FR3020595A1 - SECURITY BAND AND SECURITY DOCUMENT THAT INTEGRATE IT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to a strip intended to be incorporated into a security document, this strip emerging on the surface of said document in the form of windows, and comprising a transparent or translucent support material (4) covered on one or the other of its opposite faces, of at least three distinct and superposed layers (51, 52, 53) of coating, characterized in that it comprises in particular a second intermediate layer (52) which has a different optical rendering of that of the first and third layers (51, 53); - The second intermediate layer (52) is opaque and having at least two regions (520) at least partially free of coating, these two regions (520) respectively having different contours.

Description

The present invention relates to a security strip intended to be incorporated in part in the structure of a security document at least partially made of fibers.

It also relates to a security document that is provided. To guard against counterfeit security documents, such as banknotes, it has been proposed to use various security means, such as watermarks, fibers, boards, etc.

Other techniques consist in introducing into the paper of the security document an elongated element made of synthetic material forming a banner or security thread which makes it possible to increase the difficulties of making counterfeit products, but also to facilitate the authentication of the document by the users. central banks when it is provided with automatically detectable means (such as electrical conductivity or magnetism) but also by a lambda user, ie the man in the street for so-called first-level visual characteristics. The integration of this thread or strip is performed at the time of manufacture of the sheet of paper which will ultimately form the security document. This integration can be made in "embedded" form, in which case the wire is integrated completely into the mass of the paper. It has also been proposed to incorporate the security thread so that it is visible by reflection only in the form of a set of windows. This means that this thread is embedded in the mass of the paper, sometimes flush with the surface of one of the faces of the note, which explains the use of the term "window". Thus, the windows are visible by reflection, while the submerged portions are only visible by transmission. By the term "reflection" is meant the phenomenon by which the rays of incident light are reflected on the surface of the support. In practice, this integration technique ensures that the security thread is only visible from the upper face of the paper, and still partially, that is to say at the level of the windows. The present invention aims to fill this gap. It is also intended to facilitate the authentication of the security document that incorporates this banner, especially by the man in the street. Another aim is also to make the manufacture of this strip particularly complex, so as to limit and complexify as much as possible the manufacture of banners by unauthorized persons, other than fiduciary printers. Thus, the present invention, in a first aspect, relates to a security strip intended to be incorporated in part in the structure of a security document at least partially made of fibers, this strip emerging on the surface of said document in the form of a set 10 of windows, and comprising a transparent or translucent support material, covered, on one or the other of its opposite faces, with at least three distinct and superposed layers of coating. According to the invention, this strip comprises, among these three layers respectively designated first layer, second intermediate layer and third layer, a second intermediate layer which has an optical rendering different from that of the first and third layers. The second intermediate layer is opaque and comprises at least two regions at least partially free of coating, these two regions having respectively different contours and the first and third coating layers consist of at least one pattern, part of the pattern of the first layer being visible through one of said two regions at least partially free of coating, while at least part of the pattern of the third layer is visible through the other of said two regions at least partially free of coating said patterns being different from each other. Thanks to this combination of characteristics, the presence of an opaque intermediate layer allows on either side of it to affix complementary layers which will respectively be visible from the front face, and the reverse face of the strip. In addition, insofar as the intermediate layer 30 has partially recessed regions of different contours these will constitute additional visible safety signs and the authentication of the banner by the man of the street will be facilitated. And together, the task of a fraudster will be made more complex. In addition, the fact that part of the pattern of the first layer is visible through one of these regions and that part of the pattern of the third layer is also visible through the other region makes the manufacturing particularly complex headband, hence a greater difficulty for fraudsters to achieve the band according to the invention. This gives a stencil effect, ie a filter effect. In other words, the surfaces of the patterns are "filtered" by the shape of the regions and give different information depending on whether one observes the banner from its front face or its reverse side. This stencil effect thus generates different but intrinsically related information. According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of this strip: said different optical renderings are chosen from different colors, glosses, opacity / transparency and or contrasts (e) s; said regions are totally devoid of coating; said regions are partially free of coating, and have the form of a screened network; it comprises at least a fourth additional layer; said fourth layer is opaque and superimposes a portion of the pattern of the third layer; and the layer furthest from the support is covered with a transparent protective layer, such as a film or varnish. Another aspect of the invention relates to a security document such as a bank note. This is remarkable in that it comprises a strip according to one or the other of the preceding characteristics, which is incorporated within this document while emerging on the surface of at least one of its visible faces. , in the form of a set of windows. Preferably, the security document is coated locally with a deopacifying agent, that is to say improving the visibility of the strip where it does not emerge on the surface of at least one of the visible faces of the document. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the headband. This description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a simplified top view of a security document, in this case a bank note in which a banner is partially integrated, the patterns of security that includes this band have however not been represented here; Figure 2 is a view of the opposite side, that is to say of the reverse side of the document of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view and very schematic of a strip according to the present invention; Figure 4A is a partial perspective view with bursting of three layers which are integrated in the strip according to the invention; Figures 4B and 4C are respectively front views, that is to say the front of the strip, and the reverse side of the same strip, these views being located plumb with each other; FIGS. 5A to 5C, 6A to 6C, 7A to 7C, 8A to 8C, 9A to 9C are views corresponding to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C according to other embodiments of the strip. The security document 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 attached here consists of a bank note.

