RU2787863C2 - Device for creation of watermarks, sheet, and document with watermarks, as well as their manufacturing methods - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information protection.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to a sheet for creation of watermarks, to a method for the manufacture of such a sheet, to a unit for creation of watermarks, containing such a sheet, to a method for the manufacture of a unit for creation of watermarks, to paper with watermarks, created using a sheet for creation of watermarks, as well as to a protected document, which contains paper with watermarks. At the same time, the sheet for creation of watermarks contains a base having (i) a surface for operation with water and (ii) a surface for operation with fiber, opposite to the surface for operation with water, while the base is capable of being subjected to deformation or ablation for creation of at least part of a watermark; a pattern consisting of at least two distinctive features – watermarks; and a group of narrowing holes passing from the surface for operation with water to the surface for operation with fiber, while the pattern consisting of at least two distinctive features – watermarks is distributed along a continuous area of the surface for operation with fiber.

EFFECT: invented sheet for creation of watermarks allows for obtainment of watermarks of a higher quality.

27 cl, 8 dwg

Description

Description

Related Application

[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/556,734, filed September 11, 2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by this reference in their entirety.

Technical field

[0002] The present invention relates to an article suitable for use in creating a watermark. This product, referred to herein as a "watermarking sheet", is also used to obtain a device (i.e., a watermarking unit) used in making watermarked paper, which in turn is used to make a watermarked document. signs. In addition, the present invention also relates to methods for manufacturing a watermarking sheet, manufacturing a watermarking apparatus, and manufacturing watermarked paper and a watermarked document.

State of the art

[0003] Documents having a high degree of security, such as banknotes, checks, passports, etc., use various means of authentication, the purpose of which is to reduce the number of forgeries. One of the many such tools available to producers of highly secure documents and the people who use such documents is the watermark. Watermarks work as anti-counterfeiting tools, in part because they create a barrier to would-be counterfeiters, who often use modern and advanced printing and photocopying technologies to mimic/create copies of genuine banknotes.

[0004] When determining the authenticity of documents with a high degree of security, such as banknotes, people using them rely on the presence of certain watermarks, which are distinctive features and can be images of people, numbers, letters, symbols and / or landscapes. Such distinguishing features - watermarks - are usually included in a document with a high degree of security during the manufacture of the paper used to create this document. In order for it to work effectively as a means of authentication, the watermark feature is endowed with a certain variability, whereby slight or more pronounced changes in the position of the observer lead to a visible change in the appearance of this feature. For example, when examining a distinctive feature - a watermark in reflected light, the observer will see that this distinctive feature has the first appearance, and when examining it in transmitted light (i.e., in the light that has passed through the paper, when the paper is between the observer and the source light) a second appearance will occur. Forgers who use modern and advanced printing and photocopying technologies to counterfeit highly secure genuine documents find this variability difficult to achieve. This is especially difficult if genuine documents with a high degree of security have very distinct distinguishing features - watermarks. As a rule, a distinctive feature - a watermark - means a watermark having at least one of the following properties: high resolution, high definition or high contrast, and preferably a combination of them. Therefore, it is very important that the watermark features included in a high security document be as distinct as possible in that document so that the user can easily distinguish between a single watermark that is applied during papermaking and a single watermark, which is applied after manufacture, for example, by photocopying. As a result, recognizing such differences allows the end user to easily distinguish a fake from a genuine document with a high degree of security.

[0005] Although the person skilled in the art (hereinafter referred to as PHOSITA) is aware of various types of watermarks, it is generally understood that one of the most suitable is a multi-tone watermark, which uses a change in paper grain density to provide high resolution. For example, watermarks are usually introduced into a document having a high degree of security by performing a process in which a forming cylinder is used. In this case, the forming cylinder is covered with wire mesh, in which a group of negative images of distinctive features - watermarks (NWI) or a pattern of these images is created. Each of these negative watermark features generally includes raised portions, sunken portions, and flat portions. During the papermaking process, the NWI wire mesh is brought into contact with a slurry of paper fibers and as a result creates positive watermark images (PWI) in the respective watermark zones in the resulting paper. However, in these respective areas for watermarks: their areas in contact with recessed areas will have a high fiber density (HFD), their areas in contact with raised areas will have a low fiber density (LFD), and their areas in contact with the flat areas will have transitional levels of fiber density (GFD) compared to the areas created by the recessed areas and the areas created by the raised areas. Areas of high fiber density create dark areas in PWI and areas of low fiber density create light areas in PWI. From flat areas, different shades arise between dark and light tones. The legibility of a watermark often depends on the contrast between dark and light areas, and often depends on the proximity of dark and light areas.

[0006] Although the above process produces watermarks of acceptable quality, it has certain disadvantages. For example, the PWI creation process includes a double image transfer process. In this case, the watermark image is first created on a matrix, and then in the extrusion step, this matrix is used to transfer the watermark image onto the wire mesh, resulting in NWI; in the subsequent watermarking step, the NWI is used to redistribute the fibers contained in the slurry to create the PWI in the paper. Due to the presence of holes in the wire mesh during the embossing step, some of the information contained in the watermark that is in the matrix will not be transferred to the wire mesh and thus will not be transferred to the paper. This reduces the legibility of the watermark. In addition, since large variations in fiber density produce higher resolution watermarks, it is often necessary to greatly deform the wire mesh in the watermark region so that raised areas and recessed areas alternate frequently enough to create significant contrast. To create such significant contrasts, the wire mesh is severely deformed and stressed, which can lead to reduced strength, increased mechanical stress, reduced life, reduced repeatability, increased costs, and damage to the former coating. It also limits the use of complex watermarks. In addition, the wire mesh quite often leaves marks on the entire paper as a whole, and not just in the areas for watermarking, which often reduces the resolution of an individual watermark. These wire mesh marks cannot be controlled and therefore a random pattern is created that adversely affects the end user's ability to determine the authenticity of the document.

