ES2400066T3 - Security element for documents, banknotes, security paper and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

A security element (1.10) for documents, banknotes, security paper and the like, characterized in that it consists of a continuous support layer (2) on which there is at least one metallized layer (3) forming at least one region of High reflectance, is characterized in that the metallic layer (3) is partially covered, on at least one side, with a printed layer (4) forming a region of low reflectance (4) to have, when the security element (1,10 ) is at least partially inserted in the document or the like, a different dimensional perception of the security element (1,10) when viewed in direct or backlit light.

Description

SECURITY ELEMENT FOR DOCUMENTS, TICKETS, SECURITY PAPER AND SIMILAR.

The present invention relates to a security element for documents, bills, security paper and the like, in accordance with the preamble of claim 1, the features thereof are known from US 6 199911 B1.

As is known, the security elements for documents, bills, security paper and the like have been produced using threads that, in general, are formed by a transparent plastic substrate in which metal layers, magnetic layers, micro-enterprise layers, fluorescent layers , magnetic codes combined with metallization techniques, etc. have been applied, so that there are the most varied types of security elements.

The threads thus supplied are inserted in the paper totally or partially, so that it protrudes from the surface of the paper in small portions and is fully embedded in the paper in the rest.

The current trend has been to present security elements that would allow people to easily verify, and for this purpose, the threads have been presented in the demetalized areas with a metallic layer, being able to form characters or similar, so that it allows people to check the characters; said threads, supplied by metallic surfaces that can also be of the high reflectance type, have the characteristic that once inserted in the document they are not visible under the reflected light, but when they approach a light, for example, when putting the document between a light source and the person who has to do the verification.

However, these types of solutions have several drawbacks; the first, the fact that the threads now used allow characters of approximately O.8mm in height, which are not easily visible to users.

The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems described above, by providing a security element for documents, tickets, security paper and the like, which allows the user, for example, the public the possibility of an immediate perception of the presence of the security element in the document along with the criteria that ensure its authenticity.

Within the scope of this purpose, a particular object of this invention is to present a security element that allows the use of various combinations of methods that are already commercially available, obtaining a particular combination of the effects.

Another object of the present invention is to present a security element that, by virtue of its particular manufacturing characteristics, is capable of providing the highest safety and reliability in use.

Another object of the present invention is to present a security element for documents, bills, security paper and the like that is easily obtained from common commercially available elements and materials, and is also competitive from a purely economic point of view. This objective, these objects and others that will be better in appearance later on are achieved by a security element for documents, bills, security paper and the like, in accordance with this invention, it is characterized in that it comprises a continuous layer of support on the that has at least one metallized layer that forms at least one region of high reflectance that is flanked, on at least one face, by at least one region of low reflectance to have, when the security element is at least partially inserted in the document or similar, a different dimensional perception of the security element when viewed in a reflected light and when viewed backlit.

More features and advantages that will be evident from the description of the preferred but not exclusive execution of a security element for documents, bills, security paper and the like, illustrated only by a non-limiting example with the help of the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a document provided with the security element according to the invention, seen under reflected light; Figure 2 is a document with the security element according to the invention, seen backlit;

Figure 3 is a view of the first embodiment of the security element according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the arrangement of the layers along the plane IV-IV of the figure

3;

Figure 5 is a view of the security element with negatively visible marks and characters;

Figure 6 is a schematic view of the arrangement of the layers along the plane VI-VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a view of another embodiment with holographic regions;

Figure 8 is a schematic view of the arrangement of the layers along the plane VIII-VIII of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a view of another embodiment of the security element with magnetic portions;

Figure 10 is a schematic view of the arrangement of the layers along the X-X plane of the figure

9;

Figure 11 is a schematic view of the arrangement of the layers along the plane XI-XI of the figure

9;

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the security element for documents, bills, security paper and the like, in accordance with this invention, is presented so that it is able to immediately perceive its presence within the document, without requiring any visual acuity .

In particular, the security element according to this invention, once inserted in the document, ticket, security card and the like, has the particular characteristic of giving a different dimensional perception when viewed under a reflected light and when viewed backlighting.

Considering the first embodiment, shown in figures 3 and 4, a security element, generally designated with reference number 1, is provided with a support layer 2 which is advantageously formed by a plastic thread or tape, such as polyester, polypropylene , polycarbonate or the like and advantageous but it does not necessarily have a thickness between 8 and 200 (Jm, preferably between 15 and 23 (Jm. The security element thus presented is predetermined to be inserted in the paper according to the total insertion method or according to that of the insertion by segments or windows.A metallic layer 3 is arranged on the support layer 2, which can be made of several materials and has the particularity of having a high reflectance, which is preferably greater than or equal to an optical density of 1.2.

Said high reflectance metallized layer can be obtained by various materials; such as aluminum, chromium, nickel or other metals or combinations of metals, or alloys.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, on both sides of the metallized layer 3, which in practice forms the region of high reflectance, there is a region of low reflectance that is advantageously formed by an engraving layer 4 applied by gravure, screen printing, offset printing or the like or by deposition and transfer of tapes, lacquers, or in any case, any method capable of giving a region different reflectances and more specifically a certain degree of opacity capable of absorbing light rays.

