KR102396068B1 - Security papers and methods of manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

The security paper comprises a fibrous substrate and at least one hidden wire (7) comprised in windows in the fibrous substrate, the fibrous substrate being disposed between two, preferably consecutive windows (10) along the hidden wire. and at least one spherically opaque zone extending at least partially intersecting the bridge 13 of the fibrous substrate.

Description

SECURITY PAPERS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE

The present invention relates to fibrous substrates comprising at least one variable opaque region, preferably having a watermark, and at least partially comprising a security thread.

Banknotes and other secure documents (including, for example, checks, money orders, identification cards, credit cards, and warrants) are formed from sheets of paper, incorporated into hidden wires, or strips of approximately equal width. It has been in circulation for many years and is now widely used in many countries.

Hidden lines in these documents appear and appear in reflected light in certain cases and exist on at least one side of the paper within predefined areas, these areas being commonly referred to as "windows".

Hidden lines make imitation of secure documents more difficult. Hidden lines contribute to the authentication of secure documents by giving them a different appearance in transmitted light and reflected light in general.

To increase the security obtained by the inclusion of such security elements, verifiable additional properties, in particular magnetic properties, electrically conductive properties, luminescent (eg fluorescence) properties and/or x-ray properties It is common to impart absorbent properties to secure elements.

Methods for producing paper with hidden lines incorporated in windows are known from patent application numbers EP 0059056, WO 93/08327 and WO 03/095188.

EP 0059056 describes a method for producing paper comprising hidden wires in windows, using a cylinder-mold papermaking process. The wire of the cylinder-mould is embossed to create protruding regions. The silver wire is brought into contact with these projection zones before entering the tank containing the aqueous suspension of paper fibers. The fibers do not accumulate in the contact areas of the wire and the hidden wire of the cylinder-mold. After its formation, a ply of paper is extracted and dried. The finished paper can be seen from one side in reflected light and has windows that allow hidden lines to appear locally.

Paper with hidden lines may be slightly thicker locally than the height of the hidden lines. This additional thickness is amplified during paper stacking, such as while winding the paper into a roll or while cutting the paper into a sheet. In order to alleviate this problem, it is known to apply vibrations to the hidden wires in a direction orthogonal to the production direction of the paper while incorporating the hidden wires into the paper. Thus, the protruding regions have a width greater than the width of the hidden line. Therefore, when the paper is viewed in transmitted light, the paper has, on either side of the hidden line, alternating dark areas adjacent to the bridges and bright areas adjacent to the windows.

WO 93/08327 describes a method for producing paper comprising silver wires using a Fourdrinier paper machine.

A method for producing a paper comprising hidden lines, which can be seen through windows with specific patterns, is also known from patent application WP 03/095188.

Patent application EP 2 275 602 describes a paper comprising a hidden line in which windows are contained and the watermarks are spaced apart from the hidden line.

Patent application WO 2009/083689 describes the association of a watermark and a security structure that is at least partially superimposed with the watermark and comprises semi-reflective regions that make the watermark below it at least partially visible. Such a watermark may be a halftone watermark. The security structure may be adhesively coupled to the same side or to the side of the paper substrate opposite the watermark. The security structure remains on the surface of the paper substrate over its entire length, and within this document, it is not a matter of the security structure constituting the hidden lines incorporated into the windows.

Patent application WO 2009/115766 teaches a method of mechanically strengthening a paper substrate at the corners using dark watermarks. The secure element may be disposed on a surface of the substrate.

Patent application WO 2009/081017 specifically proposes a watermarked substrate incorporating a fibrous ribbon at least partially superimposed on the watermark. Accordingly, the appearance of the watermark is different in a portion overlapping the ribbon and in a portion not overlapping the ribbon. The watermark may be a halftone watermark. The purpose of this patent application is not to facilitate the recognition of conventional hidden lines incorporated in windows, but to create a variation in the appearance of the watermark.

Food stamps are commercially available and contain watermarks and a hidden line superimposed on the watermarks, the hidden line being exposed on one side of the paper within the location of the watermarks.

The present invention relates to a fibrous substrate comprising a fibrous substrate and at least one hidden wire integrated into windows within the fibrous substrate, wherein the fibrous substrate is positioned between two windows along the at least one hidden wire, preferably continuous. It is an object to satisfy this need by providing a security paper having at least one variable opaque region extending at least over a bridge of a fibrous substrate.

The present invention provides at least two overlapping level-one security features: a variable opaque zone superimposed on a security element flush with one or more bridges and one or more hidden lines visible within these windows. to be attractively combined.

Such combinations, for example windowed hidden lines and watermarks, significantly increase the difficulty of counterfeiting.

The security paper may include a plurality of hidden wires, in particular two hidden wires incorporated into windows in the fibrous substrate. Hidden lines may or may not be collocated and may or may not be integrated into the same window.

The variable opaque region may extend over a bridge of the fibrous substrate superimposed on the hidden lines and may be positioned along the hidden lines, preferably continuous, between two windows.

Advantageously, the one or more hidden wires comprise a carrier film made of plastic, in particular of thermoplastic resin.

Generally, the one or more hidden wires are at least partially covered by a fibrous substrate flush with the bridges. This allows the security of the security sheet to be increased by means of one or more hidden lines that at least partially integrate into the interior of the substrate.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the one or more variable opaque regions are positioned solely flush with the one or more bridges. For example, there is a variable opaque region of the same height as each bridge, ie, each of n bridges has a variable opaque region, where n is an integer greater than one.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fibrous substrate has at least one other variable opaque region that abuts so as to view one or more hidden lines flush with the at least one window when the paper is viewed in transmitted light. . The one or more other variable opaque zones preferably extend along one or more hidden lines flush with the windows without departing the bridges extending between the windows. For example, there is one variable opaque region on either side of one or more hidden lines that are flush with each window and do not extend over adjacent bridges. For each window, there is a variable opaque region extending to either side of one or more hidden lines of equal height for such window, or one such variable opaque region for every n windows, n being an integer greater than one.

It should be understood that by a variable opaque region “bordering” one or more hidden lines, the region extends along the longitudinal edge of the one or more hidden lines. A region may overlap or extend from at least one longitudinal edge of the one or more hidden lines at a sufficiently small distance, eg, less than 2 mm, from such a longitudinal edge, such that a visually observer can observe that in the transmitted light, the one or more hidden lines are substantially It has a feeling of being adjacent to or overlapping with the above area. The substrate may have a plurality of variable opaque regions, some of the regions being located flush with the bridges without leaving the windows, preferably some of the regions extending along the windows without leaving the bridges. Play the pattern.

The presence of tangentially abutting variable opaque regions of one or more hidden lines with the same height as the windows without leaving the bridges is a result of two adjacent level-one security features: one or more hidden lines visible within the windows and one A variable opaque region tangent to the above hidden lines can be attractively combined.

In one exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the substrate is never zero and is flush with the bridge, so that one or more hidden wires are always covered by the fibers of the substrate. As a variant, the variable opacity region is such a variable opacity region, wherein the regions of lower opacity consist of holes in the fibrous substrate opened on one or more hidden lines, such that one or more hidden lines appear in the pores, or one or more The thickness of the substrate overlying the hidden lines is sufficiently small that one or more of the hidden lines is such an opaque region that can be seen in light reflected within the holes. Thus, one or more hidden lines may become locally visible at the same height as the bridge in the reflected light. In this case, however, preferably, the total cross-sectional area of the one or more holes remains small with respect to the total cross-sectional area of the bridge, in order to preserve the mechanical cohesion to ensure good retention of the one or more hidden wires within the substrate. In another variant, the hidden wires remain partially visible because the bridges only partially cover one or more of the hidden wires. For example, the bridges may take the form of half-bridges covering one or more hidden lines less than the full width of the bridges on only one single side. As a variant, preferably, the bridges are opened substantially in their center, such that one or more hidden lines appear flush with the opening.

