WO2014081402A1 - Security element for value documents and method for manufacturing same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses the claimed security element for value documents and a method for manufacturing same. The security element is in the form of a sheet with a first image of an object formed on a defined section of the sheet as an array of apertures, said image appearing in grey tones in transmitted light, wherein the security element is additionally provided with a second image which has an identical linear size to the first image and an identical pixel structure and is formed as an array of dots, each of which is situated between the apertures of the first image, the arrayed dots have different reflection coefficient values and the composite image obtained by combining the first image and the second image is arranged on the sheet so that it is visible in grey tones in reflected and transmitted light. The proposed solution is directed to creating a more complex image which makes it more difficult to forge the security element.

Description

 Security Element for Securities and Documents

 and method of its manufacture.

The present invention relates to designs and methods for manufacturing security elements designed to protect against counterfeiting of such securities and documents as banknotes, identity cards, checks, credit cards, tickets, etc.

 The closest to the proposed security element by the number of essential features is a security element for securities and documents, made in the form of a sheet containing an image made by perforation of a given section of the sheet with holes and which appears in transmitted light in gray tones [International publication: WO 98 / 19869 dated 05/14/1998].

 Such a protective element makes it possible to visually evaluate the manufactured document and draw preliminary conclusions about its authenticity without the use of special devices, therefore it provides a certain protection of the document from forgery. However, at present, given the technical capabilities of individuals involved in counterfeiting documents, this protection is not sufficiently reliable.

 Closest to the proposed method of manufacturing security elements for securities and documents is a method of manufacturing a security element for securities and documents, which includes creating an image by perforating a predetermined portion of a sheet with holes [International publication: WO 98/19869 of 05/14/1998].

This method allows you to make a protective element that provides some protection of the document from forgery. However, at present, given the technical capabilities of persons involved in counterfeiting documents, this protection is not enough reliable, therefore, it is necessary to create more complex security elements that could provide more reliable protection of the document from forgery.

 The basis of the proposed inventions is the task of creating a more reliable security element for securities and documents and such a method of its manufacture, which would significantly complicate the possibility of counterfeiting or unauthorized reproduction of the security element by creating conditions for complementing it with non-traditional visually perceptible signs, namely, composite image located on a sheet with the possibility of observing it simultaneously in gray tones, in reflected light and in gray tones in p by the passing light.

 We offer, like the well-known security element for securities and documents, containing a base in the form of a sheet, on a given section of which the first image of the object is formed in the form of an array of holes, appearing in gray tones in transmitted light, and, according to the invention, the security element is complemented by a second image the same object that has the same linear size with the first image, the same point (pixel) structure, and is formed as an array of points, each of which is between at least two mja holes of the first image and the array have different point values of the reflection coefficient, and a composite image obtained from a combination of the first and second images is arranged on a sheet with the possibility of observing simultaneously in gray tones, in both reflected and transmitted light.

A feature of the proposed protective element is that the reflectance values of the sheet surface sections between adjacent holes forming the first image are directly dependent on the light transmittance through these holes. Observance of this condition allows observing the surface of the protective element in reflected light to see a second image identical to the first, while the contrast of the first The image is enhanced compared to the perforated image in the prototype.

 Another feature of the proposed protective element is that the first and second images are offset relative to each other in the plane of a given section of the sheet.

 The proposed, as well as the known method of manufacturing a security element for securities and documents, includes creating the first image of the object, which is shown in gray tones in transmitted light, by perforating a portion of the sheet with holes according to a predetermined program, and, according to the invention, on the surface of the sheet with the first the image creates a second image of the same object with the same linear size and with the same point (pixel) structure, which appears in gray tones in the reflected light and, thus, the floor They compose a composite image in the form of a combination of the first and second images of one object, which is observed simultaneously in gray tones, both in reflected and transmitted light, while each point of the second image is placed between at least two holes of the first image, for what is the processing of the sheet in the area of the first image using either an inkjet, or thermal transfer, or injection, or transfer printer, or a laser beam, and processing is carried out until a composite image is obtained, in which the values of the reflection coefficients of the points of the second image and the values of the transmittance of light through the holes adjacent to the points in the array of holes forming the first image are directly dependent on this protective element.

 In the proposed security element, the first and second images are offset relative to each other in the sheet plane by a distance I = L / 2, where L is the distance between the centers of adjacent perforated holes, the first image being observed in transmitted and the second in reflected light.

The authors experimentally established that the contrast of the perforated image when observed in the inevitable lateral illumination of the sheet surface increases if the reflection coefficient of the front surface of the sheet is reduced, therefore, the proposed protective element was supplemented with an array of dots with a reduced reflection coefficient.

 Increasing the contrast on the one hand, facilitates the possibility of visual identification of the proposed security element, and on the other hand, complicates its fake or unauthorized reproduction. Thus, the manufacture of each specific protective element requires the use of both special expensive equipment and the use of a special software product. The creation of two identical, but offset from each other images, further complicates the process of fake security element, and therefore complicates the process of falsification of the document as a whole.

