KR20070012453A - Counterfeit-resistant, metal-formed images and security devices and security documents employing same - Google Patents

Abstract

Counterfeit-resistant, metal-formed images (14) for use with security documents such as banknotes and the like are provided. The inventive images (14) are difficult (if not impossible) to effectively simulate using metallic ink printing, foil transfer, or hot stamping techniques. Security devices (10) that employ at least one such metal-formed image (14) and security documents that have at least one metal-formed image (14) located on a surface thereof and/or that have at least one security device (10) at least partially embedded therein or mounted thereon, are also provided. ® KIPO & WIPO 2007

Description

COUNTERFEIT-RESISTANT, METAL-FORMED IMAGES AND SECURITY DEVICES AND SECURITY DOCUMENTS EMPLOYING SAME}

This invention is an application claiming priority of US Provisional Patent Application 60 / 559,583, filed April 5, 2004.

The present invention relates generally to anti-counterfeiting metal-formed images for use in security documents such as banknotes and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to metal forming images that are difficult (but not impossible) to effectively imitate using metal ink, metal foil transfer, and hot stamping techniques. In addition to security devices that utilize one or more such metallized images, security certificates in which at least one metallized image is located on a surface or security certificates in which at least one security device is at least partially embedded or mounted on a surface are also shown. Considered part of the invention.

In banknotes and other expensive instruments, security threads are widely used as visible and / or mechanical means of verifying the authenticity of these instruments. The security hidden line, which generally consists of a polyester deposited (metalized) strip measuring between 1.0 and 5.0 millimeters in width, is chemically etched to form an easily identifiable marker in reflected and / or transmitted light. Secure hidden lines may be fully embedded or partially embedded in the certificate. In the case of partially embedded secure hidden lines, these hidden lines are embedded in the paper during the manufacturing process and alternately exposed to the surface of the paper at regular intervals. These so-called "windowed" hidden lines are found in banknotes around the world and are imitation targets of counterfeiters. Indeed, as is well known in the banking industry, counterfeiters apply a deposited metal foil to the surface of the counterfeit to mimic the surface portion of a "partial" secure silver wire.

One of these metal foil imitation techniques uses a conventional laser printer to print the intended metal foil pattern on the surface of the forgery. Conventional artistic non-adhesive deposited metal foil can be applied to the pattern, and can be heated with a heating element such as a household iron. Upon heating, the toner of the laser printer acts as an adhesive to pull the metal layer from the metal foil carrier along the printed pattern. When the metal foil is peeled off the surface of the counterfeit, the silver metal surface of the metal foil is attached only to the printing area, while at the same time a simple text and pattern and a reflective appearance of the typical demetalized security silver wire are reproduced. This technique can be further enhanced by using commercially available color-variable new films to mimic color converting or holographic partial exposure security hidden lines.

Alternatively, forgers know how to fabricate a hot stamping die according to a desired pattern and then stamp the forgery certificate with conventional hot stamp materials and methods.

The present invention provides an image of metal formation that is difficult (but not impossible) to effectively mimic the ongoing attempts of counterfeiters to replicate the appearance of secure hidden lines in "partial" banknotes by metal ink, metal foil transfer or hot stamping techniques. To frustrate or invalidate.

In addition, the present invention provides an anti-counterfeiting security device that utilizes or demonstrates one or more such metal-forming images, as well as a security certificate or one or more such security-forming devices, wherein one or more such metal-forming images are located on a surface, at least partially embedded therein. Or a surface-mounted security certificate.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a metal forming image comprising one or more visible patterns, which may be in the form of lines, dots, swirls, or a combination thereof, in which metal and metal free regions are alternately present, such as When the metal-forming image is imitated by metal ink, metal foil transfer or hot stamping techniques, the ink or metal foil is crosslinked and / or lost in at least some metal region portions of the visible pattern, resulting in obscuring or blurring of the imitated image portion Provides an image of phosphorus metal formation.

In a preferred embodiment, the visible pattern is alternating metal and metal member lines, wherein the width of the metal member lines present in the pattern ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.10 millimeters, and the frequency of the metal member lines is from about 4 to about per millimeter. 14 line ranges (ie, line frequencies corresponding to about 0.07 to about 0.25 mm).

The present invention also provides a carrier substrate having a flat opposing surface; And at least one metal forming image as described above, located on at least one surface of the substrate.

