RU2429138C2 - Method to manufacture sheet material, which contains at least one fibrous layer and protective and/or decorative elements - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: printing industry. ^ SUBSTANCE: at one side of the fibrous layer protective and/or decorative elements are sprayed as the layer moves in the specified direction, in particular, when the fibrous layer is still wet, so that at least one continuous ornament is formed, having at least one layer, substantially in direction of movement, which is not fully parallel to the movement direction, and an ornament that includes a sequence of separate sections; and protective and/or decorative elements of at least two various types and/or having alternate concentration are sprayed at one side of the fibrous layer, in particular, when it is still wet. ^ EFFECT: invention makes it possible to create a wide variety of ornaments with application of protective or decorative elements. ^ 32 cl, 19 dwg

Description

One of the objects of the present invention is, in particular, a method of manufacturing a sheet material containing at least one fibrous layer.

From US Pat. No. 6,270,625, a method for manufacturing security paper having colored stripes is known, comprising the following steps:

the headbox is supplied with paper pulp through several feed lines;

one or more coloring additives are selectively introduced into some supply lines;

the pulp is laid on a paper grid.

This method allows you to get several colored stripes in the mass of paper.

Security elements can be selectively introduced into one of the lines for the distribution of paper pulp.

One drawback due to the method described above is due to the fact that security elements are introduced into the paper mass, which may interfere with their observation and detection or may complicate their observation and detection.

US Pat. No. 5,989,389 discloses a method for manufacturing security paper, such as banknotes, which consists in laying two types of fibrous suspensions on a mesh cylinder, one for forming opaque sections of paper, and the other for essentially transparent sections.

The fiber suspension forming transparent areas may contain a filler, a binder, or an transparency enhancing additive, and it is dispensed using a nozzle in contact with the paper web.

A single-layer security paper is known from GB 2309710, which includes security elements, such as metal or magnetic particles. The paper is formed in contact with the rotating mesh cylinder, and particles are introduced into the fiber layer formed using nozzles spaced apart from each other and located at the point where the fiber layer begins to form in contact with the paper mesh.

Also, from GB 696673, a paper manufacturing method is known, comprising a step comprising infusing a material, such as printing ink, using a syringe into the mass of a forming fibrous layer.

From the patent EP 490825 it is known to use a security paper, for example a banknote containing several adjacent strips, each of which is formed by coating with rainbow pigment.

Rainbow pigment is applied by coating using a rotating shaft:

- either by laying the product on a shaft that transfers the product onto moving paper;

- or by directly applying the product to the paper before the passage of the rotating shaft.

International application WO 2004/087437 discloses a security paper, for example a banknote, containing two adjacent rainbow strips deposited on paper, for example using the method described in EP 498825, previously indicated, or by coating, printing, photo engraving, flexography or offset printing.

The paper also contains an element with variable optical properties, for example, a hologram deposited by hot pressing on at least one of the rainbow stripes.

The manufacture of security paper according to application EP 490825 or application WO 2004/087437 requires the implementation of steps outside the production line of paper production, which can increase the final cost of the paper.

Typically, known security or valuable documents contain security features that protect these documents from counterfeiting or attempted reproduction.

Among the security features, some can be detected with the naked eye in visible light without the use of special devices. These security elements contain, for example, colored confetti or fibers.

These security features are considered first-level features.

Other types of security elements can only be detected using a relatively simple device, such as a lamp emitting in the ultraviolet or infrared range. These security elements contain, for example, fibers, confetti or particles. These security features may be visible to the naked eye or not visible, being, for example, luminescent in the illumination of a Wood lamp emitting at a wavelength of 365 nm. These elements may also be, for example, a thermochromic or photochromic type.

These security features are considered second level features.

However, the detection of other types of security elements requires a more sophisticated detection device. These protection elements, for example, are capable of generating a special signal when they are exposed, simultaneously or in turn, to one or more sources of external excitation. Automatic signal detection allows, if necessary, to determine the authenticity of the document.

These protection elements contain, for example, marking elements in the form of an active material from particles or fibers, capable of generating a special signal if these marking elements have an exciting effect in an optoelectronic, electric, magnetic or electromagnetic manner.

These security features are considered third level features.

The above-mentioned security elements can be embedded in a mass of paper or located on its surface.

If all paper is to be labeled with security elements, the number of such elements used can be relatively large, which can increase the final cost of the paper.

If security elements are embedded in a mass of paper, their observation with the naked eye for first level security elements or their detection for third level security elements may be difficult or even impossible due to, for example, the presence of cellulose fibers or pigments that can act as a filter.

In addition, depending on the method of making paper, in particular during the introduction of the total mass, a certain number of security elements may not be retained and may not ultimately be embedded in the paper.

