MXPA00011392A - Document having identifying surface cavities - Google Patents

Abstract

A security structure is defined for providing a measure of security against counterfeiting of valuable documents and for conveying information tactilely to a user. In one embodiment, the security structure (10) is a laminate that includes a base layer (12) and two outer layers (14, 16) bonded to opposite faces of the base layer. Each outer layer includes a plurality of apertures (28, 30) arranged in a preselected pattern. Each aperture (28, 30), in conjunction with the portion of the base layer (12) adjacent that aperture(28, 30), defines a cavity (32). Each cavity and/or pattern of cavities are configured to convey information to a user through the user's sense of touch. A method of forming the laminate is also disclosed. The method includes bonding the two outer layers to the base layer and forming the apertures in the two sheets using a laser drill.

Description

SECURITY SHEET FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to security measures to prevent falsification of valuable documents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Almost since the documents of inherent value appeared, there have been attempts to falsify these documents. The security measures added to the documents to prevent counterfeiting have faced several levels of success. For example, the money circulating in the United States has incorporated several security measures over the years. Among these are special ink and paper compositions, engraved patterns that interfere with photographic reproduction, 'hidden' details within the recorded image, filigree and engraved film stripes embedded within the paper money. Each time a new security measure is applied, counterfeiters are usually not far behind in their ability to combat these measures. For example, counterfeiters can employ expert technicians who can faithfully copy special inks and paper. Counterfeiters can also use sophisticated photographic reproduction equipment and techniques to accurately reproduce the intricate engravings, the appearance of the paper and the colors of the coin. Security features are needed for valuable documents that are more sophisticated than those currently used to further contain counterfeiters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention consists of a safety sheet constituted by a base layer and a first and a second outer layer. The outer layers are bonded to the base layer by an adhesive. The base layer has a first face, a second face and a plurality of holes that traverse from one side to the other and penetrate through the base layer.

The adhesive is placed in the holes that traverse from one side to the other and substantially covers the first and second faces of the base layer with a substantially uniform adhesive thickness. Each of the outer layers has an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layers of the outer layers are respectively bonded to the adhesive on the faces of the base layer, such that the outer layers cover the respective faces of the base layer. Another aspect of this invention is directed to a method of forming a security sheet. First, an adhesive, a base layer and an outer first and second layer are provided. A plurality of holes traversing from one side to the other is formed in the base layer. The base layer and the first outer layer are joined together with a first layer of adhesive. The second face of the base layer and the inner face of the second outer layer are joined together with a second layer of adhesive. A portion of the adhesive is intended to fill the holes that traverse from one side to another and join the two outer layers directly, in addition to the union to the respective sides of the base layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to illustrate the invention, the drawings show one form of the invention that is currently preferred. However, it should be clear that this invention is not limited just to the arrangements and means shown in the drawings. Figure 1 is an exploded view illustrating a security sheet in accordance with this invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of the security sheet shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a sectional view of the security sheet, taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a security sheet according to this invention.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the alternative embodiment, taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With reference to the drawings, in which similar numbers indicate similar elements, Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a security sheet that is usually indicated with the number 10. The security sheet (10) can be incorporated into a coin piece, such as a 20 dollar bill from the Federal Reserve of the United States. United, shown in Figures 1 to 3. However, the security sheet of this invention is not limited to the coin and can be incorporated into any valuable document, such as bank notes, stock certificates, negotiable instruments and the like. The security sheet (10) consists of a base layer (12) and a first and a second outer layer (14, 16) joined to opposite faces of the base layer (10) with an adhesive (18). The base layer (12) includes a plurality of holes through it (20), which allows the continuity of the adhesive (18) from one side of the base layer to the other. This continuity provides a direct connection of the outer layers (14, 16) to each other. This type of joint is stronger than the joint between the outer layers (14, 16) and the base layer (12). The direct connection makes it more difficult for the counterfeiter to detach the outer layers (14, 16) of the sheet (10).

