Abstract: A method of visualizing a latent image includes: preparing a latent image composed of a plurality of paramagnetic seeds immobilized on a base in the form of an image, and a dispersion liquid of paramagnetic colloidal particles; immersing the latent image in the dispersion liquid of paramagnetic colloidal particles; and applying a magnetic field to the latent image and the dispersion liquid of paramagnetic colloidal particles.

Abstract: An invisible pattern contained plastic label has a surface on which a plurality of sharp tip bodies is formed and successively arranged in a matrix. Each of the sharp tip bodies has at least first and second sides each forming a slope. A first pattern is formed on the slopes of the first sides of the sharp tip bodies, and a second pattern is formed on the slopes of the second sides of the sharp tip bodies. Each of the patterns has a reference plane that shows a difference in depth with respect to a surface of the respective slope. The surfaces of the slopes and the patterns formed thereon are of different roughness so as to form an arrangement of showing multiple patterns, which provides a displaying result of showing variable multi-layered perception of invisible patterns to thereby improve product quality.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for changing the color of a metal surface in a given part of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is achieved by creating a surface relief as an array of raised or indented repeated elements without breaking the continuity of the metal surface. The characteristic size of the elements is smaller than the shortest wavelength in that part of spectrum. In particular, the method uses excitation of surface plasmons on the metal surface. The relief may be optionally covered by a layer of dielectric or semiconductor for further fixed or externally controlled change of the metal surface color. The device may be used to detect the intensity or color or phase of incident light. It may be used to detect another substance in proximity of the surface by changing the color or phase or intensity of reflected light.

Abstract: A multi-viewpoint image recording medium includes at least one main image recorded on the multi-viewpoint image recording medium and a plurality of sub-images, each having a display area smaller than a display area of the main image, recorded on the multi-viewpoint image recording medium. The main image and the plurality of sub-images are simultaneously displayed when the main image and the plurality of sub-images are reproduced. At least one of the plurality of sub-images changes in accordance with movement of a viewpoint.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic latent image holding body in which the surface thereof has water repellency and a magnetic latent image is visualized by a liquid developer that contains a magnetic toner and an aqueous medium.

Abstract: Pasty ink for the engraved steel die printing process, having a viscosity value above 3 Pa·s, preferably above 5 Pa·s at 40° C., and comprising an infrared absorbing material, wherein said infrared absorbing material is a transition element compound whose IR-absorption is a consequence of electronic transitions within the d-shell of transition element atoms or ions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an anti-counterfeiting film and process for preparation thereof. The anti-counterfeiting film comprises a directional retroreflective layer (1), an optical-angle-based color-changing information layer (2), a reflective layer (3) and a support layer (4) which are combined in this turn. The support layer (4) is made of a polymer resin material, the reflective layer (3) is made of a material with high reflectivity and has a thickness of nanoscale, the information layer (2) is made of an optical-angle-based color-changing chiral polymer material having a helical structure or made of an optical-angle-based color-changing cellulose material. The optical-angle-based color-changing chiral polymer material having a helical structure is a condensation product of a chiral compound and a compound with functional group. The optical-angle-based color-changing cellulose material is composed of a cellulose derivative and a polymerisable monomer.

Abstract: A vehicle identification number (VIN) label is provided. The label includes an adhesive layer; a self-destruct layer positioned on the adhesive layer; a first facestock layer positioned on the self-destruct layer; a second facestock layer positioned on the first facestock layer and defining a first window relative to the first facestock layer; and an indicia layer with a first vehicle identification number (VIN) within the first window of the second facestock layer.

Abstract: A contamination-resistant air permeable fabric laminate is disclosed that comprises a textile layer attached by discontinuous attachments to an asymmetric porous membrane comprising at least two porous regions or layers through the thickness of the membrane. Methods for making the fabric laminate are disclosed as well as garments made therefrom.

Abstract: A method of marking a substrate with an emissive image wherein the substrate includes optical brighteners, the substrate having applied thereon a substance having one or more fluorescent quenchers and a quench prevention substance. An emissive color component is applied over at least a portion of the quench prevention substance. An article with authentication features may include a substrate having a layer of one or more fluorescent quenchers, a layer of a quench prevention substance, and an emissive image component. An article with authentication features may be used to authenticate the article using an emissive image produced from an emissive color component positioned over at least a portion of a quench prevention substance.

Abstract: A composition comprising an organic fluorophore having a structure of: or a derivative thereof; as well as articles of manufacture marked with the fluorophore, methods for marking articles with the fluorophore, and methods for producing a fluorescent fiber.