When one or more hidden wires are exposed directly within the bridge, preferably the one or more hidden wires include a security feature visible at this level, which may be a matter of security feature visible in reflection, e.g. For example, it produces certain optical effects, such as goniochromatic effects.

Preferably, the one or more hidden wires comprise at least one luminescent, specifically, fluorescent security property. For example, within one or more regions having a lower opacity of the variable opacity region, the variable opacity region because of the lower opacity, at which light generated by luminescence is less, or even not, attenuated by diffusion through the material. may improve the visibility of the luminescent security feature. Under UV or IR light of excitation of luminescence, it is possible to create an attractive, effect from a visual point of view.

When the sheet of paper is cut into the form of an endorsed document, the endorsed document may include one or more windows between those edges of the document, along one or more hidden lines, one or more ends abutting.

Independently or in combination with the foregoing, another subject of the present invention is a security paper comprising a fibrous substrate and at least one silver wire incorporated into windows within the substrate, wherein the fibrous substrate is specifically , on either side of the hidden line, preferably at a non-zero distance r from the hidden line, at least visible in two areas tangent to the hidden line, of the same height as the two windows, extending between these areas. It has one variable opaque region.

Independently or in combination with the foregoing, another subject matter of the present invention comprises a fibrous substrate and at least one hidden wire incorporated into windows within the substrate, wherein the fibrous substrate has a silver wire in two regions. It has at least one variable opaque region that overlaps and extends between these regions, preferably a non-zero distance s from the hidden line.

write

The term "substrate" denotes a fibrous sheet, specifically also comprising one or more fibrous layers, also termed "plys". Preferably, the substrate is two-ply and windows are obtained during the manufacture of these plies.

The substrate may include one or more variable opaque regions having the same or different properties.

The substrate may have or accommodate at least one additional security element, forming a level-one, level-two, level-three security feature, such element being, in particular, tracers. , specifically nanotracers, security fibers, in particular metal fibers, magnetic (soft and/or hard) fibers and ultraviolet (UV), visible or infrared (IR) light, specifically near infrared (NIR) They are flat and relatively small in shape, such as fibers, flakes, pigments or pigment masses that are absorptive or excitable within, especially under laser illumination or in ultraviolet (UV), visible or infrared (IR) light. For example, in the near infrared (NIR) absorptive or excitable security elements, in particular chemical or biochemical non-counterfeiting elements capable of reacting, respectively, with at least one falsification and/or emotional and/or discriminating agent, respectively. falsification) and/or emotional and/or discriminating reactants, and optically variable elements, in particular holograms, liquid crystals, iridescent pigments or structures providing a mirror effect, in particular structures comprising dielectric layers, and selected from combinations thereof.

In particular, the fibrous substrate may include additional security elements visible to the naked eye, but it may contain active material, particles that can generate a specific signal when these tracers are exposed to optoelectronic, electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic excitation. or tracers that take the form of fibers.

The fibrous substrate may include a plurality of windows alternating with a plurality of bridges extending between the windows. The one or more hidden lines may extend flush with a respective window between the two variable opaque regions and/or each bridge may include a variable opaque region. As a variant, the single bridge comprises a variable opaque region.

The bridges may completely cover one or more hidden wires. As a variant, the bridges partially cover one or more hidden wires, then the hidden wires remain partially visible at the same height as the bridges. The bridges may be those described in European patent application EP 2 260 142.

The windows may be formed by at least a portion of the recessed relief of the substrate.

The bridges may be flush with a vellum in the thickness direction. As a variant, the bridges may be formed by a portion of the protruding relief of the substrate.

"Level with" is to be understood as the same longitudinal position measured along the length of one or more hidden lines.

The fibers of the substrate may be natural fibers and/or synthetic fibers.

The substrate may comprise cellulose, cotton or linen fibers.

The substrate may include opacifying, specifically, mineral fillers.

The substrate may include a synthetic binder and receive a primer and/or an anti-soiling coating on its surface.

The substrate may comprise a protective film made of plastic on at least one side and preferably on both sides.

The substrate may comprise an impregnation, sizing, coating, in particular varnish and/or pigmented size, on at least one side and preferably on both sides.

variable opaque area

A “variable opacity region” is to be understood as a region of a substrate whose opacity changes within its plane when viewed at light transmitted at normal incidence. Changes in opacity are visible to the naked eye, preferably in transmitted light, under white daylight illumination. The variable opaque zone is a watermark, for example a multitone or multitone-effect watermark, or a pseudo-watermark, obtained by embossing and/or pressing and/or translucency, in particular an oil-based substrate. may be demarcated by , or it may be a variable opaque region obtained by laser ablation.

Preferably, the variable opaque region is a halftone variable opaque region.

In particular, the presence of a halftone, variable opaque zone allows the level of security to be increased by drawing the viewer's attention to one or more security features created by one or more adjacent hidden lines. Specifically, many of the hidden wires contained in windows are often forged by adhesively bonded pieces of hidden wires to the surface of a sheet of paper, and their visibility on a security document in general, particularly on a printed security document, is relatively low.

Specifically, when a halftone, variable opacity region is superimposed on one or more hidden lines of the same height as the bridge, the visibility of the one or more hidden lines is reflective because of less local opacity in places of the substrate due to the change in opacity. may be enhanced in the transmitted and/or transmitted light.

A “halftone variable opaque region” should be understood as the region in which a pattern is created by a change in opacity and the halftone image is visible in transmitted light. It is a matter of images formed of halftone dots that can be spaced constant or variable, and whose size can be constant or variable.

The halftone dots of the halftone image may be small enough to produce a uniform gray level different from that of the vellum when the image observed in transmitted light is observed by the naked eye at a distance of, for example, 20 cm. By “vellum” is meant the fibrous substrate outside of the variable opaque regions in particular outside of the variable opaque regions according to the present invention.

Halftone dots appear as positives and/or negatives, specifically when a halftone variable opaque region is observed in transmitted light.

Halftone dots are visually identifiable and even remain visible to the naked eye at a distance of 20 cm when the halftone image is observed in transmitted light, for example a grid or network of regularly distributed dots in the plane of the substrate. gives the viewer the impression of

The density and/or size of the halftone dots may vary from one region of the halftone region to the next.

The shape of the dots of the halftone may or may not be circular, and these dots may constitute lines of varying width and/or separation where appropriate. Accordingly, the term "halftone dot" should not be construed as strict in its meaning. In particular, it is a matter of geometric or alphanumeric shapes, preferably linear, circular, oval, polyhedral and in particular square, square, hexagonal or pentagonal, or of alphanumeric shape. As a variant, it is a matter of a textual element, ie a set of a plurality of alphanumeric characters.

A halftone variable opaque region may have a relatively large number of halftone dots that take the form of light or dark islands within the image and possibly appear as constituent pixels of the image.

The image produced by the halftone region may differ from a regular grid or network of dots, where appropriate, subject to any subject, shadows within the image, and/or changes in density and/or size of dots in the overall field of view. It can reproduce the sense of relief created by it, the three-dimensional effect.

The subject reproduced by the halftone zone can be, for example, inanimate objects, landscapes, monuments, celebrities, vegetables (flowers, plants, trees) or animals, such as those commonly encountered on money. In this case, the frequency or amplitude of the arrangement of halftone dots may be modulated to create light and dark regions of the image using, for example, one or more gray levels.

The maximum dimension of a halftone dot may consist of between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, for example between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm.

The minimum dimension of the halftone dots may consist of between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, for example between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm, specifically when the halftone dots constitute lines.

The number of halftone dots, appearing lighter or darker than the rest of the image, can be, for example, between 10 and 2500 per square centimeter, for example, between 25 and 625 per square centimeter per halftone variable opacity area. .

