Abstract: A secure sticker is provided comprising a waterproof base portion including a paper ply, static printed matter, and a resin, wherein the paper ply and the static printed matter are sealed within the resin, and wherein the resin is substantially transparent to light in the visible spectrum. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a secure sticker is provided comprising a substantially waterproof base portion, a liner ply, and an adhesive interface. The substantially waterproof base portion includes a paper ply, static printed matter, and a resin. The paper ply and the static printed matter are sealed within the resin. The resin is substantially transparent to light in the visible spectrum. The liner ply defines a label portion and a removable portion, wherein the label portion includes variable printed matter thereon. The adhesive interface is arranged to adhere the liner ply to the base portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium comprising a liquid crystalline host component and an active component, to a thermochromic ink comprising such a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium encapsulated in a light transmissive polymeric material, to the use of a thermochromic medium or ink in decorative applications like pigments, inks and paints, cosmetics, thermodiagnostic applications like medical thermography, thermometry, optical and electrooptical applications, and security applications and devices, to a security marking or device comprising a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium or thermochromic ink and to a document of value comprising such a security marking.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles having a color shifting film and indicia located behind the color shifting film. The indicia include at least a first and second colored portion, the first portion including a first fluorescent colorant. The second colored portion is non-fluorescent but has a color similar to that of the first portion to enhance concealment of the indicia under certain viewing conditions. At least one of the colored portions is patterned.

Abstract: A process for marking a textile product by means of an invisible substance whose presence in the textile product is detectable by conventional detection methods of analytical chemistry, wherein the substance for marking the textile product is so selected as to be suitable for extraction from the textile product and detection through application of an absorbent probe.

Abstract: At least one-sidedly self-adhesively treated backing material which is coated partially with a self-adhesive composition and which under a tensile load of 10 N/cm has an extension of greater than 10% so that the backing material following application can be detached from the substrate by pulling in the direction of the bond plane.

Abstract: Confidential information is printed on an upper transparent laminate. A scrambling pattern is associated with a lower laminate. The upper surface of the lower laminate and the lower surface of the upper laminate are complementary in shape such that the upper laminate appears transparent, but alters to appear translucent when separated from the lower laminate. This provides a tamper-evident mechanism for indicating separation of the laminates.

Abstract: Proposed is a value-bearing document in which the carrier is provided with a window-like opening which is closed by a cover foil which is transparent at least in a region-wise manner, wherein particularly in the region of the window-like opening, the cover foil can be provided with additional security features, for example diffraction structures.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles having a color shifting film and indicia located behind the color shifting film. At least a first and second colored portion are arranged as a foreground and background of the indicia. The first portion includes a first fluorescent colorant and the second portion includes a different second fluorescent colorant. At least one of the colored portions is patterned. Bright fluorescent emission is visible from the different colorants over different angular ranges to produce high contrast reversal or change.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for protecting objects which has at least one mechanically testable magnetic layer and at least one further layer consisting of a layer semitransparent in the visual spectral region. The semitransparent layer is additionally disposed over the magnetic layer so as to cover the magnetic layer. The invention further relates to a security document with such a security element.

Abstract: A laminated multilayer film substrate for use in the production of banknotes having an oriented polypropylene core layer and at least one high density polyethylene layer on each side of the oriented polypropylene layer. The core layer contains microcavities formed by the addition of a cavitating agent. The resultant films exhibit good embossability, dead-fold characteristics and other properties, making them highly suited for the production of bank notes and other security documents.

Abstract: An advertising arrangement applicable to laminar strips of plastic material for shrink-wrapping and protecting luggage, which consists of incorporating inside the tunnel (3) of a machine for protecting luggage means for positioning labels (5) and (5′) of any shape considered appropriate, provided with means for fixing in the central area of the luggage (9). The labels to be incorporated or the similar means are made up of a spool (6) and (6′) situated in the upper part and tensioned in the lower part by appropriate means (7) and (7′).

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayer label comprising at least one authenticity feature (5), which authenticity feature (5) consists of at least two parts (51, 52) positioned on different layers (1, 2) of the label. The authenticity feature (5) can be a barcode which can consist of at least two parts (51, 52) positioned on different layers (1, 2) of the label. The barcode can have m lines of which n lines are arranged on one layer (1) of the label and m-n lines are arranged on another layer (2) of the label, where m>n>0. The label can have a lower layer (2) and an upper layer (1), with the lower layer (2) having a greater surface area than the at least one layer (1) positioned on top of it. The upper side and/or lower side of at least one of the layers (1, 2) can be coated with an adhesive at least in sections and/or at least in points.