The present invention is intended, in particular, to create a new method of manufacturing a sheet material having at least one fibrous layer containing protective and / or decorative elements.

The expression "sheet material" in the description and in the claims may refer to a fibrous sheet based on cellulosic and / or synthetic fibers. The sheet material may, for example, have a relatively small thickness, in particular less than or equal to 3 mm, for example equal to approximately 100 μm, and be at least partially or even completely flexible. The sheet material may be a single layer or a multilayer type, in particular a bilayer. In one example implementation of the invention, the sheet material can be packaged in a roll, in particular before cutting it to the desired format.

An object of the invention, according to one aspect thereof, is a method for manufacturing a sheet material comprising at least one fibrous layer and several protective and / or decorative elements, the method comprising at least one of the following steps:

protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed onto one side of the fiber layer when the layer moves in a predetermined direction, in particular when the fiber layer is still wet, so as to form at least one continuous pattern having at least one edge, essentially in the direction of movement, not completely parallel to the direction of movement, and a pattern containing a sequence of disconnected sections;

sprayed on one side of the fibrous layer, in particular when it is still wet, protective and / or decorative elements of at least two different types and / or having a variable concentration.

Thanks to the invention, the number of protective and / or decorative elements used for the manufacture of sheet material may be relatively small.

For example, a stream of protective and / or decorative elements can be sprayed over a small portion of the surface of the fibrous layer.

In addition, the invention allows to limit the possible loss of material. If protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed onto a still wet fibrous layer, this can improve the fixation of such elements to the pulp.

The protective and / or decorative elements can be sprayed onto the fibrous layer on the production line after the wet part of the paper machine used to form the fiber layer, in particular before the press part passes through or even before the drying device of the paper machine passes.

The application of protective and / or decorative elements can be more convenient, since it is carried out in the paper machine itself, which in particular allows you to determine the position of the pattern or patterns of protective and / or decorative elements relative to other security elements located in the fibrous layer, for example a security thread or water sign.

The sections of the fibrous layer coated with protective and / or decorative elements may have a vague or distinct contour, depending on the type of protective and / or decorative elements applied and the spraying method.

The blurry outline can ensure that copying sheet material through printing will be more difficult.

In one embodiment of the invention, the protective and / or decorative elements are pre-distributed in a liquid, for example water, optionally with one or more additives, for example a binder or a retention agent, in order to facilitate the attachment of the protective and / or decorative elements to the fibrous layer, or a dispersant with the purpose of facilitating the dispersion of protective and / or decorative elements.

The mixture thus obtained can be sprayed onto the fibrous layer using a pressure agent stream, in particular a gas under pressure, for example compressed air.

The method according to the invention may comprise at least one of the following steps:

distribute the protective and / or decorative elements distributed in the liquid, in particular if the size of the protective and / or decorative elements is essentially small;

protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed onto the fibrous layer.

The protective and / or decorative elements can be sprayed using a spray system containing one or more spray nozzles.

For example, the spraying of protective and / or decorative elements can be carried out using several spray nozzles equipped with protective and / or decorative elements of various types to form adjacent or overlapping patterns.

The spray system contains, if necessary, in particular, depending on the type of protective and / or decorative elements, a device for fine atomization of a liquid medium in order to create very small drops.

The spraying system may include at least one nozzle, to which at least two containers containing protective and / or decorative elements can be alternately connected, configured to alternately spray protective and / or decorative elements coming from two containers.

If necessary, the spray system may include a jet splitter arranged to separate at the nozzle outlet of one jet into several jets, optionally spaced from each other to create one or more patterns.

Preferably, the protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed to form at least one jet, the method comprising the following steps:

in a given direction move the fibrous layer;

the jet is moved along a direction that is not parallel to the direction of movement of the fibrous layer, in particular, is moved in the form of vibrations.

The invention allows to create a wide variety of patterns using protective and / or decorative elements.

For example, protective and / or decorative elements can be sprayed onto the fibrous layer continuously or, alternatively, intermittently, in particular periodically with a certain frequency.

The spray system can, if necessary, be combined with a control system designed to control the spraying of protective and / or decorative elements, in particular the spray frequency, spray direction, spray power of the protective and / or decorative elements, volume, flow rate and shape and / or the size of the jet of protective and / or decorative elements.

The control system may include at least one pneumatic device and a peristaltic device, or a combined pneumatic / peristaltic device, providing the ability to control the frequency of spraying and volume.

In particular, it may include a pneumatic pump with the ability to control the spray frequency and volume through a compressed air system, the flow rate and pressure of which can be easily controlled.

The spray frequency and volume in a peristaltic pump depend, in particular, on the configuration of the pump, for example, on the number of impellers creating spray pressure.