Each variable opaque region, disposed at least partially flush with the bridge, i.e., at a location(s) at which one or more hidden lines are at least partially embedded within the substrate, each variable opaque region may completely or partially overlap the one or more hidden lines within this region. can

When the substrate is a multi-ply substrate, particularly where the variable opaque region is visibly abutting one or more hidden lines flush with the at least one window, the variable opaque region is on a separate ply that is assembled with the ply from which the windows are created. It can be formed by a watermark created in . In one exemplary embodiment, the variable opaque regions are found only to overlap at least partially with the one or more hidden lines, and in one variant, the variable opaque regions are both above and next to the one or more hidden lines, specifically, the one or more hidden lines. The contour of a variable opaque region extending on or on one side of, for example, the same height as the bridge may be rectangular, the long side of the rectangle being wider than the one or more hidden lines and one A direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the above hidden lines is oriented. The maximum distance the variable opaque regions extend beyond the one or more hidden lines in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the one or more hidden lines is preferably less than or equal to 40 m.

As a variant, when the bridges are each formed by at least a portion of the protruding relief of the substrate, the variable opaque regions partially extend over the bridge and specifically extend longitudinally and/or intersect over a distance smaller than that of the bridges. extend

At the same height as the window, ie at the point(s) where the secure element is coplanar with the surface of the substrate, each variable opaque region tangent to, over the entire length between two successive bridges, at least one side in particular , completely tangent to both sides of one or more hidden lines visible within this region. As a variant, the variable opaque region is only partially tangent to this side of one or more hidden lines, in this case extending over a length, eg along one or more hidden lines, less than separating two successive bridges. .

Preferably, the fibrous substrate may comprise a plurality of variable opaque regions that are identical to one another and distributed at regular intervals over the substrate.

Preferably, the variable opaque regions all have the same cross-direction dimension, specifically comprised between 10 mm and 40 mm. This cross-direction dimension is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the one or more hidden lines. As a variant, successive variable opaque regions do not all have the same and/or have the same cross-direction dimension. Preferably, variable opaque regions of the same contour are distributed over the substrate with a certain periodicity.

Variable opaque regions, when observed in transmitted light, can form a major pattern of arbitrary contour. Preferably, the variable opaque regions may form a main pattern of polygonal or ovoid outline. "Main pattern" means a pattern demarcated by variable opaque regions throughout, but not in the shape of the individual light or dark component islands of the pixels of the resulting image.

Preferably, the one or more variable opaque regions each comprise and further constitute a watermark or a pseudo-watermark respectively. That is, zones are obtained by the use of a mask placed over a wire to form a ply of paper or embossing, preferably by a papermaking process, in which paper fibers are locally accumulated to a greater or lesser extent. Such a mask is also termed "electrotype". As a variant, the one or more variable opaque zones comprise micro-perforations and are specifically obtained by laser ablation.

In the case of a watermark or pseudo-watermark, the watermark or pseudo-watermark created by the fibrous substrate may be a bright watermark. In this case, the bright areas of the watermark have a strictly lower weight per unit area than that of the areas outside the watermark. Dark areas have the same density per unit area or higher density than areas outside the watermark. As a variant, the watermark may be a dark watermark, in which case the dark areas of the watermark have a strictly higher weight per unit area than that of the areas outside the watermark. Then, the bright areas may have the same density per unit area or a lower density as the areas outside the watermark.

The change in density per unit area is related to the local change in the thickness of the substrate.

“Weight per unit area of light/dark areas of watermark” means the weight per unit area of fibers of the substrate in bright areas and/or dark areas of watermark, ie, one or more hidden lines are not taken into account.

Preferably, the watermark or pseudo-watermark is arranged in the manner of a halftone image and is a set of bright areas distributed to form an image comprising a number of gray levels which depend on the density per unit area of the bright areas on the substrate. is a halftone multitone-effect watermark containing Thus, for example, portions of the substrate having a high density per unit area of bright areas display a bright tone, and portions of the substrate having a low density per unit area of bright areas appear dark tone. As a variant, the watermark may comprise a set of dark areas arranged in the manner of a halftone image. Patent application EP 1 122 360 discloses the production of such a halftone watermark.

Since the watermark can be a multitone watermark created by embossing of a substrate, the multitone watermark reveals various levels of relief.

The watermark may be a multitone watermark generated as disclosed in patent application WO 2011/117827, that is, a watermark generated from a perforated mask of variable thickness. The perforations are particularly uniformly distributed and flared. The thickest regions are perforated by smaller holes than the less thick regions. The various gray levels then depend on the size of the perforations, and the size itself depends on the thickness of the mask.

The watermark may be an electrostatic watermark (high-contrast single-tone watermark).

The watermark may be a watermark obtained by a dandy roll in a poor linear machine, specifically, a dandy roll.

The watermark can be obtained with an open mask or with an open mask with reliefs.

As a variant, the open masks are embossed and in particular serve as forming wires at the same time.

As a variant, the watermark or pseudo-watermark can be obtained by pressing and/or using clearing, in particular by means of an oily substrate and/or by laser ablation.

As noted above, the bright areas of the watermark flush with the bridges may be formed by voids that selectively pass through the fibrous substrate to reveal one or more adjacent hidden lines. The bright areas may be adapted to always maintain a non-zero thickness of the substrate flush with the bridges between the one or more hidden lines and the outer surface of the substrate.

When the variable opaque regions are made of a pseudo-watermark, the pseudo-watermark can be obtained by local clearing of a substrate, for example an oily substrate, using a suitable material.

When the variable opaque regions are made of a pseudo-watermark, the pseudo-watermark can also be formed by adding a re-wetting solution to the substrate and applying pressure or heating to increase the density of the substrate in specific areas to form a watermark. can be obtained using the methods constructed. Such processes are disclosed in patent applications WO 99/14433 and WO 00/32874. The empty spaces may be created by a laser. In the case of a variable opaque region comprising microperforations created in the fibrous substrate, the microperforations are preferably created by a laser. The intensity of the laser may be selected during manufacturing to form a void selectively passing through the substrate without destroying one or more underlying hidden lines. The use of a laser makes it possible to manufacture the pattern, to position it more precisely, and to make the marking of the pattern possible.

silver wire

In general, the one or more hidden wires may comprise a carrier film made of plastic, specifically a thermoplastic resin, preferably polyester or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Preferably, this carrier film is transparent.

The width of the one or more hidden lines may comprise between 0.5 mm and 15 mm or between 3 mm and 8 mm. The thickness of the carrier film may range from 6 to 60 μm. The carrier film may include metallization/demetallization on at least one of its sides, which delimits micro-text or other patterns visible in transmitted light. The metal is, for example, aluminum, copper, nickel, gold and/or silver. The carrier film may specifically include a metal layer deposited by vacuum metallization in which demetallized areas delimit micro-text or other patterns.

The one or more hidden lines may include at least one print, specifically in a metallic, iridescent or luminescent ink. This print may be held by the side of the hidden line turned towards the halftone area and/or by the opposite side.

The one or more hidden lines may have microreliefs, in particular diffractive or refractive and in particular holographic microreliefs. Microreliefs can be formed by embossing of the varnish.

Incorporation of one or more hidden wires into the fibrous substrate need not increase the thickness of the paper.

Preferably, the one or more hidden lines extend between two opposing edges of the paper.

The one or more hidden lines may have straight and parallel edges, or as a variant, not straight but eg curved edges.

The one or more hidden wires may be of a different color than that of the fibrous substrate to increase their visibility, particularly through areas of low opacity present on the bridges and superimposed on the one or more hidden wires.

The one or more hidden wires may have magnetic, electrical, photochromic, thermochromic, piezochromic and other properties.

The one or more hidden wires may comprise a luminescent, particularly a fluorescent compound, which may or may not be visible under bright daylight. The luminescent compound may be included in the bulk carrier film or present only on its surface. Luminescent compounds can fluoresce when excited by ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) light. This allows the security of the document to be increased and can facilitate its sentiment. In particular, fluorescence or luminescence may be sensed within regions of low opacity present on the bridges of the fibrous substrate and overlapping one or more hidden wires, and may form a fluorescence or luminescence pattern.