In addition, the present invention provides a security certificate using at least one metal forming image and / or at least one anti-counterfeiting demetallized security device as described above.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise noted, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of legal conflict, the present specification, together with its definitions, will serve as an adjustment. In addition, the materials, methods, and embodiments described herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Specific features of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

1 is an enlarged plan view of a preferred hologram embodiment in which an engraved or inverted character with a pattern of a metal line and a metal member line appears when the security hidden line according to the present invention is viewed through transmitted light. 1A and 1B are partial enlarged plan views of the security hidden line of FIG. 1, showing in detail the appearance of the security hidden line when viewed from different angles through the reflected light.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of another preferred embodiment in which a letter containing an orthogonal parallel pattern and a metal number surrounded by fine metal member outlines appear when the security hidden line according to the present invention is viewed through transmitted light or reflected light.

3 is a graphical representation of the results of an attempt to mimic the security hidden line of FIG. 1 through conventional metal foil transfer or hot stamping techniques.

Most preferred way of carrying out the invention

The metallized image of the present invention increases effectiveness without compromising the basic advantages of demetallized security devices (eg, security hidden lines) and security certificates (eg, bank notes). As a result of intensive studies of metal foil transfer and hot stamping techniques as well as metal ink printing techniques, the inventors have identified the shortcomings (ie, dimensional stop points) of these techniques and use this information to effectively balance readability and manufacturing practicality. We designed demetallized patterns or images with precise resolution that are difficult (but not impossible) to imitate. Indeed, any attempt to imitate or duplicate by means of metal ink, metal foil transfer or hot stamping, in which the aesthetics of the security device or certificate are twisted, missing or otherwise completely destroyed in imitation, may not be possible. Or genuine) and are easily identified (via the naked eye of the untrained).

In addition, the inventors have determined that the metal-formed image of the present invention has the property of effectively acting as an optical reflector in "partial exposure" security documents or banknotes. As is known to those skilled in the art, the metal layer can act as an optical reflector in various optical variable devices (OVD and DOVD) and interference filter optics. Thus, it was considered advantageous in these applications to preserve as much metal as possible while retaining the demetallization characteristics.

As noted above, the metallized image of the present invention is one or more visible patterns with alternating metal and metal member regions that may take the form of complex or simple patterns of lines, dots, swirls or combinations thereof. It contains. The resolution and spacing of each element of the pattern is chosen such that no effective imitation can be made by metal ink, metal foil transfer and hot stamping techniques. More specifically, when the metal forming image is imitated by the above techniques, the metal ink or metal foil will be crosslinked or connected and / or lost in at least some metal area portions of the visible pattern (s). As a result, some of the imitated images become obscured or blurred.

Examples of metals or metal materials suitable for use in forming anti-counterfeiting images according to the present invention include aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), gold (Au), iron (Fe). ), Nickel (Ni), silver (Ag) or alloys of two or more of these materials. According to a preferred embodiment, the metal or metal material is aluminum.

In an aspect of an anti-counterfeiting image in which metal lines and metal member lines are alternately present, the width of the metal member lines present in the pattern ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.10 millimeters (mm) (preferably between about 0.06 and about 0.07 mm) and ; The frequency of the metal member line is in the range of about 0.07 to 0.25 mm (preferably about 0.16 to about 0.17 mm).

In one such aspect, the metal forming image comprises an intaglio or inverse character (eg, symbols, letters and / or numbers) having one or more patterns with alternating metal lines and metal member lines. In this embodiment, the metal member line frequency (ie, <0.07 mm) that falls below the lower limit of the frequency range of the metal member lines described above causes the feature or text area to exhibit a gray color similar to the modulation caused by the metal ink. Metal member line frequencies above the upper limit of the aforementioned frequency ranges (ie,> 0.25 mm) indicate that the character or text area is a conventional engraving text (as shown and described in US Pat. No. 4,943,093 (Melling et al.)). To make it easier to imitate through metal ink and metal foil transfer.

As another such aspect, the metal forming image comprises an embossed character formed in one or more patterns with alternating metal lines and metal member lines. In this embodiment, the metal member line frequency that falls below 0.07 mm causes the character or text area to appear as conventional embossed text (as shown and described in Timothy T. Crane, US Pat. No. 4,652,015) to facilitate metal ink and metal foil transfer. Imitation through them is made easier, and metal member line frequencies greater than 0.25 mm make it difficult to visually detect and read characters or text areas.

In embodiments involving metal points or metal member points, the diameter of the points present in the pattern ranges from about 0.05 to 0.10 mm, while the density (eg, the number of points per inch) does not touch the points but the metal ink, metal foil transfer and Choose to be dense together enough to prevent imitation by hot stamping techniques.

