EP3980272B1 - Sicherheitsfolie - Google Patents

Sicherheitsfolie Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3980272B1
EP3980272B1 EP20732555.6A EP20732555A EP3980272B1 EP 3980272 B1 EP3980272 B1 EP 3980272B1 EP 20732555 A EP20732555 A EP 20732555A EP 3980272 B1 EP3980272 B1 EP 3980272B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connection portion
pattern
camouflage
camouflage pattern
sheet
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.)
Active
Application number
EP20732555.6A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3980272C0 (de
EP3980272A1 (de
Inventor
Shireen Bobat
Matthew Sugdon
Christoph HUSMANN
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.)
De la Rue International 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
Application filed by De la Rue International Ltd filed Critical De la Rue International Ltd
Publication of EP3980272A1 publication Critical patent/EP3980272A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3980272C0 publication Critical patent/EP3980272C0/de
Publication of EP3980272B1 publication Critical patent/EP3980272B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/20—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
    • B42D1/00—Books or other bound products
    • B42D1/002—Back of leaves or signatures prepared for binding
    • 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
    • B42D25/324—Reliefs
    • 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
    • B42D25/337—Guilloche patterns
    • 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
    • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
    • B42D25/355—Security threads
    • 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
    • B42D25/405—Marking
    • B42D25/41—Marking using electromagnetic radiation
    • 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
    • B42D25/405—Marking
    • B42D25/425—Marking by deformation, e.g. embossing
    • 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
    • B42D25/405—Marking
    • B42D25/43—Marking by removal of material
    • B42D25/435—Marking by removal of material using electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser
    • 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
    • B42D25/405—Marking
    • B42D25/43—Marking by removal of material
    • B42D25/445—Marking by removal of material using chemical means, e.g. etching
    • 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
    • B42D25/455—Associating two or more layers using heat
    • 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
    • B42D25/46—Associating two or more layers using pressure

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed towards a security sheet for displaying data.
  • the present invention is further directed towards a security document comprising such a security sheet and a method of manufacturing such security sheets and documents.
  • Security documents and booklets such as passports, passbooks, identification documents, certificates, licences, cheque books and the like, commonly comprise one or more security sheets on which information is provided.
  • a passport booklet typically comprises a cover, a plurality of internal visa pages and at least one security sheet displaying the personal data of the passport holder.
  • the visa pages are made from paper and are sewn together along a stitch line coincident with the fold of the document.
  • the security sheet may be formed from a plastic, typically polycarbonate, and during its manufacture a number of thin plastic layers are laid over one another and laminated together, thereby forming a thicker plastic body. As this plastic body is typically rigid and unable to bend without plastic deformation it is generally not attached at the stitch line or otherwise the booklet may not be able to bend effectively about the fold.
  • the plastic body may therefore be attached about the fold using a flexible hinge layer embedded in and extending from the plastic body.
  • a flexible hinge layer embedded in and extending from the plastic body.
  • steps are taken to ensure that the plastic body is resistant to delamination by forgers attempting to adapt the personal data.
  • the attachments of the flexible hinge layer to the plastic body and about the stitch line need to be sufficiently durable and resistant to delamination to endure for the lifetime of the security booklet, which is often 10 years or more in the case of passports.
  • EP-B1-1592565 and EP-B2-1502765 disclose arrangements of flexible hinge layers in plastic bodies.
  • the plastic body typically comprises a transparent layer in which personal data and other security features are visible.
  • the flexible layer is typically embedded within or under an opaque region in the plastic body such that it is not substantially visible in reflected light.
  • any resulting damage to the flexible layer is not easily identifiable.
  • WO2016/196723A1 discloses the preamble of claim 1 or a security booklet having a data page with personal data and security features.
  • the data page is bonded to one side of a band of fabric constructed of sheath and core fibers incorporating a taggant.
  • the opposite side of the band of fabric is fastened within the booklet creating a hinge for the data page.
  • EP2433809A1 discloses a data page having a rigid layer and a band-shaped connecting link, where the layer is provided for receiving the data.
  • the connecting link is firmly connected with an area with the layer.
  • the security features are partially extended from the area in another area in the connecting link and are partially different from data page to another data page.
  • Objects of the present invention include further improving the ability to identify any tampering of the security sheet resulting in damage to the portion of the flexible layer located in the data sheet (referred to as the connection portion).
  • a further object is to obscure the flexible layer from view without requiring its embedding in or under an opaque region of the plastic body.
  • a further object is providing an improved security sheet with increased resistance to delamination by a forger and improved durability.
  • a further object is to provide a strong and durable attachment between the security sheet and the rest of a security document.
  • a further object is to provide a security sheet that is harder for a counterfeiter to replicate. Further objects include providing an improved method of manufacture of such a security sheet and a security document comprising such a security sheet.
  • the present invention therefore provides a security sheet, a security document and a method in accordance with the claims. Due to the camouflage pattern interfering with its visibility or appearance, the connection portion is not immediately visible to the naked eye and thus the aesthetics of the security sheet are improved. However, any damage to the connection portion resulting from tampering with the security sheet can still be identified by careful viewing with the naked eye through the camouflage pattern and at least one transparent region when the outer surface is viewed by the naked eye in reflected visible light incident upon the outer surface.
  • the attachment layer comprises an attachment portion and the connection portion comprises connection wefts extending from the attachment portion.
  • connection wefts may have a regular weft spatial repetition that, without the camouflage pattern, would otherwise be easily distinguishable to the naked eye through the transparent region.
  • the connection portion may comprise a textile of interlaced wefts and warps, rather than only the connection wefts, such that the entire attachment layer is an interlaced textile.
  • the connection wefts need not form part of a textile and instead may comprise strips, a film and/or other elongate bodies extending from the attachment portion, which may itself comprise a textile, solid film or the like.
  • the camouflage pattern interferes with the ability of the naked eye to identify or distinguish the connection portion in the at least one transparent region.
  • the camouflage pattern may:
  • the camouflage pattern comprises at least one pattern element overlapping and covering at least part of the connection portion.
  • the camouflage pattern may be discontinuous and at least one unmarked area (i.e. where pattern element(s) do not overlap transparent region(s)) is located adjacent to and between pattern elements and/or between the at least one pattern element and the edge of the data sheet.
  • the connection portion may be at least partially visible, preferably upon close inspection only, in the at least one transparent region and/or through the camouflage pattern, such as between pattern elements in the unmarked area(s), when the outer surface is viewed by the naked eye in reflected visible light incident upon the outer surface.
  • the camouflage pattern does not block the entire connection portion from view and is not a continuous opaque layer extending across and entirely hiding the connection portion.
