Abstract: A security document (200) includes a secure substrate (205). The secure substrate includes a viewing side (209) and a backing side (211), and a micro-optic system (305, 321) providing an optically variable effect (OVE) (513) on the viewing side. The security document further includes a protective layer (225), and a mask layer (215) disposed between the protective layer and the backing side of the secure substrate.

Abstract: A micro-optic security device (105) includes a planar array of microlenses (305), which are configured to focus light along a plurality of focal paths (610) associated with a viewing angle. The micro-optic security device further includes an icon layer stack (905) disposed along the plurality of focal paths. The icon layer stack includes a first icon layer (620) with volumes of cured material of a first color (613b) and volumes of substantially transparent material at locations outside of focal paths of the first range of viewing angles. The icon layer stack also includes a second icon layer (640) with volumes of substantially transparent cured material at locations along focal paths of the first range of viewing angles, and volumes of cured material of a second color (637a) at locations along focal paths of a second range of viewing angles.

Abstract: A security device (100, 600, 700, 1000, 1050) includes arrangements of image icons (110a, 110b, 615, 715, 1020), arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements (120, 605, 705, 1010) and a sealing layer (125, 600, 1005), wherein the arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements is disposed above the arrangements of image icons such that a portion of the arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements projects a synthetic image, such that the arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements contact the sealing layer along a non-planar boundary. Further, at least one of the arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements and the sealing layer comprises an organic resin mixture having a first refractive index, and at least one of the arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements and the sealing layer comprises a low-refractive index material, the low-refractive index material having a second refractive index.

Abstract: A micro-optic security device (100) includes a planar array of micro-optic focusing elements (105) and a first arrangement of image icons (120), wherein each image icon (121) of the first arrangement of image icons includes a region of light-cured material. Further, the first arrangement of image icons is visible (320) through the planar array of micro-optic focusing elements across a first predetermined range of viewing angles relative to the micro-optic security device, and the first arrangement of image icons is not visible (360) through the planar array of micro-optic focusing elements across a second pre-determined range of viewing angles relative to the micro-optic security device.

Abstract: A method for inking a three-dimensional micro-optic structure includes jetting a first volume of a first radiation-curable ink having a first pigment concentration to a first portion of a three-dimensional icon layer, wherein the first portion of the three-dimensional icon layer has a first volumetric fill requirement, jetting a second volume of the first radiation-curable ink to a second portion of the three-dimensional icon layer, wherein the second portion of the three-dimensional icon layer has a second volumetric fill requirement, blading excess radiation-curable ink from the three-dimensional icon layer and radiation curing remaining radiation-curable ink.

Abstract: A micro-optic security device with zonal color transitions includes a planar array of focusing elements, an image icon layer including a plurality of retaining structures, the plurality of retaining structures defining isolated volumes at a first depth within the image icon layer, a first zone of image icons, the first zone of image icons having a first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a first color, and a second zone of image icons, the second zone of image icons including a second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a second color, wherein the second color contrasts with the first color.

Abstract: A security document (200) includes a substrate (205) having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface having a cellulosic material. The security document further includes an optical security device (220) having optical indicia of authenticity of the security document and a third surface, the third surface having a thermoplastic polymer. The security document also includes an ultrasonic weld (225) forming a bond between a section of the first surface and a section of the third surface.

Abstract: An IR and/or UV machine-readable optical security device (e.g., micro-optic security thread) that is made up of at least one IR-absorbing component with a characteristic IR signature detectable at two or more IR-wavelengths, at least one UV-absorbing component with a characteristic UV signature detectable at two or more UV-wavelengths, at least one IR-absorbing component that absorbs IR light and emits light at a different invisible wavelength, at least one UV-absorbing component that absorbs UV light and emits light at a different invisible wavelength, or a combination thereof, is provided. The IR and UV machine-readable features do not interfere with the optical effects projected by the optical material.

Abstract: A security device (100, 600, 700) includes one or more arrangements of image icons (100a, 110b, 615, 715), one or more arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements (120, 605, 705), and a sealing layer (127, 600, 1005) which includes an organic resin and nanoparticles. Further, the one or more arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements is disposed above the one or more arrangements of image icons such that a portion of the one or more arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements forms a synthetic image of a portion of the one or more arrangements of image icons. Still further, the one or more arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements contact the sealing layer along a non-planar boundary.

Abstract: A micro-optic security device (105) includes a planar array of microlenses (305), which are configured to focus light along a plurality of focal paths (610) associated with a viewing angle. The micro-optic security device further includes an icon layer stack (905) disposed along the plurality of focal paths. The icon layer stack includes a first icon layer (620) with volumes of cured material of a first color (613b) and volumes of substantially transparent material at locations outside of focal paths of the first range of viewing angles. The icon layer stack also includes a second icon layer (640) with volumes of substantially transparent cured material at locations along focal paths of the first range of viewing angles, and volumes of cured material of a second color (637a) at locations along focal paths of a second range of viewing angles.

