Abstract: A decorative foil is in the form of a layer composite structure (1) and comprises at least a transparent base foil (2), a transparent cover layer (4) and a transparent dielectric layer (3) arranged between the base foil (2) and the cover layer (4). When the decorative foil serves as a lamination foil for a substrate (5) the material of the cover layer (4) is an adhesive. A reflective metallic layer (6) is arranged at least in surface portions between the dielectric layer (3) and the cover layer (4) and optionally a metal film (11) is also arranged on the side of the dielectric layer (3) facing the base foil (2). General items of information shown by the decorative foil are produced by means of modulation of the thickness (s) of the dielectric layer (3). Transparent locations (7) form individual items of information, wherein the transparent locations (7) are produced with a laser beam (19) by perforating the metal layer (6; 11).

Abstract: A substrate, such as a document of value, carries a design feature (F), which includes an array of repeating patterns with the patterns exhibiting discrete differences in one or more visual characteristics, for example, shape, color or optical responses, according to a predetermined pattern. The differences are, preferably, indiscernible to the unaided eye, but can be discriminated by an optical reading machine. In an alternatively preferred embodiment, the visual characteristics of each pattern represent 8- or 16-bit information.

Abstract: An adhesive tape having a backing of oriented thermoplastic film, to whose lower face the following layers are applied: a) a partial primer layer which is anchored to the thermoplastic film, b) a first release layer applied over the partial primer layer, and any thermoplastic film, the release layer anchoring better to the primer layer than to the thermoplastic film, c) at least one second release layer applied over the first release layer, the second release layer(s) anchoring better to the previous release layer than the first release layer to the thermoplastic film, d) a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer applied over the last release layer and anchoring better to the last release layer than the first release layer to the thermoplastic film and the adhesive layer is adhered to a pressure-sensitive base than the first release layer to the thermoplastic film.

Abstract: An identifiable code pattern, a method of providing a carrier material with an identifiable code pattern, and a method for detecting an identifiable code pattern are based on applying water-soluble nanocrystals to carrier materials in a spatially arranged format that can be detected by exposing the identifiable code pattern to an excitation light source in exciting the water-soluble nanocrystals, and detecting any fluorescence peaks emitted from the excited water-soluble nanocrystals using a detection system.

Abstract: The invention relates to security paper (1) including at least one zone (2; 3) that reacts with nonpolar solvents. The paper also includes a barrier (4) that is impermeable to nonpolar solvents between a first outside face (10) of the security paper and the zone (2; 3) that reacts with the solvents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a document of value such as a paper of value or ID card with a security element having an optically variable material. Said optically variable material conveys different color effects at different viewing angles. Additionally, the security element has at least one machine-readable feature substance that does not impair the visually visible optically variable effect of the optically variable material.

Abstract: A printed document or other device comprising a polymer substrate having a surface to which printed matter is applied, a reflective or brightly colored layer applied directly to said surface by means of a printing process, and a printed image applied to the reflective or brightly colored layer by an intaglio printing process.

Abstract: A card label having a system for discouraging its non-authorized removal and reuse, which initiate an incontrollable combustion process that completely damage the card label and its information and included circuitry when it is attempted to remove the card label from a surface.

Abstract: Proposed is a security film system for documents or in general data carriers having a transfer layer and an adhesive or gluing layer portion which has at least one micro-encapsulated reactive adhesive component, wherein the adhesive or gluing layer portion remains activatable over a period of time of up to at least one year and the at least one reactive adhesive component hardens after activation to form a duromer.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-cavity filter, and in particular, a multi-cavity bandpass filter having a predetermined centre wavelength. The filter includes a plurality of cavities, each cavity including two partially reflecting films separated by a layer of dielectric material. The two partially reflecting layers are formed from layers of material having alternating high and low refractive indices. Each layer of dielectric material has a thickness that is an integral number of half-waves of the centre wavelength. The filter has an asymmetric structure that causes the reflected chromatic dispersion from one side of the filter to be reduced relative to the reflected chromatic dispersion from the other side.

