RU2556492C2 - Security document containing structures with variable optical effect - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: printing.

SUBSTANCE: document comprises a substrate and a protective element comprising the first and the second structures contained on the substrate. The substrate also comprises a region which is translucent or even transparent, and within which the first and second structures are located at least partially. The first and the second structures within the transparent area when the document is viewed in reflected light have at least the first and the second colours, respectively, and when the document is viewed in transmitted light, a mutual change of the said first and second colours occurs.

EFFECT: improved protection.

12 cl, 14 dwg

Description

 The present invention relates to the field of security elements for valuable documents, such as security documents or similar documents.

The term “security document” used in the description of the invention includes any documents that are used to transfer money, such as banknotes, checks, bank cards.

The term “similar document” is used to refer to any document issued by a government agency to certify an individual’s identity, the right to drive a vehicle, such as personal identification cards, passports, driver’s licenses, etc. This term also includes any document used to establish the authenticity of a valuable product, such as a label affixed to expensive garments. The term also includes any document used to confirm the payment of tax, for example, such as tax stickers.

Currently, there is a strict requirement for valuable documents that include security features so that they are easily identifiable with the naked eye, and at the same time they must also be especially difficult to reproduce. Such security features are also referred to as the “first level” of security features.

The complexity of creating such an element, in general, is determined by various combinations of printing technologies that are difficult to reproduce using consumer copying equipment (scanners, laser printers, color inkjet printers, etc.) and / or using standard printing equipment.

In general, security features create optical effects that consist of optical animations, such as varying contrast, changing colors, optical illusions, etc.

Thus, in the relevant field of technology in the current state of affairs and, in particular, from document WO 2006/133512, a security document is already known that contains a substrate and a security element suitable for changing color when changing the viewing angle. The security element is formed in a transparent area on the security document, and this area is suitable for color change when the function changes the viewing angle in reflected light.

However, it is sometimes difficult for an inexperienced observer to unequivocally assert that the observed animation is in fact consistent with that which is defined for the document and that it is genuine. Often such an animation can only be seen in a strictly defined position, which can be difficult for the operator to determine, so there may be doubt about the authenticity of the document.

Therefore, there is a need for new means of identification and / or authentication, which, where appropriate, complement the appearance of the document and which can be easily and unequivocally checked for compliance; at the same time, it should be difficult to reproduce, so that it guarantees the complexity of falsification.

For this purpose, the invention provides, in particular, a security document, characterized in that the document comprises a substrate and a security element having first and second structures contained in the substrate, the substrate further including a region that is translucent or even transparent, inside wherein the first and second structures extend at least partially, while the first and second structures are suitable for creating at least the first and second colors inside the translucent region, respectively, to where the document is viewed in reflected light, and also for the mutual exchange of the first and second colors, when the document is viewed in transmitted light. Thus, together they make up the final image, producing the optical effect of color inversion, which changes as a function of the viewing configuration in transmitted light or in reflected light, wherein the element includes a third structure passing at least partially in the transparent region, and suitable for staining with at least one color during observation in reflected light, and practically disappearing during observation in transmitted light in a transparent region.

Using the protected document of the invention, the user has no difficulty in understanding that the observed optical inversion effect is the expected effect.

The final image produces an optical effect, which is very intuitive, since it consists in the inversion of colors in two optical observation configurations, which are very different from each other and are easily identifiable.

Thus, since a change in color occurs during the transition from observation in reflected light to observation in transmitted light, the user can quickly determine that a changing optical effect should be observed.

In addition, there is no danger for the user to mis-position the document. The user basically looks at the protected document spontaneously, both in transmitted light and in reflected light, in particular because the presence of a translucent or transparent area strongly supports him in this endeavor.

The colors used include all possible colors, including white, black, and gray.

In a preferred embodiment, the element includes a third structure that is not optically altered and which extends at least partially within the window. This makes it possible to emphasize the optical change in the two structures compared to the third structure, which is optically unchanged. Preferably, the first and second structures extend inside the third structure so as to emphasize more clearly the optical change in the first and second structures.