Abstract: Identification markers and identification methods for solid objects, including metallic objects, are disclosed, the marker integrated with the object so that it is neither optically visible nor removable without destruction or impairment of the object. The marker is more radio opaque than the base material forming the object in the region of marker location and includes an identifying indicia thereon.

Abstract: Proposed is a value-bearing document in which the carrier is provided with a window-like opening which is closed by a cover foil which is transparent at least in a region-wise manner, wherein in particular in the region of the window-like opening the cover foil can be provided with additional security features, for example diffraction structures.

Abstract: A diffractive anti-counterfeiting tag structure with capabilities of naked-eye inspection and machine inspection and its method of manufacture. The anti-counterfeiting tag structure has a naked-eye inspection component and a machine inspection non-grating diffractive component. The naked-eye inspection component and the non-grating diffractive component are formed on separate mold-boards and then joined together to form a mold-board using a board-joining technique. Alternatively, a plurality of naked-eye inspection blocks and a plurality of non-grating diffractive blocks are randomly mixed together to form a pixel-like diffractive anti-counterfeiting tag.

Abstract: The invention is a tamper indicating device including a backing. The backing includes a first phase and a second phase. The backing is normally light transmissive, but a peeling force causes the backing to internally delaminate and become opaque. A first skin layer is fixed to the backing wherein the skin layer minimizes pre-destruction of the backing. A layer of adhesive is applied to the first skin layer, which can be affixed to a substrate.

Abstract: An adhesive preventing system containing a flexible tape member that may be in the form of either a sticker or an elongated tape is disclosed. This flexible tape member has an upper and a lower side and has two patterns printed on the upper side of the flexible tape member, one of which is printed with a material that is capable of bleeding through the flexible tape member and being dispersed into the underlying materials. A pattern which does not absorb the bleed-through material is printed on the underside of the flexible tape member. The underside of the flexible tape member also has disposed on it a frangible layer of material that does not adhere to the pattern printed on the underside of the flexible tape member. An adhesive layer is disposed over the frangible layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are an anti-forgery sticker and its manufacturing method which are capable of preventing a forgery by comparing a particular pattern, generated when particles are added to and pressed against the inside of a sticker, with an image stored in a memory, and ascertaining whether or not the particles exist in the inside of the sticker.

Abstract: A webstock device for providing a signaling function while being relatively camouflaged includes sheet-like webstock material, a cavity in the webstock material, a signaling device at least partly contained in the cavity, and means for retaining the signaling device at least partly in the cavity. The cavity in the webstock material is closed by respective layers of material and a cover layer can be printed with desired information, instructions, etc. The signaling device may be an accousto-magnetic signaling device, an RF device or other signaling device. The invention also includes methods and apparatus for making the webstock device and methods for using the device.

Abstract: A tamper indicating device includes a light transmissive backing and a layer of adhesive. The backing comprises a blown film including a first, continuous phase and a second, discontinuous phase. The backing is normally light transmissive, and becomes opaque upon tampering sufficient to internally delaminate said backing. Preferably, the blown film contains from 60 to 85 parts by weight of the first, continuous phase and from 15 to 40 parts by weight of the second, discontinuous phase. More preferably, the first phase comprises polypropylene and the second phase comprises an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer or ethylene/vinyl alcohol ant copolymer or an ethylene/vinyl acetate/vinyl alcohol terpolymer. The tamper indicating device can include either or both of an initially viewable indicia that becomes obscured upon internal delamination of the backing and a latent indicia that becomes viewable upon internal delamination of the backing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a printed valuable document with at least one authentication mark in the form of a luminescent substance based on a host lattice doped with at least one rare earth metal. The host lattice largely absorbs light in the entire visible region of the spectrum, is excitable in substantial parts of the visible region of the spectrum, and is at least partially transparent at least in the wavelength range between 0.8 &mgr;m and 1.1 &mgr;m. The host lattice also features a garnet or perovskite structure. The rare earth metal emits light in the wavelength range between 0.8 &mgr;m and 1.1 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The application relates to a printing ink with an IR-absorbent additive to be applied for protection of documents and for machine detection. It is proposed that graphite be used as the IR-absorbent additive.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating article comprises (a) a pressure-sensitive adhesive film or pressure-sensitive adhesive-coated tape that can be removed, without exhibiting cohesive failure, from a substrate surface (e.g., an automobile windshield) by stretching the film or tape; and (b) at least one damageable layer that shows cohesive or intralayer failure when an attempt is made to remove the article from the substrate surface. The article is especially useful for application to valuable, non-disposable substrates and can be removed therefrom without substrate damage.