  • the at least one pattern element may have the shape of a line, dot, circle, square, two-dimensional geometric shape (such as polygons, ellipses or circles) and/or a graphical design.
  • the at least one pattern element has a substantially distinctive shape compared to the structure of the connection portion (e.g. the connection wefts) behind it such that the naked eye predominantly focuses upon and perceives the at least one pattern element rather than the connection portion.
  • the at least one pattern element may therefore have a shape that conveys intelligible information to a reader.
  • the at least one pattern element may have the shape of a symbol (e.g. a flag, national emblem or coat of arms), logo, graphical representation of an animal and/or plant (e.g.
  • the maximum width (i.e. the furthest distance between points of the pattern element) of at least one of, or all of, the or each pattern elements may be at least approximately 0.1 mm, approximately 0.5 mm, approximately 1 mm, approximately 3 mm and/or less than approximately 10 mm, approximately 8 mm, approximately 6 mm, approximately 4 mm or approximately 1 mm.
  • the maximum widths of the unmarked areas between adjacent pattern elements may be in the range of approximately 0.01 mm to 4 mm.
  • the at least one pattern element is preferably sufficiently wide and oriented to cover a substantial portion of the connection portion and the average width of the at least one pattern element is preferably at least the average width of each connection weft.
  • each pattern element preferably extends across at least two connection wefts, more preferably at least five connection wefts and yet more preferably at least eight connection wefts.
  • the line width is preferably in the range of approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 0.2 mm, more preferably in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.15 mm, and the average width of the unmarked areas between pattern elements is in the range of 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm.
  • the camouflage pattern comprises an array of pattern elements.
  • the pattern elements may all have the same shape and/or sizes or may have a plurality of different shapes and/or sizes. In the latter embodiment the sizes and/or shapes of the pattern elements may vary stochastically across the array or regularly across the array. The orientation of the pattern elements may also vary across the array.
  • the pattern elements of the array may have stochastic placement, with irregular element spatial repetition between adjacent pattern elements, or regular placement, with regular element spatial repetition or regular variances in element spatial repetition between adjacent pattern elements.
  • the camouflage pattern may comprise pattern elements having a mixture of stochastic and regular placement. In the present disclosure the element spatial repetition of the camouflage pattern is considered the distance between centres of adjacent pattern elements.
  • the element spatial repetition is the distance between corresponding repeating features of the camouflage pattern, such as where lines cross.
  • the element spatial repetition of the camouflage pattern may be based upon (e.g. by being multiples of), optionally substantially the same as, dimensions of the structure of the connection portion, which may increase the confusion of the naked eye and reduce the visibility of the connection portion.
  • the element spatial repetition may be stochastic when compared to the dimensions of the structure of the connection portion and still reduce the visibility of the connection portion.
  • connection portion comprises the connection wefts and the camouflage pattern comprises an array of pattern elements.
  • the element spatial repetition may be based upon the widths of spacings between, and the weft spatial repetition of, the connection wefts, which assists in interfering with the visibility of the connections wefts.
  • the element spatial repetition is preferably at least 50% or at least 75% of the width of the spacings and is preferably up to 125%, 150% or 200% of the width of the spacings.
  • the average width of each of the pattern elements is preferably at least the average width of each connection wefts such that the pattern elements substantially cover the underlying connection wefts.
  • the element spatial repetition is preferably constant across the camouflage pattern, particularly when the width of the spacings between connection wefts and weft spatial repetition is substantially the same across the connection portion.
  • the element spatial repetition may vary in correspondence with a variation in the width of the spacings and weft spatial repetition.
  • the camouflage pattern area which is the area defined within the outermost boundaries of the pattern element(s), may extend across at least part of the width, preferably the entire width, of the data sheet and connection portion.
  • the camouflage pattern may extend from an inner edge of the data sheet and may cover at least part of, and preferably all of, the length of the connection portion in the data sheet.
  • the camouflage pattern may extend further across the data sheet from the inner edge than the connection portion.
  • the camouflage pattern area extends over at least approximately 25%, optionally at least approximately 50%, optionally at least approximately 75% or optionally all of the connection portion area, which is the area defined by the outer boundaries of the connection portion.
  • the camouflage pattern may extend over less than approximately 95%, less than approximately 75% or less than approximately 50% of the connection portion area.
  • the area covered by the pattern element(s) extends over at least approximately 25%, optionally at least approximately 50%, optionally at least approximately 75%, optionally at least approximately 90% or optionally all of the camouflage pattern area and/or may extend over less than approximately 95%, less than approximately 75% or less than approximately 50 % of the camouflage pattern area.
  • the camouflage pattern comprises a continuous, single, pattern element (i.e. with an area of 100% of the camouflage pattern area), which is preferably matter by having a higher surface roughness than the outer surface beyond the camouflage pattern.
  • At least one pattern element of the camouflage pattern may overlie at least part of the connection portion and have a lower opacity and/or exhibit less specular reflection than the non-camouflaged region of the outer surface, which is the area of the outer surface outside of the camouflage pattern.
  • the contrast e.g. differences in transparency, refractive index, level of gloss, lightness, hue and/or saturation
  • perceived by the human eye between the camouflage pattern and connection portion may be less than the contrast between the rest of the transparent region and the connection portion.
  • the connection portion may be substantially transparent or translucent and may be substantially clear or colourless. The connection portion may appear to have a substantially similar visible colour to that of the camouflage pattern.
  • visible colour means a colour which can be seen by the naked human eye under reflected visible light.
  • visible light refers to light having a wavelength within the visible spectrum, which is approximately 400 to 750nm. It is most preferable that the visible light is white light, i.e. contains substantially all the visible wavelengths in more or less even proportion.
  • the term colour includes achromatic hues such as black, grey, white, silver etc., as well as chromatics such as red, blue, yellow, green, brown etc.
  • Similar visible colours may also be referred to as the “same visible colours” and are those which do not present a clear contrast to one another that is visible to the naked human eye in reflected light even without a close inspection.
  • two visible colours will be considered substantially similar or the same if the Euclidean distance ⁇ E ab ⁇ between them in CIELAB colour space (i.e. the CIE 1976 L*a*b* colour space) is less than 5, more and preferably less than 3.
  • the colour difference ⁇ E ab ⁇ can be measured using any commercial spectrophotometer, such as those available from Hunterlab of Reston, Virginia, USA.
  • the camouflage pattern comprises a matt camouflage region.
  • the matt camouflage region exhibits less gloss, or less specular reflection (and/or more diffuse reflection) of visible light incident upon it, than at least the majority of the non-camouflaged region of the outer surface.
  • the matt camouflage region may still be partially transparent, but substantially reduces the visibility of and hides the connection portion below it.