The control system may contain, if necessary, a centrifugal pump or monopump, in particular in the case of the formation of continuous patterns, providing the ability to control the speed of flows, ensuring their regularity and accuracy, in particular repeatability and stability.

Protective and / or decorative elements can be sprayed to form at least one jet having a cross-sectional shape selected from the following list: a fragment of a straight line, an angle, such as a right angle, a triangle, a rectangle or square, a non-linear curve, such as an arc of a circle, circle, ellipse, oval or S-shaped, disk or wave-shaped.

The jet may be hollow or solid.

In one embodiment, protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed onto the fibrous layer so that they are distributed only on one portion of the corresponding side of the fibrous layer, and the elements do not completely cover this side.

The method may comprise, if necessary, the following step:

protective and / or decorative elements of at least two different types are sprayed onto the fibrous layer, simultaneously or sequentially, in particular alternately, for example with the aim of forming completely or partially overlapping, combined, adjacent or separate patterns.

The pattern or patterns made on the sheet material may form, if necessary, an identification element of the sheet material.

The pattern or patterns may form, if necessary, a decorative pattern or a specific pattern of a trademark.

Protective and / or decorative elements of various types can have, for example, different colors, while having an identical shape.

This or these patterns contain, for example, one of the following elements: but not limited to an alphanumeric character, symbol, geometric shape, logo, or composition.

This or these patterns may or may not alternate optionally with a given step, and / or in contact, or overlap.

The method may include the following step:

the protective layer and / or decorative elements at various flow rates are sprayed onto the fiber layer, for example, by combining, adjacent or separately, simultaneously or sequentially, in particular alternately, at different flow rates, with the aim, in particular, of forming sections on the fiber layer having a different number of protective and / or decorative items per unit length or per unit area.

One type of protective and / or decorative elements or a mixture of several types of protective and / or decorative elements, for example, elements of different levels of protection, can be sprayed onto the fibrous layer.

One of the advantages of a mixture of protection elements of different levels may be the ability to determine the position of the protection elements of the second or third level due to the presence of first-level protection elements visible in daylight.

Authentication and / or identification of the sheet material may, if necessary, be based on verifying the authenticity of the plurality of sections formed by security elements, or on verifying the authenticity of only some of these sections.

At least one of the sections formed by the security elements can form a test zone for analyzing the security elements located in this test zone in order to identify sheet material based, for example, on the spatial distribution of the security elements in the test zone.

This verification zone corresponds, for example, to the intersection of two sections formed by security elements of various types and / or concentrations.

Security elements may contain:

elements detected by the naked eye in reflected light and / or in transmitted light in daylight; and / or

touch-sensitive elements that create a tactile effect;

elements detected by the naked eye in reflected light and / or in transmitted light, for example under special lighting, in particular under ultraviolet light, and security elements, in particular, cannot be detected with the naked eye in visible light; and / or

elements having the ability to emit a special signal with an external excitation effect on them, in particular optoelectronic, electromagnetic, electrical, magnetic, thermal or acoustic excitation.

Security elements may contain, if necessary, at least one of the following elements:

active material, for example, a chemical substance that absorbs in the ultraviolet range, or elements detectable by fluorescence in the x-ray range;

a particle or pigment, in particular those that are luminescent, fluorescent and / or phosphorescent;

biological, chemical or physical marker;

a fiber, for example a magnetic fiber, in particular that is weakly magnetized, or a fiber that is optically excited, in particular when exposed to infrared radiation;

confetti.

Particles or pigments can have, for example, sizes from 10 to 20 microns, even reaching 500 microns.

Fibers can have, for example, a length of from 3 to 5 mm and a diameter of about 30 microns. Decorative elements contain, if necessary, metal particles and / or shiny or dull or colored particles made of mineral or plastic material (s).

The sheet material may contain at least one authentication and / or identification structure, the protective and / or decorative elements covering a portion of the fibrous layer, which may overlap, at least partially or even completely, with the authentication and / or identification structure.

The latter may, if necessary, cover protective and / or decorative elements.

The authentication and / or identification structure may comprise, for example, a film or an insert or a hologram deposited on a fibrous layer, in particular outside the paper machine.

The pattern or patterns formed by the protective and / or decorative elements may, for example, be on a security thread, or a section of high transparency, or a watermark.

The authentication and / or identification structure may be selected from at least one of the following elements: a watermark, an element with variable optical properties, for example, a hologram, strip element, film, insert, security thread or printed image.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to modify the shape of the pattern, in particular by controlling the following parameters:

the speed of movement of the fibrous layer during the application of protective and / or decorative elements;

pulsation speed in the case of using a pneumatic spray nozzle;

transverse movement of the spray system, in particular the oscillation frequency.

