Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for security papers, bank notes, ID cards or the like, with a substrate, on which are disposed at least two metal layers, the metal layers having different optical densities.

Abstract: In a method for introducing an authentication print characteristic in a visible image printed on paper, a part of the image is printed with an ink having first and second component dyes. The first component is less fast than the second component in response to an applied activator. The first component is normally masked by the second component but applying an activator stimulates a bleed of the first component beyond the area of the image part to create a predetermined unmasked area of the fluorescent component. The invention extends to paper on which the authentication print characteristic has been printed and to a method of detecting a forged image by analyzing paper to detect such an image bleed.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a generally planar portion approximately in a plane. The apparatus can also include a lip portion extending in a direction generally orthogonal to the plane. The generally planar portion is joined to the lip portion at a circumferential edge of the generally planar portion to form a cover for a beverage container. The lip portion includes a sterilizing agent configured to sterilize a rim portion of the beverage container. Likewise, a method can include providing contact information on a disposable cover adapted to cover a beverage container. The contact information is not provided by the manufacturer of the beverage or beverage container. The method can also include receiving contact from a user of the disposable cover. The method can further include coordinating the delivery of a service to the user of the disposable cover responsive to the contact received from the user.

Abstract: This invention relates to an anti-counterfeit printed matter, including securities such as banknotes, stock certificates, and bonds, various kinds of certificates, and important documents, which requires anti-counterfeit or anti-copy. [Solving Means] A visible image is formed by a first object group arrayed in a first direction at a predetermined pitch and a second object group arranged in the non-imaging area of the first object group. The second object group forms the negative and positive images of a first invisible image by arbitrarily arranging two kinds of objects in pairs in the on/off relationship. Addition, in the anti-counterfeit printed matter, the first object group includes object portions that are formed in at least two height levels from the surface of the printed matter so as to have a predetermined difference in height, thereby forming a second invisible image.

Abstract: A lottery instant-game ticket and method of making same. On a substrate is placed a first set of game indicia including a first set of game symbols, and a second set of indicia larger than the first set of game indicia and including a second set of game symbols, and includes any winning symbol. A subset of the second set of game indicia with each symbol including a non-winning indicator. The first set and second of game indicia are covered with a removable covering, with the covering having position indicators positioned substantially over each of the first set of game indicia, and identical game symbols positioned substantially over a corresponding identical game symbol of the second set of game indicia such that removal of the identical game symbol reveals the identical game symbol of the second set of game indicia and any non-winning indicator, if present.

Abstract: A composite security device is provided that is made up of a first polymer film that constitutes or embodies a security feature in the form of at least one high value material, and a second polymer film that constitutes, embodies, or is coated with one or more additional security features. The first polymer film is positioned on and adhered to a surface of the second polymer film, which has a width or diameter greater than the width or diameter of the first polymer film By way of the present invention, the high value material is applied to only a part of the security device, leaving remaining parts of the device available for one or more additional materials that do not impact upon the effect of the high value material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element (1). The security element (1) has a viewing side and a back side that is opposite the latter. The security element comprises at least one luminous layer (2) that can provide light (20), and at least one mask layer (4) that, when the security element (1) is viewed from the viewing side, is arranged in front of the at least one luminous layer (2). The at least one mask layer (4) has at least one opaque region (5) and at least two transparent openings (41, 42). The at least two transparent openings (41, 42) has a substantially higher transmittance than the at least one opaque region (5) in respect of light (20) provided by the at least one luminous layer (2), preferably a transmittance that is at least 20% higher, particularly preferably a transmittance that is at least 50% higher.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet material (2) comprising at least one first layer defining an outer surface of the sheet material and having at least one first color, at least one second layer comprising at least one watermark (6) and having at least one second color, the first and second colors having at least different saturations and/or hue angles.

Abstract: A self laminating wristband separable from a multi-ply page form has a plurality of separated imaging areas, with one larger imaging area for receiving printed data corresponding to the wearer such as his name, i.d. number, etc., with one or more second imaging areas adapted to receive either printed information or markers which may be adhered thereto. The separated imaging areas are aligned along the length of the wristband so that the gap between them acts as a natural hinge point which allows the imaging areas to lie flatter against the wearer's wrist.

Abstract: The invention relates to a document of value, such as e.g. a bank note or the like, which has a security paper. In the security paper at least one tangible marking in the form of a relief structure is produced by a laser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a marking on an item or substrate, which marking is based on a chiral nematic (also called cholesteric) liquid crystal precursor composition. Prior to curing the chiral liquid crystal precursor composition in the chiral liquid crystal state at least one optical property exhibited by the composition is modified by two modifying agents of different types in at least one area of the item or substrate.