The one or more hidden lines may even have a characteristic perceptible by touch. Thus, for example, by deposition by a varnish deposited on the surface of a carrier film or by printing a layer comprising particles of large size, one or more hidden wires may create a tactile effect. In particular, the tactile effect is perceptible within windows of the fibrous substrate to which one or more hidden wires are exposed.

The one or more hidden lines may include one or more optically variable elements, such as holograms, liquid crystals, multilayer interference structures, iridescent pigments, and combinations thereof. These optically variable elements may be visible within windows of the fibrous substrate and may also appear at least partially in regions of low opacity that are present on bridges of the fibrous substrate and overlap one or more hidden lines.

The one or more hidden wires may, where appropriate, comprise at least one electronic device, in particular at least one RFID device.

secured document

The invention also relates to a certified document comprising a paper according to the invention.

Such certified documents may be currency, checks, restaurant vouchers, identification or identification documents such as visas or passports or driver's licenses, means of payment such as lottery tickets, travel passes or even tickets for admission to cultural or sporting events.

A document may have a single window or, alternatively, a plurality of windows, depending on its width and distance, which separate two successive windows during the manufacture of the paper. When a document contains only a single window, regions of the substrate covering the one or more hidden lines and extending on either side of the window in the longitudinal direction of the one or more hidden lines are nevertheless termed “bridges”.

manufacturing method

The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a security sheet according to the present invention, said method comprising one or more first regions for forming one or more windows, and one or more bridges extending between the windows in the formed sheet. contacting at least one hidden wire to a wire for forming a ply of paper comprising one or more regions for forming the regions; at least one having unopened regions disposed as lower opacity portions of the variable opacity region; and placing the opened mask in one of the second regions.

The forming wire may be a dandy roll of a pouring linear machine, or preferably a wire of a cylinder-mold machine, as disclosed in WO 93/08327. The forming wire may include recessed reliefs defining regions for forming bridges.

Preferably, the windows are formed by reliefs projecting from the forming wire. In this case, when it is necessary to create variable opaque regions flush with the windows, it is possible to place open masks for forming the corresponding variable opaque regions on the protruding reliefs. As a variant, the wire for forming the paper does not have protruding reliefs and the windows can be created by the masks themselves.

To create variable opaque regions on the bridges extending between the windows, it is possible to place open masks in the recessed reliefs of the wire for forming the paper.

You can then use very thin masks to create watermarks of variable opaque regions because their location recessed into the wire protects the masks from mechanical stresses and stresses that tend to degrade them, which means that they Avoid contact with hidden wires.

Preferably, the thickness of the mask is less than or equal to 1 mm and preferably comprises between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm.

The open masks can be produced by machining, injection molding, sintering, in particular laser sintering, in particular selective laser sintering (SLS) or selective laser melting (SLM), or 3D printing.

The machining method is preferred for open masks that are not provided with any reliefs, and the SLM method is preferred for open masks provided with one or more reliefs.

Independently or in combination with the foregoing, another subject of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a security sheet comprising at least one hidden wire incorporated into windows, the method comprising: using a wire to form a paper substrate; wherein the wire preferably has an alternating of embossed and recessed reliefs and projecting reliefs, the method characterized in that at least one mask for forming a variable opaque region is disposed within the recessed relief have Such a method is suitable for creating a variable opaque region as defined above. An open mask can be created to form a watermark, specifically a halftone watermark. Since such a manufacturing method can be made flush with the bridges, where one or more hidden lines can be more visible, the image created by the watermark, whether halftone or not, is useful independently of itself and the image created by the watermark. Such increased visibility is because a difference in light or color produced by luminescence can produce a height equal to the effective height of the bridges, in particular regions of lesser opacity of the bridges, such that one or more hidden lines are luminescent specifically; It has proven particularly useful when it has the properties of UV or IR fluorescence, or is a different color than the substrate at the same height as the bridges.

Independently or in combination with the foregoing, another subject matter of the present invention comprises at least one hidden line integrated into windows in a substrate, wherein at least one void is created in the substrate, and wherein the at least one void is created in the substrate and flush with the bridges. It is a method of manufacturing security paper, which extends between the windows of the and uses a laser. When one or more empty spaces are created in the bridge, thus, the thickness of the substrate extending between the hidden line and the surface of the paper is locally reduced, and the visibility of at least one hidden line that is flush with the bridges can be increased, as described above. have the same advantages as

The thickness of the fibrous substrate may, locally, be sufficiently small such that one or more hidden wires are visible through the fibrous substrate.

Additionally, voids may also be created by a laser in the substrate along one or more hidden lines with windows, specifically on respective sides of the one or more hidden lines, thus variable opacity as defined above. Zones can be created, specifically contributing to changing the appearance of the substrate, possibly making one or more hidden lines easier for the viewer to recognize and making the paper more visually appealing.

Some of the voids may be through-voids to allow one or more underlying hidden lines to be locally visible in reflected light.

According to other aspects, another subject matter of the present invention comprises a fibrous substrate and at least one hidden wire incorporated into windows, wherein the fibrous substrate extends between two successive windows along the at least one hidden wire. at least one halftone variable opaque region positioned at least partially flush with the bridge of the sexual substrate and/or visibly abutting at least one hidden line flush with the at least one window when the paper is viewed in transmitted light; have

The one or more halftone variable opaque regions may solely extend flush with the one or more windows without crossing bridges extending between the windows.

The one or more halftone variable opaque regions may extend over either side of the one or more hidden lines flush with each window, and no halftone variable opaque region crosses any bridge.

The fibrous substrate may include a plurality of distinct halftone variable opaque regions. The halftone variable opaque regions may solely be positioned flush with the bridges or may solely adjoin one or more hidden lines flush with the windows of the fibrous substrate. Inside each window, one or more hidden lines may be bounded by a halftone variable opaque region. As a variant, the halftone variable opaque regions may touch one or more hidden lines of the same height as each of the n windows, where n is an integer greater than one.

According to other aspects, another subject matter of the present invention comprises a fibrous substrate and at least one silver wire incorporated into windows, the fibrous substrate extending between two successive windows along the at least one hidden wire. with a watermark or multitone pseudo-watermark positioned at least partially flush with the bridge of the substrate and/or tangibly abutting at least one hidden line flush with the at least one window when the paper is viewed in transmitted light. and at least one variable opaque region configured.

One or more multitone pseudo-watermarks or watermarks may be halftone, specifically a matter of a so-called "multitone-effect" watermark.

The one or more multitone pseudo-watermarks or watermarks may extend solely along a hidden line flush with the one or more windows without crossing bridges extending between the windows.

The one or more multitone pseudo-watermark or watermarks may extend over either side of the one or more hidden lines flush with each window, the multitone pseudo-watermark or watermark not extending over any bridge .

The fibrous substrate may include a plurality of multitone pseudo-watermarks or watermarks. According to this aspect of the invention, the multitone pseudo-watermarks or watermarks may be positioned solely flush with the bridges or may solely adjoin one or more hidden lines in windows of the fibrous substrate. One or more hidden lines may be tangent to each window flush with a multitone pseudo-watermark or watermark. As a variant, multitone pseudo-watermarks or watermarks may be tangent to one or more hidden lines of the same height as each of the n windows, where n is an integer greater than one.

Specifically, with respect to the substrate and one or more hidden wires, the features described above are also applicable to other aspects of the invention.

Another subject of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a security sheet comprising at least one hidden wire incorporated into windows in a substrate, the method comprising: one or more first areas for forming one or more windows; and one or more first areas for forming one or more windows; contacting at least one silver wire to a wire for forming a ply of paper, comprising one or more second regions for forming one or more bridges extending between the windows, the at least one open mask comprising: Multitone, or halftone, having unopened areas arranged as low opacity portions of the watermark, such an open mask being disposed within one of the first and second regions.

The windows may be formed by reliefs projecting from the forming wire and one or more open masks may be disposed on the projecting reliefs. As a variant, the windows are formed by masks.