According to a variant not shown, it could be another type of security document, such as a passport. This security document is preferably based on cotton paper, with or without chemical pulp, cellulose-based paper or any other material containing fibers of different types and weights, including at least a portion of synthetic fibers. It is also possible to use a hybrid support combining polymer (s) and paper. As is well known in the prior art, a strip 2 is partially incorporated in the document 1, while emerging at its upper surface corresponding to the front face 10 of the note, in the form of a set of windows . The band extends according to the small transverse dimension of the bill. The areas of the strip 2 which are integrated in the mass of the note have been marked by the letter P and are therefore not completely visible, unlike the window areas F, as shown in FIG. examines the reverse side of the same note 1 (see Figure 2), it detects the presence of the strip 2, but it is completely covered by the fibers of the document, so that it constitutes a set N embedded in the mass on all its longitudinal extent. Referring to FIG. 3, there is a cross-sectional view of the structure of a strip according to the present invention.

However, this representation is for informational purposes only. In particular, the dimension scales of the different elements in this strip 2 are not respected. All layers are not represented and are symbolically represented as dots.

As shown in this figure, the strip according to the invention comprises a transparent, or at least translucent, support material 4, such as a film of plastics material. This is for example a polyester film having a non-limiting range of about 10 to 12 [Inn.

On the underside of this support material, that is to say in the direction of the back side 11, is a thickness 3 of adhesive or a mixture of adhesives intended to secure the entire strip 2 of security with the fibrous material of the document in which it will be inserted. Against the second face of the support material 4 is present a stack of layers 5 which will be described more precisely the nature in connection with the following figures. A protective layer 6, for example made of a plastic film or a varnish, covers the entire stack. Preferably, it is absolutely transparent. In a particular embodiment, the same material as that of the support 4 may be used. This coating is intended to protect all the information contained in layers 5, while allowing their readability. Finally, the assembly is covered, on the side of the front face by another layer 7 of adhesive, preferably of the same nature as the layer 3 (but not necessarily). In Figure 4A and for the purpose of facilitating reading, only the different layers of the stack 5 are shown. From bottom to top, these three layers 51, 52, 53 are superimposed and the first layer 51 is the one that is contiguous with the support material 4. It is deliberately represented here only a small fraction of the strip 2 but it is obvious that this bandeau continues on both sides of the elements shown here to constitute a sufficiently long piece to be incorporated according to the transverse dimension of the security document. On the other hand, with regard to FIGS. 4B and 4C, FIG. 4B represents what is visible on the front side, that is to say in an observation direction which is situated on the top of the layer 53. As for FIG. 4C, it symbolizes what is visible according to the back side of the stack According to the invention, and in this embodiment, there is a stack of three layers 51, 52 and 53. For clarity From the representation, these layers have been represented as delimited by peripheral lines that form a rectangle. This is however a view of the mind and it must be remembered that only the elements that will be described as being printed or deposited must be considered. Thus, the layer 51 is formed of a set of opaque patterns, for example consisting of a black ink printing cover. The reasons here consist, for illustrative purposes, in a curvilinear transverse line and whose initials - FCOF "are printed upside down with the letter - 0" full. The second layer 52, which can be described as intermediate, has a different optical rendering than that of the first layer. By the term "different optical rendering" is meant that, when these two layers are observed with the naked eye, they can immediately be distinguished from one another, in particular by their color, their brilliance, their opacity. transparency and / or their contrast different (es). A feature of the intermediate layer 52 is that it is opaque. Any material having a real opacity may be used, and it will be preferred, for example, to form this layer by means of a metal deposit such as an ink printing containing gold, silver, copper, etc. metal particles. Alternatively, a thin layer of a metal, for example aluminum or opaque copper, may be deposition under vacuum and then locally removed by washing with sodium hydroxide or with water to create zones. without coating. This layer 52 partially covers the first layer 51. In addition, it is provided with a plurality of negative regions 520, which means that they are free of coating, these regions having respectively different contours. In this case, we are dealing here with a first region 520 which consists of a window forming the number - 5 ", and another region 520 which is constituted by the number - 2014", written upside down.

