Abstract: A security document, including: a polymer substrate; at least one print layer disposed on one or both sides of the polymer substrate; and a security feature including an image area embodied within the polymer substrate and at least partially covered by the at least one print layer, wherein the security feature is an optical security feature formed in the image area.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to producing micro-image elements on a substrate for a security document, the method comprising: producing a plurality of microstructure units comprising three-dimensionally structured formations in a clear or pale relief layer on the substrate; and applying a coloured ink fluid to the relief layer, wherein the coloured ink fluid accumulates preferentially in regions of high surface curvature on each microstructure unit to provide contrasting areas of different ink density.

Abstract: A security device is disclosed including a substrate and one or more focusing elements or lens structures located on one side of the substrate. The security device includes a plurality of image elements associated with each focusing element wherein the image elements include at least first and second groups of image elements. Each image element may be composed of pixels located in an object plane to be viewable through the associated focusing element. Each image element comprises a diffractive grating element or sub-wavelength grating element which when illuminated by a light source generates a diffraction image observable at a range of viewing angles around the device. Image elements of the first group are visible in a first range of viewing angles and image elements of the second group are visible in a second range of viewing angles. The security device is particularly suitable for use on security documents, such as banknotes. A method of forming a security device is also disclosed.

Abstract: High refractive index coatings having metal oxide particles are disclosed. Dispersions of metal oxide particles in solvent are also disclosed. These find use in the protection of surface relief structures. In some disclosed embodiments, the coatings or dispersions contain UV-curable resins. The coatings and dispersions find application in the field of security devices and documents and tokens incorporating security devices.

Abstract: An embossing tool for use with a rotating embossing roller, including: a tool body having a tool surface; and an array of recesses set into the tool surface to form a desired embossing surface profile, wherein at least two of the recesses are interconnected by a passage to enable fluid communication therebetween during embossing.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical device, preferably a security device, including the steps of: forming a planar relief structure on a substantially planar first surface of a substrate, preferably a transparent substrate, the planar relief structure having a first alignment direction and including a plurality of relief structure elements each having the same height; and applying a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) layer onto the planar relief structure such that the LCP layer is aligned with the relief structure, wherein the LCP layer includes at least one or more first LCP regions having a first height and one or more second LCP regions having a second height above the substantially planar first surface of the substrate, wherein the second height is different to the first height, and an optical device formed by such a method.

Abstract: A micro-optic device, including: a transparent substrate; first lens elements on a first side of the substrate that reveal first image elements on a second side of the substrate; and second lens elements on the second side of the substrate that reveal second image elements on the first side of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a first security document, the security document including a first periodic array of image elements applied to a first surface of a transparent substrate and extending in a first direction; and a first periodic array of revealing elements applied to an opposing surface of the substrate and extending in a second direction, the first periodic array of revealing elements being superposed with the first periodic array of image elements, such that an optical variable effect can be observed between at least a first viewing angle and a second viewing angle.

Abstract: An optical device, preferably for use in security devices and documents, comprising an arrangement of wavelength dependant optical phase, and optionally amplitude, modifying optical elements on a first surface of a substrate, each of the optical elements being in the form of an optical antenna and configured to produce a local phase change to reflected and/or transmitted electromagnetic waves, the arrangement configured such that the combined action of each of the optical elements produces a pre-defined optical effect on reflection and/or transmission observable by a viewer when the arrangement is illuminated by an external electromagnetic source.

Abstract: An optical device, preferably a security device for a security document, including a substrate having a first side and a second side, an arrangement of microlenses located on the first side and an arrangement of microimages such that the microimages are viewable or can be made viewable through the microlenses, wherein the arrangement of microlenses includes first and second microlenses and wherein the arrangement of microimages includes first and second microimages, wherein the first microlenses and first microimages are configured for providing a first visual effect and wherein the second microlenses and second microimages are configured for providing a second visual effect, and wherein the first microlenses are of a different height with respect to the substrate than the second microlenses.