[0007] In addition, it is very difficult to use wire mesh to produce very light areas in watermark areas without damaging the paper or creating unwanted holes in it. One solution is to use a process that uses an electrotype. In this case, a thin metal element is attached to the wire mesh by sewing or welding to create raised areas, usually in the form of a letter, number or symbol. The metal electrotype prevents liquid from the slurry from passing through the raised areas, thus reducing the density of the fibers in these areas. The process using electrotypes will be clear from PHOSITA and further explained by the National Bank of Hungary in document US 1,901,049. However, even this approach to creating light areas has its drawbacks and problems. For example, it is very difficult to attach an electrotype to a wire mesh in general, and even more difficult to attach an electrotype to a recessed area, in particular if one wishes to create a very bright area within a dark area. In addition, the installation of an electrotype on a wire mesh is quite time consuming. In addition, using electrotypes it is very difficult to create a complex distinguishing feature, for example, words in Arabic.

[0008] In addition, quite often it turns out that in order to obtain watermarks having high resolution, it is necessary to control the degree of draining of the liquid forming the suspension. When using wire mesh, this is often achieved by increasing the degree of draining in the recessed area by creating a vacuum in these areas, whereby the degree of liquid draining can be increased locally relative to the surrounding areas of the wire mesh. Conversely, in order to reduce the degree of draining, an element is installed under the wire mesh to ensure such a decrease (for example, an impermeable metal plate, a plastic element, etc.). However, none of these tricks work well, since the vacuum quite often affects both recessed and raised areas at the same time, and the drain reduction element does not prevent draining in its vicinity.

[0009] An alternative to wire mesh is to install the insert on the wire mesh. In this case, holes are made in the insert and often injection molded to produce a negative image of the watermark. It also has significant disadvantages. For example, the insert is difficult to attach, and it is often found that the insert loosens or separates from the wire mesh during papermaking. US Pat. No. 8,349,132 describes an insert that requires molding into the insert to form a spherical depression in order to attach it to wire mesh. However, such spherical recesses often fail to maintain a connection between the wire mesh and the insert. In addition, such spherical recesses are difficult to accurately manufacture and even more difficult to attach to a wire mesh having other bulges. Each of these inserts is used to create one watermark, and still requires wire mesh, which often leaves an unwanted pattern on the paper. A similar insert is described in US 8,840,756, according to which holes are created in the insert by injection molding, during which one watermark and a hole are embossed at the same time. Essentially, this is due to the fact that the characteristics of the holes are directly related to the depth of the relief. Such an insert has the same disadvantages as the previously described insert, ie, it is difficult to attach it to the wire mesh, it is difficult to maintain its attachment, and it is impossible to install the insert in the convex portion of the wire mesh. More importantly, only one watermark can be created per insert.

[0010] From the above it becomes obvious that the authentication of documents with a high degree of security is still an important task, the solution of which is associated with certain problems. There remains a need for improved means of verifying the authenticity of such documents, and in particular, there remains a need for improved watermarking technologies and products that enable the implementation of such technologies. The inventors of the present invention have developed methods and products that are surprisingly effective in producing high quality watermarks.

[0011] The essence of the invention is specified in the paragraphs of the attached Claims. However, in order to improve understanding, so that PHOSITA will be able to put the claimed invention into practice and use it without performing additional experimental work, the following is a description of exemplary embodiments of its implementation using the drawings. It should be understood that elements or components of any embodiment presented here may be used in another embodiment presented here, resulting in another embodiment.

The essence of the invention

[0012] In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide an article, apparatus, methods for the manufacture and uses of these articles and devices, as well as the use of these methods, articles and apparatus for watermarking paper and documents, eliminating at least some of the problems mentioned above. The authors of the present invention unexpectedly found that it solves this problem.

[0013] Here, this invention is presented from several points of view. According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a watermarking sheet product. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device in the form of a node for creating watermarks. According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a watermark sheet. According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a watermark assembly. According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a method for making watermarked paper. According to a sixth aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing documents having a high security level, and according to a seventh aspect, to a document having a high security level.

[0014] According to additional aspects, the invention relates to a product obtained using a process that takes the form of any article or device manufactured using the corresponding process outlined above and discussed further below. It is also contemplated here that, in certain aspects thereof, the invention also relates to the use of articles or devices, as outlined above and further discussed below, which are intended to be watermarked, used in the process of making high security paper or high security documents. protection, or are used as a means of providing confirmation of the authenticity of documents with a high degree of protection.

[0015] In one embodiment, the watermarking sheet comprises a substrate having a water handling surface and a fiber handling surface opposite the water handling surface; a pattern consisting of at least two distinguishing features - watermarks; and a series of holes extending from the water handling surface to the fiber handling surface, said pattern being distributed in a continuous region of the fiber handling surface.

[0016] In one embodiment, the node for creating a watermark contains a forming cylinder having an outer circumferential surface; and a watermarking sheet as described herein, for example as defined in claim 1, wherein the watermarking sheet is wrapped around or circumferentially positioned around an outer circumferential surface of the forming cylinder and attached to that surface directly or indirectly. It should be understood that, more generally, the watermarking sheet is attached to the forming cylinder in such a way that as the slurry of paper fibers passes over the surface of the watermarking unit into the paper (PWI - positive watermarking images) the information embedded in the paper is transferred. to the watermark feature, which is available in the Watermark Creation Sheet (NWI - Watermark Negative Feature Image).

[0017] In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a watermarking sheet comprises the steps of: fabricating a substrate having a water handling surface and a fiber handling surface opposite the water handling surface; create a hole in the base; and creating watermarked areas on the fiber surface by ablation of areas of the surface to produce a pattern of multiple watermark features in a continuous area of the surface.

[0018] In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a watermarking assembly comprises the steps of: manufacturing a watermarking sheet as described herein, more specifically as defined in claim 15 of the claims; provide a forming cylinder; and attaching the watermarking sheet to the outer circumferential surface of the forming cylinder. It should be understood that, more generally, the watermarking sheet is attached to the forming cylinder in such a way that, as the paper fiber slurry passes over the surface of the watermarking unit, the watermark information is transferred to/on the paper, which available on the watermark sheet.