  • the matt camouflage region may be formed, for example, from at least one matt pattern element comprising a continuous matt surface or from interference effects from arrays of pattern elements (e.g. fine line patterns).
  • the matt camouflage region and/or at least one matt pattern element may exhibit less specular gloss than at least the majority of the non-camouflaged region of the outer surface as measured under the standard ASTM D523-14(2018), Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss.
  • ASTM D523-14(2018) Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss.
  • the result is that the matt camouflage region and/or at least one pattern element is clearly visible as a matt area in an otherwise glossy outer surface. Such matt areas have been found to be particularly effective in interfering with the visibility of the connection wefts.
  • At least part of the camouflage pattern comprises a gloss camouflage region, which has a similar gloss to at least the majority of the non-camouflaged region of the outer surface.
  • at least one gloss pattern element may have a substantially gloss continuous surface, which may result in the connection portion being visible through the at least one gloss pattern element upon close inspection.
  • at least one pattern element comprises a matt pattern region and at least one unmarked area comprises a gloss pattern region, which may result in the overall appearance of the camouflage pattern being matt or less glossy compared to the non-camouflaged region.
  • Particularly preferable camouflage effects can be achieved by having matt or gloss pattern elements within other gloss or matt pattern elements respectively.
  • the camouflage pattern may comprise at least one pattern element forming the at least one matt camouflage region and at least one pattern element, and/or at least one unmarked area between adjacent pattern elements, forming the at least one gloss camouflage region.
  • the camouflage pattern comprises embossing(s) in the outer surface and the embossing may comprise matt and/or gloss camouflaged regions.
  • the embossing(s) may comprise a relief structure, which may be carved, moulded, stamped, engraved or otherwise formed in the data sheet.
  • the relief structure may be a variation in thickness of the data sheet, particularly a variation in height at the outer surface, relative to the thickness of the data sheet outside of the camouflage pattern.
  • the variation in thickness may be at least 0.001 mm, more preferably at least 0.015 mm, and may be up to 0.04 mm, more preferably 0.025 mm.
  • embossing matt pattern element(s) may be formed by embossing area(s) of pattern element(s) to have a higher surface roughness compared to the outer surface of the data sheet outside of the camouflage pattern.
  • Gloss pattern element(s) may be formed by ensuring that the surface roughness of such areas is substantially the same as that of the outer surface of the data sheet outside of the camouflage pattern.
  • Particularly preferable camouflage effects can be achieved by having pattern elements within other pattern elements, each of different heights compared to the outer surface outside of the camouflage pattern.
  • the camouflage pattern may be formed by at least partially by the application of printed ink, by laser marking, by laser ablation, by chemical etching and/or by any other suitable means.
  • the at least one pattern element may be opaque, but the unmarked areas between pattern elements is transparent such that the entire camouflage pattern is not opaque.
  • the camouflage pattern comprises pattern elements formed by at least two of embossing, printing, laser marking, laser ablation, chemical etching and the like.
  • the camouflage pattern can either be a stand-alone discreet design on the data page or sheet or a design integrated with additional patterns on the data page.
  • the camouflage pattern may form part of an embossing or print extending around the periphery of the data page to frame or provide a border to the data contained thereon.
  • the camouflage pattern may comprise a distal pattern edge, which is the edge of the camouflage pattern furthest from an inner edge of the data sheet, and the distal pattern edge may be irregular and may not be straight.
  • the connection portion, and preferably the connection wefts thereof, may extend beyond the distal pattern edge of the camouflage pattern such that they are partially visible in the data sheet.
  • the distal pattern edge having an irregular shape, such as by comprising a sinusoid, curve(s) and/or plurality of straight lines, the visible ends of the connection portion are camouflaged since the naked eye may have difficulty in immediately distinguishing between the connection portion and distal pattern edge of the camouflage pattern.
  • the camouflage pattern extends across the data page or sheet beyond the boundaries of the connection portion and may occupy at least 50% of the area of the outer surface of the data page or sheet (i.e. the camouflage pattern area may be at least 50% of the area of the outer surface of the data sheet).
  • the camouflage pattern may therefore substantially overlie and interfere with the visibility of the connection portion along its entire length.
  • the camouflage pattern may extend from the inner edge of the data sheet, across the connection portion and across the data sheet beyond the connection portion.
  • the camouflage pattern may extend at least approximately 1 mm, at least approximately 2 mm or at least approximately 5 mm beyond the most distal point of the connection portion from the inner edge.
  • the camouflage pattern area may be greater than the connection portion area, particularly if the camouflage pattern extends across the entire width of the data sheet.
  • the camouflage pattern area may be at least approximately 105%, at least approximately 110% or at least approximately 125% of the camouflage pattern area.
  • the data sheet may comprise at least one opaque region and the at least one transparent region and the connection portion may extend at least partially over the at least one opaque region.
  • the data sheet may be formed from at least a plurality of body layers and the connection portion may be attached between two adjacent body layers.
  • the at least one transparent region may be formed from at least one transparent body layer and the at least one opaque region may be formed from at least one opaque body layer.
  • the connection portion may be attached at or adjacent to the outer surface of the data sheet.
  • At least one strip may be located over at least a portion of the connection portion and attached to the data sheet.
  • the camouflage pattern may extend at least partially over the at least one strip and at least part of the connection portion not overlapping the at least one strip.
  • the at least part of the connection portion not overlapping the at least one strip may not be embedded particularly far into the at least one transparent region as there is no strip overlying it and, as a result, may be more visible when the outer surface is viewed without a camouflage pattern.
  • the camouflage pattern By applying the camouflage pattern over it the at least part of the connection portion not overlapping the at least one strip is more difficult to identify by the naked eye.
  • the camouflage pattern is embossed then preferably the depth of the embossing is selected so as to hide any discontinuities left at the outer surface by the portions of the connection wefts not covered by the strip.
  • the depth of the embossing may be at least the depth from the outer surface to the connection wefts.
  • the present invention further provides a security sheet comprising: a data sheet for displaying data comprising an outer surface, at least one transparent region extending from the outer surface and a patterned region; and an attachment layer for attaching the data sheet into a security document and comprising a connection portion at least partially embedded in the at least one transparent region, wherein the patterned region at least partially overlaps the at least one transparent region and connection portion.
  • the patterned region is a camouflage pattern and the patterned region interferes with the appearance of the connection portion when the outer surface is viewed by the naked eye in reflected visible light incident upon the outer surface.
  • FIGS 1 and 2 illustrate a security document 10 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the security document 10 may be of any suitable type, but may comprise a security booklet, such as a passport as illustrated, a passbook, an identification document, a certificate, a licence, a cheque book or the like.
  • the security document 10 comprises a security sheet 11, in this case a data page, foldable about and preferably attached along a fold 12 to a plurality of leaves 13.