Abstract: It is disclosed a packaging material for a pharmaceutical product. The packaging material comprises a coloured element which at about 38° C. discolours partially, revealing a marking. The element is formed by a first portion forming the marking printed with conventional ink, and a second portion printed with thermochromic ink. The thermochromic ink is coloured below about 38° C. and becomes colourless when this temperature is reached or exceeded. The two portions are arranged so that the first portion is invisible below about 38° C., but becomes visible when this temperature is reached or exceeded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermochromatic inks. The present invention provides a toy, wherein the toy includes at least one thermochromatic ink. The present invention provides a pre-printed item, wherein when the temperature of the pre-printed item is changed to particular temperatures, the color of a marking, the color of a drawing, or both, change. The present invention provides an interactive item, wherein the visual appearance of the item is changed by changing the color of at least one of a first or second inks. The present invention provides a drawing device, wherein the position of a substrate and a temperature element are such that a thermochromatic ink does not change color unless sufficient pressure is applied to the substrate effective to deflect the surface of the substrate and bring it temporarily sufficiently more proximate to the temperature element. The present invention provides a smart wand for drawing on a substrate that includes thermochromatic ink.

Abstract: A security laminate for securing a security document comprising: a) a biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate support; and b) a thermosensitive layer coated on the support; wherein the thermosensitive layer contains a binder, a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, an organic reducing agent and a toning agent selected from the group consisting of phthalimides, phthalazinones, benzoxazine diones and naphthoxazine diones. Methods for manufacturing security documents are also disclosed.

Abstract: A decorative casing including a base material having a surface that includes at least one uneven region and a multilayer film having a plurality of thin films laminated together alternately of different refractive indexes from each other, which is adhered to the surface of the base material. The multilayer film includes at least one first region and at least one second region, wherein each thin film of said multilayer film in the first region has only smooth surfaces and one or more of the plurality of thin films of said multilayer film in the second region have uneven surfaces that each correspond positionally to the at least one uneven region of the surface of the base material. The multilayer film generates interference color in the first region.

Abstract: A recording medium includes a first image that is read with infrared light and that is formed of plural dots having infrared absorptivity, part of the plural dots being invisible first dots, the remaining dots being visible second dots; and a visible second image that is formed of the second dots or the second dots and visible third dots not having infrared absorptivity.

Abstract: the invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and a laser enhancing additive. The host material comprises a material, such as a polymer, modified by a first process, whereby the host material as modified by the first process has increased thermal conductivity as compared to the host material before the first process. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of at least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), and aluminum iodide (AlI), and a second quantity of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester.

Abstract: A method of forming an invisible indicium on an article that comprises an outer opaque layer and an inner, laser-imageable layer, which comprises (5) irradiating the article with a laser, whereby the laser radiation passes through the opaque layer, and causes the laser-imageable layer to change colour. The article can be scanned, as a security check.

Abstract: The invention describes a color-developing composition that contains at least four major components: (1) a leuco dye or a combination of leuco dyes, (2) an electron-withdrawing color-developer agent or a combination of color-developers that can form colored complexes with the leuco dyes, (3) a separator or combination of separators that when present in sufficient amounts, can prevent the formation of the colored complexes between the color-developer and leuco dyes, all contained within (4) an encapsulation matrix that includes at least one film-forming and one aqueous-insoluble polymer. All of the foregoing components are dissolved together in a volatile organic solvent medium to form a homogeneous solution that can be applied as an ink on substrates, which can be incorporated as part of absorbent articles or personal care products.

Abstract: A glass article comprising identification means and a method for detecting the presence of the said identification means are disclosed. The glass article comprises at least one glass sheet which is covered by a layer comprising dispersed and invisible identification means. The identification means according to the invention allows identification of the presence of an intrinsic characteristic of said glass article which is invisible to the naked eye or difficult to detect.

Abstract: There are utilized at least two kinds of ultraviolet-fluorescent yarns with different chromophore, which is spun out of dope kneaded with a fluorescent material. When ultraviolet-fluorescent yarns and colorless yarns are wound around a warp beam or drum with or without infrared-fluorescent yarns, ultraviolet-fluorescent yarns are arranged repeatedly in specific color order in the traverse direction during the warping operation. These yarns as the warp are woven into a double-wide textile with a wide loom. In this weaving, ultraviolet- and infrared-yarns are interwoven in specific color order in parallel with each other over the total width of the double-wide textile, which is cut into tapes with heating in the broader width than a space where the color order may be identified.