The document of the invention may also include one or more of the following characteristics:

- the first and second structures are respectively contained in the first and second front surfaces of the substrate in correspondence with each other so that they together form the final image;

- the substrate includes another region that is essentially opaque and into which one of the structures extends at least partially;

- the first and second structures are printed using ink, such as iridescent ink having an optical interference effect;

- printing ink includes protective indicator elements, for example fluorescent particles, luminescent particles, particles of this type that respond to a given wavelength, and / or thermochromic particles;

- the third structure is made by printing on printed copper form, thereby forming a latent image;

- the element includes a third structure extending at least partially into the transparent region, the structure being suitable for coloring with at least one color when observed in reflected light and for the formation of a substantially fading image when observation in transmitted light in a transparent region;

- the third structure is made using printing using optically variable printing ink;

- structures are adjacent or really in contact;

- the substrate is made of a material that essentially contains paper made from natural and / or synthetic fibers, porous paper, and / or is made in the form of a card;

- the document is selected from the banknote and passport; and

- at least the first and second structures are contained on the first surface, and the third structure is contained on the second surface, which is opposite to the first surface, while the third structure is located at least partially, so as to overlap the first structure, and to the second structure in such a way that the first and second structures are hidden, at least partially, by the third structure when it is observed from the second surface in reflected light, and open due to the transparency of the third structure when it is observed in transmitted light from a second surface.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in light of the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are views of the same surface of a security document in a first embodiment of the invention shown, respectively, when it is viewed in reflected and transmitted light;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the document shown in FIG. 1 along line 3-3;

4 and 5 are views of the same surface of a security document in a second embodiment of the invention shown, respectively, when it is viewed in reflected and transmitted light;

6 and 7 are views, respectively, of the first and second surfaces of the security document in the third embodiment of the invention, when it is viewed, respectively, in transmitted and reflected light;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the document shown in FIG. 6 along line 8-8;

9-11 are views showing the same surface of a security document in a fourth embodiment of the invention shown, respectively, when it is viewed in reflected light at different angles of inclination of the document; and

12-14 are views of the same surface of a security document in a sixth embodiment of the invention viewed from various viewpoints in reflected and transmitted light.

1-3 show a security document in a first embodiment of the invention. The protected document is given a common reference position 10.

In this first embodiment, document 10 is a banknote. In this embodiment, document 10 could be a passport, driver’s license, or any other document that may need to be protected.

Document 10 comprises a substrate 12, for example, made of a material that essentially contains plastic, paper or a mixture of plastic and paper, but the invention is not limited to any specific material. Where appropriate, the substrate material may also be a multilayer structure containing many layers that are formed together.

The substrate 12 also includes a translucent region 14, which, preferably, is transparent and which is defined in the further part of the description as a “window”. This region 14 is preferably surrounded by an opaque region 16.

The presence of such a window 14 in the security document 10 makes it possible, in particular, to include a security element that is visible through and through, i.e. containing an image that is visible in transmitted light, or even in reflected light in a window 14 from one or another surface of the document 10.

In the first embodiment of the invention, the substrate 12 is made in a transparent plastic material. An example is the plastic material, which essentially contains a polymer belonging to the biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) family. In order to obtain a transparent window 14, the substrate 12 may, for example, be coated with a layer of opaque white paint around the location of the window 14, while avoiding the paint coating of the window itself.

In one embodiment, the substrate 12 may be made of a material that is substantially opaque, and may be provided with a hole in the location of the window. The first strip of transparent material is then placed on one of the surfaces of the substrate to cover the hole and thereby form a window. For example, the strip may be made of a material that essentially contains polyester. One such embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9-11. These figures also show a strip 18 placed on the document 10.

Document 10 also includes a security element 20 contained on the substrate 12. More specifically, security element 20 has first and second structures 22A and 22B extending at least partially into window 14, and in this first embodiment of the invention 1 to 3, structures 22A and 22B extend entirely inside window 14.

These first and second structures 22A and 22B are suitable for creating at least the first and second colors inside the transparent region 14, respectively, when the document is viewed in reflected light, and also for the mutual replacement of these first and second colors when the document is viewed in transmitted light (figures 1 and 2).

Thus, the two structures 22A and 22B together create the final image producing the optical effect of color inversion, which changes as a function of observation, i.e. observations in transmitted light or reflected light.

In the first embodiment of the invention, as can be seen in FIG. 3, two structures 22A and 22B are contained on the same surface F1 of the substrate 12. However, due to the transparency properties of region 14, the image can be seen in transmitted and reflected light from both sides, those. from the side of surfaces F1 and F2 of the substrate 12.

The first and second structures 22A and 22B are preferably printed using an iridescent printing ink having an optical interference effect.

Thus, it was discovered that iridescent printing ink of a special composition, printed on the transparent region of the substrate, creates variations in hue when the viewing conditions in transmitted or reflected light change.

