EP0794466A2 - Verfahren und Gerät zum Anbringen von Sicherungsmerkmalen auf einem Substrat - Google Patents

Verfahren und Gerät zum Anbringen von Sicherungsmerkmalen auf einem Substrat Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0794466A2
EP0794466A2 EP97301535A EP97301535A EP0794466A2 EP 0794466 A2 EP0794466 A2 EP 0794466A2 EP 97301535 A EP97301535 A EP 97301535A EP 97301535 A EP97301535 A EP 97301535A EP 0794466 A2 EP0794466 A2 EP 0794466A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
substrate
transfer sheet
layer
toner image
indicia
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97301535A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0794466A3 (de
Inventor
Nicholas Oliver Nugent
Michael John Crosse
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
De la Rue International Ltd
Original Assignee
De la Rue International Ltd
Thomas De la Rue Ltd
Thomas De la Rue and Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by De la Rue International Ltd, Thomas De la Rue Ltd, Thomas De la Rue and Co Ltd filed Critical De la Rue International Ltd
Publication of EP0794466A2 publication Critical patent/EP0794466A2/de
Publication of EP0794466A3 publication Critical patent/EP0794466A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M3/00—Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns
    • B41M3/14—Security printing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
    • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
    • B44C1/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects
    • B44C1/16—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects for applying transfer pictures or the like
    • B44C1/165—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects for applying transfer pictures or the like for decalcomanias; sheet material therefor
    • B44C1/17—Dry transfer
    • B44C1/1712—Decalcomanias applied under heat and pressure, e.g. provided with a heat activable adhesive