Abstract: Improvements in security devices are provided that are used for authenticating or security applications. The security device includes a first color-shifting layer and a second color-shifting layer, which exhibits different reflective characteristics to the first color-shifting layer. A partial first light absorbing layer is between first surfaces of the first and second color-shifting layers and a second light absorbing layer applied to a second surface of the second color-shifting layer. The color of the partial first absorbing layer is selected to substantially match the color of light reflected at a normal angle of incidence by the combination of the second color-shifting layer and the second absorbing layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a continuous web of printed material for use in creating mailpieces. The continuous web has a width and a length, the length comprised of a series of attached sheets. The series of attached sheets are comprising envelope sheets and rectangular content pages. The content pages are rectangular in shape and may be oriented relative to the envelope sheets in a number of different configurations. In some configurations, two sets of content pages and/or envelope sheets can be printed across the width of the web. Sheets for forming business return envelopes may be printed in series with the content pages and envelope sheets. BREs may include individualized return addresses. A control code may be printed on one or more of the sheets for a given mailpiece, providing information for controlling assembly of the mailpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element (20) for securing valuable articles, in which a thin-film element (32) having a color-shift effect and a relief pattern (26) present in an embossing lacquer layer (24) are stacked, the embossing lacquer layer (24) having the relief pattern (26) is metalized (28) in sub-regions, and the relief pattern (26) of the partially metalized embossing lacquer layer (24, 28) is leveled with a transparent lacquer layer (30) whose refractive index substantially corresponds to the refractive index of the embossing lacquer layer (24).

Abstract: An authenticity determination support device includes an acquiring unit and a compressing unit. The acquiring unit photographs, in a solid having a unique random feature in a surface thereof, a predetermined area in the surface such that continuity of the feature is generated in a predetermined direction, and thereby acquires feature information representing the feature included in the area. The compressing unit compresses the feature information in a direction in which continuity of the feature information acquired by the acquiring unit is high.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeit printed matter forming an invisible image that can be visualized clearly and prevents a visible image from impeding visibility of a visualized invisible image. In the anti-counterfeit printed matter according to this invention, a plurality of object elements are arranged at a predetermined pitch in a matrix, each object element including a first and second object arranged along a first direction on both sides of a boundary at a center, opposing each other, and third and fourth objects arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on both sides of a boundary at the center, opposing each other. The first object and the second object, and the third object and the fourth object of each object element have a negative/positive relationship. The first object and/or the second object forms a first invisible image. The third object and/or the fourth object forms a second invisible image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element for protecting valuable articles, having a first and a second authenticating feature. The first authenticating feature comprises a first arrangement having a plurality of focusing elements present in a first grid, and a second arrangement having a plurality of microscopic structures present in a second grid. Here, the first and second arrangement are disposed in such a way that the microscopic structures of the second arrangement are seen magnified when viewed through the focusing elements of the first arrangement. The second authenticating feature is machine and/or visually verifiable and is not influenced by the first arrangement of the first authenticating feature.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for applying shipping labels over both folded or non-folded packing slips, or the like, at a single print-and-apply station, either through use of a label configured for application to a substrate and also in a superposed registered manner to another label of identical construction previously attached to the substrate, or by using a shipping label having a non-aggressive adhesive applied to a removable center section of the shipping label for attachment of the packing list, or the like, to the shipping label prior to application of the shipping label to the substrate.

Abstract: Methods, algorithms, processes, circuits, and/or structures for laser patterning suitable for customized RFID designs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of laser patterning of an identification device can include the steps of: (i) depositing a patternable resist formulation on a substrate having configurable elements and/or materials thereon; (ii) irradiating the resist formulation with a laser tool sufficiently to change the solubility characteristics of the resist in a developer; and (iii) developing exposed areas of the resist using the developer. Embodiments of the present invention can advantageously provide a relatively low cost and high throughput approach for customized RFID devices.

Abstract: A method for using void pantographs involves generating a test sheet including multiple void pantographs, where each of the multiple void pantographs includes a pantograph foreground and a pantograph background. The test sheet is printed, and from the printed test sheet, at least one of the multiple void pantographs having a covert or semi-covert pantograph foreground and background is identified. The printed test sheet is scanned, and from the scanned test sheet, at least one of the multiple void pantographs having an overt pantograph foreground is identified. A workflow is developed for the at least one of the multiple void pantographs having both i) the covert or semi-covert pantograph foreground and background after printing, and ii) the overt pantograph foreground after scanning.