The anti-counterfeiting image of the present invention may be used alone or in combination with an optical mark present on the surface of any certificate or means for confirmation of bank passes or certification purposes, for example. According to one of these embodiments, an image of the present invention is formed on a release coated transfer film or sheet (typically a deposited metal foil provided on a release coated polyester carrier film) and then from the film or sheet according to conventional transfer techniques. It may also be transferred onto the surface of bank notes or other security certificates. According to another possible embodiment, the image of the present invention is an optical marker (eg, diffraction grating, hologram structure) contained on a release coated transfer film or sheet (typically a holographic metal foil immobilized on a release coated polyester carrier film). After being formed on the substrate, the resulting combination is also transferred from the film or sheet onto the surface of the security certificate.

The anti-counterfeiting image of the present invention may also be made unreleasable or permanently formed on a plastic carrier substrate surface (eg, a security strip or security hidden line) and then used with a banknote or other security certificate.

Referring now to the drawings, specifically the security device of the present invention, generally indicated as 10, includes a carrier substrate 12 having a basically flat opposing surface; And at least one metal forming image 14 located on at least one surface of such substrate 12.

Carrier substrate 12 is a translucent carrier substrate having a thickness in the range of about 12 to about 26 microns (preferably about 17 to about 21 microns). The substrate 12 is preferably prepared using one or more essentially colorless polymers selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polyethylene terephthalates and mixtures thereof. In a more preferred embodiment, the carrier substrate 12 is a polyester film.

According to another preferred embodiment, the carrier substrate 12 is colored and / or luminescent, and in yet another preferred embodiment, the substrate 12 contains optical markings such as diffraction gratings and / or hologram structures.

In addition to the foregoing, the carrier substrate 12 preferably has adhesiveness for bonding the security device 10 to or inside the security certificate such as paper.

According to one preferred aspect shown in FIG. 1, the security device 10 includes a carrier substrate 12 having a flat opposing surface; At least one metal forming image 14 located on the surface of one of these substrates 12; And a security strip or security hidden line containing a hologram relief pattern (not shown) formed on the opposite surface of the substrate 12. The metal formation image 14 here is composed of intaglio or inverted characters containing a pattern in which the metal lines 16 and the metal member lines 18 are alternately seen in the transmitted light.

Looking at the security device 10 of this preferred embodiment under reflected light at different angles, two different images will appear, as best shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B due to the presence of the hologram relief pattern.

According to another possible aspect (not shown), the security device 10 includes a carrier substrate having a holographic relief pattern formed on one surface; And at least one metal forming image formed over the hologram relief pattern.

2 illustrates another preferred embodiment of a secure hidden line 10 that does not utilize a hologram relief pattern. In this embodiment, the metal forming image 14 observed in the transmitted or reflected light consists of a letter with a cross-parallel pattern and a metal number surrounded by fine metal member outlines. Security hidden line 10 also shows a series of stops or stops 20 in the metal contained on substrate 12. As described in detail in US Pat. No. 5,486,022, the pattern of metal regions formed by such stops or metal stops is provided with another means of confirming the authentication of banknotes or other security documents containing the silver wire and means for indicating the banknotes. To make machine-readable code clear.

According to another preferred embodiment (not shown), the image 14 consists of letters and numbers formed in a pattern of metal dots.

The security device 10 of the present invention may comprise additional layers, coatings or devices, provided that any such additional layers, coatings or devices are visually aware and / or authenticated of the information conveyed by the metal forming image 14. It shall not disturb the signal observed by the inspection device. Possible additional layers, coatings or devices may include a magnetic layer, a non-cylindrical lens that acts to magnify the metal-formed image 14 (in some cases, affecting rotation of the image, parallax shift and / or apparent visual depth). Two-dimensional arrays, optically variable devices, interference filter optics, outer protective layers, translucent adhesive layers on either or both sides of the device 10 to facilitate incorporation of the device 10 into or on a security certificate, and Fluorescein, fluorespa, fuchsin, quinine sulfate, calcium sulfide, neodymium salicylate, samarium gluconate, yttrium salicylate, and the like, but are not limited to these.

According to a preferred embodiment, the security device 10 uses an outer protective layer. The outer protective layer is a transmissive protective layer that can take the form of a protective film in the range of about 3.0 to about 12.0 microns (preferably about 3.0 to about 6.0 microns) or a printed coating in the range of about 1.0 to about 6.0 microns in thickness. .

More preferably, the protective layer is made of one or more essentially colorless polymers selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polyethylene terephthalates and mixtures thereof. According to the most preferred embodiment, the protective layer is a laminated polyester film.