Abstract: A liquid crystal polymer marking is obtainable by a process that comprises applying a chiral liquid crystal precursor composition onto a substrate, heating the composition to a chiral liquid crystal state, applying to at least one area of the precursor composition a modifying composition, if necessary, heating the at least one area to bring same to a modified liquid crystal state, and subsequently curing and/or polymerizing the resultant product. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A glazing element-bending process including first to fourth stages. The first stage bends the glazing element through gravitational depression on a first support providing it with a first central depression. The second stage continues the bending of the glazing element through gravitational depression on a second support, providing it with a second central depression more pronounced than the first and until such time as the whole periphery of the glazing element enters into contact with the second support, the glazing element being at a sufficiently high temperature to enable its central part to continue to sag following contact of the whole of the periphery. The third stage continues the bending of the glazing element through gravitational depression, providing it with a third central depression more pronounced than the second, the periphery being always in contact with the second support. The fourth stage halts the depression of the glazing element by cooling and gives it the desired final shape.

Abstract: Disclosed are a label and a method of manufacturing the same, the label comprising: a first base film; a first ink layer formed on the exterior top part of the first base film, and comprising a metal or metal oxide that changes from its original color to another color by being oxidized by a laser; and a resin coating layer coated on the first ink layer to protect the first ink layer, wherein the laser passing through a part or the whole of the resin coating layer is transmitted to the first ink layer. According to the present invention, there is no oxidation residue; thus, the efficiency of marking is excellent and any possibility of change in quality due to aging can be eliminated. In addition, the color rendering is excellent, and the scratch resistance, chemical resistance and heat resistance are superior.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element composed of at least one light-transmitting substrate on which a substantially opaque, screened layer composed of grid elements is located. According to the present invention, within the substantially opaque, screened layer composed of grid elements, at least one thin, solid, substantially opaque line is arranged that exhibits the form of at least one alphanumeric character, a graphic or a pattern. Such lines have line widths of at least 0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably of 0.2 mm to 0.7 mm, particularly preferably of about 0.5 mm. Instead of lines, also extensive regions without any gap may be used, such that the alphanumeric character, pattern or graphic formed is perceptible only in transmitted light, but not in reflected light. The security element thus displays, at least when viewed from the side of the substantially opaque, screened layer, in top view, a different appearance than when looked through.

Abstract: To provide novel semiconductor light-emitting device member superior in transparency, light resistance, and heat resistance and capable of sealing semiconductor light-emitting device and holding phosphor without generating cracks or peelings even after use for a long time, the member meets the following requirements: (1) comprising functional group forming hydrogen bond with hydroxyl group or oxygen in a metalloxane bond, on the surface of ceramic or metal, (2) maintenance rate of transmittance at 400 nm wavelength before and after left at 200° C. for 500 hours is between 80% to 110%, (3) no change is observed by visual inspection after irradiated with light having 380 nm to 500 nm wavelength, whose center wavelength is between 400 nm and 450 nm both inclusive, for 24 hours with 4500 W/m2 illumination intensity at 436 nm wavelength, and (4) refractive index at 550 nm wavelength is 1.45 or larger.

Abstract: A document includes paper having an average surface roughness of at least about 0.5 microns and including one or more optical brighteners, and includes at least one image thereon wherein the at least one image includes clear binder and light absorbing material that absorbs light only at wavelengths below 350 nm. The image is substantially not detectable to a naked human eye through differential gloss or exposure to light having wavelengths of 365 nm or more, but may be revealed to the naked human eye by exposing the document to light having a wavelength at which the light absorbing material absorbs light.

Abstract: A laminated windshield incorporating a head up display device and a device displaying an image on such a laminated windshield. The windshield includes an assembly of two transparent sheets of inorganic glass or of an impact-resistant organic material of polycarbonate PC type, connected together by an insert of a thermoformable material or by a multilayer leaf incorporating such an insert, and at least one layer of at least one luminophore material chosen to respond to an exciting incident light wave in the ultraviolet or IR region by re-emitting light radiation in the visible region, the layer being positioned on the windshield, at an angle of vision of a driver, in a region of a layer of opaque material disposed on at least one of edges of the windshield.