  • the plurality of leaves 13 may comprise a fibrous substrate, for example paper and/or cotton and may form visa pages.
  • the security document 10 also comprises a cover 14, which is foldable about and attached to the fold 12 and/or is adhered to an outer leaf (not shown) located on the outside of the leaves 13 and security sheet 11.
  • the attachment is preferably stitching through the security sheet 11, leaves 13 and/or cover 14 at the fold 12, although other attachment means such as adhesion may be used and the attachment means may be offset from the fold 12.
  • the security sheet 11 is illustrated in further detail in Figures 3A to 5C .
  • the security sheet 11 comprises a data sheet 15, which preferably comprises plastic, comprising data 16 and an attachment layer 17 attached to the data sheet 15.
  • the data sheet 15 extends across a width from an inner edge 22, located proximate the fold 12, to an outer edge 23, distal to the fold 12.
  • the data sheet 15 extends across a thickness between substantially planar first and second outer surfaces 28, 29.
  • the data sheet 15 may comprise at least one of a thermoplastic polymer, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, a co-polymer comprised of any of the previous thermoplastic polymers, a fibrous substrate and the like.
  • the thickness of the data sheet 15 may be at least approximately 150 ⁇ m and may be between approximately 300 ⁇ m and approximately 1000 ⁇ m thick.
  • the data 16 may comprise personal or variable data 20, which specifically relates to the holder of the security sheet 11 and is different between a plurality of security documents 10, and fixed or non-variable data 21, which is typically the same across a plurality of security documents 10 and security sheets 11.
  • the data 16 may comprise, for example, printed ink, laser marking or laser ablation.
  • the data 16 may at least partially overlap the attachment layer 17.
  • the attachment layer 17 comprises a connection portion 60 extending from an attachment portion 26.
  • the attachment layer 17 may comprise a substantially elongate sheet or body as illustrated.
  • the connection portion 60 at least partially extends across the data sheet 15 and is at least partially located in or on and attached to the data sheet 15 such that the attachment layer 17 extends from the inner edge 22 of the data sheet 15.
  • the attachment portion 26 is located at least partially, preferably entirely, outside of the data sheet 15 and is attached in the security document 10 along the fold 12 or otherwise as discussed above.
  • the attachment portion 26 is preferably flexible, substantially resistant to plastic deformation and tear resistant.
  • the attachment layer 17 may at least partially comprise a textile comprising interlaced or overlapping wefts 30 and warps 31 and the textile may be knitted or woven.
  • the warps 31 may extend substantially parallel to one another, the fold 12 and/or the inner edge 22 of the data sheet 15.
  • the wefts 30 may extend substantially parallel to one another and/or may be substantially perpendicular to the warps 31, inner edge 22 of the data sheet 15 and/or the fold 12.
  • the textile comprises yarns forming the wefts 30 and warps 31. The yarns are long, thin strand of materials for forming the textile by weaving, knitting, sewing or another interlacing method.
  • the yarns may comprise at least one of cotton, polyamide, polyester, viscose, glass, polypropylene, polyaramid, polyurethane, nylon, bonded nylon, polycotton and/or other suitable fibres.
  • Each yarn may have a diameter in the range of from approximately 26 microns up to approximately 300 microns.
  • connection portion 26 comprises interlaced or overlapping wefts 30 and warps 31 and may be a knitted or woven textile.
  • the connection portion 60 may comprise at least portions of wefts 30 of the textile, referred to as connection wefts 25.
  • Each connection weft 25 may not be connected to another connection weft 25 outside of the attachment portion 26.
  • the connection wefts 25 may comprise portions of the wefts 30 extending out of and forming the textile of the attachment portion 26 as shown in Figures 3A , 3B and 4 ( Figure 4 is the same as Figures 3A and 3B except a camouflage pattern 42, discussed in further detail below, is hidden from view to improve the clarity of the structure of the connection wefts 25).
  • connection wefts 25 may extend at least partially across the attachment portion 26 and, as in Figures 3A , 3B and 4 , may extend entirely across the attachment portion 26.
  • the connection wefts 25 may be attached to a distal warp 63, which is the warp 31 of the attachment portion 26 distal to the fold 12, such that they substantially do not extend into or form the attachment portion 26 and comprise different wefts 30 to those of the attachment portion 26.
  • connection portion 60 is therefore firmly connected to the at least one body layer 18 by a frictional force applying a resistance to the attempted removal of the attachment layer 17 from the data sheet 15.
  • the connection portion 60 and connection wefts 25 may be connected to the data sheet 15 only by friction and, for example, not by a mechanical, fusing, chemical or other locking mechanism. Due to the connection wefts 25 the contact surface area between the connection portion 60 and data sheet 15 is relatively large to improve the strength of the connection. Therefore, as shown in Figures 3A , 3B and 4 , preferably the plurality of connection wefts 25 are separated from an adjacent connection weft 25 by a spacing 27.
  • the at least one spacing 27 may have a width in the range of from approximately 18 microns up to approximately 500 microns.
  • the weft spatial repetition which is the average distance between the centre of adjacent connection wefts 25, is in the range of approximately 100 microns to approximately 1000 microns, more preferably approximately 300 microns to approximately 900 microns and yet more preferably approximately 600 microns to approximately 800 microns.
  • the size of the at least one spacing 27 is selected to enable a suitably large volume of material of the data sheet 15 to flow, bond and/or fuse between the connection wefts 25 to provide resistance to delamination of the data sheet 15.
  • the average width of at least one spacing 27 may be at least or greater than the average width of the connection wefts 25 adjacent to the at least one spacing 27.
  • the width of the spacings 27 may also vary across the attachment layer 17.
  • the attachment layer 17 preferably comprises at least five connection wefts 25, more preferably at least ten connection wefts 25, more preferably at least twenty connection wefts 25 and, yet more preferably, at least fifty connection wefts 25.
  • the security sheet 11 may be formed by the attachment together of the attachment layer 17 and at least one body layer 18 forming the data sheet 15.
  • the connection of the at least one body layer 18 and attachment layer 17 may be by lamination, adhesion, welding and/or any other suitable method.
  • the security sheet 11 may be formed by the lamination, adhesion or welding together of a laminar structure 19, an embodiment of which is illustrated in Figure 5A , comprising a plurality of body layers 18 and the attachment layer 17.
  • heat and/or pressure are applied to fuse or push the plurality of body layers 18 together and at least one body layer 18 is pushed through the at least one spacing 27 between the connection wefts 25.
  • the lamination may be performed using any suitable method and may be a substantially in-line method, similar to that of WO-A-2017/060684 and WO-A-2017/060688 , in which a plurality of security sheets 11 are formed continuously.