This paint, also known as a pearlescent paint, may include, for example, pigments, which are provided in the form of small translucent flakes that reflect light. These small flakes give the paint depth and gloss. The size of the pigments makes it possible to change the leveling or flickering effect of the printing ink. Thus, a smoothing effect is obtained with fine-grained pigments, and a flickering effect is obtained with large pigments. The pigments are preferably based on mica, and they are prepared using crushed mica fragments having a layer of metal deposits, such as, for example, a layer of titanium oxide or iron oxide. Under such circumstances, the resulting color and optical effect depend, in particular, on the thickness of the layer. Pigments also allow you to increase the color interference, which is obtained by reflecting the incident light, or translucent pigments, or due to the film, which is superimposed on the pigments. In any case, the invention is not limited to iridescent printing ink obtained using this technology.

In another embodiment, other printing inks may be suitable, capable of creating a color change as a function of observation in reflected or transmitted light.

In this first embodiment, the first structure 22A is printed using the first iridescent printing ink, and the second structure 22B is printed using the second iridescent printing ink.

For example, the first ink is an ink represented as 75U008P sold by the SICPA supplier. The paint from this supplier produces turquoise in reflected light and red in transmitted light. The second ink is ink represented as 73U022P, also sold by SICPA. This paint produces red in reflected light and turquoise in transmitted light.

In addition, in order to increase the protection of the document 10 against attempts to falsify by reproducing or copying, the paint may, for example, contain protective indicator elements, such as, for example, fluorescent particles, luminescent particles, particles of this type that respond to a given wavelength, and / or thermochromic particles.

The first and second structures are preferably adjacent or even in contact, as shown in the figures. This serves, in particular, to emphasize a variable optical effect.

In the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the security element 20 further includes a third structure 22C, which is optically unchanged. When the observation conditions change, this third structure does not change. For example, the third structure 22C is printed using conventional color inks that do not have a noticeable optical effect, such as inks for offset printing, letterpress printing, photo engraving, flexographic printing, silk screen printing, copper printing, and similar types of printing.

In a third embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6-8, the first and second structures 22A and 22B are respectively contained on the first and second surfaces F1 and F2 of the substrate 12, while they correspond to each other so that together they form the final image. This serves to enhance the security of the valuable document 10 due to the fact that any attempt to falsify the reproduction of the document is extremely difficult. Reproduction of the document requires very great accuracy in the match between the two surfaces F1 and F2 of the substrate 12. Thus, in the transparent region 14, the slightest inaccuracy in the match becomes especially clearly visible and can be detected by any knowledgeable observer.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, it can be seen that the first structure 22A partially extends outward from the transparent window 14 to the opaque region 16. Thus, the first structure 22A contains a first zone R1 representing the number “0” in the window 14, and the second zone R2, representing the icon "€" in the opaque area 16.

When observing the surface F1 in transmitted light (Fig.6), the zone R2 of the first structure 22A in the opaque region 16 looks so that it has the same color as the zone R1 of the same structure 22A, which is located in the transparent window 14, but with less contrast (the difference in contrast between the two zones R1 and R2 is shown in FIG. 6 with an intermittent path for low contrast and with a continuous path for high contrast). When observing in reflected light from the side of the second surface F2 (Fig. 7), the zone R2 of the first structure 22A occupying the opaque region 16 cannot be viewed.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 9-11, the security element includes a third structure 22C that creates an optical effect that varies as a function of the angle of the document. In addition, the third structure 22C becomes invisible in transmitted light (FIG. 11). For example, the third structure 22C may be printed using an optically variable printing ink, such as, for example, the ink represented as 75U009V OVI green / blue, or, the ink represented as 73U021V Sicpastar pink / green sold by SICPA.

In a fifth embodiment of the invention, which is not shown in the figures, the security element also includes a third structure that is printed in relief in order to form a latent image. For example, a third structure can be obtained by deforming the substrate using a press that produces an embossed badge. In this embodiment, at least one of the structures, i.e. the first or second, can be performed using printing from a copper mold, using printing ink to form an icon that can be felt by touch, thus providing an additional degree of protection for the document.

In a sixth embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 12-14, the element 20 includes a third structure 22C extending at least partially into the transparent region 14. This third structure 22C is used for its manifestation when it is viewed in reflected light (Figs. 12 and 13), while it practically disappears when it is viewed in transmitted light in a transparent region 14 (Fig. 14).

The third structure 22C is preferably suitable for changing color as a function of the viewing angle in reflected light and essentially disappearing when it is viewed in transmitted light in the transparent region 14, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, which show the surface F2 containing the third structure 22C, as seen in two distinct configurations for observation in reflected light. Thus, when the surface F2 is viewed in reflected light from the first viewpoint, as shown in FIG. 12, the third structure 22C takes a first color, and when the surface F2 is viewed in reflected light from the second viewpoint, as shown in FIG. 13, the third structure 22C takes a second color.

