Abstract: Paired optically variable security element which includes first and second optically variable thin-film multilayer interference devices in the form of optically variable foils or of printings made with inks having optically variable interference pigments. The first and second interference devices exhibit spectral matching at a determined angle of incidence. Sets of optically variable devices and of coating compositions include optically variable pigments for the production of the paired optically variable security element. Moreover, the security element can be used for the protection of documents and goods, and security documents and goods.

Abstract: Device and process for producing indicia comprising magnetically oriented magnetic or magnetizable particles in ink or coating composition on a sheet of substrate material. Device includes a flat-bed screen-printing unit having a flat printing screen and a printing platen for receiving a sheet. Printing platen has an upper surface facing the printing screen and a first direction along its upper surface along which said sheet is unloadable, and a magnetic orienting unit having multiple magnet assemblies. Magnetic orienting unit is disposed below upper surface of the printing platen, the multiple magnet assemblies are disposed along first direction, and all of the magnet assemblies are concomitantly movable from a first position away from the upper surface of the printing platen to a second position close to the upper surface of the printing platen. The magnetic orienting unit having one or more magnet assemblies is usable as a stand-alone flat-bed magnetization device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a transfer foil, comprising a release-coated carrier (1), and on said carrier a transfer coating layer (3) having the form of a design comprising oriented optically variable magnetic pigment (OVMP), the pigment orientation representing an image, indicia, or a pattern. Processes of making and using the foil, as well as documents carrying the foil are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention discloses a device and a process for producing indicia comprising magnetically oriented magnetic or magnetizable particles in an ink or coating composition on a sheet of substrate material. The device comprises a flat-bed screen-printing unit having a flat printing screen and a printing platen for receiving said sheet, the printing platen having an upper surface facing the printing screen and a first direction along its upper surface along which said sheet is unloadable, and a magnetic orienting unit comprising multiple magnet assemblies. The magnetic orienting unit is disposed below the upper surface of the printing platen, said multiple magnet assemblies are disposed along said first direction, and all of said magnet assemblies are concomitantly movable from a first position away from the upper surface of the printing platen to a second position close to the upper surface of the printing platen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a paired optically variable security element which comprises first and second optically variable thin-film multilayer interference devices in the form of optically variable foils or of printings made with inks comprising optically variable interference pigments, wherein said first and second interference devices exhibit spectral matching at a determined angle of incidence. Sets of optically variable devices and of coating compositions comprising optically variable pigments for the production of said paired optically variable security element are also disclosed, as well as the use of said security element for the protection of documents and goods, and security documents and goods carrying same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for the local or remote authentication of an item, in particular a security document, with the help of a authenticating device, comprised in, connected to, or linked to mobile communication equipment. Said item carries a marking exhibiting a characteristic physical behavior in response to interrogating energy, such as electromagnetic radiation and/or electric or magnetic fields. Said marking may comprise physical and logical security elements, e.g. a barcode, or a characteristic particle or flake pattern, exhibiting a characteristic physical response.

Abstract: Security document, such as a banknote, a value paper, an identification document, an access card, a security label or packaging, comprising an imprint-able substrate, chosen from the group of papers, cardboards, textiles and polymer sheets, as a first constituting part, and at least a second constituting part, chosen from the group of printing inks, security threads, windows, fibers, planchettes, foils, and decals, wherein a same security element is contained at least a first time in or on one of its constituting parts, and at least a second time in or on another of its constituting parts. Method for producing a security document, characterized in that a same security element is applied at least a first time in a first step to one constituting part of said document, and at least a second time in a second step to another constituting part of said document.

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 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: 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: The present invention relates to a method and a system for the local or remote authentication of an item, in particular a security document, with the help of a authenticating device, comprised in, connected to, or linked to mobile communication equipment. Said item carries a marking exhibiting a characteristic physical behavior in response to interrogating energy, such as electromagnetic radiation and/or electric or magnetic fields. Said marking may comprise physical and logical security elements, e.g. a barcode, or a characteristic particle or flake pattern, exhibiting a characteristic physical response.

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: 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 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: Photochromic printing inks are disclosed which are in particular used for the printing of security documents. Prints are normally nearly colorless and become colored when energy irradiated, such as by ultraviolet light. This photocoloration is reversible. The printing inks contain photochromic compounds which are protected against other ink components. Methods are described to prepare the inks, to print security documents, and to detect counterfeiting.

Abstract: A printing ink for the printing of security documents by the method of engraved steel die printing, having a viscosity of at least 1 Pa.multidot.s at 40.degree. C. under a shear of about 1000 sec.sup.-1, containing a binder matrix, a polymerization initiator for polymerizable matrix components, fillers and pigments, and the usual additives. The binder matrix contains at least one cationically polymerizable compound, modified to bring about the desired rheology of the ink, and the photoinitiator, activable by UV, heat and EB, is an onium salt capable of releasing a Lewis or Bronsted acid.This ink has best and very rapid drying characteristics.

Abstract: Photochromic printing inks are disclosed which are in particular used for the printing of security documents. Prints are normally nearly colorless and become colored when energy irradiated, such as by ultraviolet light. This photocoloration is reversible. The printing inks contain photochromic compounds which are protected against other ink components. Methods are described to prepare the inks, to print security documents, and to detect counterfeiting.

Abstract: A printing ink for the printing of security documents by the method of engraved steel die printing, wherein the volatile solvents comprise at most 15%, referred to the total weight of the ink, of one or more volatile organic substances, and wherein the volatile matter may further contain water.These inks reply to the new environmental requirements and have still a better wipability on the printing cylinders or plates. They allow document printing without interleaving.

Abstract: A printing ink for the printing of security documents by the method of engraved steel die printing, wherein the volatile solvents comprise at most 15%, referred to the total weight of the ink, of one or more volatile organic substances, and wherein the volatile matter may further contain water.These inks reply to the new environmental requirements and have still a better wipability on the printing cylinders or plates. They allow document printing without interleaving.