Another subject of the present invention is a method for forming a security paper comprising at least one hidden wire incorporated into windows, using a wire for forming a paper substrate, preferably the wire is an embossed and recessed relief wherein the method comprises at least one open mask for forming a multitone or halftone, wherein the watermark is disposed on or in the recessed relief, wherein the watermark is disposed on the protruding relief or in the recessed relief, the method comprising: The hidden lines of preferably do not contact the mask if the mask is placed within the recessed relief.

The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a security sheet, the method comprising: one or more first areas for forming one or more windows, and windows on the formed sheet, to obtain a sheet with at least one integrated hidden line. contacting at least one silver wire with a wire to form a ply of paper, the wire comprising one or more second regions for forming one or more bridges extending therebetween; and embossing the window and/or bridge to form a watermark, specifically a multitone watermark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description of non-limiting implementations in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
1 schematically shows a front view of the right page of a guaranteed document provided with a security sheet according to the invention;
2 schematically illustrates an exemplary arrangement of variable opaque regions in accordance with the present invention.
3 to 5 are views of variant embodiments similar to those of FIG. 2 .
6A-6C show modified arrangements of variable opaque regions with respect to a hidden line.
7A-7C show some examples of halftone dots that will likely be inside halftone variable opaque regions.
8 schematically and partially illustrates a machine for manufacturing paper according to the invention.
9-11 show exemplary arrangements of open masks on the forming wire.
12 to 14 are cross-sectional views taken along lines XII-XII, XIII-XIII, and XIV-XIV of FIG. 1, respectively.
15 and 16 are cross-sectional views taken along lines XV-XV and XVI-XVI of FIG. 3, respectively.
17 illustrates a cross-section through an exemplary variable opaque region superimposed on a hidden line.
18 illustrates a front view of a deformable security sheet observed in reflected light.
19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX of FIG. 18 .
Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 18 showing a modified security sheet.
21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXI-XXI of FIG. 20 .
22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII of FIG. 18 .
Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig. 2 in a modified embodiment;
24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIV-XXIV of FIG. 23 .
25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV of FIG. 23 .
26 and 27 show other exemplary arrangements of hidden lines and variable opaque regions, respectively.
28 illustrates halftone dots taking the form of a pattern.

1 and 12 show a certified document in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, such as money, generated from a security paper 4 comprising a fibrous substrate 8 comprising a silver wire 7 incorporated into the windows. (1) is shown.

The security paper 4 has windows 10 on the surface of the hidden wire 7 and bridges 13 over which the surface of the hidden wire 7 is covered.

According to this aspect of the invention, the fibrous substrate 8 comprises at least one variable opaque region 16 and, in this case, a series of such regions 16 , the regions comprising windows ( 10) and placed alone at the same height. In particular, these zones 16 draw the viewer's attention to the hidden line 7 when the document 1 is observed in transmitted light, for example along the arrow O in FIG. 12 . Variable opaque regions 16 are composed of halftone regions in the example in question.

The windows 10 may be formed by at least a portion of the recessed relief 17 (see FIG. 13 ) of the fibrous substrate 8 and the bridges 13 are By the (unapertured) part, for example, it may be formed at the same height as the vellum 9 in the thickness direction. As a variant, the bridges 13 may be formed by a portion of the relief projecting from the fibrous substrate with respect to the vellum, in particular by a portion of a height greater than the vellum in the thickness direction.

13 , the recessed relief 17 may have a wider width (w+d1+d2) than the width w of the hidden line.

A hidden line 7 extends continuously between the two opposing edges 19 , 22 of the security sheet 4 , preferably the long sides of the document.

1 and 2 , variable opaque regions 16 extend on either side of the hidden line flush with each window 10 . Preferably, the variable opaque region 16 lies only within the recessed relief 17 .

The variable opaque regions 16 do not extend in the longitudinal direction X of the hidden wire 7 beyond the corresponding windows 10 , and in this example the bridges 13 are completely absent.

In an exemplary manner, in FIG. 2 , the size of any one of the bridges 13 along the axis X is represented by the abscissa coordinates x _d , x _a , and the size of the adjacent window 10 is the horizontal It is represented by coordinates (x _a , x _b ), and the size of the subsequent bridge 13 is represented by abscissa coordinates (x _b , x _c ).

It can be seen that the variable opacity region associated with the window 10 constructed between the abscissa coordinates x _a , x _b does not extend along the X-axis beyond this window.

In the transverse direction, the variable opaque regions 16 extend from the edge of the hidden line 7 visible within the window 10 over a distance d that may be greater than the width w of the hidden line 7 . can do.

For example, the width w may be configured between 3 mm and 8 mm and the distance d may be configured between 0 and 37 mm.

As illustrated, the variable opaque regions 16 may extend laterally at the same height as the recessed relief 17 over a distance p greater than the width w of the hidden line 7 , e.g. For example, a hidden line is optionally centered about one or more variable opaque regions adjoining it.

1 , 2 and 13 , when a hidden line 7 is tangent on both sides by a variable opaque region 16 , the two regions 16 are does not necessarily extend over equal intervals in the transverse direction from the visible edge of For example, in Fig. 13 the indications d1>d2 or d2>d1 are shown.

Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , the windows 10 , viewable on either side of the hidden line 7 , are each associated with two variable opaque regions 16 , which need be the case. However, in particular, as illustrated in FIG. 6C , only one variable opaque region 16 may be associated with a single window 10 on one side of the hidden line.

All variable opaque regions 16 may be located on the same side of the hidden wire and the regions may be alternately placed on either side.

In the example of FIG. 2 , the variable opaque regions 16 are halftone and are specifically composed of halftone bright watermarks placed within the recessed relief 17 .

Variable opaque regions 16 viewable on either side of the hidden line in a direction orthogonal to the X-axis may have identical halftone points 28 and exhibit substantially identical patterns and are described, for example, below As can be obtained using the same mask.

Preferably, all variable opaque regions 16 have identical halftone dots 28 and exhibit substantially the same pattern.

The distance t along the X-axis between two successive bridges 13 , ie the length of the window 10 , is configured, for example, between 3 mm and 5 mm. The length m of the bridge 13 along the X-axis is configured, for example, between 3 mm and 50 mm.

According to another aspect of the invention, corresponding to the variants illustrated in FIGS. 3 , 15 and 16 , the variable opaque regions 16 are arranged on the bridges 13 and are arranged on the bridges 13 and at least with the secure element 7 . partially overlapped.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 16 , the variable opaque region 16 does not extend along the X-axis beyond the bridges 13 and there are no regions laterally tangent to the hidden line flush with the windows.

The variable opaque regions 16 preferably extend along the X-axis over the entire length m of the bridge 13 . 23 and 24 , as in the variant, the variable opaque regions 16 are bridged along the X-axis over a distance z that is less than the length m of the bridge 13 along the X-axis 13) Can be extended upwards. Accordingly, the variable opaque region 16 does not extend along the X-axis over the entire length m of the bridge 13 .

Preferably, all bridges 13 have a variable opaque region 16 . However, this need not be the case, in particular a single variable opaque region 16 may be disposed on a single bridge 13 of each of the n bridges, for example n equals two .

The variable opaque regions 16 may extend laterally at the same height as the bridge 13 over a distance p greater than the width w of the hidden line 7 , as illustrated, for example , the hidden line 7 is optionally centered for each halftone region 16 .

23 and 25 , one or more variable opaque regions 16 may be disposed on the bridge 13 , specifically, when the bridge 13 forms a relief of the vellum, the one or more The distance p for the lateral extension of the variable opaque regions 16 is less than the size k of the bridge 13 orthogonal to the X-axis.