According to another more preferred embodiment, the protective layer is colored and / or luminescent, and in yet another more preferred embodiment the protective layer has an adhesive that bonds the security device 10 to or within the paper.

The outer protective layer can be laminated to the metal layer by the light-transmitting adhesive described above.

Security device 10 may be manufactured by conventional techniques. For example, the security hidden line shown in FIG.

a) embossing or coating the relief pattern on one surface of a polymer (eg polyester) film;

b) coating the opposite surface of the polymer film with a metal (eg, aluminum) layer;

c) coating the metal layer with a flame retardant, except where the metal member line 18 (each present in an intaglio or reverse phase character) should be formed; And

d) by applying a chemical to the printed metal layer such that the metal member line 18 is a transparent area on the opaque reflective metal surface, removing the metal layer except for the point protected by the flame retardant. .

According to another embodiment, if the metal forming image 14 contains an embossed character formed in a pattern (eg, a line, a dot, a vortex, or a combination thereof) in which the metal region and the metal member region are alternately present, the final hidden line The metal layer is coated with a flame retardant so that only the metal layer in the region where the patterned metal region is present is protected.

The flame retardant is preferably applied by a printing method such as flexo printing, rotogravure or silk screening.

As mentioned above, any attempt to imitate the security device 10 of the present invention with metal ink, metal foil transfer or hot stamping techniques will result in imitation that is easily identified (with the naked eye of the untrained) with the original device. As shown in FIG. 3, which graphically illustrates an attempt to mimic the security hidden line of FIG. 1 by metal foil transfer or hot stamping technology, the aesthetics of the silver line are twisted by a metal that bridges the fine metal lines of the pattern within each letter. This result is due to the clear loss of transcription of the metal foil.

The security certificate according to the invention is preferably secured and preferably in the form of a secure hidden line, and the security device 10 is completely or partially embedded in the secured paper. In the case of partially embedded hidden lines, some of them are exposed on the surface of the security paper at regular intervals along the length of the hidden line in the partially exposed portion or gap of the security paper.

As alluded to above, the security hidden line 10 may be incorporated at least partially into the security paper during the manufacturing process using techniques commonly used in the paper industry. For example, the hidden wire 10 of the present invention is a hidden wire that is fully or partially embedded in the body of the final security paper by feeding it into a cylindrical mold paper machine, a cylindrical batting device or a similar device of known type.

In addition to the foregoing, the security device 10 of the present invention may be mounted on the surface of the security paper during or after manufacture. Mounting of the device 10 may be achieved by applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to the surface of the device 10 and pressing the device 10 onto the surface of the paper; And applying a thermally activated adhesive to the surface of the device 10 and applying the device 10 to the surface of the paper by a thermal transfer technique.

While various aspects of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that these descriptions are illustrative only and not restrictive. In other words, the breadth and scope of the present invention are not limited by any of the illustrated embodiments.

The present invention described above claims the following scope of rights.

Claims (25)