  • connection portion 60 are at least partially embedded in the data sheet 15 and at least one body layer 18.
  • Figures 5A,5B and 5C illustrate preferred embodiments in which the connection portion 60 is at least partially located on the first outer surface 28 of the at least one body layer 18 of the laminar structure 19 prior to lamination.
  • connection portion 60 is pressed into the first outer surface 28 of the at least one body layer 18.
  • connection portion 60 is at least partially attached at or adjacent to and overlapping the first outer surface 28 of the data sheet 15.
  • connection portion 60 may be welded into or adhered to the first outer surface 28.
  • the material of the at least one body layer 18 flows or is pressed through the at least one spacing 27 to form the connection.
  • the lamination or welding preferably presses the connection wefts 25 into the first outer surface 28 sufficiently deeply that substantially all of the connection wefts 25 are not exposed and are covered by the material of the at least one body layer 18.
  • At least one strip 50 may overlap at least part of the connection portion 60 and attached to or embedded within the data sheet 15 such that it forms part of the first outer surface 28 of the data sheet 15.
  • the at least one strip 50 may only overlap the data sheet 15 over at least part of the connection portion 60.
  • the at least one strip 50 assists in further securing the connection wefts 25 in the data sheet 15.
  • the at least one strip 50 may extend across a portion of all of the connection wefts 25 as shown or may extend over a portion of less than all of the connection wefts 25.
  • the at least one strip 50 may be located on the connection portion 60 prior to lamination and laminated together with the connection portion 60 and at least one body layer 18.
  • connection wefts 25 may be attached between the at least one strip 50 and at least one body layer 18.
  • the at least one strip 50 may sink into the at least one body layer 18 and around the connection wefts 25 such that it is substantially indistinguishable from the at least one body layer 18 as illustrated in Figures 5B and 5C .
  • the connection wefts 25 and at least one body layer 18 are laminated together and the at least on strip 50 subsequently applied over at least a portion of the connection wefts 25 and attached in a further step.
  • the data sheet 15 comprises at least one transparent region 40 extending from the first outer surface 28 into the thickness of the data sheet 15.
  • the at least one transparent region 40 may result from at least a portion of the at least one body layer 18, particularly the body layer 18 forming the first outer surface 28, and, if present, the at least one strip 50, being transparent.
  • at least the body layer 18 forming the first outer surface 28 and the strip 50 are transparent.
  • the connection portion 60 is at least partially embedded in the at least one transparent region 40 and the at least one transparent region 40 may extend over at least the connection portion 60.
  • the data sheet 15 may comprise at least one opaque region 41, formed for example by at least one of the inner body layers 18 in Figure 5A being opaque, extending at least partially between the first and second outer surfaces 28, 29.
  • the at least one transparent region 40 and connection portion 60 at least partially extend over the at least one opaque region 41 and the connection portion 60 is at least partially located between the first outer surface 28 and the at least one opaque region 41.
  • the at least one transparent region 40 and/or at least one opaque region 41 may be referred to as at least one transparent layer and/or at least one opaque layer respectively.
  • the at least one opaque region 41 may not be present and/or may comprise at least one transparent window therethrough such that the connection portion 60 is at least partially visible from the second outer surface 29.
  • the data sheet 15 comprises a camouflage pattern 42 at least partially overlapping the at least one transparent region 40 and connection portion 60, as shown in Figures 3A , 3B , 5B and 5C .
  • the camouflage pattern 42 at least partially interferes with the visibility of the connection portion 60 when the first outer surface 28 is viewed by the naked eye in reflected visible light incident upon the first outer surface 28.
  • Figure 6A illustrates the camouflage pattern 42 of Figures 3A and 3B alone.
  • the camouflage pattern 42 is located at and overlies the first outer surface 28 and comprises a plurality of pattern elements 44 overlapping the connection portion 60, particularly connection wefts 25 thereof.
  • the connection portion 60 is visible through unmarked areas 45 between the pattern elements 44.
  • the camouflage pattern 42 may extend across the entire width of the data sheet 15, entirely along the data sheet 15 parallel to the fold 12 and over all of the connection wefts 25.
  • the camouflage pattern 42 may extend from the inner edge 22 of the data sheet 15 and, as in the embodiment of Figures 3A and 5B ,covers part of the length of the connection portion 60 (i.e. the direction perpendicular to the fold 12) in the data sheet 15.
  • the camouflage pattern 42 extends across the data sheet 15 beyond the boundaries of the connection portion 60 and extends from the inner edge 22 further across the data sheet 15 towards the outer edge 23 than the connection portion 60.
  • the camouflage pattern 42 overlaps the strip 50 and may overlap at least part of, preferably all of, the region of the connection portion 60 that does not overlap the strip 50.
  • a camouflage pattern area is defined by the area within the boundaries of the camouflage pattern 42 (i.e. bounded on three sides by the edge of the data sheet 15 and by a distal pattern edge 47, which is the edge of the camouflage pattern 42 further from the inner edge 22 of the data sheet 15).
  • a connection portion area is the area defined by the connection wefts 25 and the spacings 27 between them, including the spacings 27 between the connection wefts 25 and edges of the data sheet 15 parallel to the connection wefts 25.
  • the camouflage pattern area overlies over 75% of the connection portion area.
  • the camouflage pattern area entirely overlies and is greater than the connection portion area.
  • the camouflage pattern 42 comprises a Guilloche 70 formed from pattern elements 44 comprising an array of lines 72. Areas between certain lines 72 form further pattern elements 44 by comprising substantially continuous areas of colour in the shape of polygons or rhombuses 71, which form a repeating geometric pattern.
  • the width of the lines 72 is in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.15 mm, which is particularly effective if the weft spatial repetition is in the range of approximately 0.3 mm to approximately 0.9 mm (more preferably 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm).
  • the maximum widths of the rhombuses 71 is in the range of approximately 1 mm to 3 mm.
  • the element spatial repetition 46 between adjacent pattern elements 44 is illustrated in Figure 6A as the distance between the crossover points of the lines 72 or the distance between the centres of the rhombuses 71.
  • the element spatial repetition 46 is constant across the camouflage pattern 42 and in this embodiment the width of the spacings 27 and weft spatial repetition is substantially the same across the connection portion 60.
  • the element spatial repetition 46 is not the same as the weft spatial repetition, but due to the coverage of the pattern elements 44 and their repeating nature this difference assists in interfering with the appearance of the connections wefts 25.
  • the average width of the rhombuses 71 is greater than the average width of each connection wefts 25 such that the rhombuses 71 substantially cover portions of the underlying connection wefts 25.
  • the camouflage pattern 42 comprises a mixture of matt and gloss camouflage regions.
