Abstract: Security documents or articles carrying luminescent marker compounds which show a time-deferred emission characteristic are authenticated by a method and device which allows for rapid extraction of characteristic luminescent parameters, such as emission intensity and time constants. The method is not sensitive to perturbations by ambient light and reduces optical filtering requirements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method, a device and a system for applying a detectable temporary mark of predefined life time of minutes to hours onto an object (0). The invention also concerns a coating composition comprising a short-lived radioactive isotope and the use of a short-lived radioactive isotope as a temporary marking. The temporary mark is applied to the object (O) by the means of a coating composition (3) comprising a low level of a short-lived radionuclide, generated in situ from a longer-lived precursor nucleus. The marking device comprises a radionuclide generator (1), a reservoir (2) for the in situ preparing the radioactively marked printing ink, and an ink-jet or alike printing or spraying head (8), preferably of the dropon-demand type. The marking is preferably detected and identified by a gamma-radiation counter.

Abstract: The invention refers to a measurement probe for measuring magnetization data of at least one item (7), specifically a security document comprising at least one magnetic security material (M), said measurement probe comprising at least one core free magnetizing coil (3) characterized in that at least two magnetic field sensors (4s, 4c, 8s, 8c) are disposed at both ends inside said coil (3) at its both ends. The invention relates further to an authentication device comprising said measurement probe and to an authentication method carried out by means of said measurement probe and authentication device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink set comprising a plurality of inks of a first and of a second group, having different colors. Inks of said first group comprise a visible colorant and an additional IR-absorbing compound (IR-taggant) which has an absorption peak at a predetermined wavelength in the near infrared. Inks of said second group comprise a visible colorant which has at the same time an infrared absorption peak at the same wavelength as that of the IR-taggant used in the inks of the first group. Preferred embodiment is a four-color process ink set comprising an IR feature.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a polyurethane resin being the reaction product of at least one diisocyanate and a group of components having isocyanate reactive functional groups, said group of components comprising a first group of one or more polyether polyols each having an average molecular weight in the range of between 400 to 12000 g/mol, a second group of one or more polyhydroxylated resins selected from the group consisting of ketonic resins, polyester resins, acrylic-styrene copolymers, acrylic polyols, rosin derivatives and terpene-phenolic resins, optionally a third group of one or more polyols each having an average molecular weight of equal or less than 800 g/mol, and at least one amine and a reaction terminating agent, wherein the ratio of the equivalent weights of the diisocyanate to the components having isocyanate reactive functional groups is selected such that essentially all of the isocyanate groups of the diisocyanate are present as the reaction product with one of said isocyanate re

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-based screen, flexo or gravure printing ink composition, to a method of manufacturing said ink composition, to the use of said ink composition for screen, flexo or gravure printing, and to value documents printed with said ink composition.

Abstract: A solid marking composition comprises a solid matrix containing at least one type of optically variable interference pigment flakes. The solid marking composition provides a document or article with a copy and counterfeit protection feature, and is preferably used in a writing instrument for applying hand-written anti-counterfeit markings and signatures.

Abstract: An intaglio printing ink comprising a first binder compound selected from the group of water-soluble or water-thinnable acrylate oligomers, and optionally, a second monomeric binder compound selected from the group comprising water-soluble or water-thinnable PEG diacrylate or polyethoxylated polyol triacrylate monomers to adjust the viscosity of the ink composition. To initiate polymerization of the binder compounds upon irradiation by electromagnetic radiation or electron beam radiation a photoinitiator is included. Further optional additives, such as pigments, fillers, photosensitizers, stabilizers emulsifiers and security pigments may be present. The ink shows excellent wipeability and allows precipitation from the wiping solution.

Abstract: The invention describes luminescent optically variable pigments (OVP), methods for obtaining such pigments, as well as the use of such pigments as security elements in inks, coatings and articles. The luminescence centers are preferably incorporated into the dielectric material of the OVP's optical<i>Fabry-Perot</i> resonance cavity, allowing for the machine-discrimination of luminescent OVP from simple mixtures of luminescents and non-luminescent OVP.

Abstract: Inorganic sheets (10) of at least two surperposed layers are provided with one or more symbols (20) which have a size of between 1 and 10 &mgr;m. The inorganic sheet is made up into pigment flakes (15). The symbols on the pigment flakes (15) allow a tracing of compositions such as printing inks or paintings and of substrates carrying such compositions.