Abstract: A document containing security images which enable original documents to be distinguished from copies of the originals. The document 60 bears an image 63 containing a latent image 68. Latent image 68 may be formed from two or more images 65 and 66. The first image 65 is preferably formed at a high line frequency and at a first angle in one or more colors. The second image 66 is preferably formed at a lower line frequency at the same angle as first image 65 and in one or more colors. The colors in the first image 65 and the second image 66 are preferably chosen so that latent image 68 has substantially the same color as image 63.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium containing a first image formed with a first recording material; and a second image comprising a first region formed with a second recording material having approximately the same light fastness as that of the first recording material, and a second region formed with a third recording material having higher light fastness than that of the first recording material, a color of the second region being a color corresponding to any stage of a process of discoloration of the first region.

Abstract: A precious metal thin-film laminate (PMTL) (10) that is presented in terms of a structure and as a process for producing various embodiments of the structure. The PMTL (10) is comprised of three basic elements: a substrate (12) having an upper surface (14) and a lower surface (16), a selectable quantity of a precious metal (18) such as gold (20) that is deposited onto the upper surface (14) or onto the lower surface (16) of the substrate (12), and a protective layer (22) that is applied over the precious metal (18). Preferably, the PMTL (10) also includes indicia (24) and a PMTL authenticating device (26). The PMTL (10) can be utilized as material for collectible art, traded, and purchased and sold by individuals and/or commercial enterprises.

Abstract: A thermosensitive ink layer 102 is composed of a thermochromic material which changes from black to a transparent state and is formed on a substrate 101 made from a PET film by heating. A cholesteric liquid crystal layer 103 on which a hologram 105 of an appropriate form is formed on the cholesteric liquid crystal layer is mounted thereon. At ordinary temperature, the thermosensitive ink layer 102 exhibits a property of light absorption and a property of selective reflection and a color shifting of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 103 are observed. The thermosensitive ink layer 102 becomes transparent by heating and the figure 104 on the substrate 101 is also visible. The determination of the authenticity thereof is performed by utilizing the change of view. Therefore, the anticounterfeiting effects are superior to those of the discrimination techniques using conventional techniques, and this enables articles to be distinguished easily and reliably.

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: Diffractive microstructure comprising micro-protrusions or microgrooves or a combination thereof and method of producing the same. The microstructure is formed in a layer of a thermoplastic carbohydrate polymer or a polymer derived from a carbohydrate material, said polymer having a glass transition point of less than 210° C. The thermoplastic polymer is preferably selected from the group of native starch, dextrin, native hemicellulose, native cellulose, poly(lactic acid), polylactides, polycaprolactone, starch derivatives, dextrin derivatives, hemicellulose derivatives, cellulose derivatives, and mixtures thereof. The invention provides an inexpensive and reliable way of incorporating into the products safety markings, which allow for visual inspection or detection, such as holograms and barcodes.

Abstract: A security laminate precursor comprising a plurality of lamellae and layers, wherein at least one of the outermost lamellae is an axially stretched linear polyester film and the security laminate precursor comprises a touch-detectable relief structure on a side of the security laminate precursor having as outermost lamella the axially stretched linear polyester film, the relief structure being associated with a viewable non-surface image which is a pattern made up of micro-perforations. A security laminate and a process for preparing a security laminate are also disclosed.

Abstract: An image transfer article includes an image-imparting member and a removable substrate disposed adjacent the image-imparting member. The image-imparting member can have a softening point temperature less than about 220° C. The image-imparting member includes at least one surface configured to receive and carry indicia to be transferred and at least one portion comprising a pigment providing an opaque background for received indicia. In some examples, the image-imparting member comprises a first polymer including the indicia and at least a second polymer including the pigment. In some examples, the image-imparting member comprises a polymer including the indicia and the pigment. The indicia and the opaque background are arranged to concurrently transfer to a woven- or fabric-based article or paper in contact with the image-imparting member, upon application of iron pressing temperatures.

