BUILT-IN WATER BRAND
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an anti-counterfeit feature having a watermark appearance on a laminated card, wherein such a card is used as an identification card, credential, access card, transaction card , ticket, credit card, cash card, debit card, etc. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Identification cards and transactions are typically made from a stack of laminated layers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These cards may include one or more security features (i.e., anti-counterfeit). The anti-counterfeiting characteristics are generally a form of printing (direct reading or reverse reading) or applied material (ie, a holographic sheet) placed on a layer or a relief or low-relief image, and stamped either in a single die or double in one layer. Identification cards or transactions may include one or more of the following methods. Embossing produces an image (graphic or alphanumeric text) that rises above the surface of the layer. With the engraving in low-relief, the
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image is stamped on the layer and appears below the surface. Embossing without ink and embossing without ink are the processes of embossing or embossing, respectively, of an image that is the same color as the layer. Another method is to place specially marked aluminum sheets (holograms) on an outer layer. One variation (using heat and pressure) laminates the specially marked aluminum sheet in place, while another variation uses adhesive to bond the specially marked aluminum sheet to the plastic layer. Typically, the adhesive is required when stamping is under the sheet. Another method is the use of a multilayer film to create a hot stamping sheet. Generally, it is started with a 20 micron polyester vehicle coated with a waxy release layer, then a special coating with the top coating layer to impart resistance to any hostile environment to which the sheet will be exposed. This coating protects anything under it. Beneath the upper coating is the engravable relief coating that receives the embossing of the image. The material is then metallized by vacuum deposition of aluminum. Hot foil stamping can deform (in low-
- - relief) the plastic layer, although this is not the normal intention given that the color of the sheet also decreases due to heat and pressure. Transparent holograms lack metal foil. Another method is to use a holographic bag to hold the identification or transaction card. First, a hologram image is embossed on a transparent hologram security laminate. Afterwards, the identification or transaction card is sealed inside the bag. A holographic image of weak intensity indicates the alteration of the solvent. A destroyed image indicates alteration. An absent image indicates a counterfeit card. The optional destruction feature occurs during the attempt to remove the laminate - even if the counterfeiter tries to reposition the laminate on another card or in its original place. Anti-counterfeiting methods based on embossing, are based on the difficulty to detect the pattern, reproduce the pattern or a combination of both. Ultraviolet inks are invisible to the naked eye and are only visible under ultraviolet light. The microfine print is very small, in the order of 2 to 4 points. Guilloche patterns are complex lines interwoven on the basis of a mathematical formula that are difficult to reproduce. Chromatic shift inks appear as different
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colors according to the angle of reflected illumination perceived by the observer. DNA matrix security inks contain determinable amounts of DNA in the ink, allowing the indisputable verification of the origin of the ink. Generally, the stamping methods are directly on the outer plastic layer. However, to avoid wear and falsification of the embossing, a thin transparent layer is often laminated or adhered onto the embossing layer. One problem with these methods is that the anti-counterfeiting feature is found on an upper layer of the card that is easier to access and transfer for counterfeiting purposes. Also the property is subjected to environmental degradation. Built-in security features, such as a built-in hologram, refer to the placement of the security feature on a plastic layer, after which another layer of plastic, either transparent or colored, is placed on the layer that contains the security feature. Efforts to incorporate a hologram into an inner layer have found limited success. Too much heat during lamination will tarnish the holographic image, and the hologram loses its brightness. On the contrary, the decrease
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The heat in the lamination to save the hologram is usually not hot enough to bond the plastic layers together. The plastic should be heated sufficiently to adhere all the layers together but not tarnish the brightness of the hologram. Although watermarks on paper help to diminish the opportunity for falsification in paper records, a similar technology in laminated plastic layers has been elusive. Previous efforts to place a counterfeit safety watermark feature in internal plastic layers were frustrated by the temperature and pressure exerted over time on the inner layers by subsequent lamination processes that damage the watermark type image. Recent advances in plastics have produced a polyethylene layer filled with microporous silica (polyolefin), such as that known as TESLIN® by PPG Industries, Inc., of Pittsburgh, PA. In its various compositions, TESLIN® can be printed on both inkjet and laser printers, and retains stamping under lamination. Consequently, TESLIN® is popular in the identification and transaction card industry. However, due to the low cost of TESLIN®, and the ease and low cost of both reproduction and stamping, TESLIN® printed cards are subject to forgery. Is
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Another method is needed to stop and detect counterfeit ID cards and transactions. The present invention overcomes these past failures to create a plastic watermark type security image against counterfeiting on an identification or transaction card. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides the appearance of a watermark type image on laminated plastic cards. The technology behind this watermark type image has the advantage of being virtually counterfeit proof since the watermark type image is integrated into the base layers of the card and is still visibly detectable for deterrence and stress detection of falsification. The present invention utilizes a polyethylene layer filled with microporous silica (ie, TESLIN® by PPG Industries Inc. of Pittsburg, Pa) which can be deformed (eg, embossed or embossed) creating an image that appears as a watermark through laminated layers subsequently. Unlike PVC, the polyethylene layer filled with microporous silica (a.k.a. polyolefin) can be embossed or under-embossed to create an image and subsequently laminate under defined parameters without