Preferably, at least the first and second structures 22A and 22B are contained on the first surface F1, while the third structure 22C is contained on the second surface F2, which is opposite to the first surface F1. In such circumstances, the third structure 22C is positioned at least partially to overlap each of the first two structures, i.e. to the first and second structures 22A and 22B so that the first and second structures 22A and 22B are at least partially hidden behind the third structure 22C when the second surface F2 is viewed in reflected light and open due to the transparency of the third structure 22C when it is viewed in transmitted light from the side of the second surface F2.

In the first and second configurations for observation, the first and second structures 22A and 22B are partially hidden behind the third structure 22C. In the third configuration for observing in transmitted light, as shown in FIG. 14, the two structures 22A and 22B are opened, since the third structure 22C in this case is transparent.

Alternatively, the third structure 22C may hide the first and second structures 22A and 22B completely (FIGS. 12 and 13).

The main aspects of the invention in the first embodiment are described below.

First, the observer places the substrate 12 relative to the light source S in order to view the substrate 12 in reflected light. In this case, two distinct colors can be seen, each of which is produced by the first and second structures 22A and 22B, for example, the turquoise color is the first structure 22A and the red color is the second structure 22B.

Subsequently, the observer orientates the substrate 12 relative to the light source so as to view the substrate 12 in transmitted light. In the transparent region 14, the image takes on a different appearance due to the color change very distinctly. Thus, if more precisely, the colors of structures 22A and 22B are mutually exchanged. The first structure 22A becomes red, while the second structure 22B becomes turquoise. This change is clearly identifiable to the observer.

This optical effect is changed in such a way that it is very intuitive, thereby dispelling any uncertainty regarding the authenticity of the document. In addition, it is possible to obtain images that are particularly attractive and optical animations that are easily identifiable without requiring prior knowledge of this particular optical effect. The mere fact of the presence of two clearly distinct and easily identifiable orientations for observing color changes also makes it possible to avoid any incorrect positioning of the document relative to the light source.

Naturally, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments of the invention are not of any limiting nature and that they can take any desired modification, so they do not go beyond the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. A security document (10) comprising a substrate (12) and a security element (20) including first and second structures (22A, 22B) deposited on a substrate (12), wherein the substrate (12) includes a region (14) ), which is translucent or even transparent, within which the first and second structures (22A, 22B) are made at least partially, the first and second structures (22A, 22B) being able to be presented within the transparent region (14) respectively, at least in the first and second colors, when the document (10) is viewed in reflection When the document (10) is viewed in transmitted light, the first and second colors are interchanged, so that together they create the final image representing the optical effect of color inversion, which varies depending on the observation condition in transmitted or reflected light wherein element (20) includes a third structure (22C), made at least partially in the transparent region (14), which is colored at least in one color when observed in reflected light and, essentially, used ezaet in the transparent area (14) when viewed in transmitted light. 2. Document (10) according to claim 1, in which the third structure (22C) is configured to change color depending on the viewing angle in reflected light. 3. Document (10) according to claim 1, in which at least the first and second structures (22A, 22B) are made on the first surface (F1), and the third structure (22C) is made on the second surface (F2) opposite the first surface (F1), while the third structure (22C) is located at least partially overlapping the first and second structures (22A, 22B) so that the first and second structures (22A, 22B) are hidden at least partially behind the third structure (22C) when observing the second surface (F2) in reflected light and open due to the transparency of the third structure (22C) when viewed from the side of the second surface (F2) in transmitted light. 4. Document (10) according to claim 1, in which the first and second structures (22A, 22B) are respectively made on the first and second surfaces (F1, F2) of the substrate (12) in agreement with each other, so that together they form the final picture. 5. Document (10) according to claim 1, in which the substrate (12) includes another region (16), which is essentially opaque and in which at least partially one of these structures is located (22A, 22B). 6. Document (10) according to claim 1, in which the first and second structures (22A, 22B) are printed using inks, such as iridescent inks, having an interference optical effect. 7. Document (10) according to claim 6, in which the paint includes indicators of the protective element, for example, fluorescent particles, luminescent particles, particles that respond to a given wavelength, and / or thermochromic particles. 8. Document (10) according to claim 1, in which the third structure (22C) is made by intaglio printing from flat copper forms, so as to form a latent image. 9. Document (10) according to claim 1, in which the third structure (22C) is made by printing using optically variable ink. 10. Document (10) according to claim 1, in which these structures (22A, 22B, 22C) are located next to each other or even in contact. 11. The document (10) according to claim 1, in which the substrate (12) is made of a material that is essentially paper based on natural and / or synthetic fibers, porous paper and / or card. 12. The document according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a banknote and a passport.

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