Abstract: A photograph album (10) with a square spine comprises a cover (12) having a first sheet (17), a second sheet (18), and a central square spine (19) which connects the first sheet (17) to the second sheet, and a plurality of pages (13, 14, 15) bound reciprocally in correspondence to a first side (16a) to define a book body (11), characterized in that the last of said pages (14) is partly connected to the internal surface of said second sheet (18), having a first surface portion (21) solidly associated to the internal surface of said second sheet (18), to define the only connection between said cover (12) and said book body (11), and a second surface portion (22) free and not connected to the internal surface of said second sheet (18), said first surface portion (21) being a part of the last of said pages (14) disposed in proximity to a second side (16b) of said last page (14), opposite said first side (16a).

Abstract: The invention relates to a document (1) which is provided with a device for securing confidential information mentioned in the document, the latter comprising: a window (8) cut into said document, at least two areas of structural weakness (11, 12) located adjacent to two edges (81, 83) of the window (8), an information support element formed by at least a first label (16) secured to one face (18) of the document (1) such that the confidential information printed on said label (16) is located in the window (8), an element (3) for masking the information, with dimensions at least equal to those of the window (8), permanently secured to the areas of structural weakness (11, 12) and removably mounted at the window (8).

Abstract: A pamphlet with a plurality of pages with a placard attached to the fold line of the pamphlet at a plurality of connection points by, staples. The placard attached to the fold line can be pivoted about the fold line to a position perpendicular or parallel to the pamphlet.

Abstract: A glue cartridge (130) comprises a glue tank (101), a rotatable glue spreading roller (104) connected to the glue tank, which is arranged directly below the glue tank (101) and at least one rotation means (106, 107) usable from outside the glue cartridge (130) for rotating the glue spreading roller (104). The glue spreading roller (104) of the glue cartridge is designed so that the form of the glue spreading roller (104) prevents glue from escaping from the glue tank (101) when the glue spreading roller (104) is in place and takes glue from the glue tank (101) when the glue spreading roller (104) is rotated. A block (1360) of sheets to be bound to form a book is set in a bookbinding device (1300), and glue is spread on the spine (1362) of the block (1360) in such a way that glue is obtainable from an exchangeable glue cartridge (130) by using a receiving unit (150) for the glue cartridge (130).

Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting security thread for incorporation into documents and banknotes. The security thread has at least two zones located respectively on either side of a separation line extending longitudinally along the thread. Two optically variable security elements having different appearances are disposed in the first zone and second zones of the security thread. The optically variable elements are arranged with respect to the separation line so that each of the two optically variable elements has a first perceived appearance from a first direction of observation and a second perceived appearance from a second direction of observation, wherein the first and the second perceived appearances are different.

Abstract: A covert label. A substrate comprises a field of ink. Disposed within the field of ink, is ink that can be preferentially removed according to a preconfigured pattern. The preconfigured pattern comprises information associable with at least one object.

Abstract: Security threads or stripes include a substrate and i) a first optically variable layer imparting a first different color impression at different viewing angles, ii) a second optically variable layer imparting a second different color impression at different viewing angles, iii) a first color constant layer having a color matching the color impression of the first or second optically variable layer at a first viewing angle, iv) a second color constant layer having a color matching the color impression of the first or second optically variable layer at a second viewing angle, and v) one or more material-free regions, wherein the first optically variable layer, the second optically variable layer, the first color constant layer, the second color constant layer and the one or more material-free regions are jointly visible from one side of the security thread or stripe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a calendar desk pad, comprising a base member, a plurality of monthly calendar pages bound to the base member, wherein the calendar pages have at least one perforation or fold line located between the days or weeks on the calendar.

Abstract: A light control film is described that is formed with at least one security feature therein. The security feature is not visible when the film is viewed at an incorrect angle. The security feature only becomes visible when the film is viewed at the correct viewing angle or range of viewing angles. A plurality of security features can be formed in the film at substantially the same location(s), but at different angles, so that each security feature only becomes visible when the film is viewed at the correct respective viewing angle or range of viewing angles. The light control film can be integrated into any type of document where resistance to counterfeiting and fraudulent alteration are important, such as plastic identification or credit cards, or passports.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an object comprising a region of its surface suitable for showing a plurality of images. Each of these images is observable from a different direction such that upon observing one of the images the other images stop being observable and do not interfere in the viewing of the observed image. The configuration which allows generating the region of surfaces suitable for showing the plurality of images allows for mass production by means of stamping or minting techniques and complicates the reproduction by unauthorized manufacturers. A method which allows obtaining the object having a region suitable for showing a plurality of images is also an object of the present invention.

