparent ink which is applied to the medium 1 in accordance with a screen pattern, the elements of which are large enough to be individual discernible to the naked eye (possibly only under close inspection). Similar to the screened working, the raised pattern layer 13 may be applied in the form of an array of line or dot screen elements.
  • the raised pattern layer is in the form of a grid of lines as shown, whose height depends upon their position across the screened working, e.g. having a maximum height at the leftmost side of the screened working 7 and tapering down towards the right side of the screened working, as shown in Figure 4(b) .
  • the raised pattern layer may be applied by intaglio printing for example and preferably has a latent appearance in that its presence is less visible when the medium is viewed at some angles, relative to others. At certain viewing angles, which depend on the location of the illuminating light source, the raised image pattern will reflect light more strongly to the viewer, and thus become more visible, than at other viewing angles.
  • the pattern 13 may or may not be directly related to the content of the multi-tone image 10.
  • the raised pattern layer extends across the screened working 7 but otherwise does not reflect the features of the multi-tone image, instead comprising a grid pattern, the line weight of which varies from left to right across the region such that it fades to absent on the right side of the screened working 7.
  • the raised pattern layer is tactile (i.e. can be detected by human touch), but this is not essential.
  • the raised pattern layer 13 is its own discrete layer
  • the screened working 7 is configured such that it is visibly raised with respect to the surface to which it is applied, thereby providing the same or similar visual and/or tactile effects as a separate raised pattern layer 13, without the need for application of the additional raised pattern layer.
  • a raised screened layer 7 could also be used together with a separate raised pattern layer 13, and in particular, a cooperation between the two, e.g. the raised pattern layer providing a tactile background to the screened working 7, may be particularly preferable.
  • the opacifying layers should be white, off-white or grey; however, other colours could be used.
  • the opacifying coating will typically comprise a resin such as a polyurethane based resin, polyester based resin or an epoxy based resin and an opacifying pigment such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), silica, zinc oxide, tin oxide, clays or calcium carbonate.
  • TiO2 titanium dioxide
  • the composition of each opacifying layer may be the same or different to one another.
  • one of the opacifying layers on each side of the substrate may comprise electrically conductive particles to reduce the effect of static charge.
  • this is the penultimate layer on each side: for example, layers 6b and 6c in Figure 2 .
  • the screened working is black in colour, to contrast the typically white colour of the opacifying layer; however any colour may be used provided it contrasts the selected opacifying material. It is preferable that the screened working is applied in an intaglio printing process using a conventional intaglio ink, as is well known in the art, however other processes, such as gravure printing, flexographic printing, lithographic printing etc, may alternatively be used.
  • security print media can then be processed into security documents.
  • the processing steps involved in doing so may be carried out on a separate processing line, typically at a different manufacturing site and optionally by a different entity.
  • An example of a security document 100 formed using the security print medium 1 described above in relation to Figure 1 is shown in Figure 5 , (a) in plan view and (b) in cross-section. All of the components already provided as part of the security print medium 1, including multi-tone image 10 and screened working 7, are as previously described in relation to Figure 1 .
  • the security document comprises a graphics layer 20 applied in this example to the outer surfaces of the security print medium 1, i.e. to the surface of outermost opacifying layers 6a and 6b. In other cases the graphics layer 20 may be applied only to one of the surfaces. As mentioned previously there could be intermediate layers between the opacifying layers and the graphics layer, such as a protective layer or primer.
  • the security document is a banknote and hence the graphics layer comprises background security patterns 20a (such as guilloches) as well as identifiers such as denomination information 20b.
  • the graphics layer 20 could be applied in a single working or in multiple workings, optionally using more than one printing technique. Any available printing techniques can be utilised for forming the graphics layer as would be applied to a conventional polymer document substrate, e.g. intaglio printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing, lithographic printing etc.
  • Figure 5 also illustrates examples of other security devices which may optionally be applied to the security print media to form the security document, such as an optically variable device 21 in window 3, e.g. a moire magnification device, a lenticular device or an integral imaging device as may be formed by cast-curing or laminating a lens array on one side of the polymer substrate 5 and forming image elements on the other.
  • an optically variable device 21 in window 3 e.g. a moire magnification device, a lenticular device or an integral imaging device as may be formed by cast-curing or laminating a lens array on one side of the polymer substrate 5 and forming image elements on the other.
  • a security device 22 in the form of a patch which has been applied to the surface of the security print media, e.g. by lamination or hot stamping.
  • the security device 22 may comprise a diffractive optical element such as a hologram, for example.
  • the security documents and security devices of the current invention can optionally be made machine readable by the introduction of detectable materials in any of the layers or by the introduction of separate machine-readable layers.
  • Detectable materials that react to an external stimulus include but are not limited to fluorescent, phosphorescent, infrared absorbing, thermochromic, photochromic, magnetic, electrochromic, conductive and piezochromic materials.

