FR3072611A1 - CUSTOMIZABLE SHEET FOR SAFETY BOOKLET. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a customizable sheet (20) for a security booklet (30), the sheet comprising: - a sewing area for sewing and folding of the customizable sheet (20) in the booklet along an seam line (40), a first page and a second page opposite to the first page, and a first sheet (51) and a second sheet, arranged on either side of the seam line (40). It is essentially characterized in that it further comprises: a holographic ribbon (10) disposed in the seam area.

Description

CUSTOMIZABLE SHEET FOR SAFETY BOOKLET.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of multi-sheet security documents, or security booklets, hereinafter "booklets" for brevity, and in particular the manufacture of such booklets, typically in the field of passports.

A booklet comprises in particular a cover and a plurality of individual sheets generally made from paper, in particular based on cellulosic fibers, the cover and the sheets being folded along a fold line and sewn together using a seam which extends along the fold line along a seam line merged with the fold line, so that the fold line and the seam are merged and bear the same reference numeral in the figures. After sewing, the fold line is sometimes also called a "hinge".

In a booklet, the cover and the sheets are folded along a common fold line.

We define by "seam area", an area which extends along the seam line, on both sides of it, and whose distance to it is less than a predetermined value.

Each individual sheet defines two sheets: a sheet on one side of the fold line, and a sheet on the other side of the fold line.

Each sheet defines two pages: a first page (front) and a second page (back).

In the booklets, at least one of the pages is customizable (or personalized). It is also called "datapage" by Anglicism.

A customizable page is configured to include variable personal data such as for example a name, an address, a date of birth, a photograph, etc. relating to the holder of the booklet and / or variable data relating to the document itself, for example such as its manufacturing number, the place and date of its manufacture, its expiration date, etc.).

Thus, by customizable sheet is meant the sheet which includes the customizable page.

The structure of a customizable page makes it possible to protect the variable individual data which it contains and differs from the structure of a page of an individual sheet.

In the following description, for the sake of brevity, we only consider the case where the personalization of a customizable page is carried out on the front of the customizable sheet.

The automatic or semi-automatic control operations of a booklet notably consist in verifying the individual variable data of the personalized page.

This is why the most attacked passport page for making false documents is the customizable sheet.

Many efforts are made to offer pages with a maximum level of security. Typically, the customizable page is produced separately from the rest of the passport booklet to integrate it into the production chain when assembling the pages and the cover, just before the sewing, cutting and unit numbering steps of the booklets. In this case, the second sheet generally has dimensions reduced to a few centimeters.

For example, polycarbonate pages have been proposed. They have the advantage of good rigidity and can integrate new security elements but they have a high manufacturing cost and require specific personalization equipment (registration of personal details such as name, first name, photo, ...) .

Also within the meaning of the present invention, only the customizable sheets of paper are considered. By conciseness, the term “paper sheet” is intended to mean both sheets of paper with cellulose fibers and sheets of synthetic paper (produced from a plastic-based material) typically known under the registered trademark Teslin®.

Thanks to the security systems developed today, the mere replacement of the photograph of the official holder by another holder is no longer sufficient to fraudulently use a personalized booklet. Today, some fraudsters unravel the booklet, insert a fraudulent personalized page (a new page or the original page modified) and stitch it up in the booklet.

It therefore appears necessary to secure the sewing of a booklet.

It is proposed here a complete customizable page solution, advantageously rigidified and secured against various attempts at falsification and counterfeiting, both at the seam level and at the level of the page itself on the front and / or back.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, according to a first of its objects, the invention relates to a customizable sheet (20) for a security booklet (30), the sheet comprising:

a sewing area intended to allow sewing and folding of the customizable sheet (20) in the booklet along a sewing line (40), a first page and a second page opposite the first page, and a first sheet (51) and a second sheet, arranged on either side of the seam line (40).

It is essentially characterized in that it further comprises:

a holographic ribbon (10), placed in the sewing area.

In one embodiment, the holographic ribbon (10) is substantially parallel to the seam line (40).