Abstract: The control element has a first drawing printed on a first side of the article, comprising at least a first set of geometrical shapes. It includes a second drawing printed on a second side of said article, the second drawing being printed so as to face the first drawing and be in register with the latter, said second drawing comprising at least a second set of geometrical shapes corresponding to the first screen. At least one of said geometrical sets includes sectors which are offset so that, when the front side/reverse side register is correct, the control element has regions of variable density which are visible in transmitted light and are created by said offset sectors.

Abstract: An adhesive security tape (10) includes a base layer (11) and a first adhesive layer (16) is located on a top of the base layer. A first resin layer (17) is coated to an underside of the base layer and a message layer (12) is located on an underside of the first resin layer. A second resin layer (18) is filled in gaps between protrusions on an underside of the message layer. A color layer (13) is coated on an underside of the second resin layer. An adhesive film (14) is located on an underside of the color layer. A second adhesive layer (15) is located on an underside of the adhesive film. The tape has an even color before it is peeled and a clear message is left on the tape after the tape is peeled.

Abstract: Patterns are aligned on the front and back surfaces of a document to provide an anti-counterfeiting security device. The document is sufficiently transparent to allow see-through of the partial image on the back of the document to be superimposed on the partial image on the front of the document to form a complete image if the patterns are properly aligned. The complete image will disappear if misaligned.

Abstract: An optical structure includes a light transmissive substrate having a surface relief pattern applied thereon, such as a hologram. A patterned layer of a reflective material is applied over portions of the surface relief pattern so as to form alphanumeric characters, bars codes, or pictorial or graphical designs. An optically active coating is applied over the patterned layer of reflective material and exposed portions of the surface relief pattern in order to provide desirable optical effects to the exposed portions of the surface relief pattern. In some embodiments, the optically active coating is a color shifting thin film, or contains color shifting flakes. Optionally, the material of the optically active coating is index matched to the light transmissive substrate in order to optically erase the effect of the surface relief pattern in the portions of the surface relief pattern not covered by the reflective material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security paper with at least two types of mottled fibers, which differ in terms of their luminescent characteristics and form a code. In each case one type of mottled fibers is present in a defined subarea of the security paper, and the code is represented by the defined geometric arrangement of the subareas on the security paper and/or by the presence or absence of mottled fibers of a specific type.

Abstract: A method of providing covert security features for documents such as vouchers, packaged goods and banknotes in which the document is provided with a dopant. The dopant consisting of a material which can be identified by examination of its response to visible wavelength photon radiation and which can be applied directly on or into the document or can be fused into glass matrices before application.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inscribable security film, in particular for use in the automotive sector, and to a method for inscribing it. The security film contains an identification medium which is capable of diffusion and is locally liberated or fixed selectively by means of a contactless inscription process. If the security film is adhesively bonded to a substrate, the identification medium causes permanent marking of the substrate, which ensures unambiguous identification of the object in question.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information carrying substrate capable of being applied to a surface for authenticating said surface, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a an information carrying substrate capable of being affixed to a document or a product for authenticating the document or the product and also relates to method for writing an authenticating information on said substrate and further provides a method for authenticating a surface using said substrate.

Abstract: A medium for displaying information thereon, the medium includes a substrate; and visible information formed from a plurality of colors displayed on the substrate; wherein at least one of the colors includes at least one visible colorant and at least one invisible colorant which invisible colorant is imperceptible to the human eye and which is not present in a reproduction therefrom for detecting counterfeiting or forgery.

Abstract: A security device, such as a security thread, uses multiple security detection features provided by combining metal and metal/magnetic security features on a carrier substrate. The security detection features basically comprise an optionally repeating pattern of discrete metal/magnetic indicia and discrete metal or metal-dot formed indicia. The security detection features may also include at least one metal strip extending along the length of the carrier substrate and/or a plurality of metal dots located on metal-free portions of at least one surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Packaging material, for example, for tube bodies, bearing a hologram-like image. The packaging material is formed for a multilayered material with a layer structure containing: (a) a completely or partially embossed metal foil or metallized plastic film, and (b) on top, at least in specific areas, a transparent single or multilayered plastic layer. The plastic layer (b) forms the outer lying layer of the packaging. The embossed image on the metal foil (a) is visible through the transparent areas of the plastic layer (b). The packaging material gives the observer the impression of viewing a hologram-like image.