If necessary, it is possible to vary the flow rate over time in order to create patterns, in particular in the form of strips, with variable concentrations of protective and / or decorative elements.

For authentication of the sheet material, concentration deviations can be used.

Another subject of the invention, in accordance with another aspect thereof, is a paper machine comprising:

at least one wet portion to form a fibrous layer continuously;

a spray system arranged to spray protective and / or decorative elements over a fiber layer, which, in particular, is still wet, made in the wet part of the machine.

The spray system may comprise, if necessary, at least one spray device arranged to spray protective and / or decorative elements.

Another subject of the invention, according to another aspect thereof, is a sheet material obtained, in particular, by performing the method disclosed above.

Protective and / or decorative elements can cover one area only on one side of the fiber layer and can, in particular, be distributed at least partially in the mass of the fiber layer in a section with a thickness less than the thickness of the fiber layer.

This allows, for example, to see protective and / or decorative elements from only one side of the fibrous layer.

Protective and / or decorative elements may form a pattern containing a sequence of disconnected sections, in particular identical and / or repeated regularly.

The sheet material may contain at least two types, for example three types, of protective and / or decorative elements, the security elements of one particular type, in particular, covering only one area from the side of the fibrous layer.

The sheet material may contain at least two sections formed respectively by protective and / or decorative elements of various types, having, for example, different colors, and these sections in particular are adjacent or at least partially combined.

The intersection of the above two sections may, if necessary, have a color corresponding to a superposition of the two colors of these sections.

The sheet material may contain protective and / or decorative elements forming at least one of the following elements:

a continuous pattern, extending, in particular, from the first edge of the sheet material to the second opposite edge; and the sequence of disconnected sites.

The continuous portion forms, for example, a pattern in the form of a wavy strip or zigzag.

Alternatively, the continuous portion is a strip having parallel, rectilinear edges.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sheet material contains at least one authentication and / or identification element selected from among at least one of the following elements: an element indicating a fake, in particular that is visible and / or detectable using a specific detecting device , an element exhibiting a variable, interference, in particular rainbow, and / or diffractive optical effect, a liquid crystal element, a magnetic coating, magnetic fibers, mar magnetic resonance detecting elements, X-ray fluorescence detecting elements, biomarking elements, varnish or printing ink, luminescent (fluorescent or phosphorescent) marking elements, photochromic, thermochromic, electroluminescent, tribochromic and, in particular, pyrochrome compounds / or compounds that change color in contact with one or more specific products (solvatochrom, ionochrome, etc.).

The invention will be more clear as a result of studying the following detailed description of non-limiting examples of implementation and the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 represents, schematically and partially, a paper machine according to the invention;

figure 2 illustrates, schematically and partially, two spray nozzles of the spray system of the paper machine of figure 1;

figure 3 represents, schematically and partially, a spray nozzle connected to two containers of protective and / or decorative elements;

4 and 5 illustrate, schematically and partially, examples of patterns obtained as a result of the method of spraying protective and / or decorative elements; and

6-17 illustrate, schematically and partially, various examples of patterns formed by protective and / or decorative elements.

In the drawings, to facilitate understanding, the relative proportions of the various elements presented are not always observed, and the images are schematic.

Figure 1 presents the paper machine 1, containing the wet part 2 for forming paper, the contour 3 of the receiving belt, in particular made of cloth, drying device 4 and size press 5.

In the illustrated example, the paper machine 1 has a circular shape.

Alternatively, the paper machine may be a flat table type.

In another embodiment, the papermaking machine may comprise a mesh for a rotating cylinder (or “forming device”) and a device for introducing fibrous material onto this surface to form a fibrous layer.

The wet part 2 includes a reservoir 11 containing a suspension of 12 fibers, for example cellulose fibers, in particular cotton fluff and / or synthetic and / or artificial fibers, into which the rotating mesh cylinder 13 is partially immersed, said mesh cylinder having a surface 14 after contact with which continuously forms the fibrous layer 20.

The drying device 4 contains several rotating cylinders 9, after contact with which the fiber layer 20 is displaced.

It is possible to produce sheet material with one fibrous layer 20, which may, if necessary, be coated.

Alternatively, the sheet material may comprise at least two fibrous layers, in particular wet-bonded to form, for example, bilayer paper.

The papermaking machine 1 also includes a spraying system 21 comprising one or more spray nozzles 22 arranged to spray protective and / or decorative elements onto the fiber layer 20 as it moves in the direction of arrow F, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

System 21 may comprise a single nozzle or multiple spray nozzles.

In the present example, the spray system 21 is located at the place of the paper machine 1 where the fiber layer 20 is still wet.