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing security indicia on a substrate.
  • the invention is concerned with providing such security indicia on a page of a pre-formed book, such as a passport.
  • a conventional method of providing security indicia in passports involves sticking a photograph of the passport bearer onto a page of the passport, eg. one of the inside covers, and printing biometric data directly onto that so as to coincide with pre-printed headings thereon.
  • a plastics sheet comprising on one surface a pressure sensitive or temperature-sensitive adhesive.
  • this sheet will be stitched into the core of the passport book, with a removable release paper on the adhesive side, adjacent the page it is intended to protect.
  • This method has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, while the plastics cover sheet is intended to protect the security indicia from tampering, it is ineffective in this respect as in some instances it can be peeled back. Secondly, the printing of biometric data onto a pre-formed book to the necessary, government regulated, standards of registration is difficult, and can result in failure with the passport book having to be discarded, which is expensive.
  • WO-A-9012694 discloses a method in which an image is produced on a glue layer on a transparent carrier, and is then thermally bonded, with the glue and the carrier, to a substrate.
  • US-A-4006050 discloses a security document, in the form of a card, produced by forming on a carrier sheet a xerographic image, and subsequently transferring this to a plastics base with removal of the carrier sheet.
  • a varnish layer can be provided between the carrier sheet and the image, and this will then be outermost in the final card.
  • the methods described above are relatively complex, and not ideally suited to the secure, mass production of documents such as passports and, in particular, are not ideally suited to produce security indicia on pages of a pre-formed book.
  • a method of providing security indicia on a substrate comprises providing a transfer sheet comprising a carrier sheet and a releasable layer comprising a varnish layer and a layer of temperature-sensitive adhesive, the varnish layer being adjacent the carrier sheet; producing a toner image of the indicia on the adhesive layer; positioning the transfer sheet on the substrate with the adhesive layer facing the substrate; thermally transferring to the substrate the toner image of the indicia, the adhesive layer, and the varnish layer; and removing the carrier sheet.
  • the method of the present invention is simple and accurate, and is well-suited to mass production.
  • the final product is significantly more tamper-proof than passports made by conventional methods.
  • apparatus for providing security indicia on a substrate comprises spaced apart receiving means for a substrate and for a transfer sheet comprising a carrier sheet and a release layer on to which a toner image of security indicia is provided; a registration system for registering the transfer sheet with the substrate; and means for transporting each of the transfer sheet and the substrate from the receiving means to a thermal transfer zone, the thermal transfer zone comprising thermal transfer means for thermally transferring the toner image from the transfer sheet to the substrate.
  • the transfer sheet and the substrate are transported substantially in register from the receiving means to the thermal transfer zone.
  • a principal advantage of the apparatus is that it achieves automatic registration of the transfer sheet, and therefore the security indicia thereon, with the passport.
  • a further advantage is that, in its preferred form (see below), the apparatus is relatively compact and portable, and is therefore suitable for users on all scales and of all economies.
  • a laminate and a passport book are defined in claims 24 and 25.
  • the transfer sheet typically comprises a paper carrier, or other release paper, onto which a varnish and an adhesive layer are then coated.
  • a varnish and an adhesive layer are then coated.
  • the surface of the carrier paper to be coated has a matt finish, so that on transfer of the varnish and adhesive layers to the passport a matt top surface is provided in the final product.
  • the function of the varnish layer is two-fold. First, it acts to release the security indicia from the carrier sheet. An important feature of the varnish layer, therefore, is its activation temperature, as it needs to be stable at toner printing temperatures, but at the higher "transfer” temperatures it needs to release cleanly from the carrier paper allowing transfer to the passport. Second, the varnish layer provides a relatively hard, protective outer coat in the final product, thereby preventing damage to and/or effective tampering with the underlying security indicia.
  • Suitable materials for use as the varnish layer include acrylic polymers and copolymers.
  • the thickness of the varnish layer is typically below about 10 ⁇ m, eg. 3-4 ⁇ m, in order to allow clean transfer from the carrier paper to the passport, and to provide a more tamper-evident surface; the thinner this layer is, the more difficult it is to lift clearly during counterfeit attempts.
  • the varnish layer may be printed with security features, such as security patterns and the like, and this may be achieved using special security inks, such as fluorescent inks, or UV or IR-sensitive inks.
  • security features such as security patterns and the like
  • special security inks such as fluorescent inks, or UV or IR-sensitive inks.
  • the varnish layer can be printed with a number of different types of security feature.
  • a number of varnish layers can be provided, each printed with one or more types of security feature.
  • each varnish layer can be composed of the same or a different material.
  • the security features in the varnish layer are screen-printed.
  • Screen printing offers a simple and cost-effective way of applying a wide range of security materials . These materials may provide visible security in the form of lustrous or optically-variable print which cannot be reproduced by colour copiers or standard lithographic techniques; the screen process is particularly suited to the printing of optical materials.
  • materials that provide invisible security eg. in the form of fluorescence, phosphorescence, etc, or which are photochromic, may be used.
