JP2006506121A - Coin image composed of multiple feature elements - Google Patents

Abstract

Coin / substitute coin with an image composed of feature elements. Such feature elements can include lines, symbols, and the like. An image is composed not only of such features but also of a perimeter that borders the image. The image can be represented by changing the enhancement of the feature elements. The edge of the coin is manufactured by rolling along the mold after the other part of the coin is formed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin / token with an image.

  Such coins or substitute coins are widely known in the state of the art. The image is formed by relief. Such reliefs can have gray tints by creating a composition of the image with dots that are applied somewhat densely.

  In the case of currency, the purpose is to apply as many crime prevention features as possible to currencies such as coins. In the long run, many of the security features can be counterfeited, but as a result of combining many features, it turns out that it is less attractive to a potential counterfeiter to work on a replica.

  For example, a coin with a hologram or kinegram is described in the article “Munze mit einem optischen Schenheitelement (June 1, 1995, Research Disclosure, Kenneth Mason, Hampshire, UK, p. 415). , XP000519446 ISSN: 0374-435).

  It is known in the state of the art to print banknotes with a wide variety of types of patterns.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coin / substitute coin with additional security features.

  According to the invention, the object is that the image is composed of a number of and essentially the same features extending beyond it, and that the feature at the location of the image is: This is achieved by having a strength (intensity) different from that of a feature element adjacent to the image.

  In contrast to the above-described state-of-the-art technology for constructing an image by changing the strength of dots, according to the present invention, it is proposed to construct various features using feature elements.

  According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the depth of the sculpture (i.e. the elevation difference) is at least 0.03 mm. This value is greater than the height difference seen when the coin has a gray tone.

  Characteristic elements are understood to be lines, abbreviations (letters), numbers, symbols (symbols), repetitive figures, characters and the like. According to the present invention, these feature elements may be applied with stronger or smaller emphasis depending on their position on the coin. The desired image is created by applying a number of features (different intensities) that are emphasized to a greater or lesser extent. This emphasis can be obtained by any method known in the state of the art. For example, it is possible with the above-described techniques to use stronger or weaker enhancement dots to obtain stronger or more heavily emphasized features or weakly emphasized features. It is also possible to change the “line thickness”. Furthermore, the height can be changed. When using indicia, it is also possible to change the dimensions of the indicia. With smaller dimensions, a brighter pattern is obtained. In this case, the number of indicia per unit surface area does not change. Of course, it is also possible to change the number of indicia and to produce lighter or darker tones in this way.

  If several lines are used that are arranged side by side, it is possible to position these lines closer to one another than others at one position.

  According to another advantageous embodiment, so-called latent image technology is used for this coin / substitute coin. That is, the various feature elements are preferably composed of lines or indicia extending in two directions that intersect perpendicularly. All kinds of light effects can be obtained by this method.

  Regularly applied repetitive features can be present in the master mold, or can only be applied at a later processing stage within the processing mold. The latter is especially the case when the features are formed by laser technology. In such a case, the master mold does not include a feature element.

  The feature elements are applied according to a regularly repeating pattern. In the case of lines, the lines can be applied as wavy lines and the distance between the lines can vary depending on the position.

  Unlike gazettes known in the state of the art for applying specific patterns to banknotes, the present invention relates to applying relief to coins. Such relief is 5 to 20 microns, more specifically about 10 microns high compared to the base material. These reliefs are selected such that a visible image is generated on the coin.

  The invention also relates to the generation of an image on the edge of a coin / substitute coin. In the state of the art, after the blank has been punched, an image of the edge is provided, and then the final image is applied to the front and back of the coin / substitute coin.

  In the present invention, it is proposed to make the coin completely and only after that form an image of the edge. More specifically, this applies to images composed of line patterns or indicia. In such a case, the coin rolls along the provided die (die). Edge impressions (edge impressions) with such gray tones constitute a further security feature. The step of generating an edge image having a gray tone is in principle independent of the composition of the image with the above-mentioned features, ie together with any other method of generating an image on coins. It should be understood that it can be used.

  The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the illustrated exemplary embodiments.

  In FIG. 1, the entire coin is indicated by 1. The image above it is shown at 2. The configuration of this image with respect to adjacent parts of the coin can be seen in detail from FIG. From this figure, it can be seen that various features are constituted by wavy lines 3 with varying thickness and spacing. An image can be obtained by applying these lines in an appropriate manner. According to the invention, the image is preferably generated only by the change of a characteristic element such as line 3. FIG. 3 shows an alternative form of the feature, which consists of the abbreviation 4. It will be appreciated that other symbols can be used to obtain such features. According to one particular embodiment, the indicia can be combined or can consist in part of lines intersecting each other. This is illustrated in FIG. Here, the indicia according to the invention consists of a horizontal line 5. There is also a waveform pattern. By applying the vertical line 6, a specific structure can be formed.

  FIG. 5 shows a method for producing an edge image on the coin 1. After the coin is completely manufactured (except for the edge image), it is rolled over the mold 7 where the edge image is obtained. The mold is designed to project a linear pattern or indicia onto the edge of the coin, thereby producing an image of a complex structure rather than a simple imprint.

  Although the present invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present patent application. Many other features can be applied to distinguish the image relative to the surrounding parts. These and other variations are within the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 2 shows a coin according to the invention with an image. It is a figure which shows the detail of FIG. It is a figure which shows the alternative form of a characteristic element. It is a figure which shows the structure of a latent image. It is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the edge part image on a coin.

Claims (11)

In coins / substitute coins with images (1),
The image is composed of a number of and essentially identical features extending beyond it,
Coin / substitute coin (1), wherein the feature element at the position of the image has a different degree of emphasis from the feature element adjacent to the image.   The coin / substitute coin according to claim 1, wherein the image is formed only by the characteristic element.   The coin / substitute coin according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the characteristic element includes a line (3).   The coin / substitute coin according to claim 3, wherein the line includes a wavy line.   5. Coin / substitute coin according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the lines are essentially parallel.   The coin / substitute coin according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the characteristic elements include lines intersecting each other.   The coin / substitute coin according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic element includes a symbol. A mold for producing coins / substitute coins with a negative image for producing coins with a positive image,
The image is composed of a number of essentially the same feature elements extending beyond it, and the feature element at the position of the image has a different degree of enhancement than the feature elements adjacent to the image. A mold. Casting the coin using the mold of claim 8;
Rolling the edge of the coin along the other mold from the mold so as to obtain an edge image.   The method according to claim 9, wherein the edge image pattern in the further mold is produced using a laser.   11. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the edge image has a gray tone.

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