GB2287674A - Safety paper for use against the duplication and/or fraudulent modification of security documents. - Google Patents

Abstract

Security paper for use against the duplication and/or fraudulent manipulation of security documents made up of three layers: a central layer (2) of P.V.C., vinyl polyester or vegetable material and two external layers (3) of kaolin or gypsum stuck to the surfaces of the central layer which acts as a support and, preferably, is thicker than the layers of kaolin. On the surfaces of the support layer are printed and stuck regular and/or irregular zones (4) of marking material that are covered by the surface layers. Visible fibres (5) may or may not be deposited, luminous or otherwise. The marking material may be visible or non-visible to ordinary eyesight, and may or may not be luminescent. <IMAGE>

Description

SAFETY PAPER FOR USE AGAINST THE DUPLICATION AND/OR FRAUDULENT MODIFICATION OF SECURITY DOCUMENTS The object of the present invention is a security paper, in particular a paper for use in hampering the duplication and/or fraudulent modification of security documents.

Conventional security paper is produced with a layer or support of polyvinyl chloride (P.V.C.), vinyl or polyester, and another two external layers of kaolin stuck to the corresponding faces of the support. This type of paper was invented to produce supports with greater resistance to scraping.

Such paper, although resistant, is not a secure defence against duplication, fraudulent modification, etc.

The paper of the present invention, on the other hand, is based on the use of a paper with the same characteristics as the above mentioned conventional paper but having three improved layers.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a security paper for use against the fraudulent duplication and/or manipulation of security documents, comprising:- a central layer which acts as a support; two external layers of kaolin or gypsum adhering to the surfaces of the central layer; printed on the surfaces of said central support layer, regular and/or irregular zones of visible luminous ink that are covered by said external layers of kaolin or gypsum; and, also on the surfaces of said central support, small fibres which may or may not be visible or luminous.

These may additionally be one or more printings in invisible ink, luminous or otherwise. The printing remains below the layers of kaolin or stucco (gypsum) and stuck to the support layers on both sides.

The paper of the invention may be used for any type of security document and avoids its being duplicated or fraudulently modified.

As the kaolin or gypsum is removed in an attempt to modify a document by substitution of some data by scraping, rubbing, chemical erasure, etc., the support becomes visible and the image (emblem, shield, trademark, etc.) disappears, drawn off by the erasure process, since the ink with which it is printed does not remain anchored to the support but is totally "attached" to the surface kaolin or gypsum.

It is not at all easy to reprint the image (emblem, shield, trademark) since it is rarely possible to anchor any ink (except for special engraving inks) to plastic, and of course there are no inks on the market which have these characteristics and which are also invisible and luminous.

Neither is it simple - in the improbable case of having been able to reprint on the plastic in the manipulated area - to anchor kaolins and later ink on a surface or to print the name or data which is to be fraudulently manipulated.

When fraudulent duplication is being attempted, the contribution made by the present invention is even greater since practically all security papers currently on the market can be reproduced by fraud specialists. However the system we disclose is extraordinarily safe since, although other papers with three layers exist on the market, it is undeniable that in order to be able to duplicate fraudulently a paper made with the present invention it would be necessary to do so beforehand, never afterwards, and this would require a factory for the manufacture of a printing cylinder that must be applied before the kaolins are anchored.

This means therefore that it is an extraordinarily safe system for documents and that, aside from giving them long life because of the (practically inert) plastic support, protection characteristics are applied against fraudulent duplication and/or modification.

The system also generates a security effect that allows checks without even the need for a UV light (necessary for invisible inks that react to this type of light) since a first check can be made by holding it up to the light to see the emblem, shield, trademark, etc. (in practice like a watermark), because the degree of opacity of the ink allows the "design" (group of marks or shields) to be seen through the paper.

Printing can be carried out with any type of ink, especially invisible ink, and this type of ink can be used to print for different reactions (blue, yellow, red, etc).

As well as the printing, luminous tiny fibres can be attached to the plastic and these are trapped by the kaolin, which means a further handicap for any attempted duplication, and also aids in the detection of fraudulent modifications since, when erasing takes place, they will disappear and be scraped off and they may or may not be visible, invisible, or reactive to UV light.

In order to more easily understand not only the constitution, but also the use, of the paper of the present invention, reference is made below to a practical embodiment, merely by way of example and in no way limiting the invention. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a prior art security paper; and Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the security paper of the invention.

The paper 1 in Figure 1, which belongs to the state of the art, is formed of a supporting layer 2 of P.V.C., vinyl or polyester; preferably this layer is thicker than the other two external coating layers 3 of kaolins that adhere to the surfaces of the support layer.

In Figure 2 the support layer 2 can also be of P.V.C., vinyl or polyester.

On the surfaces or faces of the supporting layer the areas 4 are printed with ink, which may or may not be invisible and may or may not be luminescent, which adheres to the surface on which it is printed. These areas 4 are covered by the external layers 3 which may or may not be of kaolin or gypsum and optionally of small fibres 5 which may or may not be visible and may or may not be luminescent.

The described layout means that the security of the paper against unauthorized manipulations is very high.

Claims (9)

1. A security paper for use against the fraudulent duplication and/or manipulation of security documents, comprising:- a central layer which acts as a support; two external layers of kaolin or gypsum adhering to the surfaces of the central layer; printed on the surfaces of said central support layer, regular and/or irregular zones of ink that are covered by said external layers of kaolin or gypsum; or may not be visible or luminous.

2. A paper according to claim 1, wherein the ink is invisible.

3. A paper according to claim 1, wherein the ink is luminescent.

4. A paper according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and including small fibres on the surfaces of said central support.

5. A paper according to claim 4, wherein the fibres are invisible.

6. A paper according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the central support layer is formed of polyvinyl chloride, vinyl or polyester.

7. A paper according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the central support layer is of vegetable, chemical or semi-chemical paste.

8. A paper according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the central support layer is thicker than the external layers of kaolin or gypsum.

9. A security paper substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.