MXPA00012375A - Marking substances and security markings, method for integrating these into the pulp line and method for testing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to marking materials and security markings and to a method for integrating these into the pulp line of documents, bond paper, banknotes, packaging and goods. The invention also relates to a method for testing the electroconductive marking substances and security markings integrated in this way.

Description

MARKING SUBSTANCES AND SAFETY MARKS, METHOD TO INCORPORATE THEM TO THE PAPER PULP ROLL AND METHOD OF VERIFICATION Description of the invention The invention relates to marking substances for security markings on documents, negotiable instruments, banknotes, packaging and merchandise according to the preamble of claim 1. To increase the security against counterfeiting, in the pulp rolls of paper for documents, negotiable instruments, bank notes, packaging and for merchandise marking substances are provided. Marking substances used up to now can be obtained in the free market, so that counterfeiters are able to imitate the safety marks that are made with them. In EP 753 623 a safety sheet with an electrically conductive element is described in connection therewith. The security sheet consists of a support matrix with a fiber structure, and the conductive element is a security filament in the form of a sheet. The sheet is coated with an electrically conductive polymer of the group of polythiophenes. The electrically conductive polymer is applied in liquid or dispersed form on the sheet.

In document US 5,112,672 a safety document is described which has an electrically conductive safety filament integrated. The security filament has a metallic coating that for bridging discontinuities is provided with an electrically conductive polymer. In US 5,419,424, a verification apparatus for the banknote security filament is described. The tester has sensor electrodes that detect the safety filament by capacitive coupling. Document DE 43 34 7-97 indicates a method for the production of tamper-proof documents, as well as a method for their verification. The documents contain a lattice of metal wires with which contact is made at their crossing points. In EP 839 950 a method for incorporating substances in a continuous fiber strip is described. The substances are integrated into the fibrous tissue suspension at or before access of the fiber. The integration is carried out in several points distributed across the width of the fiber strip, and at least one point is carried out intermittently. For in this situation build technological obstacles for counterfeiters originated complicated solutions by the use of light-activated marker substances in which - as described in DE 196 53 423 - additional light-absorbing marker substances not recognizable to the human eye are used. In this way, for example, printed images with notoriously defective points are produced during a verification under the influence of IR light. To increase the security against counterfeiting, marker substances are also applied in a defined distribution on the paper pulp strip, in order to allow machine reading of the authenticity of a document. According to DE 197 14 519, marker substances which are not recognizable to the human eye are used for this, which by markings in the form of lines are superimposed on a visual printed image. The marking substance used must be verifiable by machine on the basis of a physical characteristic. As a physical characteristic of this nature, it also mentions the electrical conductivity, but nevertheless a marker substance of this nature is not revealed, not recognizable to the human eye. A security mark that is currently widely disseminated to be incorporated into bank notes is represented by a sheet structure constituted by at least one support sheet and a metallization applied on the support sheet. In the strip of paper pulp is completely embedded or with windows, what is known as a security filament. Originally a safety filament of this nature, including recognizable demetallised points in the form of symbols or letters, served for human visual verification. In the efforts to improve security against counterfeiting, an additional verification of the electrical conductivity of the metallization was considered. Hitherto an embodiment of this purpose had failed because, on the one hand, the bank notes are subjected to high mechanical stresses, for example due to bends or creases on the part of the users, but also due to bending ATMs and counting machines. In addition, the sheet structure is already subjected to considerable stress due to tension and bending during the technological process of papermaking. As a consequence of this, fine capillary cracks appear randomly distributed in the metallization, which cause any measurement result to be unsafe and irreproducible. But to counteract the falsifications of this security mark, in the machines of verification of the ATMs not only the presence of a metallization, but authenticity is recognized based on a certain value of conductivity measurement. This problem is also not fundamentally solved if - as proposed in DE 43 44 553 and EP 659 587 - metallic effect printing colors are used instead of high vaporization metallization. Since electrical conductivity is one of the most essential properties of metals, it seems to be evident that counterfeiters assume the electrical conductivity of a metallization. There are also currently enough economically accessible technological equipment to integrate correct metallizations, including their image forms, as fakes of a security mark on documents, business titles, bank notes, packaging or merchandise. But since the electrical conductivity is a parameter of quick and surely verifiable verification, for the moment there is no intention to dispense with this safety mark. