ES2400066T5 - Security element for documents, banknotes, security paper and the like - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Security element for documents, banknotes, security paper and the like

The present invention refers to a document, banknote, and security paper comprising a security element, according to the preamble of claim 1, the characteristics of which are known from document US 6199911 B1.

As is known, security elements for documents, banknotes, security paper and the like have been produced using threads that, in general, are formed by a transparent plastic substrate in which metallic layers, magnetic layers, micro 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 into the paper totally or partially, so that it protrudes from the surface of the paper in a few small portions and is fully embedded in the paper in the rest.

The current trend has been to present security elements that allow people to verify in a simple way, and for this purpose, the threads have been presented in the demetallized areas with a metallized layer, being able to form characters or the like, so that allows people to check the characters; These threads, supplied by means of metallic surfaces that can also be of the high reflectance type, have the characteristic that once inserted into the document they are not visible under reflected light, but they are visible 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, this type of solution has several drawbacks; the first, the fact that the threads now used allow characters of approximately 0.8 mm in height, which are not easily visible to users.

The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems described above, by supplying a document, bank note, security paper that comprises a security element, which allows the user, for example, the public, the possibility of an immediate perception of the presence of the security element in the document together with the criteria that ensure its authenticity.

Within the scope of this purpose, a particular object of this invention is to present a document, banknote, security paper that comprises 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 document, banknote, security paper that comprises a security element that by virtue of its particular manufacturing characteristics is capable of giving the highest security and reliability assurances in use.

Another object of the present invention is to present a document, banknote, security paper that comprises a security element that is easily obtained starting from common commercially available elements and materials, and is also competitive from a merely economic point of view.

The objectives of the invention are achieved by means of a document, banknote or security paper according to claim 1.

More characteristics and advantages that will be evident from the description of the preferred but not exclusive execution of a security element for documents, banknotes, security paper and the like, illustrated only by means of 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 against the light;

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 Figure 3; Figure 5 is a view of the security element with negatively perceivable 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 VIM-VIM plane 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 Figure 9; Figure 11 is a schematic view of the arrangement of the layers along the plane XI-XI of Figure 9; With reference to the aforementioned figures, the security element for documents, banknotes, security paper and the like, according to this invention, is presented in such a way as to be 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 into the document, bill, security card and the like, has the particular characteristic of giving a different dimensional perception when viewed under reflected light and when viewed through backlighting.

Considering the first embodiment, shown in Figures 3 and 4, a security element, generally designated with the reference number 1, is provided with a support layer 2 that is advantageously formed by a plastic thread or tape, such as polyester, polypropylene , polycarbonate or the like and advantageous but not necessarily has a thickness between 8 and 200 gm, preferably between 15 and 23 gm. The security element thus presented is predetermined to be inserted into the paper according to the method of total insertion or according to that of insertion by segments or windows. A metallized layer 3 is arranged on the support layer 2, which can be made of various materials and which 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 faces of the metallized layer 3, which in practice forms the high reflectance region, there is a low reflectance region which is advantageously formed by a gravure applied etching layer 4, screen printing, offset printing or similar, or by deposition and transfer of ribbons, 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 metallized layers, or with just one.

The assembly is further completed with a layer of hot melt adhesive 6, which facilitates the anchoring of the security element when it is 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 on the longitudinal axes of the support layer.

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

When inserting the security element into 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 viewed against the light, on the other hand, one has a completely different dimensional perception, while the thread appears with its full width, which is 4 mm.

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

The examples shown in Figures 5 to 11 and their description are not within the scope of the invention. With reference to Figures 5 and 6, it is possible to present a security element, generally designated by the reference number 10; having a support layer 11 again made of plastic, of the optically transparent type, on which there is a metallized layer 12 that is subjected centrally or in another area there to demetallize, so that to produce a region that can be affected by print 13 of so that it is possible to obtain the high reflectance region in the metallized layer which remains after demetallization and the low reflectance region in the printed region.

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

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

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 various known technologies, such as selective metallization with selective deposition of bands using special anti-adhesive oils or by means of selective masks, or to present the longitudinal bands where the impression is presented by demetallization 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 element combinations always using the adjacent executions of a region of high reflectance and another of low, in this way perceptual variations are obtained between the view of the document containing the security element under reflected light and backlight.

The security element described above is used with full insertion into the document.

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

In this case, the wire, generally designated by the 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 is applied a holographic lacquer 23. In this way it is possible to combine the perception of the different dimensions by the part that is still inserted in the document with a holographic view of the parts that are outside.

It is optionally possible to display, in the printed region forming the low reflectance region, designated by the reference number 24, characters 25 in negative form.

