Abstract: A method of processing documents of value.

Abstract: Sheet counting apparatus comprises a sheet support (2-4) for holding a stack of sheets (13) to be counted. A sheet feed device (14) moves the sheets individually from a first position to a second position while they remain held together in the stack (13). A counter (23) monitors movement of the sheet as it is moved from the first position to the second position, and increments a count when such movement is detected.

Abstract: A latent image structure of a highly secure nature in which two latent image are superimposed. Each of the superimposed latent images is viewable from a different line of sight. Relief elements define, for each latent image, portions of respective linear relief structures providing an image and a background which cooperate to generate the latent image. Relief elements are only provided at locations where the linear relief structures of the first and second latent images intersect. The resultant latent image structure, when viewed normally, has the advantage of a relatively flat appearance, making it difficult to discern the presence either of the superimposed latent images.

Abstract: A document alignment system comprises a feed system (6), defining an elongate path, for feeding documents along the path. The feed system is adjustable to vary the orientation of the elongate path in a lateral plain so as to cause a document to undergo a corresponding lateral shift as it is moved along the path. A detector (25,26) detects the lateral position of a document upstream of the elongate path. A control system (70,17,17′) is responsive to the detector (25,26) to adjust the feed system (6) so that the document undergoes a desired amount of lateral movement as it is moved along the elongate path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for security paper for banknotes and the like having both aesthetic and anti-counterfeitable qualities. The invention comprises a security element for wholly or partially embedding in security paper comprising an elongate strip of a light transmitting polymeric substrate. The substrate bears a reflective metallic layer on at least one surface thereof in the form of a design. The design comprises at least one repeating geometric pattern of which one of more of the frequency, instantaneous amplitude and/or maximum amplitude of the pattern varies along the length of the element and design having at least one non-linear boundary.

Abstract: A sheet dispensing apparatus includes at least one pair of sheet stores, and a transport system for transporting sheets from the stores to a dispense position. The transport system includes, for each pair of sheet stores, a common feed member which, upon relative movement between the common feed member and the stores, can be moved between a pair of feed positions in each of which it engages a sheet in a respective one of the pair of stores so as to enable sheet(s) to be withdrawn from the corresponding store. The common feed member is able to take up also a neutral position in which, even if actuated, no sheets are fed from either store.

Abstract: A document of value such as a banknote comprises a substrate having a security feature in or on one region of the substrate. The security feature has at least one machine authenticatable high security entity (HSE) and at least one further machine authenticatable entity comprising a low security entity (LSE) or a high security entity, the at least two entites providing different detectable characteristics. The or each HSE is an homogeneous mixture of at least two components exhibiting different detectable characteristics, and the LSE is a single component exhibiting a detectable characteristic different from those exhibited by the HSE.

Abstract: A security device comprises a substrate (1) having a viewing region (3) which is provided on one side with first indicia (7) and on the other side with second indicia (9) overlying the first indicia. The substrate carries an obscuring material (10) aligned with the second indicia (9) so as to prevent at least the second indicia from being viewed from the one side of the substrate under reflected radiation. The substrate is sufficiently transparent while the obscuring material permits the passage of sufficient transmitted radiation to allow the second indicia (9) to be viewed from the one side of the substrate under transmission conditions.

Abstract: A diffractive structure (100) has a substantially planar substrate (1). A set of facets (2) is formed in or on said substrate (1), the plane or planes in which the facets (2) lie being arranged at a non-zero angle to the plane of the substrate (1). Each facet (2) has a diffraction grating (5) formed thereon. The diffractive structure (100) will produce color over a wide range of viewing and illumination angles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting radiation in a relatively narrow wavelength band within radiation having a wide range of wavelengths. The method comprises detecting radiation in a first wavelength band including the narrow wavelength band and other wavelengths; detecting radiation in a second wavelength band which comprises substantially only the other wavelengths; and comparing the levels of detected radiation to determine the presence of radiation in the narrow wavelength band.

Abstract: Self-adhesive stamps comprising: a layer (2) of stamp paper bearing a printed stamp design on its front and having perfoated edges (6), a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive (5) on the back of the stamp paper, and a peelable backing sheet (7) covering the adhesive, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is patterned such that there is little or no adhesive adjacent to the perorated edges of the stamp paper. Preferably, the pressure-sensitive adhesive is a hot-melt adhesive, and preferably the adhesive is applied by printing. Also a method of making such stamps comprising the steps of: providing a sheet or web of stamp paper having lines of perforations defining stamps therein, followed by coating the back of the stamp paper with a patterned layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive and a peelable backing sheet.

Abstract: Sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet feed device which operates to feed sheets towards or away from a sheet store. The sheet feed device has at least one resilient portion which flexes against its resilience relative to the remainder of the sheet feed device in response to contact with a sheet in the sheet store. A monitoring system is used to monitor the degree of flexure of the resilient portion to determine how full the sheet store is.

Abstract: A tamper indicating security item such as a shrink wrap seal comprises a substrate including an optically variable effect generating structure such as an embossed hologram. Each surface of the substrate carries an adhesive having a strength such that after the substrate has been adhered to a surface it cannot be removed without damaging the optically variable effect generating structure.

Abstract: A sheet transfer member (17) has at least one outwardly opening slot (20) into which a sheet can be received. The member (17) is rotatably mounted in use so that a sheet in the slot (20) can be transferred to a sheet stacking position. A portion of the rotatable member (17) comprises high friction insert (22) which, during a dispense operation, withdraws sheets from the stacking position.