  • the matt camouflage regions have a lower gloss than the area of the first outer surface 28 outside of the camouflage pattern 42, which is referred to as the non-camouflaged region 78.
  • the gloss camouflage regions having a similar gloss to the non-camouflaged region 78.
  • matt camouflage regions may be formed due to the pattern elements 44 forming the rhombuses 71 being matt.
  • the camouflage pattern 42 is formed by an embossing in the first outer surface 28.
  • the embossing may be formed during (i.e. substantially simultaneously to) the process of attaching together the at least one body layer 18, attachment layer 17 and, if present, strip 50.
  • the embossing may be formed during a lamination process in which an embossed plate is applied to the first and/or second outer surface 28, 29 of the at least one body layer 18 and, if present, strip 50.
  • the embossed plate may be applied under heat and pressure such that the at least one body layer 18 and, if present, strip 50 at least partially soften to enable the relief structure to form about a corresponding relief structure or mould of the embossed plate.
  • the areas of the plate corresponding to the matt pattern elements 44 of the rhombuses 71 have a higher surface roughness than the areas corresponding to the unmarked areas 45 in order to form the matt surfaces.
  • a high surface roughness may be achieved by forming a series of small, closely spaced dots (e.g. which are only identifiable under x10 magnification).
  • the combination of the matt camouflage regions resulting from the embossing and the gloss camouflage regions resulting from the unmarked areas 45 has been found to be particularly effective in disrupting the visibility of the connection wefts 25.
  • the definition of the matt and gloss camouflage regions depends upon the area of the camouflage pattern 42 considered.
  • the entire area of the camouflage pattern 42 of Figures 3A and 3B is overall a matt camouflage region because of the effects of the lines 72 and rhombuses 71.
  • the rhombuses 71 themselves are matt camouflage regions and the unmarked areas 45 are gloss camouflage regions.
  • the distal pattern edge 47 in Figure 3A , 3B and 6A is sinusoidal (i.e. irregular).
  • the distal pattern edge 47 in Figure 3A does not extend sufficiently far across the data sheet 15 such that the connection wefts 25 as visible beyond the distal pattern edge 47.
  • the sinusoidal distal pattern edge 47 edge increases the difficulty of distinguishing these visible portions of the connection wefts 25.
  • the distal pattern edge 47 in Figure 3B extends sufficiently far across the data sheet 15 such that it extends beyond the connection wefts 25, which are not visible beyond the distal pattern edge 47. Thus the connection wefts 25 may be hidden by the camouflage pattern 42.
  • FIGs 6B to 6D illustrate further embodiments of suitable camouflage patterns 42 and are applied in a similar manner to the embodiment of Figures 3A to 6A unless otherwise stated.
  • the camouflage pattern 42 comprises pattern elements 44 in the shape of lines together forming a fine line pattern.
  • the lines are preferably embossed into the data sheet 15.
  • the fine line pattern by virtue of the arrangement of the lines, form distinctive shapes in the forms of stars.
  • the naked eye is drawn to the stars and the fine line pattern regularly covers parts of the connection wefts 25 such that their visibility is reduced.
  • optical effects at the lines interferes with the ability for the human eye to distinguish the underlying connection wefts 25 such that the entire camouflage pattern 42 forms a matt region.
  • the width of the lines 72 is in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.15 mm, which is particularly effective if the weft spatial repetition is in the range of approximately 0.3 mm to approximately 0.9 mm (more preferably 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm).
  • the average width of the unmarked areas 45 is in the range of 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm, although a lower spacing 27 would be preferable in order to increase the area of the connection wefts 25 covered by the pattern elements 44.
  • the distal pattern edge 47 is irregular and comprises a plurality of straight lines.
  • the camouflage pattern 42 comprises pattern elements 44 graphically representation of animals (dragonflies 73 and fish 74) and plants (flowers 75) that draw the naked eye away from the underlying connection wefts 25.
  • the pattern elements 44 are sized and oriented to extend across a plurality of connection wefts 25.
  • the maximum width of each dragonfly is in the range of approximately 3.5 mm to approximately 5.5 mm (extending across up to nine connection wefts 25)
  • the maximum width of each fish 74 is in the range of approximately 4 mm to approximately 6 mm (extending across up to ten connection wefts 25)
  • the maximum width of each flower 75 is in the range of 1 mm to 2 mm (extending across up to four connection wefts 25).
  • the element spatial repetition 46 is irregular, due to the width of the unmarked areas 45 varying across the camouflage pattern 42, such that the visibility of the regular weft spatial repetition is disrupted by the irregular element spatial repetition 46.
  • the maximum widths of the unmarked areas 45 between adjacent pattern elements 44 may be in the range of approximately 0.01 mm to 4 mm.
  • the distal pattern edge 47 is discontinuous and irregular and may be defined by a plurality lines drawn between the outermost points of the pattern elements 44.
  • the pattern elements 44 have gloss surfaces within their perimeters that are of a similar gloss to the non-camouflaged region 78.
  • connection wefts 25 may be visible through the pattern elements 44, but their visibility is reduced by virtue of optical effects at the lines defining the perimeters of the pattern elements 44.
  • the pattern elements 44 are preferably embossed into the data sheet 15 in a similar manner to the embodiment of Figures 3A to 6A .
  • the areas of the plate corresponding to the gloss surfaces within the lines defining the perimeters of the pattern elements 44 have a similar low surface roughness to the areas corresponding to the unmarked areas 45 and the non-camouflaged region 78.
  • some of the pattern elements 44 particularly those forming the animals 73, 74, comprise matt surfaces in a similar manner to the embodiments of Figures 3A to 6A .
  • the rest of the pattern elements 44 comprise gloss surfaces in a similar manner to the embodiment of Figure 6C . This combination of matt and gloss pattern elements 44 has been found to be particularly effective in disrupting the visibility of the connection wefts 25.
  • the camouflage patterns 42 of Figures 6A to 6D exhibit different gloss to that of the non-camouflaged region 78.
  • the non-camouflaged region 78 may have an average gloss in the range of approximately 90 to 100 gloss units when measured in an aperture of 4.5 mm diameter at a measurement angle of 60° using a Novo-Curve Glossmeter available from Rhopoint Instruments Limited in the United Kingdom, which measures the gloss according to ASTM D523 and ISO 2813.
  • the average gloss value of the camouflage patterns 42 is in the range of approximately 60 to 85 gloss units.
  • the difference in gloss values is in the range of approximately to 5 to 40 gloss units, which results in a relatively low contrast between the camouflage pattern 42 and the non-camouflaged region 78.
  • the data sheet 15 may comprise a plurality of camouflage patterns 42.
  • the camouflage patterns 42 may be below the first outer surface 28, such as by being located on one of the body layers 18 prior to lamination.