[0019] In one embodiment, the watermarked paper comprises a substrate having watermark zones and background zones; distinctive features - watermarks introduced into the base in the zones for watermarks; and a distinguishing feature - a background or background pattern introduced into the background zones. In more specific embodiments, the zones for watermarks are combined with zones for a distinctive feature - a background or a background pattern. In preferred embodiments, the distinguishing feature - the background or background pattern is indistinguishable to the naked eye, but visible when using an optical device.

[0020] In one embodiment, a document having a high degree of security contains watermarked paper as described herein, more specifically as specified in claim 22 of the claims; and a printed image applied to the surface.

[0021] In one embodiment, a method for making watermarked paper comprises the steps of: providing a watermarking unit as described herein; providing movement of the suspension of paper fibers over the surface of the watermarking assembly so that the watermarking feature information that is present in the watermarking assembly is transferred to/into the paper.

[0022] In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a high security document comprises the steps of: providing watermarked paper as described herein; and perform additional surface treatment of the paper (for example, printing) to obtain this document.

[0023] The aspects and variations discussed above in general form will be discussed in more detail in the text below and in the accompanying drawings.

Definitions

[0024] As used herein, "forming cylinder" refers to any component of a paper machine onto which a watermarking sheet can be placed in order to produce watermark features and/or a background or background pattern feature in the paper.

[0025] Here it is understood that the "illumination element" is derived from any material used to make an electrotype, for example, metal, but can also be obtained from combined materials / with the addition of materials that can be ablated to obtain an electrotype brightening element or zone .

[0026] Here, "electrotype" is any lightening element suitable for creating holes or areas of very low fiber density in paper.

[0027] Here, "substrate" does not include conventional wire mesh and is any single layer or multilayer structure that is pliable and can be ablated or deformed to create a distinct watermark.

[0028] Here, the "zone with a watermark" will be understood as the zone of the base, inside which there is a separate integral relief, and the boundaries of which coincide with the boundaries of a separate watermark.

[0029] Here, a "separate watermark" is understood to mean a distinct pattern, composition, image, text, number, or any other distinguishing feature that is embossed and within the watermarked area.

Brief description of the drawings

[0030] Figure 1 is a plan view of a watermark sheet having watermark features surrounded by a background pattern of specially shaped holes.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a watermarking sheet having a watermark feature surrounded by a background pattern of holes having a non-uniform distribution to produce a background feature.

[0032] Figure 3 is a plan view of a watermarking sheet having a combined feature derived from a background pattern in combination with a watermark feature.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a plan view of a relief structure located in a watermarked area on a watermarking sheet, where the watermark feature includes a lightening element.

[0034] Figure 5 is a plan view of a high security document that includes a watermarked sheet having watermarks, a background pattern, and a surface finish.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a watermarking unit with a watermarking sheet mounted on a forming cylinder in the form of a cylindrical roller.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a watermarking sheet having a multilayer construction.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a watermarking sheet having tapered openings.

Detailed description

[0038] The inventors unexpectedly found that some of its problems are solved. In particular, it has been found that by using a more pliable sheet material, such as a resin, plastic material, rubber, or rubber-like material, to make the watermark sheet, instead of using conventional wire mesh former coatings, the durability of the assembly is improved. creating watermarks. Moreover, it has surprisingly been found that it is possible to obtain high-resolution watermarks that have very dark and very light areas. In addition, there is no need to attach separate lightening elements (eg, electrotypes), as the lightening elements can be created using the same continuous material, which reduces the likelihood of detachment and reduces the difficulty of attachment. Importantly, it has also been found that it is possible to watermark the entire surface area of a paper/document by combining watermarked areas and background areas in a node/sheet to create watermarks. When background patterns are introduced into paper, the background or background patterns can be used as Level 1 and Level 2 security features or identifying features. These background patterns can be combined with watermark features by combining them or superimposing one on top of the other to create a new feature or emphasize one or the other. In addition, it has surprisingly been found that the amount of bleeding is easier to control and that the amount of this control can be varied over the entire surface area of the watermark assembly, meaning that patterns intended to be introduced into the paper can be applied over the entire area. Quite unexpectedly, it has also been found that it is possible to change the distribution of holes in the sheet, assembly or cover of the forming device when creating a background feature, as well as to locally change the degree of overflow in areas in which watermark features are located. As one advantage, it has also been found that, using the present invention, high security papers and documents can be filled with high frequency lines that increase the wear resistance of these papers and documents, especially at the edges and corners. Additional benefits will become apparent to PHOSITA after reading the description.

[0039] According to one aspect, the invention relates to a sheet for creating watermarks. In one embodiment, the watermarking sheet includes a base, among other elements. The inventors have found that the most suitable backing materials are those that do not have exposed wire and, more particularly, those that are flexible enough to be wrapped around a forming cylinder and durable enough to withstand harsh conditions of the papermaking process without further significant deformation of the watermark features, and which at the same time can be easily ablated to create the watermark features directly on the sheet without the need for double transfer of the image. And the inventors have found various suitable materials for this, at the same time, after reading the present description PHOSITA can easily find several other suitable materials.

[0040] It should be noted and understood that the substrate may have a single-layer or multi-layer construction. In some embodiments, a single layer is comprised of a plurality of materials - in the first region, this layer contains one compliant material, and in the second region it contains another compliant material or less compliant material. In those embodiments where the substrate has a multi-layer construction, any of the plurality of layers may have a single-layer substrate structure as described above.

[0041] In one particular embodiment, the base layer(s), or at least a portion thereof, consists of at least one of the following pliable materials: polymer, plastic material, elastic material, rubber, rubbery, elastomeric, thermoplastic, thermoset plastic material, or a recalcitrant material coated with at least one of these compliant materials.

[0042] The substrate has a fiber handling surface and a water handling surface opposite the fiber handling surface. In papermaking, the fiber handling surface impacts and/or contacts the fibers of the paper, and the water handling surface is located away from the fiber handling surface and is on the side of the substrate from which the liquid forming the slurry containing the fibers , merges.