Abstract: A polyurethane resin, which is soluble in organic solvents, is the product of at least one diisocyanate and a component having isocyanate reactive functional groups which include a first polyol group having an average molecular weight from 1000 to 10000 g/mol, a second polyol group having an average molecular weight from 10000 to 20000 g/mol, and a third polyol group having an average molecular weight not greater than 800 g/mol. The equivalent ratio of the diisocyanate to the components having isocyanate reactive functional groups is such that the resulting polyurethane resin has no unreacted polyisocyanate. When used as a film forming binder in inks, the resin provides excellent initial adhesion to plastic films.

Abstract: A polyurethane resin which is the reaction product of at least one diisocyanate and a group of components having isocyanate reactive functional groups. The group of components includes a first group of one or more polyether polyols each having an average molecular weight in the range of 1000 to 10000 g/mol, a second group of one or more polyether polyols each having an average molecular weight in the range of 400 to 10000 g/mol and being hydrophilic and water-soluble, a third group of one or more polyols each having an average molecular weight equal to or less than 800 g/mol, at least one amine, and a reaction terminating agent. The ratio of the equivalent weights of the diisocyanate to the components having isocyanate reactive functional groups is selected such that essentially all of the isocyanate groups of the diisocyanate are present only as the reaction product with one of said isocyanate reactive functional groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coating compositions, preferably printing inks for security applications comprising at least one organic resin, at least one pigment and optionally at least one organic solvent. Said pigment comprises glass ceramic composite particles, containing at least one crystalline particle embedded in a glass matrix. Said glass ceramic particles have a particle size in the range of between 0.1 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m. Preferably active ions selected from the group of the rare-earth elements are incorporated into the crystalline phase of the composite to provide the glass ceramics with luminescent up- and down-converting characteristics. Glass ceramic luminescent have excellent physical and chemical stability. The glass matrix permits as well the stabilization of the photophysically interesting halide host crystals which have low phonon energies. Such materials provide unusual excitation and emission properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to optically variable pigments (10) having a color shift between two distinct colours of any of the known designs. The pigments having incorporated a totally reflecting layer made by physical vapour deposition from aluminum alloy (11). This pigment exhibits excellent chromaticity, corrosion resistance, particularly in any kind of coating composition or printing ink and especially when water is present.

Abstract: A housing is integrated with a flexible packaging unit for compositions of pasty consistency. The flexible packaging unit comprises a flexible projection by which contact of the content of the package with the elongated spout of the housing is avoided when the package is integrated with the housing. Clogging of the elongated spout is prevented.

Abstract: An ink composition containing at least two different types of optically variable pigments which produce a film or coating having a viewing angle dependent color shift.

Abstract: A bleeding or fugitive printing ink is disclosed and claimed which can be printed by the method of dry or wet offset or letterpress. This ink allows, when printed on security documents and dried, to prevent attempts of forgery or counterfeit in that the ink contains at least one dyestuff which is sensitive to organic solvents and other chemical reagents. The ink, when printed, forms a solid, polymerized or cross-linked binder matrix on the surface of the document when the printings are submitted to energy radiation, or by an oxypolymerization reaction. This matrix is formed near immediately, in the case of oxypolymerization within 24 hours, in contrast to conventional bleeding printing inks whose matrixes do not really dry and remain liquid in the interstices of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inorganic particles comprising at least two chemical elements in a predefined and analytically identifiable ratio. These particles are used as a marking means incorporated into or applied onto any desired article. They provide a high security potential against counterfeiting since the analysis depend on a combination of spatial as well as of chemical information. In a first step the information containing particle has to be localized by scanning electron microscopy and in a second step the ratio of elements is analysed using energy—or wavelength—dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX).

Abstract: The invention relates to abrasion-removable coating compositions suited to achieve temporary masking of variable data. The compositions are based on elastomeric resin in solution and particulate additives comprising at least one pigment. The ratio of resin to powder additives is 0.2 to 2.

Abstract: An arrangement for emptying a bag like envelope containing a pasty liquid consists substantially of a rigid housing for the envelope and an axially movable piston for compressing the envelope and for discharging the liquid through a discharge opening in the housing. The piston comprises on its outer edge at least one scraping element which is movable between an insertion position, and a scraping position. In the insertion position, the scraping edge of the scraping element is spaced from the inner surface of the housing. In the scraping position, the scraping edge is pressed against the inner surface of the housing.