  • the method of the present invention is particularly suited to the printing of invisible security features, as the presence of the outer varnish layer in the final product obscures the gloss of the invisible ink that is normally associated with such features.
  • the adhesive used in the present invention is a temperature-sensitive adhesive.
  • a suitable example is polyurethane adhesive.
  • the thickness of the adhesive layer is typically below about 20 ⁇ m.
  • the toner image is produced directly onto the adhesive layer, and on bonding to the passport becomes intimately mixed therewith.
  • the adhesive layer can itself comprise further security features of the usual types. However, it may be simpler, and more effective, to avoid printed security features in this layer, other than the toner image, but instead use a fluorescent or photochromic material, for instance, dispersed throughout the adhesive layer.
  • the security indicia will typically comprise personalised information such as a person's name, photo image, identification number, bar code, fingerprint, signature, or the like. Some of the indicia, eg. a photo image, may be in colour, but most will typically be in monochrome. This information will typically be gathered together during an enrolment process, and digitized for subsequent use during the colour toner imaging step.
  • the security indicia are printed in reverse, ie. as a mirror image, so that on transfer they appear the correct way round on the substrate.
  • the step of producing the toner image is carried out using a conventional colour laser printer, eg. printers such as Tektronix 540 Plus, Xerox 4920, and the Canon CLC range of printers.
  • a conventional colour laser printer eg. printers such as Tektronix 540 Plus, Xerox 4920, and the Canon CLC range of printers.
  • the substrate eg. a passport
  • itself can be pre-printed with security features in a conventional manner, for instance, rainbow printing.
  • a passport carries standard printing which will be the same for each passport, eg. country name, headings for the various biometric data etc., but this too is preferably now incorporated on the transfer sheet, thereby overcoming the registration problems experienced in the prior art.
  • the thermal transfer step can be carried out manually by inserting the transfer sheet and the passport into a thermal transfer apparatus of conventional form, but conveniently, and to avert operator error, it can be carried out in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention outlined above.
  • the print conditions are temperature, pressure and time dependent and these must be controlled within the tolerances required by the print process, which will depend to an extent on the materials used in the transfer sheet, as explained above.
  • the thermal transfer temperature will be in the range 90-140°C.
  • the thermal transfer means typically comprises a metal platen, eg. of aluminium. This can be heated to a pre-set temperature by heater elements controlled in a closed loop circuit using temperature readings taken from temperature sensors in the platen.
  • Pressure is applied by driving the heated platen down onto the transfer sheet and substrate combination.
  • this is achieved mechanically, eg. using a screw thread, or electrically, as opposed to using a compressor, so that the apparatus is suitable for desk-top use, and is portable.
  • a compressor can be used.
  • the pressure applied is typically in the range 7 x 10 3 to 35 x 10 3 kg/cm 2 (10 to 50 psi), for upto 20 seconds, typically around 10 seconds.
  • the pressure can be monitored, eg. using a full bridge strain gauge system located on a plate mounting the platen.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a substrate 1 which may be, for example, a paper sheet forming the back page of a passport and on which security printing indicated schematically at 2 is provided.
  • the security printing may be rainbow printing or other security features of a conventional type.
  • a transfer sheet 3 comprising a paper carrier 4 onto which have been coated a layer of an acrylic-based varnish 5 and an adhesive layer 6 which will accept and retain one or more colour toners.
  • Digital data defining the security indicia which are to be provided on the transfer sheet 3 are generated and stored. This may be, for example, by manually inputting the data such as the holder's name, address, passport number and the like and/or by scanning images of this information and other information. For example, a photo image of the passport holder may be scanned. This data is then used by a conventional colour toner imaging apparatus to which is fed the transfer sheet 4. The colour laser copier forms a toner image 7 of the digital data on the adhesive layer 6.
  • the appearance of the transfer sheet 3 after printing with security indicia is shown in Figure 3a.
  • the security indicia includes the holder's photo image 8 and other data relating to the holder such as his name 9, passport number 10, date of birth 11, etc.
  • standard printing 12 of the type present in each passport is incorporated.
  • the transfer sheet also has a reference block 13 printed thereon which enables accurate positioning of the sheet in the transfer apparatus, so as to achieve precise alignment of the security indicia on the passport.
  • Figure 3b shows another transfer sheet including data 14 on the bearer's children, and this can be used on another page of the passport, eg. the page facing the machine-readable page.
  • the imaged transfer sheet 3 is then placed in contact with the substrate 1 with the adhesive layer 6 facing the substrate 1 and this structure is then placed into a thermal transfer apparatus which applies heat causing the varnish layer 5 and the adhesive layer 6 carrying security indicia 7 to be released from the carrier and to transfer onto the substrate 1.
  • a thermal transfer apparatus which applies heat causing the varnish layer 5 and the adhesive layer 6 carrying security indicia 7 to be released from the carrier and to transfer onto the substrate 1.
  • the apparatus is mounted in a housing 50 and includes a heater platen 51 which is vertically movably mounted above a stage 52, which typically consists of a silicone rubber layer to maintain even pressure during transfer.
  • the housing has an upper slot 53 and a lower slot 54 to receive a transfer sheet (not shown) and an open passport book (not shown), respectively.