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damage the image on the polyolefin layer. In addition, the image can be created with a holographic sheet stamped either by a cold or hot stamping process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the watermark type image as being in relief, under-relief or stamped with a holographic sheet on a polyethylene layer filled with silica microporous (ie, Teslin®) between two layers of white plastic. Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the watermark type image as being in relief, low relief or stamped with holographic sheet on a layer of polyethylene filled with microporous silica between the plastic layers laminated white variablely opaque on any of its sides. Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the present invention showing the watermark type image as being in relief, under-relief or stamped with holographic sheet on a layer of polyethylene filled with microporous silica and showing through the successive layers laminated on any of its sides the watermark type image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These drawings illustrate the present invention and the various stages of the process of the proposed invention to form the desired product and the appearance of the intermediate pieces formed during the process. Although certain embodiments of the present invention may prefer an obvious appearance of the image to deter counterfeiting, other embodiments of the watermark type image would be disguised to make it more difficult to detect the watermark image of counterfeiters. The visibility or dissimulation of the watermark type image is determined by the use of plastic layers in different configurations of opacity and thickness. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention embosses or embosses the watermark image on a polyethylene layer filled with microporous silica which is then laminated between two white, opaque, plastic layers to create a laminated stack. Alternatively, a holographic sheet can be stamped onto the polyethylene layer filled with microporous silica instead of an embossed or low relief image. This laminated stack is then further laminated into subsequent transparent opaque plastic layers. The transparent plastic layers
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they can be placed on the variable opaque layers for protection against wear. The watermark type image appears in a concealed manner in the white, opaque plastic layers behind the variablely printed outer layers. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the present invention of counterfeit security feature 104 showing the three plastic layers 101, 102, and 103. The watermark type image 105 is represented here by a single graphic on the layer of polyethylene filled with microporous silica, 101 as it was laminated between the two variably opaque white plastic layers 102 and 103. Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the present invention of the counterfeit security feature 204. The brand image of 205 water is shown as being in relief, low relief, or stamped with holographic foil on polyethylene layer filled with microporous silica, 201. Polyethylene layer filled with microporous silica 201 containing watermark type image 205 is laminated then between the two white opaque plastic layers 202 and 203. Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the present invention of the counterfeit security feature 304 ready to be used. The
- watermark type image 305 is shown as being in relief, under-relief, or stamped with a holographic sheet on a polyethylene layer filled with microporous silica 301. The polyethylene layer filled with microporous silica 301 containing the brand-like image of water 305 is then laminated between two variably opaque white plastic layers 302 and 303. Layers 306 and 307 are subsequently laminated onto layers 302 and 303 respectively. The clear plastic layers 308 and 309 are then laminated onto the layers 306 and 307 respectively to provide additional counterfeiting deterrence and environmental protection for the sublayers. Instead of being the central layer as shown, the polyethylene layer filled with microporous silica 301 containing the watermark type image 305 can be eccentrically laminated to the subsequent laminated layers. Layer 302 or 303 is then absent and the watermark type image 305 is closer to laminate layer 306 or 307 than to the other laminate layer. In addition, the layers 302 or 303 may be transparent or non-white to change the opacity to the watermark. Similarly, layers 306 or 307 may be substantially transparent or variably opaque. Additionally, layers 306 or 307 may have stamped according to design and possibly other characteristics of
security against counterfeiting. In yet another embodiment, an accumulation of substantially transparent layers, ie, 302, 303, 306, 307, 308, and 309, plus others, instead of the white, opaque plastic layers, would conceal the watermark image differently by the cumulative opacity of the substantially transparent layers. The watermark type image 105, 205 and 305 is represented in the drawings by a single graphic image. In use the watermark type image may be one or more graphic images, text, or a combination of graphic images and text. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the simple geometric shapes for the plastic layers are merely representative for simplicity, and clarity in the drawings. In fact, a wide variety of complexity can be successfully created in configuration in layers and sizes with the present invention. As used in this patent the term "variable opaque" refers to the opacity of different raw materials of laminated layers. The variable opaque layers may be transparent, substantially transparent, colored plastic of different colors for opacity, or printed for opacity. Typically, but not required by the present invention, it is that the plastic layers are variable opaque,
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Regardless of clarity or color, they are composed of polyvinyl chloride or a mixture of polyvinyl chloride-polyester. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other materials commonly used for a laminated card are also suitable. These would not exclusively include plastics such as polyester, polyethylene (and its mixtures and variations), polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and polyethylene tetraphthalate. Those skilled in the art will appreciate further that although the successful lamination of the watermark type image feature requires specific parameters of time, pressure, and temperature, the precise values will vary according to the material, process, and image. TESLIN® cold embossing is not generally as effective as thermal embossing. Temperatures in the range of 200-270 ° F or higher may be required. The drying times and pressure requirements will be a function of the graphics, the degree of embossing, under-embossing or embossing desired, and the hardware. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate the double anti-counterfeiting advantage of an incorporated watermark type image feature. First, as it is incorporated, the watermark type image is much less accessible to manipulation, and any manipulation is more likely to destroy the card, that is,
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evident to the naked eye. Second, by virtue of being embossed, embossed or stamped on an internal plastic layer, not even the high resolution copy can accurately reproduce the image in its real appearance as a watermark. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that watermark type image layers composed of one or more images in each layer are possible by joining multiple layers of polyethylene layers filled with microporous silica to other layers of silica-filled polyethylene. microporous Such bonding is possible with adhesives or layers of other plastics as described above interposed between the multiple layers of the polyethylene layers filled with microporous silica.