For example, a spray system 21 is located between the wet paper forming part 2 and the drying device 4, as illustrated in FIG.

Alternatively, the spray system 21 is located, for example, between the drying device 4 and the size press system 5.

When the protective and / or decorative elements are suspended in an aqueous medium, spraying the suspension onto the fibrous layer can be combined with fine spraying of the suspension in order to reduce the size of the sprayed droplets.

For this purpose, one of the nozzles may include a spray device 23 containing, for example, one or more vortex channels.

If the protective and / or decorative elements contain particles, confetti or fibers, spraying can be carried out using a fluid medium, such as compressed air.

At least two containers 25 and 26 of protective and / or decorative elements can be connected to one of the nozzles 22 for the purpose of alternately spraying protective and / or decorative elements coming from two containers 25 and 26, as illustrated in FIG.

Tanks 25 and 26 contain, for example, protective and / or decorative elements of various types.

In one example, which is not illustrated, system 21 may comprise a jet splitter disposed to split at the nozzle outlet of a single jet into multiple jets.

The system 21 may contain, if necessary, two nozzles arranged for spraying the jets, which are at least partially in contact, for example, to form on the fiber layer a portion having a relatively large surface area.

The spray system 21 can be combined with a control system 28 for controlling the spray system of protective and / or decorative elements, the control system 28 can control, for example, the spray frequency (in particular the duration of one spray operation and / or the duration between two successive spray operations ), the direction of spraying, the power of spraying and the shape and / or size of the jet 29 of the protective and / or decorative elements.

The control system 28 includes, for example, at least one pneumatic device and a peristaltic device or a combined pneumatic / peristaltic device for controlling the spray frequency.

The control system 28 may be configured, for example, to move one of the jets 29 of protective and / or decorative elements along a direction that is not parallel to the direction F of the movement of the fiber layer 20.

The control system 28 may include, if necessary, a centrifugal pump or a monopump, in particular in the case of the formation of continuous patterns, providing the ability to control the accuracy and regularity of the flow rate, in particular repeatability and stability.

Jet 29 can, for example, be moved by oscillatory movements in a direction transverse to the direction F.

Each of the nozzles 22 may be arranged to spray the jet 29 of protective and / or decorative elements having a circular cross-sectional shape, as illustrated in FIG.

Alternatively, each of the nozzles 22 can be arranged to spray a jet 29 having a cross-sectional shape selected from the list: a fragment of a straight line, an angle, such as a right angle, rectangle or square, a non-linear curve, such as an arc of a circle, an oval or an ellipse, or S-shaped or disk.

The jet 29 may be, for example, flat, or alternatively substantially conical.

The nozzles 22 are arranged to spray protective and / or decorative elements onto the fibrous layer 20 in one section of only the corresponding side of this layer.

The spraying system 21 may allow spraying onto the fiber layer 20, simultaneously or alternately, of at least two different types of protective and / or decorative elements.

To form the spraying system 21 may use at least one of the nozzles sold by Spraying Systems Co., e.g., nozzles sold under the names ^{FLATJET ® NOZZLE, VEEJET ® NOZZLE,} FLATJET ® NOZZLE AIR ATOMIZING NOZZLE or GUNJET ^® SPRAY GUNS.

Protective and / or decorative elements may contain elements detected by the naked eye in reflected light and / or in the light, in visible light or detected by touch.

Protective and / or decorative elements may, if necessary, contain elements detected by the naked eye in reflected light and / or in the light, for example under special lighting, in particular ultraviolet lighting, and the security elements, in particular, are undetectable to the naked eye in the visible the light.

The protection elements may contain elements emitting a special signal upon external stimulation on them, in particular upon optoelectronic, electromagnetic, electrical, magnetic, thermal or acoustic excitation.

The security element contains, for example, at least one of the following elements:

active material, for example, a chemical substance that absorbs in the ultraviolet range, or elements detectable by fluorescence in the x-ray range;

a particle or pigment, in particular being luminescent, fluorescent and / or phosphorescent;

marker;

a fiber, for example, a magnetic fiber, in particular, which is weakly magnetized, or a fiber, which is optically excited, in particular when exposed to infrared radiation;

confetti.

Decorative elements contain, if necessary, metallic particles, and / or shiny, or matte, or colored particles made of mineral or plastic material (s).

Various examples of patterns that can be formed by spraying protective and / or decorative elements onto the fiber layer will now be described.

Figure 4 (a) illustrates the fibrous layer 20 on which two types of different patterns are formed.

The first continuous pattern 30 is made by spraying onto the fibrous layer 20 of protective and / or decorative elements using the first continuous nozzle 22.

Pattern 30 is a continuous strip with straight and parallel edges.

Pattern 31 is formed next to a circle parallel to strip 30.