  • a display 55 allows the operator to monitor the different steps in the process.
  • a transfer mechanism 56 typically comprising a set of stepper motor-driven rollers, is mounted in the housing between upper slot and the heater platen.
  • a similar transfer mechanism (not shown) operates between the lower slot and the stage.
  • Registration sensors 57 are located below the transfer mechanism, and include a number of detector cells (not shown) for determining the relative positions of the transfer sheet and the passport book. Finally, the stage is equipped with clamping means (not shown) to maintain the passport book in an open position while the transfer sheet is slid over the top, and transfer takes place.
  • the general mode of operation of the apparatus is now described.
  • the operator presents a passport, face up and open at the page to be printed, into the lower slot in the front of the housing.
  • the transfer mechanism takes over, and transports it further into the housing.
  • the operator presents the transfer sheet, face down, into the upper slot in the front of the housing.
  • the transfer mechanism again takes over and transports both the passport and transfer sheet further into the housing, to start the alignment and printing process.
  • the passport and transfer sheet are carried to the registration system where the horizontal alignment is checked for relative position and skew.
  • the relative vertical position is then ascertained and the distance to be moved into the area where transfer is to take place is calculated.
  • the passport and transfer sheet are then moved to the transfer area, where they are heated to the required interface temperature and put under a specified pressure for a specified time.
  • the transport means consists of eight rubber rollers laid out as a front roller set 60 of four rollers and a rear roller set 61 of four rollers.
  • Each set of rollers is driven by a stepper motor (not shown) that can move in either a forward or reverse direction in selectable distance increments, eg. of 0.157 mm or 0.079 mm, depending on the precision required.
  • the transport means is controlled by a main processor (not shown) which can control each step of movement for each of the motors separately.
  • the measurement means shown consists of five infra red cells 62a to e, to ascertain the rough position of both the passport and transfer sheet at any time during the alignment process, and at least one Charge Coupled Device (CCD) 63 for accurate edge measurement thereof.
  • CCD Charge Coupled Device
  • the infra red cells are look-through devices that detect the presence of the media as it blocks the path of the infra red emissions. These cells detect the leading edges of the documents, eg. to an accuracy of around ⁇ 2 mm, depending on the infra red porosity characteristics of the media it is looking at.
  • a suitable CCD array 63 consists of 128 light sensitive cells laid out in a 16 mm long line, giving a centre to centre distance between cells of 125 ⁇ m. Set at 45°, the centre to centre distance is 88 ⁇ m, but now the CCD can be used to measure over a distance of 11 mm in both the horizontal and vertical directions.
  • the CCD uses a light source that can be controlled by the main processor so that the optimum light condition can be set for the particular media type.
  • a passport 64 When a passport 64 is fed into the lower slot of the housing it meets the rear roller set and covers cells 62a and 62b.
  • Cell 62a indicates that the passport has been fed into the correct slot, and cell 62b triggers the transport means into action after a short delay (eg. 250 ms), to ensure that the passport is at the rollers.
  • the rear rollers then transport the passport until cell 62c is covered indicating that the passport has reached its initial position.
  • the apparatus then waits for presentation of the transfer sheet.
  • the operator feeds the transfer sheet into the upper slot of the housing, over cell 62d, until it meets the rear roller set.
  • Cell 62d triggers the transport means into action after a delay (eg. 250 ms), to ensure that the transfer sheet is at the rollers.
  • the transport means then moves the passport a known fixed distance from cell 62c to its measurement position on the CCD (see Figure 6b), taking the transfer sheet with it.
  • the processor then calculates the distance x the passport leading edge has to travel from there to its final position 64a under the heater platen 65 (see Figure 6a), and stores this information in its memory.
  • the processor also measures the position of the side edge of the passport on the CCD and stores this away for future use in calculating the relative horizontal positions of the documents and any skew.
  • the transport means then moves the transfer sheet until a printed reference block 66 thereon covers cell 62e.
  • a reference block allows for precise alignment of the security indicia.
  • the passport is moved with the transfer sheet to an intermediate position, and the distance moved is deducted from the distance x to the passport's final position.
  • the transport means then moves the transfer sheet a known fixed distance from cell 62e to its measurement position on the CCD (see Figure 6c), again taking the passport with it.
  • the processor then calculates the distance y the reference block has to travel from there to its final position 66a, under the heater platen, and stores this information in its memory.
  • the processor also measures the position of the side edge of the reference block on the CCD and stores this for future use in calculating the relative horizontal positions of the documents and any skew.
  • the transport system then moves the passport the remaining distance to its final position 64a (see Figure 6d), moving the transfer sheet also, the processor deducting the distance travelled from the distance y to the final position of the reference block.
  • Measurements are again made of the relative horizontal positions of the reference block and the passport edge to determine that both documents are moving in such a way as to ensure their correct alignment prior to transfer printing.
  • a clamp system (not shown) is actuated to hold the front edge of the passport in position to prevent movement thereof as the transfer sheet is moved over it and into its final position 66a, ready for transfer printing.