[0043] In some embodiments, although such embodiments are not preferred, a wire mesh may be located between the layers of the multilayer base. In the case of a single ply substrate, it is also preferred that wire mesh is not used, but in one embodiment, the single ply substrate has areas of wire mesh if they are surrounded by pliable materials or the wire mesh is only at the edges. It is particularly preferred, but not exclusively, to use wire mesh at the edges of the warp to connect the warp to the forming cylinder, as this has been found to be advantageous but not essential.

[0044] In one embodiment, the warp comprises a woven fabric consisting of coated filaments arranged to form the warp. In a preferred embodiment, the coating contains the pliable material described here. It is also contemplated that the backing may alternatively consist of a non-woven material. In one such specific embodiment, the filaments are ordered into a nonwoven matrix and then coated with a pliable material.

[0045] It is also assumed that the base is created in the form of a multilayer system in which a flexible metal material (eg, aluminum, etc.) is located between the layers of compliant materials.

[0046] The base of the forming unit must be pliable to such an extent that it can be bent for installation on the forming cylinder. Here, the forming cylinder is, for example, a cylindrical roller or screed, or any paper machine component that can be used in conjunction with an attached watermarking sheet to introduce a watermark into the paper during its manufacture. If the forming cylinder is a cylindrical roller, the base of the watermarking sheet consists of a material that can be bent to fit the circumferential surface of the roller. Since any paper machine can be used with the present invention, a suitable forming cylinder is also a rover installed in a Fourdrinier paper machine. Other forming cylinders are exemplified by a Fourdrinier forming wire, a short former or an upper former. Alternatively, the forming cylinder may be a cylindrical roller, usually found in a process in which a bath is used. Other paper machines may also have a rotating device such as twin wire formers or multilayer paper formers.

[0047] The base has continuous areas in which a plurality of distinguishing features - watermarks - are distributed. This does not apply to wire mesh having an insert, since such inserts are separate elements. The inventors have found that a substrate having a continuous area that covers a significant portion of the forming cylinder allows specific patterns to be created over the entire surface of the paper as a whole. In addition, the entire surface of the watermark assembly can be provided with a pattern consisting of a watermark feature and/or a background feature without reducing the life of the assembly. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment, the watermarking sheet covers more than 10% of the surface of the forming cylinder. Preferably, the watermarking sheet covers from 20% to 100% of the forming cylinder, more preferably from about 80% to about 100%. More preferably, the width of the watermarking sheet is greater than 50 mm, preferably in the range of 50 mm to 5 m, and more preferably in the range of about 70 mm to about 100 mm. Preferably, the watermarked areas on the watermarking sheet or watermarking assembly are distributed in a continuous area of the sheet/assembly, in particular, the continuity of this area is not disturbed by the wire mesh. Here, the term "contiguous area" generally refers to that area of the base with a plurality of watermark features or a pattern from this set, in which the material in the watermarked areas and the material in the background areas are the same material. As such, conventional inserts attached to wire mesh are outside the scope of the present invention. In this case, the continuity of the continuous area is broken only by the relief structure of distinctive features - watermarks located in zones with watermarks. Preferably, the width of the continuous region allows this region to cover a significant part of the forming cylinder, for example, the entire open area of the surface of the forming cylinder, more preferably more than 80% of the width of the forming cylinder, or alternatively, this area has a width of from 60 mm to approximately 150 mm.

[0048] As described herein, the substrate may be of a single layer or multilayer construction, but in either case it will have a water handling surface and a fiber handling surface on opposite sides of it. The water handling surface drains water from the fiber slurry, and the fiber handling surface will act on the fibers of the paper and cause the watermark to be inserted into the paper. The surface for working with fiber has a continuous area with a pattern consisting of a plurality of distinguishing features - watermarks, at least two. In one embodiment, the water handling surface, in some of its zones, is connected to the fiber handling surface through a series of holes extending through the entire thickness of the substrate from the first of these surfaces to the second.

[0049] In one embodiment, the watermark sheet comprises a pattern consisting of at least two watermark features, among other elements. This pattern is a set of distinguishing features - watermarks, which are distributed in a continuous area of a surface for working with fiber. Each watermark feature has an embossment bearing a negative image of the watermark feature (NWI) or a positive image of the watermark feature (PWI). The relief has recessed areas, raised areas and flat areas. Recessed areas are used to create dark areas in watermark areas on paper by increasing the density of the fibers in the paper. In contrast, raised areas are used to create light areas in watermark areas on paper by reducing the density of the fibers in that paper. The flat areas are used to create dark to light transitions, including where the fiber density matches the background zones on the paper (i.e., nominal paper weight, NFD).

[0050] In one embodiment, the watermark feature is selected from letters, portraits, landscapes, text, numbers, or symbols. The hallmark is obtained by using the interaction of light and dark areas created in the paper. When the slurry of paper fibers is brought into contact with the watermarking assembly, the watermark feature present on the watermarking sheet causes the fibers to change position, resulting in high fiber density (HFD) where the slurry is in contact with the watermarking sheet. recessed areas, and low fiber density (LFD) occurs where the slurry contacts the raised areas of the watermark feature. The watermarked zones on the backing are surrounded by the background zones providing nominal fiber density (NFD).

[0051] In one embodiment, the watermark feature is surrounded by a background or background pattern. It is preferable that the background pattern or distinctive feature - the background is in close proximity to the distinctive feature - watermark or be combined with it. Surprisingly, it has been found that by combining the watermark feature and the background/background pattern feature in the resulting paper, increased watermark contrast can be achieved.

[0052] In one embodiment, the watermark feature surrounds the background/pattern feature.

[0053] It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, the background pattern is indistinguishable to the naked eye. In addition, in one embodiment, the holes that create a distinctive background or background pattern may be of any shape, including oval, round, triangular or square. It also does not go beyond the scope of the present invention in which the individual holes are formed in the form of text, numbers or symbols, that is, they are specially shaped holes. In addition, in yet another embodiment, it is contemplated that the specially shaped holes are arranged so that they create a distinctive feature that is identical to them in shape or different from them in shape. For example, in one embodiment, the specially shaped holes are shaped like the letter P, and the background feature contains a pattern of Ps arranged to form an X. In one embodiment, the background feature or background pattern is visible to the naked eye, and for the holes a special shape requires an auxiliary optical or tactile device.