Abstract: The tamperproof window securable informational article includes a first side for facing said window and a second side for facing away from said window. A low wet-strength paper layer which will resist removal of said article as a unit when the paper layer has been soaked with a liquid is provided. Standard information and custom information may be interposed between an adhesive layer for securing the article to the window and an optically variable device. A first partially liquid permeable layer is disposed rearwardly of the low wet-strength paper layer. In a preferred embodiment the optically variable device is a hologram and zones of different adhesive and release properties are interposed between the optically variable device and the paper layer to resist removal of the article as a unit.

Abstract: A label for concealing proprietary information is attached to a backing material and includes a layer of adhesive, a base layer, an opaque scratch layer, which can be removed by rubbing, and an authentication mark applied to the scratch layer. The information may be on the backing material or between the base and scratch layers. In another embodiment, an ink film is located between the base layer and an object. Areas of anti-stick lacquer are provided between the ink film and the object, so that the relative adhesive force on the ink film has spatial variations.

Abstract: The invention concerns a printed valuable document with at least one authentication feature in the form of a luminescent substance based on a host lattice doped with at least one rare earth metal. The host lattice largely absorbs in the entire visible region of the spectrum, is excitable in large parts of the visible region of the spectrum and at least partially transparent in at least the wavelength range between 0.8 &mgr;m and 1.1 &mgr;m. In addition, the host lattice contains chromium as an absorptive substance in such a concentration that amplification of the emission by the luminescent substance takes place. The rare earth metal emits in the wavelength region between 0.8 &mgr;m and 1.1 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An imitation wax seal suitable for application to a document, package or container is injection-molded out of a semi-rigid plastic, then coated in the back with an adhesive temporarily protected by a peelable film. The fabrication mold accepts a variety of substitutable center escutcheon that can carry a variety of letters, symbols, and logo types. The seal is flexible enough to pass through post office automatic sorting and canceling equipment without breaking or coming loose. The seal is impregnated with a bee-wax scent or other pleasant fragrance.

Abstract: A surface pattern (1) is composed of elements (2 to 5) which are arranged in a mosaic-like fashion and of which at least one pattern is formed from a background element (4) and a pixel (2) with microscopically fine relief structures diffracting visible light. The surface elements (3) and the element portions (5) either contain the microscopically fine relief structures diffracting visible light or they comprise reflecting or scattering surfaces. Arranged in the pixel (2) is a first diffraction grating B1 and arranged in the background element (4) is a second diffraction grating B2, wherein the first diffraction grating B1 and the second diffraction grating B2 are a superimposition of at least two different, microscopically fine relief structures F1 and F2 diffracting visible light. The first diffraction grating B1 and the second diffraction grating B2 differ only by virtue of a relative phase shift &Dgr;&phgr; between the relief structure F1 and the relief structure F2.

Abstract: A metal layer cleared by contact with a chemical clearing agent to reveal an underlying graphics layer is at least partially covered by a buffer material that delays contact with the clearing agent. The buffer material can be applied in a pattern that forms a temporary image in the metal layer prior to more completely revealing the underlying graphics layer.

Abstract: A secure sticker is provided comprising a waterproof base portion including a paper ply, static printed matter, and a resin, wherein the paper ply and the static printed matter are sealed within the resin, and wherein the resin is substantially transparent to light in the visible spectrum. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a secure sticker is provided comprising a substantially waterproof base portion, a liner ply, and an adhesive interface. The substantially waterproof base portion includes a paper ply, static printed matter, and a resin. The paper ply and the static printed matter are sealed within the resin. The resin is substantially transparent to light in the visible spectrum. The liner ply defines a label portion and a removable portion, wherein the label portion includes variable printed matter thereon. The adhesive interface is arranged to adhere the liner ply to the base portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to substrates bearing visible information that is secure against unauthorized copying obtained by applying information in the form of combinations of at least one emitting colorant and at least one reflecting colorant that are selected to exhibit similar or identical hues when viewed, with no cognizance being taken of fluorescence, and are applied in such a manner that their color fields touch, wherein the color loci of the two colorants correspond to one of the trichromatic colors yellow, magenta, or cyan and the reflecting colorant is an organic or inorganic pigment.