The variable opaque regions 16 may be halftone regions of the same shape.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 4 , the variable opaque regions 16a extend along the X-axis at the same height as the windows 10 , and the variable opaque regions 16b are flush with the bridges 13 . are placed

In the example in question, the window 10 extends between the abscissa coordinates (x _a , x _d ) along the X-axis of the hidden line and one of the adjacent bridges 13 has the abscissa coordinates (x _d , x _e ) extend between

The variable opaque regions 16a extend on one side of the window 10 between the abscissa coordinates x _b , x _c , where x _a < x _b and x _c < x _d . for example:

│x _a -x _b │≤│x _b -xc│ and │x _d -x _c │≤ │x _c -x _b │

The variable opaque regions 16a, 16b may have halftone dots, in particular of the same shape, halftone dots 28a, 28b, or as a variant, halftone dots of a different shape.

Preferably, all bridges 13 have a variable opaque region 16b. Preferably, all variable opaque regions 16b disposed on bridges 13 are composed of halftone bright watermarks. The variable opaque regions 16b present on the bridges 13 may all be the same halftone dots 28b and may exhibit substantially the same pattern.

Similarly, the hidden line is tangent to the windows 10 by two variable opaque regions 16a. Preferably, all variable opaque regions 16a of the same height as windows 10 constitute halftone bright watermarks. The variable opaque regions 16a of the same height as the windows 10 may all be the same halftone dots 28a and may exhibit substantially the same pattern.

Preferably, the variable opaque regions 16a, 16b have the same lateral dimension, and the variable opaque regions 16b extend continuously intersecting the hidden lines.

Preferably, all windows 10 are of the same shape, in particular rectangular, and of substantially the same dimensions.

Preferably, all bridges 13 are of the same shape, in particular rectangular, and of substantially the same dimensions.

In the variant of FIG. 5 , the fibrous substrate 8 comprises, at the same height as the windows 10 , variable opaque regions differing in appearance, these variable opaque regions being so-called fancies 23 , 24) is made.

The substrate 8 comprises equal regions 25a, each extending over a distance u along the X-axis, and regions 25b flush with the bridges, extending over a distance z. .

Substrate 8 also comprises a fancy variable opaque region 23 between the two bridges 13 , instead of region 25a . Accordingly, along the hidden line 7 , the halftone region 25a , the bridge 13 , the hearttone region 23 , the bridge 13 , and the new halftone region 25a are continuously observed.

For example, region 23 has substantially the same size u along the X-axis as regions 25a but has a greater width o.

It can also be seen in FIG. 5 that the regions 25a may have a rectangular outline whereas the region 23 may have a different shape, such as, for example, a hexagonal shape.

For example, the variable opaque regions present on the bridges 13 are identical regions 25b and at least one fancy variable opaque region 24 in each of the n bridges 13 , as illustrated. , and n is strictly an integer greater than 1.

For example, region 24 has the same size z along the X-axis as regions 25b but extends orthogonal to the X-axis over a smaller distance q. For example, the variable opaque regions 25b are rectangular in outline whereas, for example, the outline of the fancy region 24 is oval in shape with rounded ends, as illustrated.

The contours of the windows 10 and bridges 13 may differ from a rectangle, as illustrated in FIG. 6A .

The variable opaque regions are preferably halftone.

Inside the halftone variable opaque region, the halftone dots 28 may have a polygonal shape, specifically a rectangle or square, as illustrated in FIG. 7A , an oval as illustrated in FIG. 7B , or as illustrated in FIG. , may be circular.

The halftone dots 28 may all be identical within a given variable opacity region, as illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 7C , or may be different, as illustrated in FIG. 7A .

A halftone variable opaque region may be formed by identical halftone dots placed consecutively at regular intervals in one or both directions of a plane. For example, the maximum dimension of a halftone point consists of between 0.2mm and 1.0mm. The minimum dimension of a halftone dot, specifically when the halftone dots are composed of lines, consists, for example, between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm.

As a variant, the halftone variable opaque region may be formed by halftone dots 28 of variable size, which may be selectively disposed successively at variable intervals.

The halftone variable opaque region 16 may be a halftone watermark, specifically a halftone multitone-effect watermark, as disclosed in patent application EjP 1 122 360 .

As a variant, the halftone variable opaque region 16 may form an identifiable pattern, specifically a portrait, alphanumeric, animal, vegetable, monument or any other pattern.

As a variant, the variable opaque regions 16 may not be halftone but preferably multitone pseudo-watermarks or watermarks. Watermarks or pseudo-watermarks can be created by embossing or as disclosed in patent application WO 2011/117828.

The bridges 13 may even be formed by protruding reliefs, and the windows 10 may be flush with the vellum 9 in the thickness direction. The variable opaque regions 16 are then disposed on the protruding relief or spaced apart between the two protruding reliefs.

As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the security paper can be manufactured using a cylinder-mold paper machine 30 . Such a machine includes a paper forming wire 33 which rotates in a vat 40 containing a paper fiber suspension. The forming wire has an alternation of embossed and circumferentially recessed reliefs 38 and projecting reliefs 36 . The silver wire 7 is brought into contact with the forming wire 33 and is unwound with the rotation of the wire. Paper fibers are formed between the silver wire 7 and the recessed reliefs 38 and fill the cavities 43 , which are spaces where the silver wire does not contact the forming wire 33 . Accordingly, the cavities 43 allow bridges 13 to be formed. The hidden wire 7 is brought into contact with the protruding reliefs 37 and prevents local accumulation of paper fibers on the wire 33 , thereby leading to the formation of the windows 10 .

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8 , the presence of the recessed reliefs 38 of the open masks 39 fixed to the surface of the forming wire 33 creates watermarks flush with the bridges 13 . to be sought These masks 39 locally modify the transmittance of the wire 33 and allow a watermark to be formed.

The opened masks 39 used, for example, are produced by laser sintering using the SLM technique, as disclosed in patent application WO 2011/117828 A1.

For example, the thickness of the open masks 39 is comprised between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm.

Using the arrangement of the masks 39 illustrated in FIG. 8 , a result corresponding to that shown in FIG. 3 is obtained, for example, in which only the bridges 13 include the variable opaque region 16 .

FIG. 9 corresponds to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8 .

To achieve a result as illustrated in FIG. 2 , masks 39 are placed on the protruding reliefs 36 of the forming web 33 , as illustrated in FIG. 10 . Recessed reliefs 38 are absent, allowing bridges 13 of uniform thickness to be formed. Preferably, the protruding reliefs 36 are wider than the hidden wire 7 . Masks 39 prevent local accumulation of paper fibers and lead to formation of watermarks corresponding to variable opaque regions 16 . Each mask 39 has a dimension p, measured perpendicular to the X-axis. At the point where the wire 33 contacts the mask 39 , the paper fibers cannot accumulate and a window 10 is formed. Preferably, the mask 39 is wider than the hidden wire 7 and less wide than the protruding relief 36 .

To achieve the results illustrated in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 respectively, all protruding reliefs 36 and all recessed reliefs 38 are fitted with masks 39 . As a variant, in order to reduce the manufacturing time of the mounted wire 7 , only one protruding relief 36 or a recessed relief 39 out of n reliefs in one mask 39 is masked 39 . ) is possible, and n>1.

In one variant of the manufacturing process, the forming wire 33 is free from protruding and hollow reliefs 36 , 38 , and the relief necessary to form the bridges 13 is provided by the masks on which the wire 7 bears ( 39) by the thickness of The presence of the masks can prevent accumulation of paper fibers in the areas where they come into contact with the hidden wire 7 , thus forming windows.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 11 , the forming wire 33 is preferably different and has masks 39a and 39b intended to form watermarks of the same height as the windows 10 and the bridges 13 respectively. is mounted For example, the result obtained is illustrated in FIG. 4 , with zones 16a flush with the windows 10 and zones 16b flush with the bridges 13 .

FIG. 17 illustrates that a variable opaque region flush with the bridge 13 can include a void 51 that does not extend far to the hidden line 7 and other voids deep enough to reach it. It may be useful for the silver wire 7 to include at least one layer 52 of a colored or luminescent compound deposited, for example, by printing on a carrier film 55 of the silver wire. In this case, the presence of voids 50 , 51 may facilitate excitation and/or observation of the colored or emissive layer 52 .