 In the study of the obtained protective element, non-traditional, visually perceived signs were identified, namely: the ability to observe a composite (combined) image at a certain ratio of the fraction of transmitted light through the perforated holes and the fraction of reflected light from an array of points with different values of reflection coefficient.

 By processing a sheet of paper or plastic according to the proposed method, a protective element is created, which consists of two images: the first - in the form of an array of perforated holes of various diameters, which appears as an image in gray tones in transmitted light and the second - in the form of an array of dots (pixels ) with a variable reflection coefficient, which manifests itself as an image in gray tones in reflected light.

 The optimal distance (shift) I between the pixels of the first and second images is determined experimentally and is I = L / 2, where L is the distance between the centers of neighboring holes forming the first - perforated image.

It was also experimentally established that to obtain an image of satisfactory quality, the pixel diameter of the second image is not must exceed the largest hole diameter in the pixel array of the first image.

 This is due both to the problem of the accuracy of positioning one array of points (pixels) relative to the second, and to the integrated brightness of the second image.

 To create the proposed security element using the so-called "personalization equipment", which performs all the functions necessary and sufficient for the manufacture of the proposed security element. As a manufacturer of such equipment can be called the German company "Meibber".

 Using the aforementioned equipment, after obtaining a perforated image, the sheet surface is subjected to additional processing with a laser beam with a wavelength of 1, 0 to 1, 2 micrometers in order to create points between the perforated holes of the array with different values of reflection coefficient. Additional sheet processing - to obtain a second image, you can perform another technology that is more accessible to the manufacturer, for example, using an inkjet or thermal transfer printer. In this case, the second image can be obtained before creating the first.

 For a security element formed on a sheet of paper, surface treatment with an inkjet or thermal transfer printer is acceptable. For polyvinyl chloride, surface treatment with a thermal transfer, injection, or transfer printer is acceptable.

 As a perforated image on the security element, a portrait of the person who owns the document, or a letter, number, word, drawing, etc., can be used.

 The set of essential features that describe the proposed protective element and the method of its manufacture are new, so we can conclude that each of the proposed inventions meets the criteria of the invention of "novelty."

The proposed protective element contains a combination of essential features, each of which is known to date, and a method of manufacturing a protective element is a combination of essential features, each of which is known today either as a technological technique, or as a means, or material. Given the above, as well as the fact that the protective element and the method of its manufacture can be used in many sectors of the economy, in particular, to protect against forgery of bank and credit cards or identity cards, passes, tickets, letterheads of securities, you can do the conclusion that the proposed solutions meet the criteria of the invention of "industrial applicability".

 A new result obtained by using the proposed solutions is to complicate the possibility of counterfeiting or unauthorized reproduction of a security element by supplementing it with a non-traditional visually perceptible attribute, namely, obtaining a composite image in the form of a combination of two images of one object - an image in the form of an array of holes of different diameters and images in the form of an array of points with a variable reflection coefficient, which can be observed simultaneously in gray tones, in reflected with ete and gray tones in transmitted light.

 In addition, a new result can be obtained by creating two identical, but offset from each other images.

 At the same time, for example, to establish the authenticity of the proposed protective element, the controller, when observing it under the conditions of inevitable lateral illumination, an ordinary magnifier is sufficient.

 In the studied technical solutions, which are included in the prior art, the authors did not reveal the effect of the transformations prescribed by the present invention, characterized by significant features distinctive from the prototype, on the achievement of the specified technical result. This proves the conformity of the proposed technical solutions to the criteria of the invention "inventive step".

 The essence of the invention is illustrated using graphic materials.

In FIG. 1 schematically shows the process of creating the proposed protective element.

 In FIG. 2, 3, 4 show samples of the manufacture of the proposed protective element.

 The proposed security element for securities and documents is made in the form of a plastic page 1, cut from a sheet of polymer material. As a sheet of polymer material for the manufacture of card 1 can be used plastics PVC, ABS, PETG, PP, PET, PC or teslin. On a certain section of the card, the first (perforated) image of 2 objects in the form of an array of micro holes and a second image 3 of the same object of the same linear size with the first, having the same point (pixel) structure with the first, is formed and formed as an array of points with different coefficient values reflection. Thus, the proposed security element consists of a combination of two images: image 2 - in the form of an array of holes of various diameters and image 3 - in the form of an array of points with a variable reflection coefficient, which can be observed simultaneously in gray tones, in reflected light and gray tones in transmitted light. In addition, the proposed security element can be made in the form of two identical images 2 and 3, offset from each other in the plane of page 1 by a distance I. In this case, the first image 2 appears in gray tones in transmitted light, the second 3 in gray tones in reflected light.

For the implementation of the invention, a machine of the German company Muhlbauer (information from the site http://www.muehlbauer.de/) can be used. On a given section of page 1, made of paper or plastic sheet of PVC, ABS, PETG, PP, PET, PC, or teslin, a perforated image 2 is formed using a powerful gas laser 4. Then, using the same machine, a solid-state or fiber laser 5 on the front surface of page 1 with a laser beam with a wavelength of 1, 06 μm, regions with a variable reflection coefficient are formed until image 3 is obtained. Image 3 can also be created using an injection or transfer printer on the same machine.