In this embodiment, there will also be noted the existence of a third region 520 'also formed by the digit - 5'. It will be discussed later, more precisely. On this intermediate layer 52 rests a third layer 53 5 which also has a pattern 530 consisting here of the stylized representation of the letter - 0 "on the one hand, and in the presence of four squares on the other hand. Advantageously, but without this being an obligation, the materials used for the patterns of the layer 51 are the same as those of the layer 53. Referring to FIG. 4B, it can be seen that, by a simplex observation, the four squares of layer 53 completely obscure the region of intermediate layer 52 formed by the number - 2014 ". On the other hand, one discerns through the region 520 consisting of the first digit - 5 "the existence of the underlying layer 51 which renders this figure - 5" legible. Finally, the additional region 520 'is at the vertical of any impression at the level of the layer 51. On the other hand, when an observation is made by the reverse side (FIG. 4C), that is to say from below the support material 4, the zone 520 constituted by the date - 2014 ", the presence of the underlying layer 20 and in this case the small squares is observed, which makes the date 2014 legible", while the zone 520 constituted by the digit - 5 "is completely obscured by the - 0 full" of the initials - FCOF "realized in black ink. From this description, it emerges that the intermediate layer 52 makes it possible to differentiate between each other the layers 51 and 53, as well as the patterns that are present therein. However, the presence of recessed areas, of different shapes at the intermediate layer, reveals according to observations of the front face or the reverse side, different information but intrinsically linked by their construction, to authenticate the document of security 30 which is provided with this headband. Referring to Figs. 5A-5C, the nature of the layers 51 and 52 is reversed. It is the same for layers 52 and 53. Thus, the functionality of this structure is identical to that which appears in FIGS. 4A to 4C, but the visual rendering is different. Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, it will be seen that this time we are dealing with five different layers.

Thus, there is the presence of a first layer 51 having patterns 510. On this layer is present an opaque intermediate layer 52, some areas 520 are free of coating.

Again, these areas 520 have different contours. On this second layer is affixed a third layer 53 which is preferably identical in nature to the layer 51. This layer forms patterns referenced 530. An additional layer that can be described as fourth layer 54 comes in superposition of the stack This layer 54 is identical in nature or different from that of the second layer 52. In the case in point, they are of the same nature. This fourth layer 54 also exhibits perforated zones 15 since the only region, in which is present an occulting material, is confined here to a circle 540. Finally, a fifth layer 55 covers the assembly. It is preferably of a different nature than the first and third layers. Particularly advantageously, this layer 55 consists of an effect ink chosen from the optically variable, iridescent, liquid crystal type so as to create color change effects according to the angle of observation. This layer may be transparent and comprises patterns 550 which are plumb with the patterns 530 and 510 or 540. According to FIG. 6B, when one observes the stack 5 from the front face in reflection, the fifth layer 55 reveals a first piece of information constituted by the patterns 550. The opaque coating of the layer 54 has recessed areas in overlap with the layer 55 and the layer 53 may incidentally advantageously reveal another negative message which itself is not overlapping the layers 55 and 53. The coating 53 is visible from the front face only through the recessed areas of the layer 54. Conversely, the coating 53 is visible from the reverse side ( 6C) only through the recessed areas of the layer 52. The resulting information of the stack 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55 in line with said recessed and overlapping regions of the layers 52 and 54 are different from an observation one in reflection of one of the faces, reciprocally of the other face.