[0054] Characteristic - the background/background pattern is created by holes extending from the water handling surface to the fiber handling surface, and preferably extending through the entire thickness of the substrate. As an advantage, it has been found that changing the distribution of the holes or changing the size of the holes in the substrate allows different background patterns to be created in the paper. For example, by changing the size or distribution of holes, you can create a distinctive feature - the background. In one embodiment, hole characteristics are altered on the water surface and the fiber surface to create letters, microletters, symbols, microcharacters, text, microtext, portraits, or microportraits having a constant or variable tone.

[0055] After understanding this description of PHOSITA, various methods for creating holes will become clear. Preferably, the holes are created by drilling. Suitable drilling technologies include laser etching and mechanical punching, including injection molding and mechanical or hand drilling. For example, it is within the scope of the present invention to use an injection mold to form the base and at the same time to create holes in the base with mold elements that perforate areas of the base. In one embodiment, the method is laser etching, in which laser radiation is applied to the substrate to create holes. PHOSITA different types of lasers will be evident. Preferably, a carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) laser is used to drill the holes. Preferably, the holes are conical, larger closer to the laser source and smaller further away from it. As such, it is preferable to create holes with a laser in the direction from the back side (water handling surface) to the front side (fiber handling surface). Surprisingly, it has been found that smaller openings on the fiber handling surface minimize clogging.

[0056] One embodiment of the watermarking sheet described here includes, among other features, a group of holes. The holes in this group extend from the water handling surface to the fiber handling surface. In some embodiments, the holes do not extend through the entire thickness of the substrate. In some embodiments, the watermarked zones, in addition to being embossed, include a series of holes extending from the water handling surface to the fiber handling surface, preferably throughout the thickness of the substrate in these zones. With these holes, the degree of draining of liquid from the fiber suspension is controlled, and, in addition, in areas with watermarks, this degree is controlled by relief, since the size of the holes may be different in different places in the relief. For example, in one embodiment, the holes in the base are tapered. Accordingly, in zones with watermarks, it is possible to increase or decrease the degree of discharge of the suspension in different places of the relief, since the size of the holes in these zones will necessarily change. Alternatively, the size of the openings may remain constant from the water handling surface to the fiber handling surface, whereby the relief has less effect on the degree of draining.

[0057] In one embodiment, the holes are created by drilling in the direction from the water handling surface to the fiber handling surface so that they taper as they approach the fiber handling surface (i.e., are tapered). It has been found that when the size of the pliable material is as used in the present invention, drilling from the surface for water service, especially laser etching, allows better control of the constriction in watermarked areas, which ensures that the size of the holes on the surface does not change. the entire area of the pattern, consisting of many distinctive features - watermarks. Accordingly, the openings forming the group of openings and the overflow in all watermarked zones may be substantially the same or may vary from zone to zone, as desired.

[0058] In one embodiment, the holes are created by drilling from the side of the fiber surface. For example, by laser drilling, which narrows the holes towards the water surface, or by mechanical drilling, which maintains the same width of the holes throughout their length from the fiber surface to the water surface.

[0059] In one embodiment, the watermarking sheet includes, among other features, an electrotype zone. Here, an electrotype is an element in the watermarking sheet that produces a two-tone or light watermark. In some embodiments, the electrotype corresponding to the present invention is an integral part of the base. It is not attached in a separate process, but is created by ablation, similar to the ablation used to create watermark relief, sometimes even by performing these ablation processes at the same time. However, zones with electrotypes are characterized by reduced overflow, either due to the fact that the holes do not come to the surface for working with the fiber, or because the number of holes is reduced or the size of the holes on the surface is reduced compared to other areas of the base. With reduced shedding and due to the fact that the areas with electrotypes are raised relative to their surroundings, very light areas appear in the paper. Electrotype zones can be created on the recessed areas of watermark features, their raised areas, their flat areas, or any combination of such areas. It is also acceptable for electrotype zones to create holes in the paper if they are raised enough to do so.

[0060] Alternatively, the brightening element may be an addition similar to attached electrotypes. However, in this case, an electrotype is added by causing the molten base material to fall onto the base material to increase its thickness in the controlled area and solidify the added material, and then ablate the solidified added material to create a highlight that is raised above the background area present in the sheet to create watermarks. It is also possible for the addition process to be gluing or otherwise growing the lightening element onto the substrate. 3D printing and chemical vapor deposition are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0061] In one embodiment, the electrotype zone is created on the raised portion of the watermark feature and thus creates a very light area in the paper superimposed on the watermark zone. The inventors have found that by incorporating an electrotype zone into a substrate, it is possible to create complex letter, symbol, and number features as an electrotype. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the electrotype zone creates a complex character identity, such as Arabic, Korean, Chinese, or Japanese text.

[0062] It is also possible for the electrotype zones to be placed in a recessed area, which allows for high contrast due to side-by-side dark and light areas. In one embodiment, a hole is created in the watermarked area surrounded by very dark areas. In another embodiment, the electrotype zone is aligned with at least one watermarked zone such that the former is in a recessed area, in an elevated area, or both. Here, recessed areas are understood to be areas of relief below the background plane, and raised areas are understood to be areas of relief that are above the background plane. The background plane is the areas of the base that do not have watermarked areas.

[0063] In one embodiment, the watermarked zones are created by ablation, which creates a relief bearing a distinctive feature. After reading this PHOSITA description, various ablation technologies will become apparent. But in the preferred embodiment, a laser is used for ablation, which acts on the substrate at an ablation angle relative to the surface of this substrate, preferably, the ablation angle is not perpendicular to the normal. Ablation may precede or follow the creation of holes, or these processes may be performed simultaneously. However, in the preferred embodiment where burr is to be avoided, it has been found that performing ablation after hole making results in less burr in the pattern, as ablation will generally reduce hole burr. However, it is also intended to be within the scope of the present invention that the holes are created after the embossing, which is particularly suitable if drilling is performed in the direction from the fiber surface to the water surface. Another unexpected advantage of creating holes over ablation is that in watermarked areas the holes can be made to extend slightly less than the thickness of the substrate so that subsequent ablation will open those holes on the fiber surface. This reduces the amount of energy required to create holes and also reduces burr defects.