Abstract: A security device includes an arrangement of image icon focusing elements, wherein each image icon focusing element of the arrangement of image icon focusing elements is associated with a focal path. The device further includes an image icon layer with one or more image icons associated with a first characteristic color and one or more image icons associated with a second characteristic color and one or more regions between the image icons comprising a volume of substantially colorless material. At a first viewing angle, a color is visible through each image icon focusing element, and the color visible through each image icon focusing element at the first viewing angle is based on one or more of the first characteristic color, the second characteristic color, or the substantially colorless material.

Abstract: A security device made up of a security film (130) having (i) an array of image elements (103); (ii) an array of focusing elements (106); and (iii) at least one anti-viscid agent (115), is provided. The array of focusing elements and the array of image elements are disposed relative to each other such that a synthetic image is projected by the security film when at least a portion of the array of image elements are viewed through at least a portion of the array of focusing elements. The anti-viscid agent is coupled with the array of focusing elements.

Abstract: A micro-optic security device with zonal color transitions includes a planar array of focusing elements, an image icon layer including a plurality of retaining structures, the plurality of retaining structures defining isolated volumes at a first depth within the image icon layer, a first zone of image icons, the first zone of image icons having a first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a first color, and a second zone of image icons, the second zone of image icons including a second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a second color, wherein the second color contrasts with the first color.

Abstract: A security document (200) includes a secure substrate (205). The secure substrate includes a viewing side (209) and a backing side (211), and a micro-optic system (305, 321) providing an optically variable effect (OVE) (513) on the viewing side. The security document further includes a protective layer (225), and a mask layer (215) disposed between the protective layer and the backing side of the secure substrate.

Abstract: An IR and/or UV machine-readable optical security device (e.g., micro-optic security thread) that is made up of at least one IR-absorbing component with a characteristic IR signature detectable at two or more IR-wavelengths, at least one UV-absorbing component with a characteristic UV signature detectable at two or more UV-wavelengths, at least one IR-absorbing component that absorbs IR light and emits light at a different invisible wavelength, at least one UV-absorbing component that absorbs UV light and emits light at a different invisible wavelength, or a combination thereof, is provided. The IR and UV machine-readable features do not interfere with the optical effects projected by the optical material.

Abstract: An IR and/or UV machine-readable optical security device (e.g., micro-optic security thread) that is made up of at least one IR-absorbing component with a characteristic IR signature detectable at two or more IR-wavelengths, at least one UV-absorbing component with a characteristic UV signature detectable at two or more UV-wavelengths, at least one IR-absorbing component that absorbs IR light and emits light at a different invisible wavelength, at least one UV-absorbing component that absorbs UV light and emits light at a different invisible wavelength, or a combination thereof, is provided. The IR and UV machine-readable features do not interfere with the optical effects projected by the optical material.

Abstract: Optically variable security devices, including security threads, patches, labels, strips, are disclosed herein. Certain security devices according to the present disclosure utilize a lens-less construction whereby multiple icon layers are coupled to produce a synthetic image or synthetic color that has an optically variable effect. Each icon layer includes an array of high-resolution icon elements that are aligned relative to each other and spaced apart from each other to produce the desired optically variable effect. Such security devices are particularly, though not exclusively, useful for authenticating security documents.

Abstract: A security document has a security substrate, a security device and a structural weakness element, wherein the security device is coupled to the security substrate, wherein the structural weakness element is integrated with at least one of the security substrate or the security device, the structural weakness element defining an anti-harvesting area and a bulk area, and wherein the anti-harvesting area has one or more of structural fidelity or optical fidelity with the bulk area.

Abstract: A watermark sheet made up of a substrate layer with opposing water and fiber surfaces, a pattern of at least two watermark indicia, and a set of apertures extending from the water surface toward the fiber surface of the substrate layer, is provided. The pattern of at least two watermark indicia is distributed over a continuous area of the fiber surface. The inventive watermark sheet provides watermarks of improved quality. Also provided is a watermark sleeve made up of a cylinder mold and the inventive watermark sheet wrapped around and affixed to an outer diametric surface of the cylinder mold. In addition, methods of manufacturing the watermark sheet, the watermark sleeve, a watermarked paper and a high security document are provided, as well as products resulting from these methods of manufacture.

Abstract: A paper including one or more multi-tonal watermarks having full tonality (depth), and an improved watermarking tool for manufacturing such paper, is provided.