Abstract: A transfer foil for use in a safety document includes a multilayer structure having a carrier layer and a plastic layer in which diffraction structures, for example holographic structures, are embossed in the form of a relief structure and which is combined with a reflective layer. The plastic layer includes a reaction lacquer layer selected from the group consisting of cationical curing lacquers, blue light-curing lacquers and chemical curing multicomponent lacquers.

Abstract: A form of packaging or packaging aid having integral guarantee of original pack and/or first-time opening containing a substrate with a surface that reflects visible light. The reflective surface is made of metal or is a metallic reflective surface. One or more single ceramic layers are provided on the reflecting surface. The ceramic layers are made of a compound having the formula SiOx, where x represents a number from 1.5 to 2.0, each ceramic layer has a thickness of 50 to 2000 nm. The ceramic layer is directly, nonreleasably affixed to the substrate or to the reflective surface of the substrate. On the ceramic layers, a reflecting layer which is semipermeable to visible light is provided. The reflective layer is made of metal and has a thickness of 0.2 to 60 nm, and is such that light striking the coated substrate is reflected and seen as different colors depending on the direction or angle at which it is viewed by an observer.

Abstract: Display information is revealed from behind a metal film that can be cleared upon effective contact with a clearing agent. The metal film, while opaque, is generally less than 1000 Angstroms thick and can be cleared by exposure to innocuous agents including food or other household products.

Abstract: A security device having multiple security features is used with an item, such as a secure document, ticket, label or tag, to authenticate the item and/or encode data pertaining to the item. One example of the security device includes a carrier substrate, a metallic layer disposed on the carrier substrate, and a magnetic layer disposed on the metallic layer in substantial registration with at least a portion of the metallic layer, thereby providing both metallic security features and magnetic security features. The metallic layer and the magnetic layer also form graphic or visually identifiable indicia on the carrier substrate to provide a visual security feature. According to one method, the metallic layer is applied to the carrier substrate, the magnetic layer is applied to the metallic layer, and the layers are etched to form the graphic indicia. The magnetic layer can, in one embodiment, include a magnetic chemical resist that is printed on the metallic layer in the form of the graphic indicia.

Abstract: A hang tag having an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device is provided by using a conventional hang tag substrate, such as paper, securing the EAS device therein, and folding the substrate onto itself and securing it with a permanent adhesive. Preferably the substrate is accordian folded. With the EAS device permanently secured and hidden in a fold, the article is more amenable to consideration by the consumer, and the EAS device is unobtrusive.

Abstract: A method for permanently marking a photoreceptor surface includes the steps of irradiating a surface of a photoreceptor with an irradiation source to permanently mark the photoreceptor, and ablating material from the photoreceptor to at least one controlled depth in the photoreceptor with the irradiation source.

Abstract: A method for producing a tamper evident security holographic label and overlaminate using UV casting techniques, and a security device so produced, comprising a clear protective layer; a thin layer of clear UV cured resin cast partly onto the protective layer following a designed pattern; another layer of UV cured resin bearing a cast holographic image, wherein the bond of the holographic image layer is stronger toward the surface of the protective layer than it is toward the surface of the pattern layer; a reflective layer strongly attached to the adjacent holographic layer; and an adhesive layer bonded to the reflective layer. Such a composite product when adhered to a base substrate via the adhesive layer will show no visible security feature to the unaided eye due to the thin nature of the clear security pattern.

Abstract: A substrate, such as the surface of goods or of packaging material for goods, is provided with a security device by applying, to the substrate, a pressure sensitive adhesive tape carrying a security device in the form of a hologram.

Abstract: An anti-copy layer or film for documents that is substantially transparent to the legitimate user, comprising a multiplicity of small fragments of spectral material embedded within an optically clear coating, wherein multi-angular illumination of the fragments by a copy apparatus generates sufficient amounts of visual noise in a copy as to prevent true-copy replication of the documents.