  • the references above to features being at, adjacent to or on the first outer surface 28 are merely for nomenclature purposes and instead the features may be at the second outer surface 29.
  • the data 16 when viewed in reflected light, the data 16 may be visible at the first outer surface 28, which may be the front of the data sheet 15, and may not be visible at the second outer surface 28, which may be the back of the data sheet 15.
  • the camouflage pattern 42 may be on or below the second outer surface 28 or back of the data sheet 15 and may not be substantially visible when viewed in reflected light incident upon the first outer surface 28.
  • the connection wefts 25, strip 50 and at least one transparent region 40 may be partially located on both of the first and second outer surfaces 28, 29.
  • connection portion 60 may comprise a different material to the surrounding material of the data sheet 15 such that a discrete boundary or frictional contact surface is formed between them.
  • the connection portion 60 may thus comprise a material of a higher melting point to that of adjacent body layers 18 and, during lamination or welding, the connection portion 60 does not melt or fuse to the body layers 18.
  • the connection portion 60 may be at least partially bonded to the data sheet 15 by fusing, adhesion and/or the like with the body layers 18 to further improve the strength of the connection.
  • connection portion 60 may be attached between adjacent body layers 18.
  • the connection portion 60 may be at least partially located between two adjacent body layers 18 prior to lamination or other attachment.
  • the adjacent body layers 18 are attached or fused to one another to form the data sheet 15 and the connection portion 60 is located substantially within the data sheet 15.
  • material of the two adjacent body layers 18 between which the connection portion 60 is located flows or is pressed through the at least one spacing 27.
  • material of the data sheet 15 at least partially fills at least one spacing 27 between at least two adjacent connection wefts 25, which are therefore embedded in the data sheet 15.
  • every spacing 27 between adjacent connection wefts 25 is filled with material of the data sheet 15 to ensure a strong connection.

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Claims (15)

  1. Sicherheitsblatt (11), umfassend:
    ein Datenblatt (15) zur Anzeige von Daten (16), wobei das Datenblatt (15) umfasst: eine äußere Oberfläche (28); mindestens einen transparenten Bereich (40), der sich von der äußeren Oberfläche (28) erstreckt; und ein Tarnmuster (42); und
    eine Befestigungsschicht (17) zur Befestigung des Datenblatts (15) in einem Sicherheitsdokument (10), wobei die Befestigungsschicht (17) einen Verbindungsabschnitt (60) umfasst, der zumindest teilweise in dem mindestens einen transparenten Bereich (40) eingebettet ist, wobei:
    das Tarnmuster (42) zumindest teilweise den mindestens einen transparenten Bereich (40) und Verbindungsabschnitt (60) überlappt und das Tarnmuster (42) ausgelegt ist, um die Sichtbarkeit des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) zu beeinträchtigen, wenn die äußere Oberfläche (28) mit dem bloßen Auge in reflektiertem sichtbarem Licht, das auf die äußere Oberfläche (28) fällt, betrachtet wird;
    das Tarnmuster (42) sich über das Datenblatt (15) über die Ränder des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) hinaus erstreckt und mindestens ein Musterelement (44) umfasst, das zumindest einen Teil des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) überlappt und bedeckt; und
    das Tarnmuster (42) einen Tarnmusterbereich umfasst, bei dem es sich um den Bereich handelt, der innerhalb der äußersten Ränder des Musterelements / der Musterelemente (44) festgelegt ist, wobei sich der Tarnmusterbereich über mindestens 25% eines Verbindungsabschnittsbereichs erstreckt, bei dem es sich um den Bereich handelt, der durch die äußeren Ränder des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) festgelegt ist; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    der von dem Musterelement / den Musterelementen (44) bedeckte Bereich sich über mindestens 25% des Tarnmusterbereichs erstreckt.
  2. Sicherheitsblatt (11) nach Anspruch 1, wobei:
    der Verbindungsabschnitt (60) zumindest teilweise durch das Tarnmuster (42) hindurch sichtbar ist, wenn die äußere Oberfläche (28) mit dem bloßen Auge in reflektiertem sichtbaren Licht, das auf die äußere Oberfläche (28) fällt, betrachtet wird; und/oder
    das Tarnmuster (42) den mindestens einen transparenten Bereich (40) überlappt, indem es die äußere Oberfläche (28) überlagert oder zumindest teilweise in dem mindestens einen transparenten Bereich (40) eingebettet ist.
  3. Sicherheitsblatt (11) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das mindestens eine Musterelement (44) eine Linie, Punkt, Kreis, Viereck, zweidimensionale geometrische Form, Grafikdesign, Symbol, Logo, Grafikdarstellung eines Tiers und/oder einer Pflanze, Piktogramm, alphanumerisches Zeichen, Graphem, persönliche Daten und/oder Code umfasst.
  4. Sicherheitsblatt (11) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Tarnmuster (42) ein Feld von Musterelementen (44) mit stochastischer und/oder regelmäßiger Anordnung umfasst.
  5. Sicherheitsblatt (11) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Befestigungsschicht (17) einen Befestigungsabschnitt (26) umfasst und der Verbindungsabschnitt (60) Verbindungs-Schussfäden (25) umfasst, die sich von dem Befestigungsabschnitt (26) erstrecken.
  6. Sicherheitsblatt (11) nach Anspruch 4 und 5, wobei ein Wiederholungsabstand zwischen benachbarten Musterelementen (44) in dem Bereich von 50% bis 150% der Distanz zwischen benachbarten Verbindungs-Schussfäden (25), die die benachbarten Musterelemente (44) überlappen, liegt.
  7. Sicherheitsblatt (11) nach Anspruch 5 oder Anspruch 6, wobei die durchschnittliche Breite des mindestens einen Musterelements (44) zumindest die durchschnittliche Breite jedes Verbindungs-Schussfadens (25) aufweist.
  8. Sicherheitsblatt (11) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Tarnmuster (42) umfasst:
    mindestens einen mattierten Tarnbereich, der weniger Glanz als zumindest der Großteil des Bereichs der äußeren Oberfläche (28) außerhalb des Tarnmusters (42) aufweist;
    mindestens einen Glanz-Tarnbereich, der ähnlichen Glanz wie zumindest der Großteil des Bereichs der äußeren Oberfläche (28) außerhalb des Tarnmusters (42) aufweist; und/oder
    eine Prägung in der äußeren Oberfläche (28), ein Druck, eine Lasermarkierung, eine Laserablation und/oder eine chemische Ätzung.
  9. Sicherheitsblatt (11) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der durch das menschliche Auge wahrgenommene Kontrast zwischen dem Tarnmuster (42) und dem Verbindungsabschnitt (60) geringer ist als der Kontrast zwischen dem transparenten Bereich (40) und dem Verbindungsabschnitt (60) und/oder wobei das Tarnmuster (42) und der Verbindungsabschnitt (60) im Wesentlichen dieselbe sichtbare Farbe aufweisen.