[0064] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a watermark sheet. In one such embodiment, a method for manufacturing a watermarking sheet comprises the steps of: fabricating a substrate as described herein that has a water handling surface and an opposite fiber handling surface; creating in the base a group of holes extending from the surface for working with water to the surface for working with fiber, preferably passing through the entire thickness of the base; and creating watermarked zones on the fiber surface by ablation of zones of the surface to produce a pattern of multiple features in a continuous area of the surface.

[0065] As described here, within the scope of the present invention, a different order of the processes for creating holes and creating zones with watermarks is allowed. Within the scope of the present invention is both the order in which the steps of creating holes and ablation are performed simultaneously, and such an order in which these processes are performed one after the other. In one embodiment, particularly where burr generation is to be avoided, it is preferred that the holemaking in the substrate be performed from the waterworking surface and that the holemaking step precede the ablation step.

[0066] For the manufacture of the basis can be used in various ways, including injection molding, three-dimensional printing and vacuum deposition, but not limited to.

[0067] In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a watermarking sheet comprises, among other elements, creating watermarking features by ablation in watermarked areas to create reliefs with recessed areas, flat areas and/or raised areas. As noted here, watermarked areas can also be ablated to create highlights, or other pliable materials can be added to the substrate and ablated to create highlights. After reading this description of PHOSITA, various methods of ablation will become apparent. Preferred ablation methods include laser drilling using a CO ₂ laser.

[0068] In preferred embodiments, a plurality of watermark features are distributed over the fiber surface to be patterned. Although it is contemplated that in a continuous area of the fiber handling surface such distribution is performed using at least two watermark features, it is preferable that the entire pattern of watermark features be distributed in one continuous area of the fiber handling surface. In addition to the changes in the watermarked areas, the substrate is also modified to include holes, and preferably the holes are distributed to create a pattern or to create a distinctive feature, both of which can be used as level 1 or level 2 security features for documents, with a high degree of protection. In a specific embodiment, at least parts of the distinguishing feature - background or background pattern are indistinguishable to the naked eye, but visible when using an auxiliary optical tool, such as a microscope or other magnifying or tactile device.

[0069] In one embodiment, the holes are created in such a way that they are unevenly distributed in the background zone. For example, the frequency of the arrangement of holes or groups of holes in the direction along one or more axes is chosen. Alternatively, or in combination with the above, the holes are designed so that the diameters of the holes or groups of holes change in the direction along one or more axes, resulting in a corresponding change in the degree of overflow. Similarly, in one embodiment, a feature is created in the paper by changing the frequency and/or size of the holes so that the recessed areas and raised areas interact to create HFD regions and LFD regions, which in turn interact with each other. with the appearance of a distinctive feature in the paper - a watermark.

[0070] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a device in the form of a node for creating watermarks. In one embodiment, the watermarking assembly comprises a forming cylinder having an outer circumferential surface; and the watermarking sheet described herein, specifically as set forth in claim 1 of the claims. The watermarking sheet is wrapped around and attached to the outer circumferential surface of the forming cylinder.

[0071] In one embodiment, the node for creating watermarks specified here contains, among other elements, the forming cylinder described here. Here, the forming cylinder includes, for example, a forming wire, a rover, a cylindrical roller, a short former, a top former, or any paper machine component/any component that can be used in a paper machine to bring the watermarking sheet attached thereto into contact with fiber slurry to produce distinctive features - watermarks in the paper produced in this machine.

[0072] In one embodiment, the watermarking assembly described herein comprises, among other elements, the watermarking sheet described herein. In one particular embodiment, the watermarking sheet is affixed to the forming cylinder such that the sheet is exposed to the fiber slurry during papermaking. Upon reading this description of PHOSITA, the various methods of attachment will become apparent. All such methods are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. In preferred embodiments, the watermarking sheet is adhered to or secured to the forming cylinder by fasteners.

[0073] In one embodiment, the watermarking assembly described herein comprises a pattern of holes suitable for creating islands in watermarks. Here, an island is an area in the watermark that is surrounded by a uniform background that has a different tone. For example, in one embodiment, the background zone contains holes arranged in a pattern of approximately 50–90 holes per 1 cm. Inside the background zone is the first island, the holes in which are arranged in a pattern of 90–100 holes per 1 cm. Inside the first island is the second island, the holes in which are arranged in a pattern of 150 - approximately 250 holes per 1 cm. Islands similar in pattern are also allowed when the background contains holes arranged in a pattern of 150 - approximately 250 holes per 1 cm, the first island with a pattern of 90 - approximately 100 holes per 1 cm and a second island with holes arranged in a pattern of approximately 50 to approximately 90 holes per 1 cm. In one particular embodiment, the background contains holes arranged in a pattern of approximately 65 holes per 1 cm, the first island with a pattern of approximately 100 holes 1 cm and a second island with a pattern of approximately 195 holes per 1 cm. But it has been found that the most suitable situation is when the size of the holes on the fiber surface is smaller than their size on the water surface.

[0074] The watermarking sheet is attached to the surface of the forming cylinder that is exposed to the fiber slurry. This surface is generally referred to here as the circumferential surface. For example, if the forming cylinder is a forming wire, the circumferential surface is the top surface onto which the fiber slurry is transferred, while in bath or Fourdrinier operation, the circumferential surface, for example, may be the surface of a cylindrical roller located closest to the fiber suspension. In the course of the present invention, it has surprisingly been found that, unlike wire mesh, the pliable material used in this invention does not require a separate support layer or support regions. However, it is also allowed here that the watermarking sheet be attached to the forming cylinder, either directly or indirectly. For example, additional components can also be added to the surface of the base designed to work with water to change the degree of draining.