Abstract: An optical device, preferably a security device for a document, comprising an arrangement of microlenses and an arrangement of microimages, wherein the arrangement of microimages is configured for providing an optically variable effect when viewed through the arrangement of microlenses, and wherein arrangement of microlenses defines a recognisable image independent to the optically variable effect.

Abstract: A moiré magnification device for authenticating security articles, the moiré magnification device comprising: an array of micro focusing elements; and an array of micro images; wherein the array of micro focusing elements and the array of micro images are correspondingly aperiodic such that the micro focusing elements generate moiré magnifications of the micro image when viewing the device at predetermined viewing angles. A device such as this raises the complexity and difficulty of the task facing would-be counterfeiters. The use of an aperiodic micro focusing element array and micro image array is not immediately apparent, as the moiré magnifications observed by the viewer appear the same as that of a regular device with periodic arrays. In this way, the aperiodic aspect of the design remains covert until the moiré device is more closely and deliberately analysed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security document 10 and a method of making the security document 10. The security document 10 has an optically transmissive region with a first surface and a second surface on an opposite side to the first surface. On a portion of the first surface is a first opacifying layer 14, with an area B of the optically transmissive region not being covered by the first opacifying layer 14. Similarly, on a portion of the second surface is a second opacifying layer 16, with an area A of the optically transmissive region not being covered by the second opacifying layer 16. The uncovered area B of the first surface does not substantially overlap the uncovered area A of the second surface. Further, the uncovered area B of the first surface and uncovered area A of the second surface appear to be substantially contiguous when viewed in transmitted light.

Abstract: An optical security device is disclosed which includes a diffraction layer having a plurality of diffraction elements and a high refractive index layer, wherein the high refractive index layer is applied on the diffraction layer such that selected regions of the diffraction layer have the corresponding diffraction elements partially uncovered by the high refractive index layer and other regions are substantially covered by the high refractive index layer. Accordingly, the optical security device has a first security feature associated with the diffraction layer and a second security feature associated with the high refractive index layer. An image is viewable from the regions of the high refractive index layer, either, covertly by placed an index matched item over the device or, overtly, through selection of the thickness of the high refractive index layer.

Abstract: An optical device including: a first surface; and an arrangement of pixels on the first surface, wherein a plurality of the pixels includes a zero-order diffraction element, such that each zero-order diffraction element is configured for providing a zero-order diffractive effect.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-line manufacture of a security document with a structured security element is provided in which a continuous web of document substrate is fed through a series of processing stations. The processing stations include a station for forming a structured security element in a radiation sensitive coating applied to the document substrate, and at least one station for applying at least one additional layer to the document substrate excluding the security element area. In a security document manufactured with the method or apparatus, the additional layer or layers have a combined thickness which is preferably substantially equal to the height of the structured security element or which differs from the height of the structured security element by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method for producing a security document comprising a volume hologram, including the steps of: applying an optically sensitive material onto a first surface of a substrate in a first region of the first surface; and irradiating the optically sensitive material with patterned radiation configured for recording a volume hologram within the optically sensitive material.

Abstract: A security document includes a substrate including a first surface and a second surface; a foil located in a region of the substrate on the first surface and including a first security element: and a second security element located in a different region of the substrate. The first and second security elements are configured to provide a visual effect when overlapping. The second security element is formed from an embossable material applied directly to the surface of the substrate. A method is for the production thereof.

Abstract: A security document is formed from a transparent plastics substrate having opacifying layers applied to its front and rear surfaces except in at least one window region. A diffractive device provided in the window region, the diffractive device operating in the near infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum, whereby when the security document is passed through an edge detection apparatus that operates in the near infrared (NIR) region, the diffractive device diverts a detector beam of edge detection apparatus away from an edge detector used to detect an edge of the security document, thereby avoiding false positive edge detection results.

Abstract: A film having antistatic properties, said film comprising a transparent polymeric substrate, said substrate being partially opacified on at least one surface so as to provide opacified and non-opacified regions and wherein both the opacified and non-opacified regions are coated on at least one surface with an antistatic coating said coating having greater than 70% transmission. In particular for use as a transparent antistatic coating on polymer banknotes including transparent window regions.