In one embodiment, the holographic ribbon (10) is discontinuous along the seam line (40).

In one embodiment, said sheet is a sheet of paper (80) with cellulosic fibers and / or cotton, or a sheet of synthetic paper and further comprises at least one of:

a security laminate, preferably a holographic laminate (60), disposed on the front page, and a stiffening layer (70), disposed on the back page.

For example, a sheet of paper (80) with cellulosic fibers is a bleached chemical pulp based on cellulosic fibers of grammage 40 to 90 g / m ² .

In one embodiment, the holographic tape (10) includes a stack of: a carrier layer (13), a set of holographic layers (12), and an adhesive layer (14);

and at least part of said layer of adhesive (14) is glued to the paper (80) of the first page or the second page in the seam area of the customizable sheet (20).

In one embodiment:

when the ribbon (10) is glued to the first page, said holographic laminate (60) partially covers said ribbon (10); or when the ribbon (10) is glued to the second page, said ribbon partially covers said stiffening layer (70).

In one embodiment, the holographic tape (10) comprises a stack of: a protective layer (11), a set of holographic layers (12), a carrier layer (13), and an adhesive layer (14), to paste the ribbon on the first page or the second page.

This arrangement allows the holographic layer to be visibly damaged (partially destroyed) in the event of detachment of the stiffening layer (70).

Preferably, each stack is a stack of successive layers.

In one embodiment, said stiffening layer (70) partially covers said tape.

In one embodiment, the holographic laminate (60) has an outline comprising a set of festoons (61).

In one embodiment, the holographic laminate (60) has weakening lines (62), preferably extending from the periphery towards the inside of said holographic laminate (60). It is also possible to provide for the weakening lines to come from the paper, in particular after the latter has been laminated on the stiffening layer.

According to another of its objects, the invention also relates to a safety booklet comprising a sheet that can be personalized according to the invention.

Some prior art solutions provide for a fully plastic customizable page while the individual sheets are paper. A disadvantage of the customizable sheets different from the pages of the rest of the booklet is that it becomes easier for a counterfeiter to replace said page with a completely counterfeit page.

On the contrary here, as the proposed customizable sheet is paper-based, like the individual sheets of the rest of the booklet, it is more difficult for a counterfeiter to replace said customizable sheet with a completely counterfeited sheet.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example and made with reference to the appended figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a holographic ribbon according to the invention seen in cross section, FIG. 1B illustrates another embodiment of a holographic ribbon according to the invention seen in cross section, FIG. 1C illustrates another embodiment of a holographic ribbon according to the invention seen in cross section, FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a customizable sheet according to the invention seen in cross section, FIG. 2B illustrates a mode of production of a customizable sheet according to the invention seen in cross section, FIG. 2C illustrates an embodiment of a customizable sheet according to the invention seen in cross section, FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a booklet security according to the invention seen in cross section, Figure 4A illustrates an embodiment of a front of a customizable sheet according to the invention, and Figure 4B polishes an embodiment of a back of a customizable sheet according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A customizable sheet 20 for security booklet 30 is provided.

The customizable sheet 20 includes:

- a sewing zone ZC intended to allow sewing and folding of the customizable sheet 20 in the booklet along a seam line 40 also called the fold line,

- a first page (recto) and a second page (verso) opposite the first page,

a first sheet 51 and a second sheet 52, arranged on either side of the seam line 40, and

- a holographic ribbon 10.

1. Holographic ribbon 10

A holographic ribbon 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. It is in the form of a narrow and thin strip of flexible or flexible material, continuous or discontinuous, possibly in the form of a label. By "narrow" is typically meant a width between 5 and 25 mm, and preferably between 10 and 20 mm.

It is arranged at least in the seam zone ZC, preferably substantially parallel to the seam line 40.

According to a first variant, in FIG. 1A, the holographic ribbon 10 comprises a successive stack of:

a carrier layer 13, a set of holographic layers 12, and an adhesive layer 14.