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that the metallization visible to the human eye can hardly and can vary in its characteristics, since it must serve for a large part of the users as a constant safety mark and always recognizable in the same way. Finally, a relatively large number of people are involved in the secrets of this safety mark recognizable by the human eye, in relationship with its manufacture and verification, so that only the magnitude and uncontrollability of this circle of people emanates a potential risk. Accordingly, it is the task of the invention to propose an electrically conductive marking substance in which the aforementioned disadvantages do not appear. It is also the task of the invention to propose such marking substances that contribute to the increase of security against counterfeiting because the need arose to create another safety mark of easy variation that calls less attention than the metallisation recognizable to the human eye, or well propose a safety mark in variable points in which its existence is not suspected and can only be verified with verification techniques that operate with a high degree of precision. These marks and elements that serve for safety are integrated into the paper pulp roll directly or in combination with other safety marks to be incorporated into the paper pulp roll, such as security filaments. According to the invention, this task is solved by means of the distinctive elements and features of claim 1, as well as by the special forms of embodiment set forth in the dependent claims. Regardless of the claims, the characteristics of the invention are also apparent from the description and the drawings, the individual features for which protection being sought represent forms claimed by themselves or in combination with others in the form of sub-combinations. The solution according to the invention offers the advantage that the polyethylenedioxythiophene-polystyrene-sulfonate (PEDT / PSS) found in combination with security paper provides it with covered, detectable, marks not recognizable to the human eye and whose homogeneous or partial existence must be verified. Simultaneously, the advantages of a continuous, time-saving and economical operation process for the integration of marker substances and safety marks in the pulp rolls of paper, and of a good compatibility in the composition with the pulp suspension of the pulp, are surprisingly produced. paper due to the excellent characteristics of the polyethylenedioxythiophene-polystyrene sulphonate material (PEDT / PSS). The invention is explained below in more detail based on the following examples and the figures. Fig. 1 piano mold of a paper machine in schematic view in side elevation and in plan to represent the process of the partial integration of the marking substance in line form, Fig. 2 cylindrical mold of a paper machine in schematic view in side elevation and in plan to represent the same process, Fig. 7 image of the signal when passing with the sensor on a banknote with a watermark, Fig. 7a signal linkage of the sensors, Fig. 8 schematic side elevational view of a watermark stamping cylinder with a transfer cylinder of the marking substance, Fig. 8th image of the signal of an electrically conductive watermark on conventional paper, FIG. 9 schematic representation in the case of a partial application of the marking substance on the roll 6 of paper pulp or of a partial integration of the substance marker on the roll 6 of paper pulp, Fig. 10 signal images of the partial detection of the marking substance, Fig. 11 laminar structure with a backing sheet, a metallization n and a further layer of an electrically conductive polymer, Fig. 12 another layered structure with a carrier foil, a metallization and a further layer of electrically conductive polymer, Fig. 13 a laminar structure with two support sheets and a metallization, each of the support sheets carrying a further layer of the electrically conductive polymer, Fig. 14 a laminar structure with two support sheets, a metallization and another layer additional electrically conductive polymer. In Fig. 1, a paper machine is shown in a schematic view in side elevation and in plan with a flat mold 1, an access 3 for the pulp, exit tubes 17, a control element 18 for the outlet pipes 17, an automatic valve 19 in each outlet tube 17, the pump 20 for the circulation of the marking substance and the tank 26 for the marking substance for its partial integration. In addition, verification zones 14 containing marking substance are represented. Fig. 2 shows the circular mold 2 of a paper machine in schematic side and plan view, with an inlet 4 for the pulp, the partial verification zones 14, the outlet tube 17, the control element 18 for the outlet tubes 17, the automatic valve 19 in each outlet tube 17, the pump 20 for the circulation of the marking substance and the tank 26 for the partial integration marker substance.

Fig. 7 shows the image of the signal in the form of a diagram of the voltage U as a function of the number of channels passing optical scanners 10 and capacitive scanners 11 on a banknote with a homogeneous distribution 6 of the marker substance and with an electrically conductive stamped area 24. In a schematic representation, the sensor channels 1-14 are shown. Fig. 7a shows the linking of signals from the optical scanning sensors 10, the capacitive scanning sensors 11 and the optical sensors 13 for the activation of the capacitive scanning sensors 11, during the verification of a sheet material with areas 14 of partial verification. FIG. 8 shows the schematic side elevational view of a watermark stamping cylinder 5 with stamping segments and with a transfer cylinder 7 for the marking substance, an electrically conductive verification zone 9 in the form of a marking water, a reservoir 16 of marking substance and an oppressor cylinder 27. Fig. 8a shows the image of the signal in the form of a diagram of the voltage U as a function of the number of channels when verifying an electrically conductive zone 9 on paper not provided with a marking substance.

