Use of pearlescent and other pigments to create a security document

• US 20030062421A1
• Filed: 10/02/2001
• Published: 04/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L-1 Secure Credentialing, LLC (Advent International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Digimarc ID Systems, LLC (Advent International Corporation)
• Inventors: Jones, Robert L., Bloomberg, Bentley
• Granted Patent: US 6,827,277 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/494
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/382 absorbing or reflecting infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/387 absorbing or reflecting ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/45 Associating two or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24851 Intermediate layer is discontinuous or differential
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24868 Translucent outer layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24876 Intermediate layer contains particulate material [e.g., pigment, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24893 including particulate material

Abstract

A security instrument and method of forming the same, in which the instrument is comprised of a series of layers which overlay one another, and in which at least one of the layers has a pattern imprinted thereon in a predetermined location, with pearlescent materials of varying colors and hues. When the layers are bonded together on a base member, a design emerges at the surface that provides optical variations, depending on the attitude and lighting at which the instrument is viewed.

Claims

1. A security instrument having a unique construction which makes it extremely difficult to replicate without detection, said security instrument comprising:

a plurality of layers, one of said plurality of layers being a base member;

a plurality of materials being used for printing on one of said plurality of layers, wherein one of said plurality of materials is a pearlescent material;

said plurality of materials being applied at selected locations on said one of said plurality of layers so as to define a predetermined pattern; and

said security instrument defining a visually active design having the appearance of depth and conveying a varying visual image depending on the attitude of the card relative to the viewer.

2. The security instrument of claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of layers is a laminate layer being printed with a preselected interlocking multi-colored design in a particular location thereon;

and said laminate layer being overlaid and bonded together with said base member to form said security instrument;

said laminate layer, when overlaid, defining a visually active design having the appearance of depth and conveying a varying visual image depending on the attitude of the card relative to the viewer.

3. The security instrument of claim 2, wherein at least one color of said multi-colored design contains a covert material that is invisible to the human eye.

4. The security instrument of claim 3, wherein said covert material is ultraviolet.

5. The security instrument of claim 4, wherein said ultraviolet material fluoresces one specific color.

6. The security instrument of claim 3, wherein said covert material is infrared.

7. The security instrument of claim 3, wherein said covert material is a combination of both ultraviolet and infrared materials.

8. The security instrument of claim 1, wherein said predetermined pattern has an appearance which varies with the angle at which said security instrument is viewed.

9. The security instrument of claim 2, wherein said laminate layer being bonded to said base member such that, when said laminate layer and said base member are separated, said predetermined pattern adheres partially to said laminate layer and partially to said base member, rendering said security instrument invalid.

10. The security instrument of claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of materials is sensitive to light that is outside the visual spectrum of the human eye.

11. The security instrument of claim 10, wherein said plurality of materials also contains a material which is sensitive to infrared light to thereby give said security instrument a distinct appearance in the presence of an infrared detection device.

12. The security instrument of claim 1, wherein said predetermined pattern consists of a gradient such that said predetermined pattern changes when viewed from differing angles.

13. The security instrument of claim 2, wherein said predetermined pattern consists of a gradient such that said predetermined pattern changes when viewed from differing angles.

14. The security instrument of claim 10, wherein said one of said plurality of materials also contains a material which is sensitive to ultra violet light to thereby give said security instrument a distinct appearance in the presence of an ultraviolet detection device.

15. The security instrument of claim 1, wherein said plurality of materials also contains at least one ultra violet sensitive material and at least one infrared material such that said security instrument has a distinct appearance when viewed under an infrared and/or an ultraviolet detection device.

16. A method of fabricating a security instrument having a unique construction which makes it extremely difficult to replicate without detection, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of layers, one of said plurality of layers being a base member;

(b) providing a plurality of materials being used for printing on one of said plurality of layers, wherein one of said plurality of materials is a pearlescent material; and

(c) applying said plurality of materials at selected locations on said one of said plurality of layers so as to define a predetermined pattern, thereby defining a visually active design having the appearance of depth and conveying a varying visual image depending on the attitude of the card relative to the viewer.