18 to 21 illustrate the possibility of bridges 13 that do not completely cover the hidden wire 7 , as disclosed in patent application EP 2 260 142 .

A fibrous substrate flush with the bridges may not completely cover the silver wire.

18 and 19 , the fibrous substrate, flush with the bridges, may not completely cover the silver wire and may make the silver wire visible at the center of the bridge 13 .

The bridge 13 may comprise two portions 13a , 13b respectively partially covering the corresponding regions 41 , 43 of the hidden wire 7 . Thus, the central part 45 of the hidden wire 7 remains visible.

Variable opaque zones may be created in the bridges 13 , as illustrated, or may abut a hidden line flush with the windows 10 . Preferably, the portions 13a, 13b of the bridges 13 cover the hidden line symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis X. As a variant, the portions 13a, 13b are symmetrical. The size of the overlap q of the respective parts 13a, 13b in the direction orthogonal to the axis X is, for example, greater than or equal to 1 mm or constitutes between 1 mm and 6 mm.

In the variant illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 , the bridges 13 partially overlap the hidden line from its single edge. All bridges 13 may alternately cover the hidden wire from one edge of the hidden wire and then from the opposite edge.

As a variant, the security sheet 4 may comprise a plurality of hidden wires 7 , preferably two hidden wires 7 . The hidden lines 7 are selectively juxtaposed and optionally integrated in the same windows 10 , for example being juxtaposed in a given window 10 . The presence of two hidden wires is advantageous in terms of a wider hidden wire that enables drainage during manufacture of the security paper 4 . The variable opaque region 16 may overlap the hidden lines 7 and extend over the bridge 13 of the fibrous substrate 8 positioned between two successive windows 10 along the hidden lines 7 . .

In the variants of FIGS. 26 and 27 , the variable opaque region 16 extends along a plurality of bridges or windows.

More specifically, in FIG. 26 , it can be seen that the variable opaque region 16 abuts the plurality of windows 10 , on either side of the hidden line in the regions 16a .

The region 16e of the variable opaque region connecting the two regions 16a is located on the same side of the hidden line 7 , for example the right side, and lies at a non-zero distance r from the hidden line.

The region 16e is located on the opposite side of the hidden line, ie on the left side in the example in question, and lies at a distance which may be the same or a different distance from the hidden line 7 .

The variable opaque region 16 can completely create any pattern, eg, an alphanumeric pattern, such as the number two, as illustrated. Also, such patterns may be found on paper or hidden lines, for example printed or engraved thereon.

The variable opaque region 16 may be a watermark, specifically a multitone watermark, or a pseudo-watermark. If necessary, the pattern of halftone dots is identical to that of the variable opaque region.

In FIG. 27 , a variable opaque region 16 , for example a watermark, specifically a multitone watermark or pseudo-watermark, overlaps the hidden line 7 in a plurality of discrete positions along the hidden line. The two regions where the variable opaque region overlaps the hidden line may be connected to each other by another region of the variable opaque region, which lies at a non-zero distance s from the hidden line, as illustrated.

The variable opaque region may form a pattern, specifically an alphanumeric pattern or symbol, located on a sheet of paper or a hidden line, in which case the number is six in the illustrated example.

28 illustrates that it is possible to create halftone dots of variable opaque regions in the form of alphanumeric patterns, eg found on documents. For example, it is a matter of the initials of the central bank or the value of money.

Also, in other variations not illustrated, the features of the examples of FIGS. 26 and 27 , for example having regions superimposed on the hidden line, as well as other regions tangent to the hidden line, can be incorporated into the hidden line at a non-zero distance therefrom. can be combined with others extending along

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In particular, halftone variable opaque regions can be obtained differently using watermarks. For example, variable opaque zones are created using a laser that creates voids within a paper substrate. The depth of these voids may be small enough to preserve a certain thickness of the substrate between the hidden line and the bottom of the void, which may reduce the risk of destroying the hidden wire 7 with a laser during formation of the void. .

The variable opaque zones may also be created by local clearing of the fibrous substrate using a suitable material such as an oily compound.

The uniqueness of the illustrated examples may be combined with non-illustrated variations. The arrangement of the variable opaque regions may be different.

Variable opaque regions may not be flush with all windows or all bridges.

The expression “comprising one” is synonymous with “comprising at least one” unless otherwise specified.

1....guaranteed documentation
4...Security paper
7...the silver line
8...Fibrous substrate
9...Vellum
10...Windows
13...Bridge
16...Variable Opaque Zones
17...recessed relief
19,22...edge
23...Halftone Zone
28...Halftone Dots

Claims (59)