Abstract: This invention provides a latent image pattern formed body that allows to observe a latent image having excellent visibility and authenticity discrimination and design properties than those of related arts when observed from the oblique direction. The latent image pattern formed body includes, in at least part of one surface of a substrate, a latent image region, an outline region arranged on an outline of at least part of the latent image region, and a background region arranged on a background of the latent image region and the outline region. In the latent image region, a plurality of first elements having a concave or convex shape are arranged at a first pitch in a first direction. In the background region, the plurality of first elements are arranged at the first pitch in the first direction in a phase different from that of the first elements in the latent image region.

Abstract: A security document and a method of manufacturing a security document are provided in which a radiation curable ink is applied to at least one side of a substrate including at least one region of transparent plastics material forming a window or half-window area. The ink is embossed while soft and cured with radiation to form an embossed security device within the window or half-window area including one or more of a diffractive structure, a lens structure or other security element having a relief structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element (12) for securing value objects, with a thin film element (22) with color shift effect; a semitransparent ink layer (34), which is disposed on top of the thin film element (22) in first zones (30), wherein the color impression of the thin film element (22) is coordinated with the color impression of at least one subzone of the semitransparent ink layer (34) when viewed under predefined viewing conditions; and a transparent phase delay layer (36), which is disposed on top of the thin film element (22) in second zones, and which forms a phase-shifting layer for light in the visible wavelength range.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing a film element having mutually registered metallic layers (11, 16) and a film element which can be produced by such a process. A first metallic layer (11) provided on a first surface of a flexible single-layer or multi-layer carrier film (10) and a masking layer (13) provided on the second surface of the carrier film (10), opposite to the first surface, are structured in accurate register relationship with each other by means of mutually synchronized structuring procedures. After structuring of the first metallic layer (11) and the masking layer (13) one or more further layers are applied to the first metallic layer (11). Applied to the one or more further layers (15) is a second metallic layer (16) to which a first photoactivatable layer (17) is applied.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a transaction card that may have multiple layers contained therein. The layers may include a metal sub-assembly core. The transaction card may be engraved, prior to providing to a cardholder, with a replica of the cardholder's actual signature. Additional items may be personalized upon the transaction card. The transaction card may also be incorporated into a system whereupon the transaction card may be triggered to perform an action such as emitting an audible tone or an electronic communication being sent to the cardholder.

Abstract: A product comprising a patterned optically anisotropic layer having two or more regions of different birefringence in the form of a pattern, which further comprises a semi-transmissive-half-reflective layer having a transmittance of 30% or higher and a reflectance of 30% or higher is provided. The product permits visualization of a latent image in the product through a polarizing plate as well as visualization of the information on the side opposite to the side to be viewed from.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a security element comprising a transparent substrate and a magnetically oriented image coating on said substrate, wherein said image coating is preferably laid out such as to show a 3-dimensional effect, appearing in positive or negative relief respectively, if observed form the recto- or the verso side, respectively. The security element can be easily identified by the unaided eye, by just turning around the document and observing the angle-dependent image on either side. On the other hand, the security element cannot be reproduced by scanning or copying the document.

Abstract: A security device comprises a substrate having a transparent region (1). At least one optical element (2, 3) is provided in part of the transparent region, the optical element causing an incident off-axis light beam transmitted through the optical element to be redirected away from a line parallel with the incident light beam whereby when the device is viewed in transmission directly against a backlight, the presence of the optical element cannot be discerned but when the device is moved relative to the backlight such that lines of sight from the viewer to the transparent region and from the transparent region to the backlight form an obtuse angle (?) at which redirected light is visible to the viewer, a contrast is viewed between the part of the transparent region including the optical element and another part of the transparent region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element comprising a carrier substrate comprising a transparent or translucent area carrying at least one digitised mark made of at least one set of dots appearing as a three dimensional mark when viewed in transmitted light. The invention relates to a security support or document or article comprising the said security element and to the method of identification and/or authentication of this security support or document or article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in security devices that can be used in varying shapes and sizes for various authenticating or security applications, particularly an optically variable security device utilizing liquid crystal materials. The security device includes a liquid crystal layer (11), an at least partially absorbing layer (12) adjacent at least a part of one side of the liquid crystal layer (11), and at least one customizing region (13) which is adjacent at least a part of an opposite side of the liquid crystal layer (11) to the absorbing layer (12) in selected regions. The at least one customizing region (13) modifies the color shifting properties of the liquid crystal layer (11) such that at least two contrasting optically variable regions are provided by the regions covered by the at least one customizing region and regions not covered by the at least one customizing region.