The circles are formed by protective and / or decorative elements sprayed by hollow jets onto the fiber layer 20 using, for example, a pneumatic spray nozzle 22.

By increasing the relative velocity of the spray nozzles relative to the fibrous layer 20, it is possible to obtain ellipses in the pattern 31 instead of circles, as illustrated in FIG. 4 (b).

In the illustrated example in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the circumferences of the pattern 31 are formed using a pneumatic spray nozzle.

By controlling the speed of movement of the fibrous layer 20 relative to the nozzle and / or the frequency of spraying operations, the distance between the two circles of the pattern 31 can be reduced or increased to, for example, form a series of circles located closer to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 5 (b) .

When the spray nozzle is subjected to transverse vibrations of a predetermined frequency, a strip 33 is formed on the fiber layer 20 having a substantially sinusoidal or zigzag shape, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

In the example of FIG. 7, the fibrous layer 20 comprises, in addition to the sinusoidal strip 33, a continuous pattern 34 in the form of a strip having parallel rectilinear edges.

Pattern 34 is formed, in particular, by a mixture of security elements of two different types; namely, for example, on the one hand, confetti having a red color in daylight and a red fluorescence upon emission of 365 nm and, on the other hand, fibers that are invisible in daylight and have a yellow fluorescence upon emission of 365 nm.

The pattern 33 is formed, for example, by markers that are invisible in ambient light, such as TRACELESS ™ markers sold by Creo.

These marking elements can be detected by means of a specific detector containing a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) infrared camera designed to reflect the spatial distribution of the marking elements.

The signal emitted by the marking elements distributed in a specific area of the pattern 33, corresponding, for example, to the area of the sinusoidal curve 33, can be used to identify the fibrous layer 20.

The section of the sinusoidal curve may be, for example, its period or its multiple.

Thus, pattern 34 is formed from security elements of the first and second level, and pattern 33 is made of security elements of the third level. Pattern 34 is used, in particular, to determine the position of pattern 33.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 8, the fibrous layer 20 comprises a pattern 35 formed of a series of identical individual patterns repeating regularly, each of these individual patterns being formed, for example, by two concentric rings. These individual patterns are made of second-level security elements, such as HILITE ™ particles, which are invisible in daylight and have orange fluorescence when emitted at 365 nm, as described, for example, in EP 226367. These particles are agglomerates having sizes of the order of 200 μm consisting of finer fluorescent particles.

In the example of FIG. 9, the fibrous layer 20 comprises a pattern 36 obtained by varying the width of the jet of protective and / or decorative elements, so that the width of the pattern 36 changes, in particular periodically.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 10, the fibrous layer 20 comprises a pattern 38 formed of alternating adjacent discontinuous portions 38a-38c forming together a common shape in the form of a continuous strip with parallel rectilinear edges.

Each of these sections 38a-38c is obtained, in particular, by intermittent spraying of protective and / or decorative elements of various types.

For example, portions 38a may be formed from HILITE ™ particles, which are invisible in daylight and have blue fluorescence under ultraviolet radiation.

Sections 38b may be formed, for example, from HILITE ™ particles having white fluorescence and sections 38c from HILITE ™ particles having red fluorescence under ultraviolet radiation.

Thus, with ultraviolet radiation, pattern 38 may take the form of a sequence of blue / white / red tri-color flags.

Alternatively, portions 38a-38c may be formed from Creo TRACELESS ™ markers, the concentration of which varies along portions 38a-38c. These sections may form, for example, a barcode.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 11, the fibrous layer 20 comprises two continuous patterns 40 and 41, each of which is in the form of a strip with parallel rectilinear edges, these patterns 40 and 41 being adjacent along their entire length.

The pattern 40 may, for example, be formed from protective and / or decorative elements that are visible to the naked eye under appropriate lighting. This pattern 40 can provide the ability to determine the position of the pattern 41, formed, for example, from security elements that are not visible to the naked eye and which can only be detected using a specific device.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, the fibrous layer 20 comprises a pattern 42 having a strip shape with parallel rectilinear edges formed, for example, of security elements not visible to the naked eye.

This pattern 42 may overlap from above the authentication and / or identification structures 43 visible to the naked eye, for example, containing watermarks.

The authentication and / or identification structure 43 may alternatively comprise at least one security thread, an element with variable optical properties, for example a holographic film or a printed image, for example a printed image from printing ink.

The structure 43 may be applied to the fibrous layer during or after the manufacture of this layer, for example, during a conversion or printing operation.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the fibrous layer 20 may comprise a pattern 39 formed from a sequence of discontinuous sections, for example, from rectangles.

The pattern 39 overlaps on top of the strip or security thread 44 embedded at least partially in the mass of the fibrous layer 20.