a fibrous substrate (8) and at least one hidden wire (7) integrated into windows in said fibrous substrate;
The fibrous substrate has at least one variable opaque region (16; 16b; 25b, 24) extending at least partially over a bridge (13) of the fibrous substrate positioned between the two windows (10) along the hidden line. provided,
wherein said variable opaque zone (16; 16b; 25b, 24) is at least partially superimposed on said hidden wire (7) extending over said bridge (13).
delete In claim 1,
wherein the one or more hidden wires comprise a carrier film made of a thermoplastic resin.
In claim 1,
the one or more variable opaque zones are located solely flush with the one or more bridges (13).
In claim 1,
wherein the fibrous substrate has a variable opaque zone flush with each bridge (13).
In claim 1,
wherein the fibrous substrate each of n bridges (13) has a variable opaque region, wherein n is an integer greater than one.
In claim 1,
The fibrous substrate comprises at least one variable opaque region 16; 16a; 25a; 23 visibly abutting one or more hidden lines flush with the at least one window 10 when the paper is viewed in transmitted light. ), provided with a security paper.
In claim 5,
wherein the fibrous substrate has, for each window (10) to be incorporated, a variable opaque zone extending on either side of one or more hidden lines (7) flush with the window.
In claim 6,
wherein the fibrous substrate has a variable opaque region in each of n windows (10), wherein n is an integer greater than one.
In claim 1,
The fibrous substrate (8) comprises a plurality of variable opaque regions (16; 16a; 16b) that are identical to one another and are regenerated at regular intervals over the substrate (8).
In claim 1,
each variable opaque region (16; 16a; 16b) forms a principal pattern of polygonal outlines.
In claim 1,
wherein each variable opaque area is a halftone area formed by halftone screens of dots or lines.
In claim 1,
wherein the one or more variable opaque zones are comprised of a watermark, pseudo-watermark or microperforations.
In claim 1,
each of the one or more halftone variable opaque regions comprises a set of light or dark regions arranged to form a halftone image comprising halftone dots 25 or halftone dots taking the form of halftone dots 25 or alphanumeric patterns composed of a watermark. Included, security paper.
In claim 1,
wherein the one or more variable opaque zones comprise microperforations in the fibrous substrate created by the laser.
In claim 1,
one or more hidden lines (7) having luminescent properties.
17. In claim 16,
wherein the hidden line has at least one luminescent region superimposed on a lower opacity region of the variable opacity region.
In claim 1,
The variable opaque zone has at least one void (50) through which one or more hidden lines (7) appear through the fibrous substrate.
In claim 1,
The security paper, wherein the thickness of the substrate (8) is non-zero and covers one or more hidden lines of the same height as the variable opaque region located on the bridge (13).
In claim 1,
The variable opaque zone comprises halftone dots (28) of the same shape.
In claim 1,
A security sheet comprising variable opaque areas flush with windows (10) and variable opaque areas flush with bridges (13).
22. In claim 21,
the at least one variable opaque region flush with the window has a different outline than that of the variable opaque region at the same height as the bridge (13).
In claim 1,
having at least two variable opaque regions of the same contour, the regions being associated with two respective windows or two respective bridges, the third variable opaque region 23 ; 24 being different from that of the other windows A security sheet of appearance, associated with a window or a bridge.
In claim 1,
each of the bridges is formed by at least a portion of a relief projecting from the substrate,
one or more variable opaque zones extend partially over the bridges and extend longitudinally and/or crosswise over a distance less than that of the bridges.
In claim 1,
and a variable opaque region overlaps the hidden lines in a plurality of distinct locations along the hidden lines.
26. The method of claim 25,
wherein the two regions in which the variable opaque region overlaps the hidden line are connected to each other by other regions of the variable opaque region.
In claim 1,
a security sheet, wherein the variable opaque region visibly abuts a plurality of windows.
28. The method of claim 27,
and a variable opaque region visibly abuts windows on either side of the hidden line.
26. The method of claim 25,
The variable opaque area forms a pattern or symbol found on the paper.
In claim 1,
wherein the variable opaque region extends along the plurality of bridges or windows.
A secure document comprising the secure sheet of claim 1 .
A method for manufacturing a security paper, comprising:
One or more first regions 38 for forming one or more windows 10 , and one or more second regions for forming one or more bridges 13 extending between the windows 10 in the formed sheet. contacting at least one silver wire (7) to a wire (33) for forming a ply of paper, comprising poles (37); and
disposing at least one open mask 39 having non-apertured regions as lower opacity portions of the variable opaque region;
wherein the open mask is disposed in one of the second regions, and the open mask (39) at least partially overlaps the hidden line (7) extending over the bridge (13).
34. In claim 32,
wherein the forming wire is a cylinder-molded wire comprising recessed reliefs (38) defining regions for forming bridges (13).
34. In claim 32,
wherein the windows (10) are formed by reliefs (37) projecting from the forming wire (33).
34. In claim 33,
and the open masks (39) for forming the variable opaque regions are disposed within the recessed reliefs of the wire for forming the paper.
34. In claim 32,
The wire (33) comprises at least one open mask (39) having unopened regions arranged as lower opacity portions of a variable opacity region, said open mask comprising first regions (38). and disposed on the protruding relief (37) of the forming wire (37).
34. In claim 32,
wherein the open masks are produced by machining, injection molding or sintering.
38. The method of claim 37,
and the open masks (39) are produced by laser sintering.
29. A method for producing the security sheet of claim 28 comprising at least one hidden wire (7) integrated into windows, the method comprising:
using a paper-based forming wire 33 in which recessed and protruding reliefs alternate; and
placing at least one open mask (39) within the recessed relief (38) to form a variable opaque region;
and the open mask (39) at least partially overlaps the hidden line (7).
40. The method of claim 39,
A method of making a security paper comprising the step of disposing on the protruding relief (37) at least one open mask (39) for forming a variable opaque region.
41. In claim 39 or 40,
wherein the mask is created to form a halftone watermark.
41. In claim 39 or 40,
a plurality of masks (39) are disposed solely within the recessed reliefs to create a sheet of paper with at least one hidden line incorporated into the windows;
wherein the paper has bridges (13) having an opacity different from the opacity of the fibrous substrate outside of the variable opaque zones because of the presence of watermarks on the bridges (13).
A method for producing a security paper comprising at least one hidden wire (7) incorporated into windows in a substrate, the method comprising:
at least one hollow space 51 , 50 flush with the bridges 13 extending between the windows 10 is created in the substrate using a laser, or
The method of claim 1, wherein empty spaces of the same height as the windows (10) along the at least one hidden line are created on each side of the at least one hidden line (7) by a laser.
A method for manufacturing a security paper, comprising:
one or more first regions 38 for forming one or more windows 10 , and extending between the windows 10 on the formed paper, to obtain a paper having at least one integrated hidden line 7 . contacting at least one silver wire (7) to a wire (33) for forming a ply of paper, comprising one or more second regions (37) for forming one or more bridges (13); and
embossing the bridge (13) to form a multitone watermark;
at least one of the empty spaces (51, 50) overlaps at least partially with the hidden wire (7) extending over the bridge (13).
A security paper comprising a fibrous substrate (8) and at least one hidden wire (7) incorporated into windows in the fibrous substrate, the security paper comprising:
the fibrous substrate has at least one halftone variable opaque zone (16; 16a, 16b; 25a, 25b, 23, 24);
The variable opaque zone is located at least partially flush with a bridge 13 of a fibrous substrate extending between two successive windows 10 along at least one hidden line, or at least partially flush with the paper in transmitted light. A security paper, wherein when viewed a boundary of the at least one hidden line is visible at the same height as the at least one window (10).
A security paper comprising a fibrous substrate (8) and at least one hidden wire (7) incorporated into windows in the fibrous substrate, the security paper comprising:
wherein the fibrous substrate has at least one variable opacity zone comprised of a watermark or multitone pseudo-watermark;
The variable opaque zone is located at least partially flush with a bridge 13 of a fibrous substrate extending between two windows 10 along at least one hidden line, or at which the paper is to be observed in transmitted light. When the at least one window 10 and the same height as the boundary of the at least one hidden line can be seen,
wherein the variable opaque region at least partially overlaps the hidden line (7).
47. The method of claim 45 or 46,
The one or more variable opaque zones are located solely at the same height as the one or more bridges 13 or extending solely along the one or more windows 10 without leaving the bridges 13 extending between the windows. , security paper.
48. The method of claim 47,
wherein the fibrous substrate has a variable opaque zone flush with each bridge (13) or each window (10).
47. The method of claim 45 or 46,
one or more hidden lines (7) overlapping the variable opaque zone only at the same height as the bridges (13).
47. The method of claim 45 or 46,
The fibrous substrate 8 comprises a plurality of variable opaque regions 16 , 16a , 16b that are identical to one another and reproduce at regular intervals on the substrate, each of the variable opaque regions forming a pattern of polygonal ribs. , security paper.
47. The method of claim 45 or 46,
wherein the one or more variable opaque regions are comprised of a watermark or pseudo-watermark comprising a set of bright areas disposed to form a halftone image.
47. The method of claim 45 or 46,
A security sheet comprising variable opaque areas flush with the windows and variable opaque areas flush with the bridges (13).
53. The method of claim 52,
A security sheet comprising at least one opaque zone flush with the window having an outline different from that of the variable opaque zone flush with the bridge (13).
A method for manufacturing a security paper, comprising:
One or more first regions 38 for forming one or more windows 10 , and one or more second regions for forming one or more bridges 13 extending between the windows 10 on the formed paper. contacting at least one silver wire (7) to a wire for forming a ply of paper comprising
at least one open mask 39 with unopened regions is disposed as part of a lower opacity of the halftone variable opacity region;
and the open mask is disposed in any one of the first regions and the second regions.
57. In claim 54,
The forming wire consists of a cylinder-moulded wire comprising recessed reliefs (38) delimiting areas for forming bridges or projecting reliefs delimiting areas for forming windows (10). manufacturing method.
56. The method of claim 55,
and the open masks (39) for forming the variable opaque regions are disposed in the recessed or protruding reliefs of the forming wire of the paper.
47. A method for making the security paper of claim 45 or 46, comprising:
One or more first regions 38 for forming one or more windows 10 , and one or more bridges extending between the windows 10 on the formed paper, in order to obtain at least one integrated hidden line 7 . contacting at least one silver wire (7) to a wire (33) for forming a ply of paper, comprising one or more regions (37) for forming fields (13); and
A method of manufacturing a security paper comprising the step of embossing a window (10) or a bridge (13) to form a watermark.
A security paper comprising a fibrous substrate and at least one hidden wire (7) incorporated into windows in the fibrous substrate,
The fibrous substrate, on either side of the hidden wire, is visible in two areas 16a tangent to the hidden wire 7 , at the same height as the two windows 10 , and the two areas and at least one variable opaque zone extending between (16a).
A security paper comprising a fibrous substrate and at least one hidden wire (7) incorporated into windows in the fibrous substrate,
The fibrous substrate has at least one variable opaque region (16) overlapping the hidden line (7) in the two regions (13) and extending between the two regions (13).

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