Abstract: Security paper (1) has a security zone (2) for providing protection against mechanical falsification. The security zone comprises a set of cells (3) indented in the paper and optionally interconnected by indented link portions, the thickness of the paper being substantially uniform throughout its area that is complementary to the cells (3) and to the link portions in the security zone (2).

Abstract: A security document or other device including a substrate (2), a smooth highly reflective layer (1) applied thereto and having a reflectivity of at least 60 gloss units, and a raised printed image (3) applied to said reflective layer by a printing process such as the gravure process, the raised printed image having a height of at least 10 microns and being printed using a translucent ink having a large value of 85 to 95 as measured on an XL 211 Hazegard haze measuring instrument, which render it substantially transparent or translucent while causing scattering of the light reflectance and transmittance in at least a partially specular manner. A method of producing a document is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light-diffractive binary grating structure has a microscopic mesa structure (2) whose plateaux (5) are separated by valleys (4) of substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein the arrangement of the valleys (4) is periodically repeated. Within a period (T) of the mesa structure (2) at least N valleys (4) separate the plateaux (5), N being an integer and greater than 2. The mesa structure (2) is an additive superimposition of N phase-shifted rectangular structures which have the same period (T) of the mesa structure (2). Each of the rectangular structures has a phase shift such that the plateaux (5) of the one rectangular structure fall into the valleys (4) of the N?1 other rectangular structures. In addition the resulting mesa structure (2) has only a single valley between two plateaux (5), which is of a width greater than a seventh of the period (T).

Abstract: Display information is revealed from behind a metal film that can be cleared upon effective contact with a clearing agent. The metal film, while opaque, is generally less than 1000 Angstroms thick and can be cleared by exposure to innocuous agents including food or other household products.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer beads comprising an anisotropic polymer material with helically twisted structure, to their use in reflective films, spraying or printing inks or as pigments, for optical or electrooptical, decorative or security applications, to a reflective film comprising one or more polymer beads in a transmissive binder, and to a security marking or security device comprising one or more polymer beads or comprising a reflective film.

Abstract: A security element is embedded in a layer composite of plastic material and has reflecting, optically variable surface patterns which can be visually recognized from predetermined observation directions and which are formed from a mosaic of surface elements occupied by optically active structures. A part of the surface pattern is additionally covered by a regularly arranged matrix of unit cells. Each unit cell is occupied by a single elementary surface or a group of identical surface portions that contain optically active structures which are independent of the mosaic of the surface pattern. The arrangement of the elementary surfaces and the surface portions in the matrix form an item of concealed information which is not perceptible to the naked eye, in the form of graphic or alphanumeric characters which however are reproduced in a color photocopy with a color or gray value contrast which is perceptible to the naked eye.

Abstract: Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided which is useful in making colored mirrors and polarizers. The films are characterized by a change in color as a function of viewing angle.

Abstract: A security laminate includes a face sheet laminated to a liner by an adhesive. The face sheet includes a removable label. The liner is covered with a release coating behind the label, and has a rim along one edge which is devoid of the release coating except for a security pattern therein.

Abstract: According to the invention the labels (22) are produced in a broad woven fabric (21) comprising ground warp yarn (4) and ground weft yarn (5) for a ground woven fabric (11), embroidery weft yarn (12) which forms a figure and code weft yarn (10) which forms a barcode, said yarn being distinguishable from the ground warp yarn only in a light outside the visible spectrum. In the broad woven fabric (21) several labels (22) are produced whose longitudinal sides (1) adjoin each other in the weft direction and remain unfolded and whose lateral sides (2) are adjacent to each other in the warp direction and can be folded. The embroidery weft yarn (12) and the code weft yarn (10) extend parallel to each other and at a distance from the longitudinal sides (1) so that the backs of the labels (22) are evenly covered and thus uniformly transparent.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining security of a substrate having an optically verifiable mark including a partially demetallized metallic layer which forms a control graphic, a layer of optically active pigments adjacent the metallic layer, and an adhesive layer adjacent the layer of optically active pigments.