Abstract: There is provided a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein each of R1a to R1k independently represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, the substituents may combine with each other to form a ring, each of M1a and M1b independently represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent counter cation, Y1 represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom having a hydrogen atom or monovalent substituent, A1 represents an aromatic group, and the aromatic group represented by A1 may contain a heteroatom or may have a substituent.

Abstract: A tamper-proof security element includes at least one polymer spacer layer and two metal cluster layers. One or more of the layers, in addition to their function, fulfills a security feature in their color-shift set-up.

Abstract: An inkjet ink is provided. The inkjet ink includes water; a penetrant, a pigment, and a polymer compound. The polymer compound includes a unit (A) including a functional group having the below-mentioned formula (1) or (2), and another unit (B) including a carboxyl group. The unit (A) is included in the polymer compound in an amount of from 30% to 90% by weight based on the total weight of the polymer compound.

Abstract: Provided is a printed matter, a printed matter forming apparatus, and a printed matter forming method, which improve the expression of the texture. A lower layer having an upper surface provided with concavities and convexities different for each region; an image layer provided above the lower layer, the image layer forming an image and transmitting part of incident light towards the lower layer; and a surface layer provided above the image layer, the surface layer having an upper surface provided with concavities and convexities different for each region, the surface layer transmitting part of incident light towards the image layer are included. This allows various textures to be expressed fully.

Abstract: A tactile orientation indicator is positioned along the periphery of a bill, and a tactile denomination indicator is positioned elsewhere along the periphery of the bill. The user of the bill may then use their tactile senses to feel along the edges of the bill to orient the bill to a pre-determined orientation based on the location of the orientation indicator. The user then feels along the periphery of the bill to locate the denomination indicator. Using a predetermined system associating the location of the denomination indicator with a particular bill denomination, the user may then identify the denomination of the bill even if blind or otherwise visually impaired.

Abstract: A security element, comprising at least two contiguous areas having an identical or different coloring which can vary depending on the inclination of the incidence and, therefore, reflection of direct light or depending on the type of incident light. The security element also has a single graphic marking which crosses with continuity the two areas having variable coloring so that the graphic marking straddles the two areas so that it is perfectly aligned, without having discontinuities of any kind. Moreover, the effect of this graphic marking is perfectly visible both when the security element is viewed from the recto and when it is viewed from the verso.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security and/or valuable document containing a scratch-resistant coating obtained from a lacquer composition comprising I) from 12 to 70 parts by wt. of a C2-C12-diol diacrylate or C2-C12-diol dimethacrylate, II) from 12 to 40 parts by wt. of an alkoxylated mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta- or hexaacrylate or alkoxylated mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta- or hexamethacrylate, III) from 0 to 40 parts by wt. of a monomer selected from the group consisting of pentaerythritol triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, dipentaerythritol tetraacrylate, dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, pentaerythritol trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, dipentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, dipentaerythritol pentamethacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexamethacrylate, reaction products thereof with aliphatic or aromatic diisocyanates, and mixtures thereof, IV) from 5 to 60 parts by wt.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a man-made object comprising a distinctive structure with a feature to identify the object, wherein the object has a size such that the object is observable under visible light, wherein the feature is embedded in or on the object and a size of the feature is such that the feature is not observable under visible light, wherein the feature comprises an attribute originating from the feature, and wherein the attribute defines the feature.