[0075] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a watermark assembly. In one embodiment, this method comprises the steps of: producing a watermarking sheet as described herein; provide a forming cylinder; and attaching the watermarking sheet to the outer or exposed circumferential surface of the forming cylinder.

[0076] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to watermarked paper. In one embodiment, the watermarked paper comprises a substrate having watermark zones and background zones; distinctive features - watermarks introduced into the base in the zones for watermarks; and a distinguishing feature - a background or background pattern introduced into the base in the areas for the background.

[0077] Upon reading this description of PHOSITA, various paper substrates will be apparent. However, in preferred embodiments, the paper base is formed from cellulose or a mixture of cellulose and other materials such as, for example, polymeric materials. It is assumed that the basis of the paper is single-layer or multi-layer in structure.

[0078] As described herein, watermarking features are created in watermarked areas of the base paper as high fiber density (HFD), low fiber density (LFD), and nominal fiber density (NFD) embossings. HFD, LFD and NFD interact to create a distinctive feature in the paper.

[0079] In one embodiment, a distinctive feature - a background or a background pattern is created by uneven distribution of holes in the area with the background. As such, the frequency of the holes, the size of the holes, or a combination thereof, is set such that the HFD regions and the LFD regions interact to create a distinctive background or background pattern.

[0080] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for making watermarked paper. In one embodiment, a method for making watermarked paper comprises the steps of: providing a paper machine with a watermarking assembly as described herein; directing the fiber slurry onto a fiber handling surface present in the watermarking assembly such that a watermark and/or a background or background pattern is introduced into the paper being made or resulting. PHOSITA will be apparent various paper machines, the use of which is allowed in the present invention. Preferably, the paper machine is selected from a bath machine and a Fourdrinier machine. In the bath machine, the forming cylinder is a cylindrical roller, and according to the present invention, a watermarking sheet is attached to it to form a watermarking assembly. After that, it is placed in a bath containing a suspension of fibers. When the node is rotated to create watermarks, fibers accumulate on its surface, the density of which is different and depends on the depth of the relief areas and the presence of holes in the areas with watermarks, as well as on the uniformity of the distribution of holes in the areas with a background. In some embodiments, a distinctive feature - a background or background patterns - is created combined with distinctive features - watermarks.

[0081] In some embodiments, the paper has highlights or holes created by a lightening element (eg, electrotype) that can be combined with background areas, watermark areas, or both. For example, in one embodiment, the feature is a combined feature, some areas of which are formed by the feature - watermark, and other areas of which are formed by the background pattern or feature - background.

[0082] According to the following aspect, the present invention relates to a document having a high degree of security. In one embodiment, a high security document contains watermarked paper as described herein and has a treated surface.

[0083] The present invention is intended to cover various high security documents that will be apparent to PHOSITA upon review of this invention. Preferably, the high security document is a banknote or other government-issued currency/documents.

[0084] It is contemplated that the present invention also covers various types of surface treatments that will be apparent to PHOSITA upon reading this invention. For example, suitable types of surface treatment are antifouling treatment, design treatment, or protective treatment. In one embodiment, as a surface treatment that prevents contamination, impregnation of the surface of paper and/or paper in the mass is performed. Alternatively, or in addition, the paper is processed into the desired design, such as using gravure printing to create text, or another high security technique such as microtext printing. Another alternative or additional surface treatment is the creation of security features such as holograms, threads (eg diving, fully surfaced or fully embedded) with machine readable features (eg magnetic, infrared, etc.). It is also allowed here that a micro-optical security thread can be added to the paper. Thus, the surface treatment referred to herein includes any surface treatment of paper and/or stock paper.

[0085] In one embodiment, the surface treatment is the introduction of a thread into the area where the feature - watermark or feature - background is located, resulting in improved visual characteristics of the thread and / or feature - watermark / feature - background / background pattern, or a combined distinguishing feature or pattern occurs.

[0086] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a document having a high degree of security. In one embodiment, this method comprises the steps of: providing watermarked paper as described herein; and perform surface treatment on the paper.

[0087] In the following, the invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to some specific variants of its implementation, which are shown in the drawings.

Examples

[0088] The first example is the watermark sheet 100 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the watermarking sheet 100 has a watermarked area 102' containing a distinctive watermark 102 in relief. This watermarking sheet also contains a background pattern which is formed from the distinctive features 103 in a special shape and has the appearance of a group of letters (namely, the letters P). The watermark feature 102 is surrounded by a background area 101 present in the continuous watermark sheet 100 which enhances the visual perception of the feature.

[0089] Another example is the watermark sheet 200 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the watermarking sheet 200 has a watermarked area 202' containing a feature, the watermark 202 in relief. The watermarking sheet 200 also contains a background pattern created in the background area 201 . The background pattern is created by unevenly distributing the holes 203. In this case, the background holes 203 are not visible to the naked eye, but can be easily recognized using an auxiliary optical instrument, such as a microscope or a magnifying glass. In one region, the holes are positioned so as to form an R indicia 204. This R 204 can be seen with the naked eye in transmitted light. However, in reflected light it is also indistinguishable to the naked eye.

[0090] Another example is the watermark sheet 300 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the watermark feature 302 is a combined watermark feature formed partly by the watermark feature 302, which is located in the watermark area 302', and partly by the background pattern 304, created from holes 303 having uneven distribution in the zone with the background. As a result of the interaction of these parts, the letter E appears, surrounded by holes 303 located in the zone 301 with the background.

[0091] The following example is the watermarking sheet 400 shown in FIG. 4, which has a watermarked area 405 containing a distinctive watermark embossed with recessed portions 407 and raised portions 408 that interact with the occurrence in the negative image sheet 400 of the watermark (NWI) or feature 402. This feature, watermark 402, also includes a brightening element 406 located at the top of the bell, which will reduce the fiber density in this area. This lightening element prevents or reduces the amount of draining, thereby reducing the density of the fibers, resulting in a hole or a very light area in the appropriate place on the paper.