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Printing Methods (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Support d'impression de sécurité (1) pour former des documents de sécurité à partir de celui-ci, comprenant un substrat polymère transparent ou translucide (5) ayant des première et seconde surfaces opposées (5a, 5b), et au moins une couche opacifiante (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) disposée sur les première et/ou seconde surfaces (5a, 5b) du substrat polymère (5), la ou chaque couche opacifiante (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) étant une couche en matériau semi-opaque, le support d'impression de sécurité (1) comprenant en outre une première impression (10a) d'une image multi-tonale disposée sur la première et/ou la seconde surface(s) (5a, 5b) du substrat polymère (5), la première impression (10a) étant couverte du point de vue d'un observateur sur au moins un premier côté du support d'impression de sécurité (5) par au moins l'une des couches opacifiantes (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) qui est disposée en continu sur l'image multi-tonale, et comprenant en outre une seconde impression (7) de l'image multi-tonale formée comme un travail tramé comprenant un réseau d'éléments de trame en une couleur contrastant avec celle de la couche opacifiante continue (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f), la seconde impression (7) étant disposée au-dessus de la couche opacifiante continue (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) du point de vue de l'observateur et en alignement avec la première impression (10a), grâce à quoi lorsque le support d'impression de sécurité (1) est vu par l'observateur en lumière réfléchie, la seconde impression (7) domine l'apparence de l'image multi-tonale et lorsque le support d'impression de sécurité (1) est vu par l'observateur en lumière transmise, la première impression (10a) domine l'apparence de l'image multi-tonale.
  2. Support d'impression de sécurité selon la revendication 1, la première impression de l'image multi-tonale étant une impression multicolore, comprenant de préférence plusieurs travaux et comprenant de préférence plusieurs travaux de différentes couleurs.
  3. Support d'impression de sécurité selon la revendication 1 ou 2, l'au moins une couche opacifiante comprenant en outre une ou plusieurs couches opacifiantes disposées en continu sur la première impression de l'image multi-tonale de manière à couvrir également la première impression du point de vue d'un observateur sur le second côté du support d'impression de sécurité.
  4. Support d'impression de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, l'au moins une couche opacifiante comprenant en outre une ou plusieurs couches opacifiantes définissant chacune au moins un espace, latéralement à l'intérieur duquel l'image multi-tonale est située.
  5. Support d'impression de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre une couche de motif en relief appliquée à la couche opacifiante la plus à l'extérieur sur un ou les deux côtés du substrat, la couche de motif en relief comprenant un réseau d'éléments de trame qui sont suffisamment grands pour être perceptibles individuellement à l'œil nu, la couche de motif en relief étant de préférence tactile et/ou de visibilité variable en fonction de l'angle de vue, et de préférence la seconde impression étant la couche de motif en relief.
  6. Support d'impression de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, au moins certains des éléments de trame du travail tramé ayant des dimensions qui les rendent individuellement perceptibles à l'œil nu et/ou au moins certains des éléments de trame du travail tramé ayant une plus petite dimension dans une direction le long de la première ou de la seconde surface du substrat polymère de 100 micromètres ou plus, plus préférablement de 300 micromètres ou plus.
  7. Support d'impression de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, le travail tramé étant un travail tramé multi-tonal, et de préférence les multiples tons du travail tramé multi-tonal étant fournis par des variations de dimensions et/ou de fréquence des éléments de trame.
  8. Support d'impression de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, les éléments de trame ayant une surface moyenne dans un plan parallèle à la première ou seconde surface du substrat polymère supérieure à la surface moyenne dans un plan parallèle à la première ou seconde surface du substrat polymère des éléments de toute structure d'élément dans toute autre couche.
  9. Support d'impression de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, au moins une couche opacifiante étant disposée à travers le substrat sous la forme d'un réseau d'éléments de trame qui sont trop petits pour être perceptibles individuellement à l'œil nu.
  10. Support d'impression de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, toutes les couches opacifiantes ayant sensiblement la même couleur les unes par rapport aux autres, de préférence blanc ou gris.
  11. Support d'impression de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, les éléments de trame du travail tramé étant sensiblement tous de la même couleur.
  12. Support d'impression de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, l'au moins une couche opacifiante est disposée sur au moins 50 % du substrat, de préférence au moins 80 % du substrat, plus préférablement tout le substrat.
  13. Document de sécurité comprenant un support d'impression de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12, et au moins une couche graphique appliquée sur la ou les couches opacifiantes la ou les plus externes sur la première et/ou la seconde surfaces du substrat polymère, de préférence, le document de sécurité étant un billet de banque, un document d'identification, un passeport, un permis, un chèque, un visa, une estampille ou un certificat.
  14. Procédé de fabrication d'un support d'impression de sécurité (1), comprenant :
    la fourniture d'un substrat polymère transparent ou translucide (5) ayant des première et seconde surfaces opposées (5a, 5b) ;
    l'application d'une première impression (10a) d'une image multi-tonale sur la première et/ou la seconde surface du substrat polymère (5a, 5b) ;
    l'application d'au moins une couche opacifiante (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) sur les première et/ou seconde surfaces (5a, 5b) du substrat polymère (5), la ou chaque couche opacifiante (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) étant une couche de matériau semi-opaque, la première impression (10a) étant recouverte du point de vue d'un observateur sur une première face du support d'impression de sécurité (1) par au moins une des couches opacifiantes (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) qui sont disposées en continu sur l'image multi-tonale ; et
    l'application d'une seconde impression (7) de l'image multi-tonale au-dessus de la couche opacifiante continue (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) du point de vue de l'observateur et en alignement avec la première impression (10a), la seconde impression (7) étant formée comme un travail tramé comprenant un réseau d'éléments de trame dans une couleur qui contraste avec celle de la couche opacifiante continue (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f), grâce à quoi lorsque le support d'impression de sécurité (1) est vu par l'observateur en lumière réfléchie, la seconde impression (7) domine l'apparence de l'image multi-tonale et lorsque le support d'impression de sécurité (1) est vu par l'observateur en lumière transmise, la première l'impression (10a) domine l'apparence de l'image multi-tonale.
  15. Procédé de fabrication d'un document de sécurité comprenant :
    la fabrication d'un support d'impression de sécurité selon le procédé de la revendication 14 ; et
    l'application d'au moins une couche graphique sur la ou les couches opacifiantes la ou les plus à l'extérieur sur les première et/ou seconde surfaces du substrat polymère, de préférence le document de sécurité étant un billet de banque, un document d'identification, un passeport, une licence, un chèque, un visa, un estampillage ou un certificat.
EP16775851.5A 2015-09-29 2016-09-27 Dispositif d'impression de sécurité et son procédé de fabrication Active EP3356154B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1517152.3A GB2542785B (en) 2015-09-29 2015-09-29 Security print media and method of manufacture thereof
PCT/GB2016/052998 WO2017055825A1 (fr) 2015-09-29 2016-09-27 Dispositif d'impression de sécurité et son procédé de fabrication