Abstract: A discrimination medium on which printing can be freely performed, which cannot be easily falsified, in which the authenticity can be easily discriminated by unique appearance, and which can be produced at low cost, is provided. A cholesteric liquid crystal layer 10, and a breakable print recording layer are laminated in the discrimination medium. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer 10 has plural light transparent films, which are laminated and are different from each other in refraction index. Therefore, the discrimination medium has unique optical characteristics such that a character, a symbol, a pattern, a figure formed by printing by a thermal printer or the like changes in color depending on the viewing angle. A discrimination method using the above optical characteristics of the discrimination medium is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to printing inks for the intaglio printing process, also referred to as engraved steel die printing process. In particular, oxidatively curing inks comprising a combination of fusible wax and a UV curing binder component are disclosed. These inks can be printed on a standard printing press, and, through a short UV irradiation after printing, allow to significantly reduce or eliminate the undesired set-off which can occur after printing and stacking the printed sheets. Using the inks of the present invention results in less set-off contaminated printed sheets, allowing for a higher pile-stacking of the printed good, for the use of increased engraving depths, of a more challenging intaglio design, and for the printing on less porous substrates, while enabling the printing on a standard printing press, and offering the possibility of using a lower printing plate temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element (16) for security papers, value documents and the like, having a microoptical moiré-type magnification arrangement for depicting a moiré image (84) having one or more moiré image elements (86), having a motif image that includes a periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of lattice cells (24) having micromotif image portions (28, 28?, 28?), for the moiré-magnified viewing of the motif image, a focusing element grid (22) that is arranged spaced apart from the motif image and that includes a periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of lattice cells having one microfocusing element (22) each, wherein, taken together, the micromotif image portions (28, 28?, 28?) of multiple spaced-apart lattice cells (24) of the motif image each form one micromotif element (50) that corresponds to one of the moiré image elements (86) of the magnified moiré image (84) and whose dimension is larger than one lattice cell (24) of t

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element (30) for securing valuable articles, having a first layer (13), composed of cholesteric liquid crystal material, that is present at least in some areas, a second layer (14), composed of liquid crystal material, that is present at least in some areas, and a further layer (22), having a machine-readable feature, that is present at least in some areas and that is covered at least in some areas by the first and second layer composed of liquid crystal material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a value document, such as bank note, passport or the like, which has a security paper and a marking produced with the help of a laser, the security paper having at least one partial area with a coating, and the marking extending over the border area between coating and security paper. Further, the invention relates to a security paper and methods for producing an inventive value document and security paper.

Abstract: A document uses a chemically reactive security ink to facilitate security, making it more difficult to alter a genuine security document. The chemically reactive security ink masks a warning word or message on a security document. The hidden warning word or message is revealed when the document is subjected to chemical washing.

Abstract: A sheet-shaped document of value (BN) has luminescent feature substances (20, 21). Preferably, one luminescent feature substance is present over the entire sheet-shaped document and has a low concentration, whereas a second luminescent feature substance is present at certain partial areas and has a higher concentration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element (22) for securing items of value, with a relief structure (22) on which a thin film element (24) having a color shift effect is superposed in an overlap zone, wherein the thin film element (24) includes an absorber layer (30) with gaps (32), in the zone of which a color shift effect is not visible, and with a semitransparent ink layer (34), which is superposed on the thin film element (24) and the relief structure (22) in the area of the gaps (32) in the absorber layer (30), wherein the color impression of the thin film element (24) is coordinated with at least a partial zone of the semitransparent ink layer (34) when viewed under predefined viewing conditions.

Abstract: A self attaching tag made essentially of self adhesive printable plastic to be attached to a fragile and easily deformable object characterized in that the tag is covered with a plurality of varnishes which allow for the protection of pre-printing and for printing and writing on at the moment of use. The tags are delivered on large rolls where perforations allow for easy separation of the tags.

Abstract: A label that is removable from the article with which it is associated, or includes a removable section thereof, and includes only a single substrate. The substrate has a front side and a back side, and an ink disposed on the back side of the substrate, which remains with the substrate during removal of the substrate, or a section thereof, from an article. The label further includes an abhesive disposed adjacent the ink on the back side of the substrate. The label may have at least one set of perforations to provide a removable section of the label. These perforations may be provided by an apparatus for providing consistent perforations.

Abstract: The present invention enables creating authenticable continuous tone color multi-ink multi-halftone images offering means of verifying their authenticity. The invention relies on color halftones, color separation into different ink surface coverages for different halftoning methods, mapping of an input gamut into a gamut defined by a set of inks, calculating the optimal boundary between region halftones created with different halftoning methods, and color multi-halftone image generation. The basic authentication is performed by examining the color multi-halftone image under a reference illumination and verifying that the message incorporated within the color multi-halftone is hidden and revealed under a different illumination. Authentication can further be performed by observing the color multi-halftone image both in reflection and transmission modes and verifying that in one of these modes the message is hidden and that in the other mode the message is revealed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer security element having a first, transparent layer structure having first, translucent sub-regions and a second, opaque layer structure exhibiting a color-shift effect and having second, transparent sub-regions.