[0092] Another example is the highly secure document 500 shown in FIG. 5, in this case a bank note. Here, banknote 500 comprises a watermark sheet having a distinctive watermark 502 with a light element 506 and a hole pattern 504 positioned such that level 2 microtext 504 appears in the background area 501, which is used to identify banknote 500. with watermarks are subjected to surface treatment in zone 509 to create a printed element.

[0093] In another example, shown in Fig.6, a node 600 for creating watermarks is proposed. The watermarking unit 600 includes a forming cylinder, which is a cylindrical roller 611 of a bath machine. The watermarking sheet 610 is wrapped around the circumferential surface and attached thereto with fasteners and/or adhesive. On the circumferential surface of the assembly are distinctive features - watermarks 602 and a background pattern 601 surrounding the bells. Holes 603 extending from the water handling surface exit to the fiber handling surface (ie, the circumferential surface of the device). During papermaking, the watermarking assembly 600 is brought into contact with a slurry of papermaking fibers. The image-bearing watermark features 602 and the background pattern act on the fibers of the paper to create a pattern on the paper in the watermark area corresponding to the watermark features located on the watermark sheet 610.

[0094] In the following example shown in FIG. 7, the watermarking sheet 700 has a multi-layer structure, in this sheet between 2 compliant layers 712, 714 a less compliant layer 713, for example, an intermediate metal layer, is located. The watermarking sheet shown here has the watermarks 702 and holes 703 in the background area 701.

[0095] As another example, illustrated in FIG. 8, a sectional view of the watermarking sheet 800 is shown, this view shows the distinguishing features of the watermarks 802 and holes 803 located in the area 801 with the background, here also showing the conical holes 815 extending from the top side 819 (ie, fiber handling surface 816) to the bottom side 818 (ie, water handling surface 816). In this case, drilling of holes can be performed using various procedures, including laser drilling.

[0096] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they are by way of example only and are not limiting. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of these exemplary options.

Claims (44)

1. Sheet for creating watermarks, containing: - a substrate having (i) a water-handling surface and (ii) a fiber-handling surface opposite the water-handling surface, wherein the backing is capable of being deformed or ablated to form at least a portion of the watermark; - a pattern consisting of at least two distinguishing features - watermarks; and - a group of tapering holes extending from the surface for working with water to the surface for working with fiber, while the pattern, consisting of at least two distinguishing features - watermarks, is distributed over a continuous area of the surface for working with fiber. 2. The watermarking sheet of claim 1, wherein the fiber handling surface has a continuous area comprised of at least one of plastic, elastic, thermoplastic, or thermoset material. 3. A watermarking sheet according to claim 1, having a width of 50 mm to 5 m. 4. The watermarking sheet of claim 1, wherein the base includes watermarked areas and background areas, wherein the watermarked features are created in the watermarked areas surrounded by background areas. 5. The watermarking sheet of claim 4, wherein the holes located in the background zone extend through the entire thickness of this zone. 6. The watermarking sheet of claim 4, wherein the feature has an embossed structure having recessed portions and raised portions. 7. The watermarking sheet of claim 6, wherein the watermarked area has holes extending through the entire thickness of the watermarked area. 8. The watermarking sheet of claim 1, wherein the fiber surface includes first zones introduced into at least one of the watermarked zones and the background zones and containing lightening elements suitable for creating holes or zones with low fiber density per sheet for watermarking. 9. The watermarking sheet of claim 1, wherein the holes are created by drilling in a direction from the water handling surface to the fiber handling surface. 10. The watermarking sheet of claim 1, wherein the holes taper in a direction from the water handling surface to the fiber handling surface. 11. The watermarking sheet of claim 1, wherein said pattern of at least two watermark features is created by ablation of the watermarked areas. 12. The watermarking sheet of claim 4, wherein the background zones include a background feature created by unevenly distributing holes in the background zone. 13. The watermarking sheet of claim 8, wherein one or more of the first zones are aligned with at least one watermarked zone such that it is in a recessed area, in an elevated area, or both. 14. The watermarking sheet of claim 13, wherein one or more of the first zones are created by an ablation process. 15. A method for manufacturing a sheet for creating watermarks, comprising the following steps: - fabricating a substrate having a water handling surface and a fiber handling surface opposite the water handling surface, wherein the substrate is capable of being deformed or ablated to create at least a portion of the watermark; - create holes in the base to create tapered holes; and – create watermarked areas on the fiber surface by ablation of areas of the fiber surface to produce a pattern of multiple watermark features over a continuous area of the fiber surface. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the fiber handling surface consists of at least one of plastic, elastic, thermoplastic, or thermoset material. 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the width of the base is between 50 mm and 5 m. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of creating holes is performed before or after the step of creating watermarked zones. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the substrate is manufactured using vacuum deposition or injection molding. 20. Node for creating watermarks, containing: - a forming cylinder having an outer circumferential surface; and - a sheet for creating watermarks according to claim 1, wherein the watermarking sheet is wrapped around and attached to the outer circumferential surface of the forming cylinder. 21. A method for manufacturing a node for creating watermarks, comprising the steps of: - make a sheet for creating watermarks using the method according to claim 15; – provide a forming cylinder; and attaching the watermark sheet to the outer circumferential surface of the forming cylinder. 22. Watermarked paper containing: – the base of the paper, having zones for watermarks and zones for the background; - distinctive features - watermarks introduced into the base of the paper, while the distinctive features - watermarks are created using a sheet for creating a watermark according to claim 1; and – distinguishing feature – background or background pattern introduced into the background area. 23. The watermarked paper of claim 22, wherein the watermark features are aligned with the background feature. 24. A security document that contains: - paper with watermarks according to item 23; and - treated surface. 25. The security document of claim 24, wherein the security document is a bank note. 26. A security document according to claim 25, wherein the background feature is indistinguishable to the naked eye, but visible when using an optical device. 27. The watermarking sheet of claim 1, wherein the watermarking sheet is configured to be wrapped around an outer circumferential surface of the forming cylinder and attached over an area of 80% to 100% of that surface.

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