As an additional security measure, the size, shape and arrangement of the holes that cross from one side to another (20) can have the desired disposition. The goal is that any attempt to remove one or both of the outer layers (14, 16) of the sheet (10) results in the base layer (12) tearing between the adjacent holes (20) as a peel is released. of the outer layers. In the embodiment shown, the holes traversing from one side to another (20) have a uniform circular shape and are arranged in lines parallel to the peripheral ends of the sheet (10). However, the holes that cross from one side to another (20) can have other shapes, such as ovals, frames, elongated slots, polygons or any other regular or non-regular shape. In addition, different shapes and sizes of holes (20) can be used in the same base layer. Likewise, the arrangement of the holes that cross from one side to another (20) may be different from the symmetrical pattern illustrated. As another security and / or identification measure, the pattern, shapes and / or hole sizes may be unique for each document or each series of documents; for example, a particular denomination of currency. The base layer 12 can be made of any suitable material, such as a plastic film and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the base layer (12) is a polyester film, more preferably, polyethylene terephthalate. The base layer (12) may include additional security measures known in the art, such as printed discriminant markings, a watermark, a hologram or the like.

The outer layers (14, 16) are preferably made of a material that can resist wear. For example, in the modality of the 20 dollar bill illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the outer layers (14, 16) are preferably made of paper similar to that currently used for the United States currency. In addition to being wear layers, the outer pads (14, 16) provide surfaces to receive printed discriminating markings. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, these distinguishing marks consist of the common marks of the $ 20 bill, which are illustrated in general and denoted by the number 22. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the peripheral ends of the outer layers (14, 16) are in correspondence with the peripheral ends of the base layer (12). Alternatively, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the peripheral ends of a base layer (112) of the sheet (110) may be located inward of the peripheral ends of the outer layers (114, 116), thereby that the outer layers (114, 116) are directly bonded together around the perimeter of the sheet (110) by an adhesive (118). This configuration prevents the outer layers (114, 116) from delaminating from the base layer (112) at the ends. The ends of the sheet (110) are typically vulnerable to delamination due to wear. Since it is contemplated that the security sheet of this invention may be incorporated into the United States currency and other documents produced in large quantities, a manufacturing process that can satisfy a high volume demand is required. One such method consists in the formation of a continuous network of sheets on which a plurality of documents are printed end to end across the width and along the length of the network. After printing, the network is cut into separate documents at a cutting station. In one embodiment, the method of forming the sheet includes a station supplying a first outer layer, a first adhesive application station, a base layer supplying station, a hole forming station, an application station of a second adhesive and a station supplying a second outer layer. It is contemplated that each of the base and outer layers be provided to the process from rolls of pre-wound material. Nevertheless, the layers can also be provided as separate sheets of materials taken from supply piles of similar material. A person skilled in the art will understand the modifications necessary for the method and the equipment, in order to transform the supplies of rolled material into sheet material. Therefore, only the procedure for rolled materials is described herein. The web of the first outer layer is taken out from the supply roll after the application station of the first adhesive, which applies a first layer of adhesive on one side of the first outer layer. After the first adhesive layer has been applied, the base layer, which is unwound from its supply roll, is brought into contact with the first adhesive layer and, in this way, is attached to the first outer layer. As these bonded layers progress through the process, they pass through the hole forming station, in which a hole forming means forms, in the base layer, a plurality of holes passing through from one side to the other. Similar patterns of holes are formed in the base layer in a rectangular arrangement in a plurality of locations corresponding to the positions of the respective documents. The hole-forming means is preferably one or more precision laser drills. However, the hole-forming means may be one or more mechanical bores or a cutting apparatus, a corona discharge unit or the like. After the holes have been formed, the sheet is transferred to an application station of a second adhesive, where a second layer of adhesive is placed on the exposed face of the base layer. Sufficient adhesive is applied to fill the holes that traverse from one side to the other and cover the base layer and holes with a substantially uniform thickness thereof. The sheet is then transported to the next station, in which the second outer layer of its supply roll is unwound and brought into contact with the second adhesive layer. Depending on the type of adhesive used, the sheet may be moved to an adhesive hardening station, a printing station or a winding station, wherein the sheet is rolled for further processing at a remote location or the like. One skilled in the art will recognize that the method described above can be modified and yet remain within the scope of the invention. For example, the supplying station of the base layer can precede the supplying station of the first outer layer. Also, the first adhesive layer can be applied to the base layer, instead of being applied to the first outer layer. Similarly, the second adhesive layer can be applied to the second outer layer, instead of being applied to the base layer. In addition, the method may include additional stations, such as a hardening station between the base layer supplying station and the hole forming station. In an alternative embodiment of the method, the hole forming station can follow immediately to the base layer supplying station. Therefore, the holes passing through from one side to the other would form in the base layer before the base layer joins the first outer layer. In this embodiment, the hole forming means can be any of those mentioned above or one or more punches or the like. In another embodiment, the hole forming means may be remote from the sheet forming process and the base layer provided to the process from pre-wound rolls of base layer material may have preformed holes.