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  • Printing Methods (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
EP97301535A 1996-03-08 1997-03-07 Verfahren und Gerät zum Anbringen von Sicherungsmerkmalen auf einem Substrat Withdrawn EP0794466A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9604989 1996-03-08
GBGB9604989.5A GB9604989D0 (en) 1996-03-08 1996-03-08 Method and apparatus for providing security indicia on a substrate

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0794466A2 true EP0794466A2 (de) 1997-09-10
EP0794466A3 EP0794466A3 (de) 1998-08-19

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97301535A Withdrawn EP0794466A3 (de) 1996-03-08 1997-03-07 Verfahren und Gerät zum Anbringen von Sicherungsmerkmalen auf einem Substrat

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP0794466A3 (de)
AU (1) AU1513897A (de)
GB (1) GB9604989D0 (de)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1043175A2 (de) * 1999-04-09 2000-10-11 SJP Group Technologies Limited Transferfolie und deren Herstellungsverfahren
US6432602B1 (en) * 1999-06-25 2002-08-13 Ait Advanced Information Technologies Corporation Transfer printing process
WO2002063595A2 (en) 2001-02-05 2002-08-15 De La Rue International Limited Improvements relating to postage stamps
EP1329843A2 (de) * 2002-01-21 2003-07-23 Hitachi Electronics Services Co., Ltd. Reisepasse mit fälschungsschutzenden Identifizierungs-Chip
WO2004040062A1 (en) * 2002-11-01 2004-05-13 De La Rue International Limited Security papers comprising a non-reflective coating
GB2396355A (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-23 Arjo Wiggins Fine Papers Ltd Digital press printing composition and system
WO2010040972A1 (en) * 2008-10-06 2010-04-15 De La Rue International Limited Security article and method of manufacture

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4006050A (en) * 1974-02-11 1977-02-01 George M. Whiley Limited Method of manufacturing cards and other documents
GB2028719A (en) * 1978-08-28 1980-03-12 Eastman Kodak Co Identity document
WO1990012694A1 (en) * 1989-04-27 1990-11-01 Commonwealth Of Australia Secure image production
EP0410800A2 (de) * 1989-07-28 1991-01-30 Xerox Corporation Verfahren zur Erzeugung gesicherter Bilder

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4006050A (en) * 1974-02-11 1977-02-01 George M. Whiley Limited Method of manufacturing cards and other documents
GB2028719A (en) * 1978-08-28 1980-03-12 Eastman Kodak Co Identity document
WO1990012694A1 (en) * 1989-04-27 1990-11-01 Commonwealth Of Australia Secure image production
EP0410800A2 (de) * 1989-07-28 1991-01-30 Xerox Corporation Verfahren zur Erzeugung gesicherter Bilder

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1043175A2 (de) * 1999-04-09 2000-10-11 SJP Group Technologies Limited Transferfolie und deren Herstellungsverfahren
EP1043175A3 (de) * 1999-04-09 2002-09-25 SJP Group Technologies Limited Transferfolie und deren Herstellungsverfahren
US6432602B1 (en) * 1999-06-25 2002-08-13 Ait Advanced Information Technologies Corporation Transfer printing process
WO2002063595A2 (en) 2001-02-05 2002-08-15 De La Rue International Limited Improvements relating to postage stamps
WO2002063595A3 (en) * 2001-02-05 2002-11-21 Rue De Int Ltd Improvements relating to postage stamps
EP1329843A2 (de) * 2002-01-21 2003-07-23 Hitachi Electronics Services Co., Ltd. Reisepasse mit fälschungsschutzenden Identifizierungs-Chip
EP1329843A3 (de) * 2002-01-21 2004-06-23 Hitachi Electronics Services Co., Ltd. Reisepasse mit fälschungsschutzenden Identifizierungs-Chip
WO2004040062A1 (en) * 2002-11-01 2004-05-13 De La Rue International Limited Security papers comprising a non-reflective coating
GB2396355A (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-23 Arjo Wiggins Fine Papers Ltd Digital press printing composition and system
WO2010040972A1 (en) * 2008-10-06 2010-04-15 De La Rue International Limited Security article and method of manufacture

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1513897A (en) 1997-09-11
EP0794466A3 (de) 1998-08-19
GB9604989D0 (en) 1996-05-08

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