Abstract: In an identification medium for identifying an authenticity of an object either visually or optically by using an identification device, high polymer cholesteric liquid crystal is applied onto the object, onto a sticker adapted to be affixed to the object or onto a base for hot stamping onto the object, and the high polymer cholesteric liquid crystal is patterned, and/or a graphic representation layer such as a figure and letter is formed under or over the high polymer cholesteric liquid crystal to enhance the aesthetic quality of the identification medium or the object, and improve the capability to identify and prevent forgery.

Abstract: A method of forming a debit card and a debit card formed by the method are disclosed. A planar card member has opposing surfaces. A PIN is printed on one of the surfaces. The planar card member is advanced along a predetermined path of travel such as on a conveyor. A radiation cured, opaque scratch-off coating is applied onto the surface having the PIN such that the PIN is covered by the applied scratch-off coating. The scratch-off coating is radiation cured, preferably by ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A machine readable indicia is formed in a blank printable medium. The indicia may be formed in an opacification layer applied to a translucent substrate, or may be formed in a laminate layer. The indicia is optically detectable from the exterior of the medium, even if the indicia is not formed on the medium's exterior surface. One particular indicia is a seemingly-random weave-like pattern of lines defined in response to (1) a first user control that determines a degree of randomness of the line(s), (2) a second user control that determines a modulation effect to be applied to the line(s), and (3) the bits to be represented thereby. Many other indicia, including checkerboards, barcodes, data glyphs, etc., can also be used.

Abstract: Methods of creating tamper resistant informational articles and related products are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lens has a preformed transparent hologram, metallized portions are provided and may be altered through selective application of heat to predetermined parts thereof to create information which may be fixed or variable. Printing may be provided on the hologram before metallizing. A base portion underlies the metallized layer. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an opaque base portion has a hologram formed in the upper surface thereof with portions of the hologram being made readily visible by partial metallization covering only portions of the hologram with or without information provided as by printing overlying or underlying portions of the metallized sector or both. A transparent overlying lens is secured in overlying relationship. Metallizing may be such as to permit viewing underlying hologram portions or information or not. A corresponding method is provided.

Abstract: A data carrier (1), such as a security, bank notes, ID card or the like, that is embossed in such a way that at least part of said embossment (2) is shaped like an oblique plane (3).

Abstract: A security device comprises an optically variable effect generating structure (3,4). An obscuring layer (7) is located, in use, between the optically variable effect generating structure and a substrate (8) to which the device is secured. A color layer (6) is also included which exhibits one or more predetermined colors when viewed under certain viewing conditions from the side of the device remote from the obscuring layer. The obscuring layer (7) is substantially opaque under the said certain viewing conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of triboluminescent materials in paper products.

Abstract: A counterfeit-resistant document comprises a substrate and a nano-pattern of nano-structures disposed on the substrate, wherein the nano-pattern is configured for forming a latent message (e.g., a warning or alert message) that appears on a copy of the document. The nano-pattern forms one of a foreground and a background of the latent message; and another pattern, e.g., a conventional pattern or another nano-pattern, forms the other of the foreground and background of the latent message. The nano-pattern and the other pattern are configured, such that the foreground and background exhibit substantially similar visual densities on an original of the document, and exhibit substantially different visual densities on the copied document. This can be accomplished by forming the nano-pattern with nano-structures (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secured document including a composition capable of anti-Stokes fluorescence containing an ion capable of absorption of electromagnetic radiation, an ion capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation, and a matrix composition comprising gadolinium, yttrium, lanthanum, and thulium, wherein the wavelength of the absorbed electromagnetic radiation is shorter than the wavelength of the emitted of the absorbed electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the concentrations of the absorbing and emitting ions are adjusted to achieve concentration quenching of anti-Stokes luminescence.

Abstract: A multilayer card is described. The multilayer card includes a base layer, a watermark layer, an image layer, and an opaque layer. The watermark layer is provided on the base layer and is at least partially transparent. The image layer is provided on the watermark layer. The opaque layer is provided on the image layer.