Layers 4 can be presented with both sides with metallic layers, or with only one.

The assembly is also completed with a layer of hot melt adhesive 6, which facilitates the anchoring of the security element when inserted in the document paper and the like.

In the specific case, the printed layer affects the central region, while the metallized layer forms two regions of high reflectance in the longitudinal axes of the support layer.

With this type of security element, when a security element is used that has a support layer of for example 4mm in width, it is possible to present a 2mm printed central region, which in practice delimits two 1mm high reflectance bands on each edge.

By putting the security element in the document, under the reflected light the user easily perceives the presence of an element whose width is defined by the printed region, for example by the central region of low reflectance or high opacity.

When the document is seen backlit, on the contrary, one has a completely different dimensional perception, while the thread appears with its full width, which in the specific example is 4mm.

By presenting the layer printed on one side, it is possible to have on one side a variation in the dimensional perception under the reflected light and backlight, and on the opposite side, under the reflected light, the presence of the tape, which is instead visible against backlight.

With reference to figures 5 and 6, it is possible to present a security element, generally designated by reference number 10; which has a support layer 11 again made of plastic, of the optically transparent type, on which there is a metallized layer 12 that is centrally subjected or in another area there to be demetallized, so as to produce a region that can be affected by printing 13, so that it is possible to obtain the region of high reflectance in the metallized layer that remains after demetalization and the region of low reflectance in the printed region.

In the printed region it is possible to present characters, distinctive marks or similar 15, obtained in a negative way, so that together with having dimensional differences under the reflected and backlit light, as in the previous case, it is possible to have revealed characters.

The characters can also be presented in a continuous metallized layer, so that they are visible in the reflected light, and these applications can be presented on one or two sides.

It could be added to the above that to present regions of bands or the like with the presence of metal, for example alternated with printed regions, it is possible to use several known technologies, such as selective metallization with selective deposition of bands using special non-stick oils or by selective masks, or to present the longitudinal bands where the printing is presented by demetalization of a previous metallization layer that is protected in the regions where it must persist by virtue of the deposition of protective lacquers that cannot be attacked by the acids used in Demetalization

As is evident, it is possible to present a complete range of combinations of elements always using the adjacent executions of a region of high reflectance and another of low, thus obtaining variations of perception between the view of the document containing the security element under the reflected light and backlight.

The security elements described above are preferably used with full insertion in the document.

If the method of insertion by segments is used, it is possible to increase the safety criterion by using a thread for example of the type shown in Figures 7 and 8.

In this case, the wire, generally designated by reference number 20, is presented with a support layer 21 on which there is a region of high reflectance supplied by a metallized layer 22 made of various kinds of metals, on which it is applied a holographic lacquer 23. In this way it is possible to combine the perception of the different dimensions by the part that remains inserted in the document with a holographic view of the parts that are outside.

It is optionally possible to present, in the printed region that forms the region of low reflectance, designated by reference number 24, characters 25 in a negative form.

Advantageously, there is a protective layer 26 of plastic, which protects the holographically treated surface.

In addition, holographic surfaces, formed for example by two bands, can be presented in different ways.

It is also possible to apply to the metallized regions 22 a sequence of materials such as aluminum, magnesium sulfide and chromium, which when they are under a light emit colors in the visual spectrum between 400 and 800 nanometers, maintaining a very high degree of reflectance; From this maso it is possible to present a security element that allows to have a variety of elements that are easy to interpret and can allow the identification of the validity of the document where the thread is inserted.

It should also be added that to vary the color characteristics, a layer of fluorescent or phosphorescent or iridescent material may be present.

To also complete this description, it should also be added that in the security element 20 are the layers of normal and hot melt adhesives for connection and embedding, generally designated by reference number 27.

As shown in Figures 9 to 11, a security element, generally designated by reference number 30, is presented with a support layer 31 with metallic bands or portions 32, optionally covered by a holographic lacquer 33, which they are arranged externally with respect to a printed region of low reflectance 35.

The printed region, if evaluated in the longitudinal direction, advantageously has an alternation of marks and characters 36 that are negatively visible, with regions affected by magnetic elements 37 that are protected by a protective layer 38 on the face opposite the layer printed, which allows to give a code that can be detected by a machine.

In this way, it is possible to have in the region of low reflectance, graphic marks visible in a negative way and that alternate with regions where there is a magnetic code.

With the solutions described above, which can be combined in several ways, a 4mm wide thread or ribbon, which has from one end a region of 1mm of high reflectance material and in the center a 2mm region of low reflectance and negative characters, it has at the other end 1 mm of high reflectance material.

Under these conditions, if the bill is seen in reflected light, on both sides one realizes the presence of a 2mm wide thread; people with excellent eyesight could also detect graphic marks or texts that appear in the region of low reflectance.