According to a second variant, in FIG. 1B, the holographic ribbon 10 comprises a successive stack of:

a protective layer 11, a set of holographic layers 12, a carrier layer 13, and an adhesive layer 14.

1.1 Carrier layer 13

The carrier layer 13 allows the holographic tape 10 to have good mechanical strength.

It includes for example a film of one of the materials among polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU) and polypropylene (PP).

Alternatively, the carrier layer 13 can comprise a destructible synthetic material, in particular as defined at the address https://www.labelplanet.co.uk/qlossary-oflabel-terms/frangible-fragile-material.php, and in particular a material such as cellulose acetate.

It is also possible to provide that the carrier layer 13 comprises a set of precuts, so that the holographic ribbon 10 is torn in the event of an attempt to tear it off. The precuts can be made in any type of material constituting the carrier layer 13, for example PET, PE, cellulose acetate. They are preferably added at the end of the manufacture of the holographic ribbon 10, during the finishing step.

The thickness of the carrier layer 13 is for example between 12 pm and 50 pm, and preferably between 20 pm and 36 pm.

Preferably, the carrier layer 13 is transparent or translucent, which allows the visibility of the optical effects of the set of holographic layers 12 described below to be preserved.

1.2 Set of holographic layers 12

In a manner known per se, the set of holographic layers 12 comprises a microstructured layer, comprising a set of microstructures responsible for the optical effect (hologram, diffractive effect, scattering effect etc. or any combination of optical safety effects, for example carried by a set of thin layers (less than 10 μm) of holographic tape 10. The deterioration of these microstructures indicates an attempt at malicious attack.

For example “microstructured” also means nanostructured or stamped. For example, the microstructured layer has a thickness of between 1 μm and 10 μm, depending on the technology used and the depth of the structures to be replicated. The structures have a thickness of a few nanometers to a few micrometers; they can be regular, for example of network type, or irregular for example of diffusing random type.

We can provide a technology such as molding, better known by its anglicism "casting", which allows the replication of the deepest structures (> 2 pm), which includes the printing of a layer, molding of the layer (fresh ) with an image bearing microstructures and UV crosslinking.

Alternatively, one can provide a technology such as hot embossing or "hot embossing" by anglicism, which includes coating a smooth layer and then stamping it, that is to say its deformation under the action of pressure and temperature.

The set of holographic layers 12 also includes a reflective layer.

The reflective layer isolates the microstructures and therefore makes them visible. It can also interact optically in a complementary manner with microstructures, for example to produce an interference filter or a reflective colored filter known as DID ™.

The reflective layer is a continuous or discontinuous layer of one or more reflective materials. It is typically carried out by vacuum evaporation of a metal or an alloy, for example aluminum, chromium, copper or the like; or of a dielectric material with a refractive index different from that of the stamped layer (and whose difference in refractive index is greater than 0.3), in particular such as ZnS, TiO ₂ , etc.

The reflective layer has a thickness which depends on the material used. For example, an aluminum layer has a thickness typically between 10 nm and 60 nm; and a layer of ZnS has a thickness typically between 40 nm and 200 nm.

In a particular case, the reflective layer consists of a set of several layers of different optical indices arranged according to the knowledge of a person skilled in the art to produce an interference color effect known under the name of "color shift" in English, described for example in document EP1325086B1.

The layers can be continuous or discontinuous in the plane of the holographic tape 10 to draw a reflective pattern complementary to the effects produced by the microstructures also visible and controllable to the eye.

It can be foreseen that the reflective layer actually comprises several layers of different materials, for example discontinuous aluminum and ZnS, adjacent and / or superimposed, the ZnS being able, for example, to cover aluminum islands.

1.3 Adhesive layer

The adhesive layer 14 ensures the holographic tape 10 is held on the bonding surface or surfaces.

It is possible to use a cold adhesive (acrylic or rubber type for example), in particular if the holographic tape 10 is laminated on the customizable sheet 20; or a hot-reactivatable adhesive. In this case, the holographic tape 10 is heat-sealed on the customizable sheet 20. The hot or cold adhesive or self-adhesive is applied by machine during the manufacture of the customizable page.