Fig. 9 shows in diagrammatic representation, after a partial integration according to Fig. 8 of the marking substance in the paper pulp strip 6, the verification with the capacitive scanners 11, the optical sensors 13 for the activation of those, and with the different zones 14a, 14b, 14c of partial verification. Fig. 10 shows the images 23 of the signals of the partial detection of the marking substance according to the arrangements of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 shows a laminar structure with a support sheet 28, a metallization 29 and a additional layer 30 of an electrically conductive polymer. Fig. 12 shows another laminar structure with support sheet 28, metallization 29 and additional layer 30 of the electrically conductive polymer. Fig. 13 shows a laminar structure with two sheets 2828 'of support and a metallization 29, each of the support sheets 28, 28' carrying an additional layer 30 of the electrically conductive polymer. Fig. 14 shows a laminar structure with two sheets 28; 28 'of support, a metallization 29 and an additional layer 30 of the electrically conductive polymer. Example 1 In Figs. 1 and 2 is represented as a partial application of the polyethylenedioxythiophene-polystyrene-sulfonate (PEDT / PSS) found by means of dosing devices placed precisely on the strip 6 of paper pulp. The condition for uniform feeding of the marking substance to the dosing devices is a constant circulation of the pulp through pumps 20 throughout the pipe system including the deposit 26 for the marking substance for partial integration. By means of an array of metering devices constituted in each case by an outlet tube 17 with an automatic valve 19, the marking substance is partially applied to the strip 6 of paper pulp, or integrated into it. Depending on the control, continuous linear verification zones 14a, discontinuous verification zones 14b or verification zones 14c are produced in the form of points. Compare in relation to this also Fig. 9. When cutting the strip 6 of paper pulp to obtain sheets, areas 14 of partial verification are obtained with the marking substance. These can extend over the entire width or length of the sheet, or exist by segments along the length or width of the sheet. The width of the lines or the line segments must be adapted to the resolution capacity of the scanners 10; 11. Preferably, a line width of 2 mm is chosen. In the case of the use of electrically conductive polymers, the advantage is obtained that these polymers are well compatible with the other substances that make up the pulp. Because of this, the integration into the paper pulp is substantially less complicated than in the case of solid marker substances, since the electrically conductive polymers are also available in liquid form. The concentrations required allow an almost transparent electrically conductive marking. Example 2 On the basis of FIG. 8, an impression of the PEDT / PSS is produced on the paper pulp strip 6 by means of a stamping cylinder 5 and a marker substance transfer cylinder 7. The printing of the stamped segments 25 corresponds to the image represented by the electrically conductive verification zone n of the water mark 9. Example 3 In Figs. 1 and 2 it is shown that the verification zones 14 in the pulp strip 6 are controlled with respect to the homogeneous or partial existence of the marking substance. The result of the verification that obtained with this influences through the control element 18 in the automatic valves 19 of the outlet pipes 17. As already explained above, in Figs. 7, 7a, 8a, 9 and 10 the verification is represented in various applications with the corresponding signal images. In Fig. 7 it is represented by a watermark in the stamped area 24 as the verification of the conductivity of the paper is carried out as a reference check for the verification of the shape of the watermark image. The paper with the watermark traverses successively in the direction of the arrow an array of optical scanners 10 and another arrangement of capacitive scanners 11. The associated signal image shows the coincident path of the voltage of the optical scanning sensors 10 and the capacitive scanning sensors 11, represented in this case as a function of the number of channels. As shown in Fig. 7a, also in this case the sensor channels are controlled in an alternating manner as described above. In Figs. 9 v 10 the verification of marker substance applied in linear form on paper is shown, as well as the signal images 23 that are generated by this. In Fig. 9a the paper contains a verification zone 14a with a continuous application in linear form of the marking substance. By going through the constituted verification arrangement by the optical sensors 13 and the capacitive scanning sensors 11 a similarly continuous voltage path U = f (t) is produced in the image 23 of the signal. In Fig. 9b the application of the marking substance in the verification zone 14b is discontinuous at regular intervals. During the verification, an image 23 of the signal is produced with corresponding regular jumps in the path of the voltage U = f (t). In Fig. 9c the application on the verification zone 14c is discontinuous at irregular intervals. This is also reflected in the image 23 of the resulting signal. Example 4 Based on Figs. 11 to 14 the use of the electrically conductive marking substance in the case of a laminar structure to be integrated in a roll 6 of paper pulp is explained below. The laminar structure of the security mark to be integrated into the paper roll comprises a sheet 28; 28 'of support, for example of polypropylene, with a thickness of preferably 40 μm. The metallization 29 which is applied to the support sheet 28; 28 'by vaporization or electron deposition has an additional thickness of approximately 2 nm. The metallization 29 contains demetallised points, for example in the form of letters or numbers, which can be recognized by the user in translucence through the human eye. The demetallization extends by segements up to the edge of the support sheet 28, 28 '. On the other side, the support sheet 28; 28 'has an additional layer (PEDT / PSS) of special (polyethylendioxythiophene-polystyrene sulfonate) PEDT / PSS applied according to the formulation CPP105 in a thickness of 1 μm to 2 μm. By the addition of the additional layer 30 the thickness is consequently increased in a totally insignificant manner. In other words, the laminar structure integrated in a roll of paper as a security mark with the market substance according to the invention does not affect at all - the documents or bank notes produced from the paper roll due to its slight variation in thickness , even in a stack of considerable height. Nor is the paper weakened at the point of inclusion of the safety mark due to the increase in thickness.