Pattern 39, obtained, for example, by spraying a pigment having electromagnetic properties, forming a characteristic characteristic for the sheet material. The pigment may be SECUSYSTEM®, such as that sold by Bsecure, mixed with particles that are invisible in daylight and have a red fluorescence upon emission at 365 nm.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 14, sheet material 20 comprises first and second patterns 44 and 45, each of which is in the form of a strip with parallel rectilinear edges, these patterns being adjacent, and a third pattern 46 having the shape of a sinusoidal strip overlapping patterns 44 and 45.

The first pattern 44 may be formed by sputtering a fiber having a red color in daylight and a red fluorescence upon emission at 365 nm.

Pattern 45 can be formed from security elements, such as HILITE ™ particles, which are red in daylight and red fluorescence when emitted at 365 nm.

Pattern 46 is formed, for example, from HILITE ™ particles, which are invisible in daylight and have yellow fluorescence when emitted at 365 nm.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 15, the fibrous layer 20 comprises a first pattern in the form of a band 47, a second pattern in the form of a band 48 formed within the first pattern 47, and a third discontinuous pattern 49 formed within the pattern 48.

The pattern 49 is formed of discontinuous sections, and these sections are, for example, disks or similar figures obtained using continuous conical jets.

The first pattern 47 may contain second-level security elements, for example fibers, which are invisible in ambient light and have blue fluorescence when emitted at 365 nm.

The second pattern 48 can be formed, for example, from security elements, such as HILITE ™ particles, having a red color in daylight and a red fluorescence when emitted at 365 nm.

A third pattern 49 may be formed, for example, from TRACELESS ™ markers.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 16, the fibrous layer 20 comprises a first continuous strip-like pattern 50, and continuous second and third patterns 51 and 52 also strip-shaped, overlapping the first pattern 50. The second and third patterns 51 and 52 are spaced apart from friend.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 17, the fibrous layer 20 comprises two patterns 53 and 54, each of which is in the form of a continuous strip with parallel rectilinear edges and which partially overlap at the intersection of section 55.

The first pattern 53 is formed by spraying a pigment having a yellow color in daylight and a yellow fluorescence upon emission at 365 nm.

The second pattern 54 is formed by spraying a pigment having a blue color in daylight and blue fluorescence when emitted at 365 nm.

The intersection 55 has a color corresponding to the yellow and blue superposition of the patterns 53 and 54, so that the patterns 53-54 form, under ultraviolet light, three colors in the yellow / green / blue flag style.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the implementation examples that have been described.

One of the nozzles may, for example, comprise a valve to interrupt the spraying of the jet.

One of the nozzles can be made with the possibility of moving on the support, for example by translational motion or rotation, in particular following oscillatory movements.

One of the nozzles can be made with the possibility of movement, so that the distance between this nozzle and the fibrous layer varies.

The expression “comprising one” is to be understood as being synonymous with the expression “comprising at least one” unless otherwise indicated.

Claims (32)