In the example of FIGS. 7A to 7C, the nature of the layers 51 and 52 on the one hand, and 53 and 55, on the other hand, are two by two inverted. The functionality of such a stack is identical to that of the previous figures, but the visual rendering is different.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, there is a first layer 51 consisting of a covering of black ink covering. Moreover, it will be noted that this black layer occupies only part of the surface of the strip. On this first layer is deposited a second intermediate layer 52, always formed of an opaque coating, for example of metallic type, with areas devoid of coating. More particularly, these are zones 520 which form between them the number - 2014 "and which are produced in the form of a screened network. This means that there is a multiplicity of recesses in these areas, however, these being separated by material constituting the covering material. The shape of the dot and the raster line and its orientation and coverage are parameters well known to those skilled in the art. By way of example, and without limitation, a circular dot pattern of 10 [Inn, with a coverage of 50% and a 45 ° orientation is proposed. Finally, a third layer is affixed to the second layer 52. It is identical in nature or not to that of the layer 51 and, in this case, they are of the same nature. Referring to FIG. 8B, when one observes the stack 25 from the front face in reflection, the third layer 53 reveals a first piece of information constituted by the negative patterns 530. The metallic-type opaque coating of the second layer 52 provides partially recessed areas overlapping with the first layer 51. The coating of the layer 51 is visible from the front face 30 only through the partially recessed areas of the layer 52, and, conversely, the coating of the layer 53 is visible from the reverse side only through the partially recessed areas of the second layer 52. The information resulting from the stacking of the three layers 51 to 53 in line with the partially recessed areas of the layer 52 are therefore different from an observation in reflection of one of the faces, reciprocally from the other side, and have a visual rendition, serai-transparent and more nuanced than in the example of fi gures 4A to 4C. Finally, in the embodiment of FIGS. 9A to 9C, we are dealing with the same structure as in the figures which have just been described. Only the nature of the layers 51 and 52 on the one hand, 52 and 53 on the other hand, is inverted. The functionality of the stack thus produced is identical, but the visual rendering is different. In an exemplary embodiment not shown, it is possible to locally coat the security document according to the invention with a deopacifying agent, that is to say improving the visibility of the strip 2 where it does not emerge on the surface. at least one of the visible faces of the document, so as to make more visible the information carried by the first layer 51 of the stack 5. In yet another embodiment not shown, at least one of the layers 51 , 52, 53, 54 or 55 may incorporate authenticatable agents during automatic machine reading. These are, for example, magnetic particles forming a continuous band, blocks or a code in the form of bits. It may also be conductive particles, fluorescent, phosphorescent, revealed by infrared radiation or having a specific signal detectable with a dedicated device.

Claims (4)

REVENDICATIONS1. Safety strip (2) intended to be incorporated in part in the structure of a security document (1) at least partially made of fibers, this strip (2) emerging on the surface of said document in the form of a set of windows (F), and comprising a transparent or translucent support material (4), covered, on one or the other of its opposite faces, with at least three distinct layers (51, 52, 53) and superimposed coating , characterized in that it comprises, among these three layers respectively designated first layer (51), second intermediate layer (52) and third layer (53), a second intermediate layer (52) which has an optical rendering different from that first and third layers (51, 53); that the second intermediate layer (52) is opaque and comprises at least two regions (520) at least partially free of coating, these two regions (520) presenting respectively different contours; and that the first and third coating layers (51, 53) consist of at least one pattern (510, 530), a portion of the pattern (510) of the first layer (51) being visible through a said at least partially uncoated two regions (520), while at least a portion of the pattern (530) of the third layer (53) is visible through the other of said two regions (520) at least partially without coating, said patterns (510, 530) being different from each other. 2. Headband according to claim 1, characterized in that said different optical renderings are chosen from different colors, glosses, opacity / transparency and or contrasts. 3. Headband according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said regions (520) are completely free of coating. 4. Headband according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said regions (520) are partially free of coating, and have the form of a screened network. . Headband according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a fourth additional layer (54). 6. Headband according to claim 5, characterized in that said fourth layer (54) is opaque and superimposes a portion of the pattern (530) of the third layer (53). 7. Headband according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer furthest from the support (4) is covered with a transparent protective layer (6), such as a film or varnish. 8. Security document at least partially made of fibers, such as a banknote (1), characterized in that it incorporates a strip (2) according to one of the preceding claims, which is incorporated within it while emerging on the surface of at least one of its visible faces (10, 11), in the form of a set of windows (F). 9. Security document according to claim 8, characterized in that it is coated locally with a deopacifying agent, that is to say improving the visibility of said strip (2).