The manufacturing process described above is for a sheet having the peripheral ends of the outer and base layers in correspondence with each other, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. One skilled in the art will recognize that the process can be modified to forming a sheet in which the peripheral ends of the outer layers extend beyond the peripheral ends of the base layer, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Instead of providing the base layer from a continuous roll of material, separate sheets of base layer material corresponding to the individual base layers of the separate documents are placed in the first adhesive layer in successive rows across the width of the first outer layer, in order to that the adjacent ends of the sheets are separated from each other. After the network is formed and printed, the documents are separated from each other along lines located approximately in the intermediate position between the adjacent ends of the sheets of the base layer. Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to examples of embodiments thereof, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein without departing from the essence and scope of the invention. this invention.

Claims (14)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A safety sheet constituted by a base layer having a first face, a second face and a plurality of holes that traverse from one side to another and that penetrate through the base layer; an adhesive and a first and a second outer layer, each outer layer having an inner face and an outer face, wherein the inner faces of the first and second outer layers are respectively joined to the first and second sides of the layer of base and to each other by means of the adhesive that they contain the holes that cross from a side to another one.

2. The security sheet according to claim 1, further characterized in that a plurality of holes that cross from one side to another are located adjacent to each other, so that they define at least one line of weakness in the base layer .

3. The safety sheet according to claim 1, further characterized in that the base layer is made of a polyester film.

4. The safety sheet according to claim 3, further characterized in that the polyester film is polyethylene terephthalate.

5. - The safety sheet according to claim 1, further characterized in that the outer layers are made of paper.

6. The safety sheet according to claim 1, further characterized in that it is constituted by discriminating markings printed on the outer face of at least one of the outer layers. 7.- The safety sheet in accordance with the claim 6, further characterized in that the sheet forms a banknote of a preselected denomination and the outer surfaces of both outer layers are printed with discriminating marks denoting the denomination of the bill. 8. The safety sheet according to claim 1, further characterized in that the base layer and the first and second outer layers have an outer periphery, the outer peripheries of the first and second outer layers being substantially in correspondence yes and located outside the outer periphery of the base layer, the inner faces of the first and second outer layers being joined together between the outer periphery of the base layer and the outer peripheries of the outer layers. 9. A method of forming a security sheet consisting of the steps of: providing an adhesive, providing the first and second outer layers, each outer layer having an inner face and an outer face; providing a base layer having first and second faces; forming a plurality of holes traversing from one side to another in the base layer; joining the inner face of the first outer layer to the first face of the base layer; and bonding with the adhesive the inner face of the second outer layer to the second face of the base layer and the inner face of the first outer layer in the holes passing through from one side to the other. 10. The method according to claim 9, further characterized in that the holes that cross from one side to another are formed after the first outer layer has been attached to the first face of the base layer. 11. The method according to claim 10, further characterized in that the holes that cross from one side to another are formed with at least one laser drill. 12. A safety sheet constituted by a base layer having a first face, a second face, a generally rectangular outer periphery and a plurality of holes that traverse from one side to the other and that penetrate through the base layer , wherein the holes traversing from one side to another are arranged in a plurality of pre-selected patterns; an adhesive placed in the holes that traverse from one side to another and that substantially covers the first and second faces of the base layer with a substantially uniform thickness thereof; and a first and a second outer layer, each of the outer layers having an inner face, an outer face and a generally rectangular outer periphery, wherein the inner faces of the first and second outer layers are joined by the adhesive a, respectively, the first and second sides of the base layer and each other in the holes that traverse from one side to the other, the outer peripheries of the first and second outer layers being substantially in correspondence with the outer periphery of the outer layer. base. 13. The security sheet according to claim 12, further characterized in that each pattern of holes that cross from one side to another defines a line of perforation that, generally, is parallel to one end of the outer periphery of the layer of base. 14. Safety sheet according to claim 12, further characterized in that the outer peripheries of the first and second outer layers are substantially in correspondence with each other and located externally adjacent to the outer periphery of the base layer in a direction parallel to the base layer, the inner faces of the first and second outer layers being joined together between the outer periphery of the base layer and the outer peripheries of the outer layers.