Abstract: A security document, banknote, bond, travellers check, passport or token, including a substrate (1), said substrate having a device including a first macro-embossing (2, 3) of the substrate having a predetermined feature, and a second micro-embossing of smaller dimensions formed in or on said predetermined feature of said embossing. The first embossing being formed to hide and reveal said second embossing at predetermined viewing angles &agr;, &bgr;. The macro-embossing may comprise lines having a height of about 20 microns and a spacing of 80 microns, and the micro-embossing in the form of lines or dots (4) to a height of about 2 to 5 microns. The lines have a predetermined height (H) and a predetermined spacing (S) such that the ratio S:H is typically from about 6:1 to 2:1.

Abstract: A composite sheet having the capability of having embossed therein a holographic image or diffraction grating image has a structure of multiple layers including a plastic film carrier, lacquer, metal and, optionally, a lacquer overlay. It may be adhered to a substrate without the necessity of removing the plastic film carrier and may have a holographic image embossed therein during the step of adhering or in a separate operation at a different time and may have printing applied to the layer of metal or to the lacquer overlay.

Abstract: A hardcoat for a plastic substrate film is provided which has good suitability for printing and satisfactory hardness, can prevent influence of the deformation of a plastic substrate film from extending to the hardcoat, and is resistant to cracking and peeling. The hardcoat is produced from a coating component containing one or more organic components having a polymerizable functional group and an inorganic filler, at least one of the organic components being free from a hydrogen bond-forming group. In the hard coat, the content of the inorganic filler in the surface of the hardcoat is higher than that in the interior of the hardcoat. The hardcoat can be applied to antireflection films and hologram labels.

Abstract: Optical filters (1) designed in pairs, which are essentially colourless in their individual general appearance designed to take on a strong coloration when viewed together in transmission, said filters being particularly, useful for identification of counterfeit articles. The optical filters (1) utilize resonantly-coupled Fabry-Perot etalons of, an asymmetric design. The filters (1) are configured such that one of the Fabry-Perot cavities within the filter incorporates an additional multiple quarter wave thickness layer (20), said additional layer having a contrasting refractive index to that of the cavity spacer.

Abstract: A security document is provided comprising a finished cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein. The transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition that is applied so as to define an area of increased transparency in the substrate. The area of increased transparency includes at least one thin line and resembles a simulated security thread. The transparentizing composition can be applied to form thin lines in a variety of configurations on one or both sides of the substrate.

Abstract: A security document or device having a substrate (2), a smooth highly reflective layer (1) applied to the substrate (2) and having a reflectivity of at least 60 gloss units, a raised printed image (3) of lines or dots applied to said reflective layer (1) by a printing process and having a height of about 10 to 100 &mgr;m, and typically about 30 &mgr;m, and a similar spacing being adjacent lines or dots, the hue chroma value of the ink used to print the image being between 30 and about 50 chroma units tending towards a saturation value of 60 chroma units, the lightness of the ink being at least 50 L degrees (lightness units), and typically between 70 and 100 L degrees.

Abstract: A dyestuff capable of undergoing a clearly visible colour change when contacted with a color-developing material is dispersed in the body of a plastics film and used in the identification of goods. The film can be used for packaging of the goods or as a label or seal affixed to the goods. When testing the authenticity of packaging goods, the plastics film is marked with the color-developing chemical to produce a colored mark on the package. The dyestuff is preferably a latent dyestuff which is colorless and invisible to the eye under ambient conditions for use of the film but which forms a clearly visible color when contacted with the color-developing material.

Abstract: A method of covering, embedding or burying magnetically encodable regions, invisible to the naked eye at least on one side, in a magnetic/metallic security device begins by providing a security device carrier substrate having an imaged metallic region. A foil film is provided on a release coated carrier film. One or more magnetic regions are provided on either the foil film layer or the carrier substrate. Patterned, flat, or roller heated dies are used to contact and bond the foil film to the security device carrier substrate in at least those regions of the magnetic regions thereby producing a security device having covered, embedded or camouflaged magnetically encodable regions.

Abstract: Mono-, oligo- and polymers comprising one or more identical or different recurring units of formula I