Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a two-sided product with an integrated device on a web of material, including: a first rotary micro scale structure formation unit for having a first structure for forming a first microscale structure on one side of a portion of web; a second rotary microscale structure formation unit having a second structure for forming a second micro scale structure on second side of the portion of the web; the first and second micro scale structures and the portion of the web between the first and second microscale structures together forming the integrated device; and a web feed system for feeding the web of material between the first and second rotary microscale structure formation units.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a two-sided product with an integrated device on a web of material, including: a first rotary micro scale structure formation unit for having a first structure for forming a first microscale structure on one side of a portion of web; a second rotary microscale structure formation unit having a second structure for forming a second micro scale structure on second side of the portion of the web; the first and second micro scale structures and the portion of the web between the first and second microscale structures together forming the integrated device; and a web feed system for feeding the web of material between the first and second rotary microscale structure formation units.

Abstract: A security document (1) is provided having a substrate (4) and an integral security device (10) which includes an image layer (12) and a focussing layer (11). each formed from a radiation curable ink layer embossed with relief formations (13; 15). The first radiation curable layer embossed with relief formations (13) to form the image layer (12) is provided on a first surface of the document, and the second radiation curable layer (11) embossed with focussing element relief formations (15) is provided on a second surface of the document. The first and second surfaces are separated by a predetermined distance D to produce a visible optical effect when viewing the image layer (12) through the focussing layer (11). In preferred embodiments, at least one of the first and second radiation curable layers is embossed with diffractive relief structures and high refractive index or reflective coatings may be applied to the embossed relief formations in the image layer (12) and/or the focussing layer (11).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspection of a security article (10) is provided in which a substantially collimated light beam (15) from a point light source (14) is directed onto a diffractive optical projection element (DOE) (11). The light beam is transformed by the DOE (11) into a patterned beam (17) which is reconstructed to form a projected image at a particular position in space remote from the surface of the security article 910). An optical detection device 916) is located at which the patterned beam (17) is reconstructed to detect the projected image. The inspection method and apparatus may be used in equipment for handling, sorting, counting or otherwise processing security articles, in particular security documents such as banknotes. The apparatus may include a processor for generating a signal when the absence or poor quality of a DOE is detected and which is used to isolate or mark the security article.

Abstract: A method of protecting a security document from counterfeiting includes applying at least one security element containing a concealed Fourier pattern to the document. The concealed Fourier pattern is produced from a master Fourier profile, and is applied to the document by embossing, engraving, laser ablation or chemical etching, and/or by a cylinder or plate bearing the master Fourier profile. When a counterfeit security document produced without knowledge of the master Fourier profile is scanned or imaged and subjected to a Fourier transform, the resulting test Fourier pattern will differ from a master Fourier pattern corresponding to the master Fourier profile for the authentic security document. In a particular embodiment, the concealed Fourier pattern is applied to the document by rotogravure printing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspection of a security article (10) is provided in which a substantially collimated light beam (15) from a point light source (14) is directed onto a diffractive optical projection element (DOE) (11). The light beam is transformed by the DOE (11) into a patterned beam (17) which is reconstructed to form a projected image at a particular position in space remote from the surface of the security article 910). An optical detection device 916) is located at which the patterned beam (17) is reconstructed to detect the projected image. The inspection method and apparatus may be used in equipment for handling, sorting, counting or otherwise processing security articles, in particular security documents such as banknotes. The apparatus may include a processor for generating a signal when the absence or poor quality of a DOE is detected and which is used to isolate or mark the security article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspection of a security article (10) is provided in which a substantially collimated light beam (15) from a point light source (14) is directed onto a diffractive optical projection element (DOE) (11). The light beam is transformed by the DOE (11) into a patterned beam (17) which is reconstructed to form a projected image at a particular position in space remote from the surface of the security article 910). An optical detection device 916) is located at which the patterned beam (17) is reconstructed to detect the projected image. The inspection method and apparatus may be used in equipment for handling, sorting, counting or otherwise processing security articles, in particular security documents such as banknotes. The apparatus may include a processor for generating a signal when the absence or poor quality of a DOE is detected and which is used to isolate or mark the security article.