Abstract: A security document has a security substrate, a security device and a structural weakness element, wherein the security device is coupled to the security substrate, wherein the structural weakness element is integrated with at least one of the security substrate or the security device, the structural weakness element defining an anti-harvesting area and a bulk area, and wherein the anti-harvesting area has one or more of structural fidelity or optical fidelity with the bulk area.

Abstract: A sheet material having a security device applied over a paper machine made or ‘soft-edged’ through-hole and a method for preparing such a sheet material is provided. The through-hole(s) is formed in a forming fibrous web before it becomes sufficiently consolidated and then the security device is applied onto the fibrous web and preferably over the through-hole(s) at or near a couch roll or similar tool of a paper machine when the fibrous web constitutes a sufficiently consolidated, fully formed wet web. Moreover, papers made in accordance with the inventive method, when subjected to the Circulation Simulation Test, showed minimal damage at the paper/security device interface. Further, the surface-applied security devices showed acceptable levels of intaglio ink adhesion, and the papers had higher cross-direction (CD) tensile strength and much less show-through on opposing sides thereof.

Abstract: A security document has a security substrate, a security device and a structural weakness element, wherein the security device is coupled to the security substrate, wherein the structural weakness element is integrated with at least one of the security substrate or the security device, the structural weakness element defining an anti-harvesting area and a bulk area, and wherein the anti-harvesting area has one or more of structural fidelity or optical fidelity with the bulk area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security sheet or document having enhanced watermark(s). In one exemplary embodiment, the inventive security sheet or document is a single-ply paper that is made up of a paper layer including one or more watermarks, and a micro-optic security device (e.g., a patch or thread) that at least partially covers an upper or face portion of the watermark(s). The overlying patch or thread increases the durability of the watermark(s), thereby allowing for the watermark(s) as well as reduced fiber density areas therein to be made larger, and for the reduced fiber density areas to be made thinner. In a preferred embodiment, the micro-optic security device projects synthetic image(s) that coordinate or link in with the watermark design(s). In a more preferred embodiment, the micro-optic security device offers a machine detectable/readable feature in the form of enhanced IR-brightness, especially when measured in transmission.

Abstract: A method for applying a security device (e.g., a micro-optic security thread) to a fibrous web during manufacture is provided. By way of the inventive method, the security device is preferably applied onto the fibrous web at or near a couch roll or similar tool of a paper machine when the fibrous web constitutes a sufficiently consolidated, fully formed wet web. Papers made in accordance with the inventive method, when subjected to the Circulation Simulation Test, showed minimal damage at the paper/security device interface. Moreover, the surface-applied security devices showed acceptable levels of intaglio ink adhesion, and the papers had higher cross-direction (CD) tensile strength and much less show-through on opposing sides thereof.

Abstract: A sheet material having a security device applied over a paper machine made or ‘soft-edged’ through-hole and a method for preparing such a sheet material is provided. By way of the inventive method, the through-hole(s) is formed in a forming fibrous web before it becomes sufficiently consolidated and then the security device is applied onto the fibrous web and preferably over the through-hole(s) at or near a couch roll or similar tool of a paper machine when the fibrous web constitutes a sufficiently consolidated, fully formed wet web. Applying the security device and then further consolidating the region underlying the device at this stage of paper manufacture when the fibers would not be displaced, greatly reduces (if not eliminates) the possibility of the through-hole(s) becoming occluded or blocked. Moreover, papers made in accordance with the inventive method, when subjected to the Circulation Simulation Test, showed minimal damage at the paper/security device interface.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a security sheet or document having one or more enhanced watermarks. In one exemplary embodiment, the inventive security sheet or document is a single-ply paper that is made up of a paper layer including one or more watermarks, and a micro-optic security device (e.g., a patch or thread) that at least partially covers an upper or face portion of the watermark(s). The overlying patch or thread increases the durability of the watermark(s), thereby allowing for the watermark(s) as well as reduced fiber density areas therein to be made larger, and further allowing for the reduced fiber density areas to be made thinner. In a preferred embodiment, the micro-optic security device projects one or more synthetic images that coordinate or link in with the watermark design(s). In a more preferred embodiment, the micro-optic security device offers a machine detectable/readable feature in the form of enhanced IR-brightness, especially when measured in transmission.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a security sheet or document having one or more enhanced watermarks. In one exemplary embodiment, the inventive security sheet or document is a single-ply paper that is made up of a paper layer including one or more watermarks, and a micro-optic security device (e.g., a patch or thread) that at least partially covers an upper or face portion of the watermark(s). The overlying patch or thread increases the durability of the watermark(s), thereby allowing for the watermark(s) as well as reduced fiber density areas therein to be made larger, and further allowing for the reduced fiber density areas to be made thinner. In a preferred embodiment, the micro-optic security device projects one or more synthetic images that coordinate or link in with the watermark design(s). In a more preferred embodiment, the micro-optic security device offers a machine detectable/readable feature in the form of enhanced IR-brightness, especially when measured in transmission.

Abstract: A method for applying a security device (e.g., a micro-optic security thread) to a fibrous web during manufacture is provided. By way of the inventive method, the security device is preferably applied onto the fibrous web at or near a couch roll or similar tool of a paper machine when the fibrous web constitutes a sufficiently consolidated, fully formed wet web. Papers made in accordance with the inventive method, when subjected to the Circulation Simulation Test, showed minimal damage at the paper/security device interface. Moreover, the surface-applied security devices showed acceptable levels of intaglio ink adhesion, and the papers had higher cross-direction (CD) tensile strength and much less show-through on opposing sides thereof.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a security sheet or document having one or more enhanced watermarks. In one exemplary embodiment, the inventive security sheet or document is a single-ply paper that is made up of a paper layer including one or more watermarks, and a micro-optic security device (e.g., a patch or thread) that at least partially covers an upper or face portion of the watermark(s). The overlying patch or thread increases the durability of the watermark(s), thereby allowing for the watermark(s) as well as reduced fiber density areas therein to be made larger, and further allowing for the reduced fiber density areas to be made thinner. In a preferred embodiment, the micro-optic security device projects one or more synthetic images that coordinate or link in with the watermark design(s). In a more preferred embodiment, the micro-optic security device offers a machine detectable/readable feature in the form of enhanced IR-brightness, especially when measured in transmission.

Abstract: A security device having at least one durable tactile marking (16) in the form of one or more relief structures is provided. The one or more relief structures are selected from the group of elastically deformable relief structures, relatively compression-resistant relief structures, and combinations thereof. Also provided is a fibrous or non-fibrous sheet material (10) with at least one durable tactile marking, which is suitable for use in making secure and non-secure documents or labels. The tactile marking (s) is applied directly to a surface of the sheet material, or is provided by way of the above-described security device (s), which is mounted on a surface of the sheet material and/or at least partially embedded therein. The durable tactile marking (s) serves to provide a visually challenged person with information concerning the type and/or value of the secure or non-secure document or label.