1. A method of manufacturing a sheet material containing at least one fibrous layer (20) and many protective and / or decorative elements, containing at least one of the following steps:
protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed onto one side of the fibrous layer (20) while the layer is moving in a predetermined direction (F), in particular when the fibrous layer is still wet, so that at least one continuous pattern is formed having at least one edge, essentially in the direction of movement is not completely parallel to the direction of movement, and a pattern containing a sequence of disconnected sections; and
spraying on one side of the fibrous layer (20), in particular when it is still wet, protective and / or decorative elements of at least two different types and / or having a variable concentration. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which the protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed onto the fibrous layer using a fluid under pressure, in particular gas under pressure. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, containing the following steps:
distribute protection elements in a liquid; and
protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed onto the fibrous layer (20). 4. The method according to claim 1, in which the protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed using a spray system (21) containing one or more spray nozzles (22). 5. The method according to claim 4, in which the atomization system comprises a device (23) for fine atomization of a liquid medium to create small drops. 6. The method according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the atomization system (21) comprises at least one nozzle (22) configured to alternately supply from at least two containers (25, 26) with protective and / or decorative elements, with the possibility of alternately spraying protective and / or decorative elements coming from two containers. 7. The method according to claim 4, in which the spraying system comprises at least one jet splitter separating one jet in several jets at the nozzle outlet. 8. The method according to claim 1, in which the protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed with the formation of at least one jet (29), the method comprising the following steps:
the fibrous layer (20) is moved in a predetermined direction (F);
the jet (29) is moved in a direction that is not parallel to the direction of movement of the fibrous layer, in particular, it is moved in the form of vibrations. 9. The method according to claim 1, in which the protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed onto the fibrous layer (20) continuously. 10. The method according to claim 1, in which the protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed onto the fibrous layer (20) intermittently, in particular periodically with a certain frequency. 11. The method according to claim 4 or 10, in which the spraying system (21) is combined with a control system (28), which makes it possible to control the spraying of protective and / or decorative elements, in particular the spraying frequency, spraying direction, spraying power of the protective elements, volume , the flow rate and the shape and / or dimensions of the jet of protective and / or decorative elements. 12. The method according to claim 11, in which the control system comprises at least one pneumatic device and a peristaltic device, or a combined pneumatic / peristaltic device that controls the frequency of atomization, or a centrifugal pump or mono pump. 13. The method according to claim 1, in which the security elements are sprayed with the formation of at least one jet (29) having a cross-sectional shape selected from the following list: a fragment of a straight line, an angle, for example a right angle, triangle, rectangle or square , a non-linear curve, such as an arc of a circle, circle, ellipse, oval or S-shaped, disk or wave-shaped. 14. The method according to claim 1, in which the spraying of protective and / or decorative elements on the fibrous layer is carried out on the production line after the wet part (2) of the paper machine (1) used to form the fibrous layer, in particular, before passing through the drying device ( 4) paper machine. 15. The method according to claim 1, in which the protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed onto the fibrous layer (20) so that they are distributed only on one section of the corresponding side of the fibrous layer. 16. The method according to claim 1, containing the following step:
at least two different types of protective and / or decorative elements are sprayed onto the fibrous layer simultaneously or sequentially, in particular alternately. 17. The method according to claim 1, in which the protective and / or decorative elements contain elements that are visible to the naked eye in reflected light and / or in transmitted light in daylight. 18. The method according to claim 1, in which the protective and / or decorative elements contain elements that are visible to the naked eye in reflected light and / or in transmitted light under special lighting, in particular under ultraviolet lighting, and the protective and / or decorative elements, in particular, invisible to the naked eye in visible light. 19. The method according to claim 1, in which the protective and / or decorative elements contain elements emitting a special signal when an external excitation effect on them, in particular optoelectronic, electromagnetic, electrical, magnetic, thermal or acoustic excitation. 20. The method according to claim 1, in which the security elements contain at least one of the following elements:
active material, for example, a chemical substance absorbing in the ultraviolet range, or elements detected by fluorescence in the x-ray range;
a particle or pigment, in particular those that are luminescent, fluorescent and / or phosphorescent;
biological, chemical or physical marker;
a fiber, for example a magnetic fiber, in particular that is weakly magnetized, or a fiber that is optically excited, in particular when exposed to infrared radiation; and confetti. 21. The method according to claim 1, in which the decorative elements contain metal particles and / or shiny, or matte, or colored particles made of mineral or plastic material / materials. 22. The method according to claim 1, in which the sheet material contains at least one authentication and / or identification structure, and the security elements cover a portion of the fibrous layer overlapping, at least partially, in particular completely, with the authentication and / or identification structure. 23. The method according to item 22, in which the authentication structure is selected from at least one of the following elements: a watermark, an element with variable optical properties, such as a hologram, strip element, film, insert, security thread or printed image. 24. A papermaking machine (1), ensuring the implementation of the method according to claim 1, containing:
at least one wet portion (2) to form a fibrous layer (20) continuously; and
a spray system (21) for spraying protective and / or decorative elements over a still wet fiber layer, located in the wet part of the machine. 25. The machine according to paragraph 24, in which the spray system contains at least one spray device (23), designed to spray protective and / or decorative elements. 26. Sheet material obtained by performing the method according to claim 1. 27. The material according to p. 26, in which the protective and / or decorative elements cover one area only on one side of the fiber layer, and the security elements, in particular, are distributed at least partially in the mass of the fiber layer in the area with a smaller thickness, than the thickness of the fibrous layer. 28. The material according to p. 26 or 27, in which the protective and / or decorative elements form a pattern containing a sequence of disconnected sections (31; 35; 38; 39; 49), in particular identical and / or repeated regularly. 29. The material according to item 27, containing at least two types, for example three types, protective and / or decorative elements, and the security elements of one particular type, in particular, cover only one area on the surface of the fibrous layer. 30. The material according to clause 29, containing at least two sections formed respectively by protective and / or decorative elements of various types, and these sections, in particular, are adjacent or at least partially combined. 31. The material according to p. 26, containing protective and / or decorative elements forming at least one of the following elements:
continuous pattern (30; 33, 36; 40; 41; 42; 44-48; 50-55), extending, in particular, from the first edge of the sheet material to the second opposite edge; and the sequence of individual sections (39). 32. The material according to p, in which the continuous section forms a pattern in the form of a wavy strip or zigzag.

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