The metallization 29 applied, for example by vaporization or electron deposition on the support sheet 28; 28 'only has a thickness of few atomic layers and is therefore relatively fragile depending on the surface structure of the support sheet. When bending, folding or bending, randomly distributed capillary cracks occur which make the intended measurement of the conductivity of predetermined segments of the metallization 29 impossible. On the other hand, the additional layer 30 is flexible and elastic and has a large extension capacity against metallization. higher depending on the surface structure of the support sheet 28; 28 '. Also, when folding, folding and flexing, for example a bank note, a discontinuity of the additional layer 30 occurs. The verification devices existing in the ATMs now capture for predetermined segments of the security mark a measurement value of the conductivity of the metallization 29 that is provided according to the state of the art and that probably has capillary cracks, and of the additional layer 30 of relatively high impedance connected in parallel to the metallization 29. Example 5 A preferred embodiment of the laminar structure with the marking substance according to the invention for a security mark, for example on a bank note, is shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 11 shows the support sheet 28 on one of whose sides the metallization 29 is applied. The other side of the sheet 28 carries the additional layer 30 of the electrically conductive polymer. The application of the additional layer 30 on the support sheet 28 is carried out according to conventional technological processes, for example by calendering. In this way a composite laminate is produced on which the metallization 29 is then applied, for example by vaporization. Of course it is also possible to apply the additional layer 30 of the electrically conductive polymer on the metallization 29 after vaporizing the support sheet 28. In the case of such a laminar structure, from the additional layer 30 comes a certain protective effect for metallization 29. Example 6 Fig. 12 shows another preferred embodiment of the laminar structure with the marker substance according to the invention . The support sheet 28 is shown with the metallization 29. Between the support sheet 28 and the metallization 29 is the additional layer 30 of PEDT / PSS as a coadjuvant of the adhesion between the sheet 28 of support and metallization 29. The arrangement of the additional layer 30 as a coadjuvant of the adhesion is not limited to an improvement in the adherence between the support sheet 28 and the metallization 29. The additional layer 30 can be integrated among any other sheets or layers to improve adhesion. However, as a mediator of the adhesion between the support sheet 28 and the metallization 29 has the advantage that the relatively fragile metallization 29 resists on the additional layer 30 substantially more elastic to considerably higher mechanical stresses than in the case of direct vaporization of the support sheet 28. Example 7 Fig. 13 shows a laminar structure for a security mark with the marker substance according to the invention employing a support sheet 28 on which the metallization 29 is applied. The metallization 29 is covered by another sheet 28 'of support. This, for example, happens to protect the metallization 29 if it is exposed to greater stress in the case of a window filament with a partial incorporation to the paper strip. Another reason for the application of a further support sheet 28 'is the greatest efforts during the technological process of papermaking. The additional layer 30 of the polymer electrically The conductor is provided in at least one of the support sheets 28; 28 '. Example 8 In Fig. 13 both support sheets 28; 28 'carry the additional layer 30, while in Fig. 14 an embodiment is shown in which only one of the support sheets 28 carries the additional layer 30 of the electrically conductive polymer. The invention is not limited to the marker substance according to the invention being used as an additional layer in a laminar structure. The marking substance according to the invention can be integrated as security merchandise in any desirable configuration in the paper roll. Example 9 To improve the security against counterfeiting serves to provide other security marks in addition to the electrical conductivity, and combine them in an appropriate manner. Thus, for example, in addition to the electrical conductivity -of the polymer, marker pigments visible to the human eye are provided, as well as those that can only be recognized by suitable verification apparatuses, such as with special light sources and optical sensors. In addition, the invention also covers the combination of electrical conductivity with substances complementary that have magnetic properties. Particularly suitable in the sense of the invention is a combination of electrical conductivity with optical and magnetic marker substances. As a preferred application we want to mention the concealment of complementary substances with magnetic properties by the addition of marker pigments recognizable by the human eye. In this way a potential counterfeiter is left in doubt about the existence of a magnetically active substance, in particular due to the small quantities that are used and because the magnetic effects can not be detected easily. In addition to the simple existence of optically active complementary substances in the PEDT / PSS, the invention also encompasses the fact that the optically active complementary substances are arranged in such a way that the electrically conductive polymer produces an optical coding, for example a pattern of colors that can be evaluated by means of verification devices. The same applies to complementary substances of magnetic activity, with which arrangement according to the invention a magnetic coding is produced, for example in the form of a magnetic bar code.