The adhesive can also be two-component or crosslinkable, and implemented so as to impregnate the fibers of the paper 80 and adhere to the polymer layer in a definitive, unalterable, irreversible manner.

In general, provision may be made for the adhesive layer to have a thickness of 5 μm to 50 μm depending on the nature of the layer, and more precisely from 5 μm to 15 μm for hot-reactivable adhesives, and 15 μm to 50 μm for cold adhesives. In any event, a thickness of less than 100 μm and preferably less than 50 μm is provided.

The adhesive layer 14 can be obtained by laminating an adhesive film or depositing an adhesive mass by coating, hot melting (anglicism) or the like, depending on the nature of the adhesive. The nature of the adhesive is determined according to the mode of application of the holographic tape 10 to the customizable sheet 20 before the integration thereof into the security document and therefore before the sewing step.

For optimal bonding to the edges, the adhesive layer is preferably applied to the holographic tape 10 before the finishing step thereof.

In addition, at least one of the following layers can also be provided.

1.4 Detachment layer

The holographic tape 10, in particular the set of holographic layers 12, can comprise a detachment layer (not shown) which ensures the at least partial destruction of the images carried by the ribbon during an attempt to peel off said ribbon.

This release layer, for example a wax or the like, has a thickness of about 1 µm. It is deposited (typically by printing) so as to produce a discontinuous pattern of destruction.

The release layer is integrated into the holographic tape 10, in particular in contact with the carrier layer 13 or with the adhesive layer 14 and preferably when said carrier layer 13 is not itself made of destructible synthetic material.

Thus, during an attempt to tear off the holographic tape 10 from the surface on which it is glued, the detachment layer creates a discontinuous separation of the layers revealing the detachment pattern. The takeoff attempt is then immediately visible since the ribbon is at least partially destroyed, for example according to an arbitrary pattern, a regular pattern (for example dots) or a significant pattern (for example a text) which defines a pattern of destruction.

1.5 Protective / closing layer

Provision may be made for the holographic tape 10 also to include a protective layer 11, also known as a closing layer, typically a varnish or a lacquer, typically a few micrometers thick and which makes it possible to protect the microstructures against:

physical external aggressions such as scratches, chemical attacks, and the risk of copying by molding by blocking said microstructures.

Preferably, the protective layer is obtained by coating the entire surface of the holographic tape 10, in this case the entire surface of the set of holographic layers 12.

It is preferably implemented in the second variant illustrated in FIG. 1B. Indeed, the reflective layer does not significantly protect and is itself fragile, which is in fact the case, more generally, for all of the holographic layers 12.

Layers other than holographic tape 10

2.1 Stiffening layer 70

Provision can be made for the customizable sheet 20 to include a stiffening layer 70, also called a stiffening layer.

The stiffening of the customizable page is a continuous layer of material based on transparent plastic adhering by a layer of adhesive to said sheet of paper 80.

It is produced for example by applying a layer of plastic (typically PET) with a minimum thickness of 200 μm on the back thereof. This layer does not cover the sewing area ZC, so as not to hinder the closing of the booklet, as illustrated in Figure 3.

2.2 Holographic laminate 60

Provision can be made for the customizable sheet 20 to include a holographic laminate 60, placed on the front of the customizable page after customization.

The holographic laminate 60 is a set of holographic layers (similar in constitution to the holographic layers 12 of the holographic ribbon 10) whose degradation is visible following an attempt to falsify the personalization data (change of the photo, change of the date of expiration, etc.).

Advantageously, the holographic laminate 60 comprises a total detachment layer, so as to allow detachment of the carrier layer 13 after bonding to the page of the sheet of paper 80. Thus only the holographic layers are transferred, the adhesive layer permeates the paper for more effective bonding. In this case, a set of protective layers is also provided, functionally comparable to layer 11. In this case, not shown, there is a structure having a stack of layers according to the following sequence: carrier layer 13, release layer, layer protective 11, holographic layers 12 and adhesive layer 14.

Preferably, the holographic laminate 60 does not cover the seam area ZC.

