Abstract: An information-bearing article for conveying indicia from one person to a second person in such a way that the information cannot be surreptitiously detected by an intervening person. Thus, the information-bearing means is so constructed that detection thereof necessarily requires some irreparable and detectable disfigurement or mutilation of the information-bearing article. Use of the article in lottery ticket distribution and use in connection with the transfer of highly confidential governmental or business information, are typical applications. The most advantageous construction of the invention combines means to avoid surreptitious detection of the hidden indicia by optical, chemical, thermal and mechanical processes.

Abstract: An information-bearing article for conveying indicia from one person to a second person in such a way that the information cannot be surreptitiously detected by an intervening person.Thus, the information-bearing means is so constructed that detection thereof necessarily requires some irreparable and detectable disfigurement or mutilation of the information-bearing article. Use of the article in lottery ticket distribution and use in connection with the transfer of highly confidential governmental or business information, are typical applications.The most advantageous construction of the invention combines means to avoid surreptitious detection of the hidden indicia by optical, chemical, thermal and mechanical processes.