An anti-counterfeiting metal-formed image suitable for use on the surface of a security document, such as a banknote, or on the surface of a carrier substrate used on or within the security certificate, wherein the metal-formed image is a metal region and a metal member region. (metal free region) includes one or more precise resolution visible patterns that are alternately present; When such a metal-forming image is imitated by metal ink printing, metal foil transfer or hot stamping techniques, the image portion in which the ink or metal foil is crosslinked and / or lost in at least some metal region portions of the one or more visible patterns is unclear. Anti-counterfeiting metal forming image. The anti-counterfeiting metal forming image according to claim 1, wherein the one or more visible patterns in which the metal region and the metal member region are alternately take the form of lines, dots, swirls, or a combination thereof. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more visible patterns alternately comprise metal lines and metal member lines, wherein the metal member lines range from about 0.05 to about 0.10 millimeters in width and have a frequency of about 4 to about 14 per millimeter. Anti-counterfeiting metal forming image, characterized by an improved range. 4. The image of claim 3, wherein the width of the metal member line is in the range of about 0.06 to about 0.07 millimeters and the frequency is in the range of about 5 to about 6 lines per millimeter. The method of claim 1, characterized by containing one or more fine resolution visible patterns containing an intaglio or inverse character defined by a metal boundary, wherein the metal region and the metal member region are alternately present. Image of anti-counterfeiting metal formation. The anti-counterfeiting metal forming image according to claim 1, wherein the metal region and the metal member region include embossed characters formed in one or more precise resolution visible patterns alternately present. The metal region of claim 1, wherein the metal region of the one or more fine resolution visible patterns of the metal forming image is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, iron, nickel, silver, and alloys thereof. An anti-counterfeiting metal formation image characterized by being formed by the above metal. The anti-counterfeiting metal forming image of claim 7, wherein the metal line is formed using aluminum. A carrier substrate having a flat opposing surface; And at least one anti-counterfeiting metal forming image located on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the at least one anti-counterfeiting metal forming image is one or more precise resolutions in which a metal region and a metal member region are alternately present. And the ink or metal foil crosslinked and / or lost in at least some metal region portions of said one or more visible patterns when said metallized image is imitated by metal ink printing, metal foil transfer or hot stamping techniques. To obscure the portion of the image being imitated. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the carrier substrate is a translucent carrier substrate formed by one or more essentially colorless polymers selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and combinations thereof. Security device. The security device of claim 10, wherein the carrier substrate is a polyester film. 10. The security device of claim 9, wherein the carrier substrate is a colored carrier substrate. 10. The security device of claim 9, wherein the carrier substrate is a luminescent carrier substrate. 10. The security device of claim 9, wherein the carrier substrate contains one or more optical marks. 15. The device of claim 14, further comprising: a carrier substrate in the form of a security strip or security hidden line and having a flat opposing surface; At least one anti-counterfeiting metal forming image located on one surface of the substrate; And a hologram relief pattern formed on opposite surfaces of the substrate.  15. The device of claim 14, further comprising: a carrier substrate in the form of a security strip or security hidden line and having a flat opposing surface; A hologram relief pattern formed on at least one surface of the carrier substrate; And at least one anti-counterfeiting metal forming image located above the hologram relief pattern.  15. The device of claim 14, further comprising: a carrier substrate in the form of a security strip or security hidden line and having a flat opposing surface; At least one anti-counterfeiting metal forming image located on one surface of such substrate; And a two dimensional array of microlenses positioned on opposite surfaces of the substrate.  10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: a carrier substrate in the form of a security strip or security hidden line having a length and width and having a flat opposing surface; A plurality of metal regions separated along the length of the strip or hidden line but separated by a non-metal area extending along the entire width of the security strip or hidden line; And at least one anti-counterfeiting metal forming image located within one or more metal regions and / or one or more nonmetal regions. 10. A security device according to claim 9, further comprising at least one outer protective layer. A carrier substrate having a predetermined width and a flat opposite surface, and at least one anti-counterfeiting metal forming image located on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the metal forming image is one in which the metal region and the metal member region are alternately present; or As a method of manufacturing a security device containing a visible pattern of more precise resolution, a) applying a metal layer to one surface of the carrier substrate; b) coating a flame retardant to the metal layer, i. The at least one anti-counterfeiting metal forming image comprises an intaglio or inverted character defined by a metal boundary, wherein the character has one or more visible resolution visible patterns of alternating metal and metal member regions present therein; When retained, flame retardant to the metal layer except at the point where the metal member region of the one or more precise resolution visible patterns and optionally a stop or metal stop that extends along the width of the carrier substrate should be formed on the substrate. Coating, ii. Where the at least one anti-counterfeiting metal forming image comprises an embossed character formed by one or more precise resolution visible patterns in which the metal region and the metal member region are alternately present, the one or more fine resolution Coating the flame retardant on the metal layer only in areas in which the visible areas of the metal area should be formed on the substrate; And c) applying a chemical to the printed metal layer to remove the metal layer other than the point protected with a flame retardant.     The at least one metal forming image contains one or more precise resolution visible patterns in which the metal region and the metal member region are alternately present, wherein the at least one metal forming image is used in metal ink printing, metal foil transfer or hot stamping techniques. Wherein the at least one anti-counterfeiting metal formation, when imitated by the ink or metal foil, is crosslinked and / or lost from a portion of at least some metal regions of the one or more visible patterns, thereby obscuring the imitated image portion. A security certificate whose image is located on or inside a surface.    22. The image of claim 21, wherein the security certificate has two opposite surfaces, at least one surface having one or more optical markings applied thereon, and at least one anti-counterfeiting metal forming image on the one or more optical markings. Security certificate characterized in that is formed. 23. The security certificate of claim 22, wherein the one or more optical indicia is selected from the group consisting of diffraction gratings, hologram structures, and combinations thereof. The security certificate of claim 23, wherein the one or more optical marks is a holographic metal foil. The carrier substrate of claim 21, comprising at least one security device at least partially embedded therein or mounted to the surface, wherein the at least one security device has a flat opposing surface, and at least one of the carrier substrates. A security certificate characterized by containing at least one anti-counterfeiting metal forming image located above the surface.

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