When changing the bills or documents of the reflected light to backlight conditions, the dimensional differences are immediately evident, since the width changes from 2mm to 4mm, to which the graphic marks and texts are particularly evident.

If the thread is inserted into the paper with the segment insertion technique, one has regions where the thread is fully inserted and regions where the thread is on the outer face of the document.

When seeing a bill with reflected light, on the face where the thread is completely covered, one realizes the presence of a 2mm wide thread; when looking at the other side of the bill, where the thread is inserted by segments, between the complete insertion and the non-insertion, one can see a 2mm thread when it is covered by the paper, for example, inserted, and a thread of 4mm when not covered by paper or not inserted; In these positions one can see all the effects produced by any optional holographic method or any other color change method.

When changing the bills of the reflected light to backlight conditions and looking at the face where the thread is completely inserted, one notices a variation in width from 2mm to 4mm, while seeing the thread on the opposite side, one sees an image with the same width but with an alternation in color effects, following the design of the thread, which is covered or exposed.

In the execution of the thread it is preferable to use a support layer with a thickness of 15J, Jm to 23J, Jm, on which, the metallized layer, preferably aluminum, is deposited and selectively applied or de-metallized in the regions where it is presented The printed layer

The aluminum is then printed, and if the hologram is present, it is presented with a holographic layer and a conventional print.

Then, the central region is printed by virtue of the known method.

It is also possible to optionally immediately print the holographic lacquer on transparent polyester, stamp it and then proceed with the selective step of metallization or demetalization under the known method; then the central region is printed as described before.

It is thus evident, that from what has been described before, that this invention achieves the intended purpose and objects, and in particular the prominent fact that a security element for documents, bills, security paper and the like is presented, the which is extremely versatile and allows to supply a new type of security document that has an appreciable dimensional variation between direct light and backlight conditions.

In particular, the low reflectance region of the security element according to the present invention should consist of ink. Preferably, the low reflectance region should consist of ink

not metallic

The invention can be modified in that the aluminum is printed, if the hologram is present, by a casting process, instead of a stamping process.

Instead of aluminum, a noble metal, chrome, copper, nickel or combinations of them can be used. Preferably, the noble metal is gold.

In said region of low reflectance, the graphic marks can be printed not only negatively, it is also possible in a positive way, or in both forms, so that they are appreciable against the backlight.

Claims (23)

one.

A security element (1.10) for documents, banknotes, security paper and the like, characterized in that it consists of a continuous support layer (2) on which there is at least one metallic layer (3) forming at least one region of high reflectance, it is characterized in that the metallized layer (3) is partially covered, on at least one side, with a printed layer (4) forming a region of low reflectance (4) to have, when the safety element (1 , 10) is at least partially inserted in the document or the like, a different dimensional perception of the security element (1,10) when viewed in direct or backlight.

2.

The security element (1,10) according to claim 1, is characterized in that said high reflectance region has a reflectance greater than or equal to an optical density of 1.2.

3.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said metallized layer (3) is made of a noble metal, aluminum, chrome, copper, nickel or a combination thereof.

Four.

The security element (1,10) according to claim 3, wherein the noble metal is gold.

5.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said metallized layer (3) is subjected to a stamping or casting process.

6.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said metallic layer (3) is made of metal alloys deposited in a vacuum.

7.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that it consists of a printing layer (4) on both sides of said metallized layer (3).

8.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that it comprises said low reflectance region (4) in a central region that is longitudinally flanked by both edges by a high layer reflectance

9.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that said region of low reflectance (4) has graphic marks (15,25) printed negatively or positively and appreciable backlit.

10.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that said region of high reflectance consists of graphic or similar printed marks with low reflectance to be perceived with direct light.

eleven.

The security element (1.10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that said security element (1.10) is fully inserted in said document or the like.

12.

The security element (1.10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that said security element (1.10) is inserted by segments in said document or the like.

13.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that it consists of a holographic lacquer (13,23) on said region of high reflectance.

14.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that it comprises in said region of high reflectance (3) of materials capable of allowing the emission of various colors.

fifteen.

The safety element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that said materials are aluminum, magnesium sulphide and chromium.

16.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that it consists of a layer of fluorescent, phosphorescent or iridescent material.

17.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that it consists of magnetic elements (37) in said region of low reflectance (4).

18.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that said magnetic elements (37) form a code that can be detected by a machine.

19.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that said magnetic elements (37) are interspersed with portions provided with negative graphic marks.

twenty.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that said low reflectance region (4) consists of ink, preferably non-metallic ink.

twenty-one.

The security element (1,10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, is characterized in that said region of low reflectance (4) is applied by gravure, screen printing, offset printing or by deposition and transfer of tapes or lacquers

22

A document, ticket, security card or the like, characterized in that they consist of a security element (1,10) according to the preceding claims is fully inserted internally.

2. 3.

A document, ticket, security card or the like, characterized in that they consist of a security element (1,10) according to the preceding claims is inserted by segments.

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