Abstract: A thermal barrier system for a dock leveling system includes an insulative blanket is dimensioned to be larger than the ramp plate of a dock leveler system at a loading dock. The insulative blanket is removably attached to at least a portion of the door when positioned over the ramp plate. The insulative blanket can be attached to the door when the door opens, lifting the blanket out of the way during loading and unloading operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the individual application of a hot embossing film, according to which an adhesive is printed on a substrate in the form of symbols, patterns, numbers etc., then a hot embossing film consisting of a backing film, peel-off layer and decorative layer is hot-laminated on the printed substrate and the backing film is removed. The invention is characterized in that the substrate is a personal document (1), on which personal data, in particular a passport photograph (2) (in reverse) is printed using a digital printing method, the printing medium being a toner (8) or a dye that develops adhesive characteristics at laminating temperatures. A diffractive hot embossing film (3) that is devoid of an adhesive coating is hot-laminated on the printed personal document (1) and the backing film (4) is removed. Finally, an adhesive film (9) with an adhesive power <10N/cm is rolled over the substrate surface to remove any residues (7) of non-bonded film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nano silver particles in a polymeric article which provides antimicrobial properties to the article. Since it has been discovered that nano silver is much more effective than colloidal silver ions, much less silver and thus, decreased cost can be achieved using the nano silver particles of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of visualizing a latent image includes: preparing a latent image composed of a plurality of paramagnetic seeds immobilized on a base in the form of an image, and a dispersion liquid of paramagnetic colloidal particles; immersing the latent image in the dispersion liquid of paramagnetic colloidal particles; and applying a magnetic field to the latent image and the dispersion liquid of paramagnetic colloidal particles.

Abstract: The invention concerns a film element (20), in particular an embossing film, a laminating film or a sticker film, and a security document (1) having such a film element. The film element (20) has a first polymer layer comprising an at least partially oriented liquid crystal material, wherein the first polymer layer has one or more first regions which form a first security feature (41, 42) and in which the polymer layer in a case a) has linearly polarising or polarisation direction-rotating properties or in a case b) has circularly polarising properties. The film element further has a third polymer layer comprising an at least partially oriented liquid crystal material, wherein the third polymer layer has one or more third regions which form a second security feature and in which the polymer layer in the case a) has linearly polarising or polarisation direction-rotating properties or in the case b) circularly polarising properties.

Abstract: In order to create novel security features in secure and/or valuable documents, a polymer layer composite, which has at least two polymer layers that are bonded to each other in a material fit is provided. At least one surface is printed with an absorbing printed layer within a visible region in and/or on the composite located on a polymer layer of the composite. The absorbing printed layer forms at least one printed region, and all printed regions of the printed surface of the polymer layer have a total surface area of at least 50% and not more than 95%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet having a recto face and a verso face together with at least one watermark or pseudo-watermark and such that at least part of said watermark or pseudo-watermark is observable in transmitted light from only one of the faces of said sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of security documents, more particularly in the field of security elements aimed to protect security documents against copying (illegal reproduction) and counterfeiting. It discloses a security element having a coating layer(s) which changes its visual appearance after irradiation with light, especially with UV light and reverts back to the original state within a few seconds. Security documents comprising said security element, as well as a method for producing said security element, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Tamper indicating articles that include a surface-feature image-generating layer and an adhesive layer are described. The surface-feature image-generating layer generates a visible, surface-feature-generated image upon exposure to light. The intensity of the surface-feature-generated image is reduced when taped-over. Single-image and dual-image tamper indicating articles are also described, including buried dual-image and adjacent dual-image tamper indicating articles.

Abstract: A sheet including a coextruded medium made from at least one polymer material, including a core layer and at least one skin layer, the core layer including voids, the sheet having intaglio printing performed thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a security structure comprising: at least one photochromic layer presenting at least one photochromic zone including at least one photochromic element; and at least one thermochromic layer presenting at least one thermochromic zone including a thermochromic element, covering the photochromic zone at least in part.

Abstract: UV responsive indicia means comprising a substrate bearing indicia at least partly provided by one or more UV-sensitive materials, the indicia-bearing substrate being protected from exposure to UV radiation by a removable wrapper or peelable covering comprising a polymeric film which is relatively more transmissive with respect to visible light radiation than it is with respect to UV radiation, such that the indicia-bearing substrate is viewable through the removable wrapper or peelable covering and that a visible change in the indicia is effected upon removal of the wrapper or peeling away of the coating.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of recording image information and additional information added separately from the image information to a photographic printing medium is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes: image information acquisition means for acquiring the image information, additional information acquisition means for acquiring the additional information, and recording means for recording the image information acquired by the image information acquisition means and the additional information acquired by the additional information acquisition means to the photographic printing medium, wherein the recording means can record the additional information by laminating a first transparent material that absorbs light of a specific wavelength and a second transparent material that does not absorb the light on a recording surface of the photographic printing medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward fluorescent inks and markers comprising carbon nanotubes. The present invention is also directed toward methods of making such inks and markers and to methods of using such inks and markers, especially for security applications (e.g., anti-counterfeiting). Such inks and markers rely on the unique fluorescent properties of semiconducting carbon nanotubes.