Advantageously, the holographic laminate 60 comprises weakening lines 62 which are security incisions, arranged in particular around the areas susceptible to falsification, typically around the photograph of the holder of the booklet.

The weakening lines 62 are lines going for example from the periphery towards the inside of the holographic laminate 60 and which constitute weakening primers to counter attempts to detach the holographic laminate 60 in order to falsify the personal data.

For example, the holographic laminate 60 is macro-embossed during transfer to create said weakening lines 62. Macro-embossing also makes it possible to create tactile relief effects.

Preferably, the outline of the holographic laminate 60 has a predetermined shape, possibly personalized, and for example scallops 61.

3. Configurations

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, a customizable sheet 20 generally comprises on the first page (recto), after personalization, a holographic laminate 60, which is typically intended to cover at least part of the personal data of the holder of the booklet.

As illustrated in FIG. 4B, a customizable sheet 20 generally comprises on the second page (back) a stiffening layer 70, also called a stiffening layer.

Depending on the manufacturing methods, the stiffening layer may or may not extend to the outer edges of page 52. Preferably, the stiffening layer extends over the three sides not affected by the seam (an opposite side and two sides adjacent to the side comprising the seam) to prevent the sheet of paper from being damaged on its periphery and to avoid a pricking off for counterfeiters.

The holographic laminate 60 can penetrate the sewing area ZC but stops before sewing since it is affixed after the production of the booklet.

The stiffening of the customizable sheet 20 by the stiffening layer 70 is interesting but, at least at the seam (also called hinge), it is necessary to keep a minimum flexibility allowing the booklet to close, which is why the stiffening layer 70 also does not cover the seam.

According to the first variant previously described in FIG. 1A, the holographic tape 10 can be bonded, by the layer of adhesive 14, to the front page or to the back page of a customizable sheet 20.

According to a first configuration illustrated in FIG. 2A, the holographic ribbon 10 of the first variant described in FIG. 1A is glued to the first page (front).

In Figure 2A, the holographic tape 10 and the holographic laminate 60 are adjacent. It can also be provided (not shown) that said holographic laminate 60 partially covers said ribbon.

According to a second configuration illustrated in FIG. 2B, the holographic ribbon 10 of the first variant described in FIG. 1C is glued to the second page (back).

It can be provided (not shown) that the holographic tape 10 and the stiffening layer 70 are adjacent.

In FIG. 2B, the holographic tape 10 partially covers the stiffening layer 70, which makes it possible to protect the entire page from rear attacks by immersion and / or cleavage of the paper by dissuading from peeling off the stiffening layer 70.

In FIG. 2C, the stiffening layer 70 partially covers the holographic tape 10. In this case, the at least partially destructible layer of the holographic tape 10 is located between the paper 80 and the stiffening layer (plastic), and preferably on the side plastic. The protective layer 11 (or closing varnish) protects the holographic layers from physico-chemical attacks and from the risk of copying by demolding.

In all cases, the detachment layer of the set of holographic layers 12 is located either above the microstructured layer, or below the reflective layer.

For example, the booklet is a passport.

Thanks to the invention it is possible to obtain a customizable page, in particular for a passport, with a paper thickness of 80 between 40 μm and 100 μm, and more advantageously between 40 μm and 80 μm.

Thus, a customizable page can be obtained with a total thickness of between 200 μm and 450 μm, preferably between 300 μm and 350 μm, and in particular a total thickness of 320 μm, with 250 μm of PET thickness and 70 μm. of paper thickness.

Thanks to the invention, a customizable passport page can be obtained which has the following sometimes contradictory characteristics:

- very fragile (potentially very thin paper substrate) with possibly weakening lines 62 in the holographic laminate 60 and / or in the paper after association with the stiffening layer 70,

- very resistant thanks to a stiffening layer secured to the paper substrate,

- resistant to "normal" handling,

- recalcitrant to an attempted substitution,

- revealing of malicious manipulation attempts.