 In addition, image 3 can also be created using a thermal transfer or inkjet printer on another machine.

 Example 1 Previously, a polycarbonate page 1 was cut out of a plastic sheet. Using a machine of the brand ((IDENTIFIER 5000 "or ((IDENTIFIER 6000" of the German company "Muhlbauer" with the corresponding software product), a perforated image 2 was formed using a high-power gas laser 4 on a given section of the polycarbonate page 1 2. Then, using the same machine, using a fiber or solid-state laser 5 on the front surface of page 1 with a laser beam with a wavelength of 1, 06 μm formed image 2 in the form of an array of dots with a variable reflection coefficient. the beginning of the light transmittance through the holes adjacent to the points in the array of holes forming image 2 were in direct correlation, characteristic for this particular protective element.

 As a result, a protective element was made (Fig. 4) containing a contrasting perforated image 2 (Fig. 2), obtained by reducing the reflection coefficient of the front surface of page 1 due to the presence of image 3 (Fig. 3).

Example 2. The same operations were performed as in example 1, but a polyvinyl chloride page was used as the base for the security element and image 3 was formed in the form of regions with a variable reflection coefficient by treating the front surface of page 1 with an injection printer. As a result, a protective element was made (Fig. 4), containing a contrast perforated image 2 (Fig. 2), obtained by reducing the reflection coefficient of the front surface of page 1, due to the presence of image 3 (Fig. 3). The values of the reflection coefficients of the points of the second image 3 and the values of the transmittance of light through adjacent to the points of the holes in the array of holes of the first image 2 were directly dependent on a given security element.

 Example 3. The same operations were performed as in example 1, but as a base for the security element, a page of paper with a density of 120 grams per square centimeter was used and image 3 was formed in the form of regions with a variable reflection coefficient by processing the front surface of the card 1 injection a printer. As a result, a protective element was made containing a contrasting perforated image 2 obtained by reducing the reflection coefficient of the front surface of page 1 due to image 3 (Fig. 3). In this case, the values of the reflection coefficients of the points of the second image 3 and the values of the transmittance of light through the holes adjacent to the points in the array of holes of the first image 2 were directly dependent on this protective element.

Example 4. The same operations were performed as in example 1, but a teslin card was used as the basis for the security element and image 3 was formed in the form of regions with a variable reflection coefficient by processing the front surface of card 1 using a fiber or solid-state laser 5 with a wavelength of 1, 06 microns. Image 3 was performed offset in the plane of the front surface of the card 1 relative to image 2 by a distance I = L / 2, where L is the distance between the centers of the neighboring holes of image 2, forming a perforated image 2. In this case, the security element (figure 4) contained a perforated image 2 with increased contrast, arising due to a decrease in the reflection coefficient of the front surface of the card 1 and offset by a distance I from the image 3. The values of the reflection coefficients of the points of the second image 3 and the values oeffitsientov transmission of light through adjacent points with holes in the first array of holes 2 images were directly dependent characteristic of the protective element. The proposed protective element allows you to reproduce non-traditional visually perceptible signs: a composite image consisting of images 2 and 3, observed at a certain ratio of the fraction of transmitted light through the perforated holes and the fraction of reflected light from an array of dots with a variable reflection coefficient.

 The invention makes it possible to form the proposed security element on a sheet integrated in a document, for example, in an identity card, or to perform a perforation image 2, for example on an optically variable element such as a hologram or cinemagram. Such protective elements are quite difficult to manufacture, which reduces the likelihood of counterfeiting or unauthorized reproduction.

Claims

Claim. one . A security element for securities and documents, made in the form of a sheet, on a given section of which the first image of the object is formed in the form of an array of holes, manifested in gray tones in transmitted light, characterized in that the security element is complemented by a second image of the same object that has the same linear size with the first image, the same point (pixel) structure, and is formed as an array of points, each of which is between at least two holes of the first image, then ki array have different values of reflectance, and the composite image resulting from the combination of the first and second images is arranged on a sheet with the possibility of observing simultaneously in gray tones, in both reflected and transmitted light.  2. The security element for securities and documents according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflectance values of the sheet surface portions between adjacent openings forming the first image are directly dependent on the light transmittance through these openings.  3. The security element for securities and documents according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second images are offset relative to each other in the plane of a given section of the sheet. 4. A method of manufacturing a security element for securities and documents described in paragraphs 1-3, which includes creating a first image of an object by perforating a portion of a sheet of holes with a predetermined program, which appears in gray tones in transmitted light, characterized in that on the surface area of the sheet with the first image create a second image of the same object with the same linear size and with the same point (pixel) structure, which appears in gray tones in the reflected light and, thus, get composite image is a combination of the first and second images of one object, which is observed simultaneously in gray tones, both in reflected and transmitted light, while each point of the second image is located between at least two holes of the first image, for which sheet processing is performed in the area of the first image using either an inkjet, or thermal transfer, or injection, or transfer printer, or a laser beam, and the processing is carried out to obtain a composite image in which the reflection coefficients of the points of the second image the reflections and values of the transmittance of light through the holes adjacent to the points in the array of holes that form the first image are directly dependent on this protective element.