  10. Sicherheitsblatt (11) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, das zumindest einen undurchsichtigen Bereich (41) umfasst, der den mindestens einen transparenten Bereich (40) überlappt, wobei der Verbindungsabschnitt (60) in oder neben dem mindestens einen transparenten Bereich (40) zwischen dem mindestens einen undurchsichtigen Bereich (41) und der äußeren Oberfläche (28) angeordnet ist.
  11. Sicherheitsdokument (10), welches das Sicherheitsblatt (11) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche und mindestens ein weiteres Blatt (13) umfasst, das an der Befestigungsschicht (17) befestigt ist.
  12. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Sicherheitsblatts (11), umfassend:
    Anordnen einer Befestigungsschicht (17) zur Überlappung mindestens einer Aufbauschicht (18), wobei:
    die mindestens eine Aufbauschicht (18) eine äußere Oberfläche (28) und mindestens einen transparenten Bereich (40) umfasst, der sich von der äußeren Oberfläche (28) erstreckt; und
    die Befestigungsschicht (17) zur Befestigung des Sicherheitsblatts (11) in einem Sicherheitsdokument (10) ausgelegt ist und einen Verbindungsabschnitt (60) umfasst;
    Befestigen des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) an der mindestens einen Aufbauschicht (18) derart, dass der Verbindungsabschnitt (60) zumindest teilweise in dem mindestens einen transparenten Bereich (40) eingebettet ist und die mindestens eine Aufbauschicht (18) ein Datenblatt (15) zur Anzeige von Daten (16) bildet; und
    Anbringen eines Tarnmusters (42) an dem Datenblatt (15) für die zumindest teilweise Überlappung des mindestens einen transparenten Bereichs (40) und des Verbindungsabschnitts (60), wobei:
    das Tarnmuster (42) zur Beeinträchtigung der Sichtbarkeit des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) ausgelegt ist, wenn die äußere Oberfläche (28) mit dem bloßen Auge in reflektiertem Licht, das auf die äußere Oberfläche (28) fällt, betrachtet wird;
    das Tarnmuster (42) sich über das Datenblatt (15) über die Ränder des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) hinaus erstreckt und mindesten ein Musterelement (44) umfasst, das zumindest einen Teil des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) überlappt und bedeckt;
    das Tarnmuster (42) einen Tarnmusterbereich umfasst, bei dem es sich um den Bereich handelt, der innerhalb der äußersten Ränder des Musterelements / der Musterelemente (44) festgelegt ist, wobei sich der Tarnmusterbereich über mindestens 25% eines Verbindungsabschnittsbereichs erstreckt, bei dem es sich um den Bereich handelt, der durch die äußeren Ränder des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) festgelegt ist; und
    sich der Bereich, der durch das Musterelement / die Musterelemente bedeckt ist, über mindestens 25% des Tarnmusterbereichs erstreckt.
  13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, weiter umfassend:
    zumindest teilweises Anordnen des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) zwischen benachbarten Aufbauschichten (18) der zumindest einen Aufbauschicht (18) und Befestigen der benachbarten Aufbauschichten (18) aneinander durch den Verbindungsabschnitt (60); und/oder
    Anordnen des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) derart, dass er zumindest teilweise die äußere Oberfläche (28) überlagert und Befestigen des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) in der äußeren Oberfläche (28).
  14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12 oder Anspruch 13, umfassend:
    Anordnen des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) derart, dass er zumindest teilweise die äußere Oberfläche (28) überlagert;
    Befestigen des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) in der äußeren Oberfläche (28);
    Anordnen zumindest eines Streifens (50) über zumindest einem Abschnitt des Verbindungsabschnitts (60) und äußeren Oberfläche (28); und
    Befestigen des mindestens einen Streifens (50) an der äußeren Oberfläche (28).
  15. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 14, wobei das Anbringen des Tarnmusters (42) umfasst:
    Ausbilden einer Prägung in der äußeren Oberfläche (28), Aufbringen eines Drucks auf die mindestens eine Aufbauschicht (18) und/oder Laserbeschriften, Laserabtragen und/oder chemisches Ätzen der mindestens einen Aufbauschicht (18) und/oder Datenblatts (15); und/oder
    Ausbilden einer Prägung in der äußeren Oberfläche (28) während des Befestigens der mindestens einen Aufbauschicht (18), Befestigungsschicht (17) und, falls vorhanden, mindestens eines Streifens (50) aneinander.
EP20732555.6A 2019-06-10 2020-06-10 Sicherheitsfolie Active EP3980272B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1908252.8A GB2586576B (en) 2019-06-10 2019-06-10 A security sheet
PCT/EP2020/066052 WO2020249601A1 (en) 2019-06-10 2020-06-10 A security sheet

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EP3980272A1 EP3980272A1 (de) 2022-04-13
EP3980272C0 EP3980272C0 (de) 2024-03-27
EP3980272B1 true EP3980272B1 (de) 2024-03-27

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CA (1) CA3139793A1 (de)
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI116782B (fi) 2003-06-16 2006-02-28 Setec Oy Menetelmä tietosivun valmistamiseksi ja tietosivu
EP1502765B2 (de) 2003-07-30 2012-08-15 Trüb AG Büchlein mit personalisiertem Datenblatt
EP2433809B2 (de) * 2010-09-28 2017-05-10 Gemalto AG Datenseiten für buchartige Dokumente sowie Verfahren zum Herstellen solcher Datenseiten
US10259253B2 (en) * 2014-12-08 2019-04-16 Gemalto Ag Flexible band
US20160355045A1 (en) * 2015-06-04 2016-12-08 D.A. Offray & Son, Inc. Security booklet
GB2543053B (en) 2015-10-05 2018-04-11 De La Rue Int Ltd A security document
GB2543054B (en) 2015-10-05 2018-04-04 De La Rue Int Ltd A method for manufacturing a security sheet and an insert for incorporation into a security sheet
DE102017202267B4 (de) * 2017-02-13 2023-06-15 Bundesdruckerei Gmbh Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Sicherheitsmerkmals in einem Datenträger und ein Datenträger mit einem solchen Sicherheitsmerkmal

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EP3980272C0 (de) 2024-03-27
GB2586576A (en) 2021-03-03
GB201908252D0 (en) 2019-07-24
WO2020249601A1 (en) 2020-12-17
PL3980272T3 (pl) 2024-07-29
EP3980272A1 (de) 2022-04-13
CA3139793A1 (en) 2020-12-17
GB2586576B (en) 2022-07-06

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