In particular, while usually the sheet of paper is 90 to 110 g / m ² , with the present invention, it is optionally possible to use paper of reduced density at a density of 50 to 70 g / m ² .

These advantages are achieved by the combination:

holographic tape 10 positioned at least partially on the sewing area ZC which preferably covers substantially the entire long length of the page,

- a holographic laminate 60 which ensures the protection of variable data against "top" access,

- a sheet of paper substrate 80 continues throughout the hinge area. It is therefore the document which acts as a hinge, reinforced by the destructible holographic tape 10.

The advantage of a paper substrate is that it makes it possible to keep the security elements specific to paper and well known to controllers such as:

- Watermark observable by transparency,

- Security printed with equipment and / or security inks (respectively offset, intaglio, serigraphy and UV, OVI, thermochromic, iridescent prints ...),

- Reactive colors (ex: Solvent-sensitive inks),

- Fluorescent fibers incorporated in the paper and other micro-elements integrated in the paper pulp,

- Other markers,

- Compatibility of protection of surface elements with a holographic laminate 60 and conservation of existing laminate application equipment.

In addition, the mode of personalization by printing via a desktop printer (often an inkjet printer) is unchanged, which allows the equipment of personalization centers to be kept. This allows decentralized personalization of passports to several tens or even hundreds of places of personalization.

Manufacturing

The production of a booklet is generally carried out according to the following sequential steps.

First of all, a step of manufacturing the elements of the booklet is provided: the plurality of individual sheets, the customizable sheet 20, the cover, the holographic tape 10, the holographic laminate 60.

The holographic tape 10 is applied to the customizable sheet 20, in the sewing area ZC.

We can then sew the safety thread along the seam line 40 of the safety booklet 30.

The blank booklet is then delivered to a personalization center to personalize the personalized sheet 20.

The customizable sheet 20 is personalized by printing the personal data of the holder of the booklet, and the variable mentions of the customizable sheet 20 are protected by affixing the holographic laminate 60.

The personalized security booklet 30 can then be given to its bearer.

Claims (10)

1. Customizable sheet (20) for security booklet (30), the sheet comprising: a sewing area for sewing and folding the customizable sheet (20) in the booklet along a sewing line (40), a first page and a second page opposite the first page, and a first sheet (51) and a second sheet, arranged on either side of the seam line (40), Characterized in that it further comprises: a holographic ribbon (10), placed in the sewing area. 2. A customizable sheet (20) according to claim 1, in which the holographic ribbon (10) is substantially parallel to the seam line (40). 3. A customizable sheet (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holographic tape (10) is discontinuous along the seam line (40). 4. A customizable sheet (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said sheet is a sheet of paper (80) with cellulosic fibers and / or cotton, or a sheet of synthetic paper and further comprises at least 1 one of: a security laminate, preferably a holographic laminate (60), disposed on the front page, and a stiffening layer (70), disposed on the back page. 5. A customizable sheet (20) according to claim 4, in which the holographic ribbon (10) comprises a stack of: a carrier layer (13), a set of holographic layers (12), and an adhesive layer (14); and wherein at least part of said layer of adhesive (14) is adhered to the paper (80) of the first page or the second page in the seam area of the customizable sheet (20). 6. A customizable sheet (20) according to claim 5, in which: when the ribbon is glued to the first page, said holographic laminate (60) partially covers said ribbon; or when the ribbon is glued to the second page, said ribbon partially covers said stiffening layer (70). 7. A customizable sheet (20) according to claim 4, in which the holographic ribbon (10) comprises a stack of: a protective layer (11), a set of holographic layers (12), a carrier layer (13), and a layer of adhesive (14), for bonding the tape to the first page or the second page. 8. A customizable sheet (20) according to claim 7, wherein said stiffening layer (70) partially covers said tape. 9. Customizable sheet (20) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, in which the holographic laminate (60) has at least one of: an outline comprising a set of festoons (61), and lines of weakness (62), preferably going from the periphery towards the inside of said holographic laminate (60). 10. Security booklet (30) comprising a customizable sheet (20) according to any one of the preceding claims.