Abstract: A loose-leaf binder comprises a back and a loose-leaf coil. The back comprises a lower sheet and an upper sheet. Each side of the back is formed with a track having a downward opening. At least one end of the back is formed with an open end portion. Each lateral side edge of the lower sheet is formed with a slightly upwardly projecting flange. The lower sheet is formed with at least one engaging slot corresponding to the open end portion of the flange. The loose-leaf coil to be selectively disposed below the back is formed with continuous C-shaped portions by bending a wire. Each end of each C-shaped portion is formed with a track section to slide in the track of the back. The track section can be selectively engaged and restricted within the engaging slot of the lower sheet of the back.

Abstract: A loose-leaf binder device comprises a back, two end plugs that can selectively close two ends of the back, and a loose-leaf coil for binding inner pages and selectively disposed below the back. The back is formed with an insert slot. A retaining hole communicating with the insert slot is formed on a portion of the back abutting upon an end edge. The end plug is integrally formed with a resilient member to be inserted into the insert slot. A top surface of the resilient member is formed with one post corresponding to the retaining hole of the back. A free end of the resilient member is formed with an upward compressing edge. Thus, the post on the resilient member can be actuated through a compressing edge according to the resilient member of the end plug so that the post is selectively engaged with or disengaged from the back.

Abstract: A security element includes an optically variable structure having a multiplicity of first embossed structures each including at least two flanks which converge at at least one certain angle. In at least one first partial region of the optically variable structure, at least one flank of the first embossed structures respectively has at least one additional embossed structure which is mounted on the flank of the first embossed structures or inserted into the flank of the first embossed structures. The geometry of the at least one additional embossed structure is executed to be at least near-inverse to the geometry of that flank of the first embossed structure on which the at least one additional embossed structure is mounted or inserted.

Abstract: A ring mechanism has an elongate body made of a moldable polymeric material and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member. The first ring members are movable relative to the housing and the second ring members between a closed position and an open position. At least one ring member for each ring is a separately formed ring member and comprises a ring portion and an anchor connected to the ring portion. The at least one separately formed ring member is formed separately from the body. The anchor of the separately formed ring member is secured to the body for pivoting movement relative to the body. The anchor can be received in a receptacle in the body adapted to receive the anchor.

Abstract: A medium of exchange that is not separated from the backing item of value, has variable value and authentication protections sufficient to retain the trust of consumers is formed as a laminate having a backing layer and a precious metal foil layer. The precious metal foil layer has a predetermined weight and the laminate is dividable into multiple portions each one of which is a determinable fraction of the predetermined weight. An authentication seal is formed in an obverse side of the instrument and each one of the multiple portions contains indicia on a rear side thereof identifying the determinable fraction.

Abstract: A multi-game ticket assembly includes a single continuous substrate having a middle section and opposite end sections folded inwardly against the middle section. A portion of the front surface of each end section is adhered to the front surface of the middle section. Each of the end sections has a game area defined by lines of weakness in the substrate, with each game area further including a first game printed on the rear surface thereof and a second separate game printed on the front surface thereof. The first games of the end sections are adjacent and accessible to a player from a front aspect of the ticket assembly, and the second game of each end section is accessible to the player by separating the game area from its respective end section and folding the game area outwardly away from the middle section.

Abstract: A book binding for a scrapbook with hinges separated by gussets and an anchored end and a free end that may be bent to the right or left to accommodate pages of different thickness such that the pages lie flat and the covers of the scrapbook are substantially parallel when the scrapbook is closed. The binding is constructed from sheet material scored into groups of four equally spaced panels separated by a panel forming the gusset. The four equal width panels are folded along a longitudinal center score line and adhesively secured together to form the hinges.

Abstract: A security document comprises a substrate (1) and an optical waveguide (7). Couplers (10a, 10b) are provided in the waveguide (7) for coupling light into and out of the waveguide. The couplers (10a, 10b) can e.g. by gratings, scattering objects, holograms, luminescent dyes or perforations. The authenticity of the document can be verified using methods based on the properties of the waveguide.

Abstract: A bookbinding apparatus includes an application roller that applies glue onto a back edge face of a sheet bundle and a bookbinding control unit that positions the application roller onto the back edge face and causes the roller to execute glue application. The bookbinding apparatus applies a required amount of glue determined by a sheet bundle thickness by, after applying side glues to both side surfaces of the sheet bundle, bringing the application roller in contact with a first position within a central region on the back edge face and rotating the roller in a forward direction, bringing the application roller in contact with a second position between the first position and a right side of the sheet bundle, and rotating the roller in the forward direction. The glue is leveled to form a flat layer of adhesive with an adequate thickness.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism has at least two semi-ring pairs, which are arranged spaced apart from one another and which each consist of two semi-rings (20, 20?), the semi-rings (20) of a first group and the semi-rings (20?) of a second group being rigidly connected to one another in a grouped manner in the area of their roots and thereby kept spaced apart from one another. Mutually complementary locking bar elements (44, 44?), which, in the closed position, are locked to prevent pivoting of the semi-rings relative to one another, are arranged at the ends of the semi-rings (20, 20?) of at least one of the semi-ring pairs.