Abstract: A security document or token such as a banknote is provided which has a transparent portion of plastics material which includes a security device. The region surrounding the transparent portion and preferably all the remaining part of the banknote is printed with indicia. The security device includes regions of embossed lines extending at different angles to each other defining different shapes that are visible to a greater or lesser extent upon transmission and reflection of light as the note is tilted, rotated or viewed from different angles relative to the light source. The embossed lines in some of the regions are finer than coarser and deeper and more widely spaced lines in the other regions. The coarser, deeper lines are of such a thickness and width as to be detectable by touch in addition to being visible by the naked eye.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier (1) with a data carrier structure (2) in which a module (9) with a plate-shaped component carrier (10) and a component (13) attached to the inside of the component carrier (10) is used, and with a plate-shaped hologram carrier (30) provided on the data carrier (1) and showing a hologram (33) by way of the main surface (31) visible from outside the data carrier (1). The invention provides that the plate-shaped hologram carrier (30) be provided on the data carrier to be covering the plate-shaped component carrier (10), and covers at least substantially the component carrier (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical disc provided with a watermark inside, which is visible with naked eyes from a reproduction side of the optical disc, and the producing method and the production apparatus thereof. The optical disc comprises a transparent substrate having an information signal recorded surface, a reflective layer formed on the information signal recorded surface thereof, an adhesive layer formed on the reflective layer, a mask layer on the adhesive layer and a transparent dummy substrate on the mask layer stacked in this order. The adhesive layer is made of an adhesive of which curing speed is changed according to a controlled amount of radiation of ultraviolet rays. The watermark is recorded in the optical disc by irradiating the ultraviolet rays on the adhesive through the mask layer provided with light shielding members to cause the adhesive to be cured by controlling a curing speed of the adhesive corresponding to existence or nonexistence of the light shielding members.

Abstract: A document, for example a bank note, a check, a credit card, an identification document or a ticket, bears an optical safety mark in the form of a light-reflecting and light-diffracting and/or refracting layer, for example a hologram, an interference layer, a (computer-generated) refracting structure, located on at least parts of the document. The optical safety mark is arranged in a sandwich structure which is fixed to the document by means of an adhesive layer and if required has one or several transparent layers arranged in the sandwich structure. The adhesive layer and/or transparent layer in the sandwich structure is doped with at least one luminescent substance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a label containing a substrate layer, and a security coating on at least one side of the substrate layer containing: from about 50% to about 99.999% by weight of a film forming material, and from about 0.001 % to about 5% by weight of at least one taggant compound, wherein the taggant compound is substantially uniformly dispersed within the film forming material. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of authenticating a product, involving: affixing a label to the product, the label containing a substrate layer, and a security coating on at least one side of the substrate layer containing: from about 50% to about 99.999% by weight of a film forming material, and from about 0.

Abstract: A security paper indicates exposure to a solvent by a solvent resistant color signal. A metal mordant dye first co-reactant and a mordant dye second co-reactant form an organic solvent-insoluble colored reaction product when the paper is washed with an organic solvent. The metal mordant dye first co-reactant and a mordant dye second co-reactant are chemically isolated from each other so as to prevent the coordinate covalent bond from forming until the paper is washed with an organic solvent. The chemical isolation can be effected by encapsulation or other physical separation of the co-reactants. The organic solvent-insoluble colored reaction product, once formed, remains entrapped in the web when the paper is washed with an organic solvent. The chemical isolation prevents the organic solvent-insoluble colored reaction product from forming upon the application of pressure alone to the paper.

Abstract: The invention concerns a conditioning arrangement for a product such as a food product equipped with a theft-proof marking device characterized by the fact that the theft-proof marking device is incorporated into the structure of the conditioning material during the manufacturing of said material. The invention also concerns a product contained in such conditioning as well as a process for theft-proof marking of a product in which a theft-proof marking device is incorporated into the product conditioning material during the manufacturing of that material. This applies more particularly to the theft-proof marking of products intended for distribution trade and for the manufacturing of conditioning materials.

Abstract: A security paper with a thermoshrinking polymer layer as a security feature wherein the layer of thermoshrinking polymer shrinks and distorts the security paper when heated, demonstrating its authenticity.

Abstract: An optically variable article comprising of a substrate and at least one non-overlapping pair of optically variable structures on the surface of the substrate, the optically variable structures having the same color at one angle of incidence and different colors at all other angles of incidence. The optically variable structures are formed from optically variable pigments, optically variable opaque foils, or optically variable multilayer thin film interference stacks.

Abstract: A woven security label is woven from threads of synthetic fiber, which interweaves a piece of check warp or weft yarn. The check warp or weft yarn comprises one or more pieces of detectable filament containing a small amount of inorganic fluorescent substance. The check warp or weft yarn is substantially colorless in ordinary sunlight, electric light or the like but reversibly changes color under influence of specific UV light.