Advantageously, there is a protective plastic layer 26, which protects the holographically treated surface. Furthermore, 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 sulphide and chromium, which when under a light emit colors in the visual spectrum between 400 and 800 nanometers, maintaining a very high degree of reflectance; in this way it is possible to present a security element that allows having 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 characteristics of the color, a layer of fluorescent or phosphorescent or iridescent material may be presented.

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

According to what is shown in Figures 9 to 11, a security element, generally designated by the reference number 30, is presented with a support layer 31 with metallized bands or portions 32, optionally covered by a holographic lacquer 33, which are disposed externally relative to a low reflectance printed region 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 facing 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, negatively visible graphic marks and that alternate with regions where there is a magnetic code.

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

Under these conditions, if the banknote is viewed under reflected light, on both sides one notices the presence of a 2 mm wide thread; people with excellent eyesight may also detect graphic marks or text that appear in the low reflectance region.

When changing banknotes or documents from reflected light to backlit conditions, dimensional differences are immediately apparent, since the width changes from 2mm to 4mm, to the graphic markings and texts being 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 outside of the document.

When seeing a banknote with reflected light, on the side where the thread is completely covered, one notices the presence of a thread 2 mm wide; when looking at the other side of the bill, where the thread is inserted by segments, between full insertion and non-insertion, one can see a 2mm thread when it is covered by the paper, for example inserted, and a thread 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 banknotes from reflected light to backlight conditions and looking at the side where the thread is fully inserted, one notices a variation in width from 2mm to 4mm, while viewing the thread on the opposite side, one sees an image with the same width but with an alternation in the color effects, following the pattern of the thread, which is covered or exposed.

When executing the yarn, it is preferable to use a support layer with a thickness of 15 gm to 23 gm, on which the metallized layer, preferably aluminum, is deposited and selectively applied or demetallized in the regions where the printed layer is presented. .

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

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

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

It is thus evident, that from what has been described above, that this invention achieves the intended purpose and objects, and in particular the outstanding fact that a security element for documents, banknotes, 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 non-metallic ink. The invention can be modified in that the aluminum is printed, if the hologram is present, by a casting process, rather than a stamping process.

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

In such a low reflectance region, graphic marks can be printed not only negatively, but also positively possible, or both, so that they are noticeable against the light.

Claims (20)

1. Document, banknote or security paper that includes: a security element (1; 10) comprising a continuous support layer (2) on which there is at least one metallized layer (3) that forms at least one region of high reflectance, characterized by what the metallized layer (3) is partially covered, on at least one side, with a printed layer (4) forming a central printed low reflectance region (4), while the metallized layer forms two high reflectance regions at the longitudinal edges of the support layer (2), in which the security element (1; 10) is at least partially inserted into the document, banknote or security paper, so that a different dimensional perception of the security element (1; 10) is achieved when viewed in direct light or against the light, the security element being completely inserted internally, in which The support layer (2) is 4 mm wide, and the central printed region (4) of 2 mm delimits two regions of high reflectance of 1 mm on each edge. The document, banknote or security paper according to claim 1, wherein said metallized layer (3) is made of a noble metal, aluminum, chrome, copper, nickel or a combination of them. 3. The document, banknote or security paper according to claim 2, wherein the noble metal is gold. 4. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said metallized layer (3) is subjected to a stamping or casting process. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said metallized layer (3) is made of vacuum deposited metal alloys. 6. The document, banknote or security paper (1; 10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element (1; 10) comprises a printing layer (4) on both faces of said metallized layer (3). The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element (1; 10) comprises said low reflectance region (4) in a central region that it is longitudinally flanked on both edges by a layer of high reflectance. 8. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element (1; 10) comprises, in said region of low reflectance (4), graphic marks (15,25) printed negatively or positively and noticeable against the light. 9. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element (1; 10) comprises in said region of high reflectance some graphic marks or the like printed with low reflectance to be perceived in direct light. 10. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said security element (1; 10) is fully inserted in said document or the like. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said security element (1; 10) is inserted by segments in said document or the like. 12. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element (1; 10) comprises a holographic lacquer (13,23) on said region of high reflectance . 13. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element (1; 10) comprises in said region of high reflectance (3) of materials capable of allowing the emission of various colors. 14. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said materials are aluminum, magnesium sulfide and chromium. 15. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element (1; 10) comprises a layer of fluorescent, phosphorescent or iridescent material. 16. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element (1; 10) comprises magnetic elements (37) in said low reflectance region (4) . 17. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said magnetic elements (37) form a code that can be detected by a machine. 18. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said magnetic elements (37) are interspersed with portions provided with negative graphic marks. 19. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said low reflectance region (4) consists of ink, preferably non-metallic ink. 20. The document, banknote or security paper according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said low reflectance region (4) is applied by gravure, screen printing, offset printing or by deposition and transfer of ribbons or lacquers.