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EP3356154B1 true EP3356154B1 (fr) 2020-07-29

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AU (1) AU2016330007B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2999833A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2542785B (fr)
MA (1) MA43351A (fr)
WO (1) WO2017055825A1 (fr)

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US20200180345A1 (en) * 2017-05-17 2020-06-11 Ccl Secure Pty Ltd A banknote
GB2572772B (en) * 2018-04-10 2020-08-19 De La Rue Int Ltd Security print media and method of manufacture thereof

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US5449200A (en) * 1993-06-08 1995-09-12 Domtar, Inc. Security paper with color mark
DE10124221A1 (de) * 2001-05-18 2002-11-21 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Wertpapier und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung
GB0325729D0 (en) * 2003-11-04 2003-12-10 Rue De Int Ltd Security device
CA2881437C (fr) * 2006-09-15 2018-11-27 Innovia Security Pty Ltd Dispositifs de securite a base d'encre embossee durcissable par rayonnement destines aux documents de securite
GB0714141D0 (en) * 2007-07-19 2007-08-29 Rue De Int Ltd security device
DE102008028705B4 (de) * 2008-06-17 2022-02-24 Bundesdruckerei Gmbh Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Wert- und/oder Sicherheitsdokuments sowie Wert- und/oder Sicherheitsdokument mit einer demetallisierten Struktur
JP5224304B2 (ja) * 2009-03-26 2013-07-03 独立行政法人 国立印刷局 潜像模様形成体
DE102009020846A1 (de) * 2009-05-12 2010-11-25 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Farbannahmeschicht mit Aussparung
GB201007042D0 (en) * 2010-04-28 2010-06-09 Rue De Int Ltd Printed security feature and method of manufacture
GB201212046D0 (en) * 2012-07-06 2012-08-22 Rue De Int Ltd Security devices

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EP3356154A1 (fr) 2018-08-08
GB201517152D0 (en) 2015-11-11
GB2542785B (en) 2018-01-31
AU2016330007A1 (en) 2018-04-12
WO2017055825A1 (fr) 2017-04-06
CA2999833A1 (fr) 2017-04-06
MA43351A (fr) 2018-08-08
GB2542785A (en) 2017-04-05
AU2016330007B2 (en) 2021-10-28

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