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS Electrically conductive marker substance in the form of an electrically conductive polymer to be integrated into paper pulp rolls for documents, negotiable securities and bank notes, for the incorporation of security markings on paper strips to verify documents, negotiable instruments, banknotes bank, packaging and products1, or to combine it with a support material for the production of security markings, characterized in that the marking substance is a polyethylenedioxythiophene-polystyrene-sulfonate PEDT / PSS. The electrically conductive marker substance according to claim 1, characterized in that preferably PEDT / PSS is used according to the formulation CPP105. An electrically conductive marker substance according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the electrically conductive polymer does not stand out from its surroundings when in use. An electrically conductive marker substance according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the electrically conductive polymer stands out from its surroundings when in use. An electrically conductive labeling substance according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the marking substance is an electrically conductive polymer whose specific surface resistance can be adjusted by the form of application, by the form of integration and / or by its composition and / or its formulation specific. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the PEDT / PSS contains a complementary substance. An electrically conductive marker substance according to claim 6, characterized in that the complementary substance is a pigment visible to the human eye, an optically active or activatable pigment or a pigment with magnetic properties. An electrically conductive marker substance according to claim 1, characterized in that the PEDT / PSS exists in one or on a watermark in the stamped area. An electrically conductive marker substance according to claim 1, characterized in that the PEDT / PSS exists partially or homogeneously in the roll of paper pulp and / or partially or homogeneously on the roll of paper pulp. An electrically conductive marker substance according to claim 1, characterized in that the PEDT / PSS is bonded to a sheet of the security mark that must be integrated into the paper pulp strip. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the PEDT / PSS is applied at least partially, preferably as a printed image on the safety marking to be integrated in the paper pulp strip. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it serves as a safety mark, in a laminar structure constituted by at least one support sheet and a metallization applied on the support sheet with a segment demetallization to the At the edge of the support sheet there is provided at least one additional layer of the PEDT / PSS, and in that the laminar structure is partially or completely incorporated into the strip of paper pulp. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional layer consisting of the PEDT / PSS, it is applied both as a coadjuvant of the adhesion between the support sheets as well as between the support sheets and the metallization of the laminar structure that serves as a safety mark, as well as as a coadjuvant of the adhesion between the laminar structure and the pulp strip of paper. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metallization is applied to one side of the support sheet and the additional PEDT / PSS layer to the other side. Electrically conductive labeling substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the one side of the support sheet the metallization is applied, and on the metallization the additional layer of PEDT / PSS. The electrically conductive marking substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metallization applied on one side of the support sheet is covered by a second support sheet, and on the at least one of these support sheets the additional layer is applied. of PEDT / PSS. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional PEDT / PSS layer is provided with a higher coefficient of extension than the metallization applied to one of the support sheets. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marking substance is a printing ink containing a PEDT / PSS. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that before its bonding to the paper strip, the PEDT / PSS joins with at least one sheet, a hardened lacquer layer, a reflective layer and a protective layer . An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the PEDT / PSS can be applied to the support material by means of a printing, atomization or immersion process. An electrically conductive marker substance according to claim 1 or 20, characterized in that the support material is the paper strip itself or a sheet that is integrated into the paper strip. The electrically conductive marker substance according to claim 1 or one of claims 20 and 21, characterized in that the support material is an auxiliary coadjuvant or auxiliary layer on a substrate. An electrically conductive marking substance according to claim 1 or one of claims 20 and 22, characterized in that the support material is a package or a commodity. An electrically conductive marker substance according to claim 1 or one of claims 20 and 22, characterized in that the support material is a security merchandise recognizable by the human eye. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the PEDT / PSS is applied to the support material as at least one continuous surface. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the PEDT / PSS is applied on; the support material as a surface divided by at least one discontinuity. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the PEDT / PSS is applied to the support material as at least one line. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the PEDT / PSS is applied to the support material in the form of dots. An electrically conductive marker substance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the PEDT / PSS can be detected by multiple verification with respect to its physical and / or chemical properties, preferably with respect to its electrical conductivity and optical characteristics.