Security document with ultraviolet authentication security feature

• US 20060249951A1
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited
• Original Assignee: Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited
• Inventors: Suzzarini, Laurence Marie-Francoise, Merry, Trevor, Cruikshank, David N.C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,654,581 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 283/92
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/04 Transparent material
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/29 Securities; Bank notes
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/351 Translucent or partly translucent parts, e.g. windows
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/387 absorbing or reflecting ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 283/901 Concealed data

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of printed security documents and, more particularly, to security documents and methods of making security documents bearing enhanced security features. The security documents may include identification documents or any other known documents of value. The security document includes a transparent window area with an ultraviolet blocking agent incorporated therein. Invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed on respective opposite sides of the ultraviolet blocking agent within the region of the transparent window area. When either the face side or back side of the security document is illuminated with ultraviolet light, only the pattern printed proximate that side within the area of the transparent window becomes visible. When both face and back sides are simultaneously illuminated with ultraviolet light, the patterns printed on both sides of the ultraviolet blocking agent within the area of the transparent window become visible at the same time.

Claims

1. A security document having a first side and a second side, said security document comprising:

(a) a transparent window formed within said security document;

(b) at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker covering at least a portion of said transparent window; and

(c) a first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern printed proximate a first side of said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker within the area defined by said transparent window.

2. A security document according to claim 1 wherein a second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed proximate a second side of said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker within the area defined by said transparent window.

3. A security document according to claim 2 wherein said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed using any one of lithographic, flexographic, gravure, screen, thermal transfer, electrostatic or inkjet printing processes.

4. A security document according to claim 2 wherein said security document comprises an opaque core layer and wherein said transparent window is formed through said opaque core layer.

5. A security document according to claim 4 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker comprises a transparent ultraviolet blocking layer abutting said opaque core layer, said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed on opposite sides of said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocking layer within the area defined by said transparent window and wherein a first transparent protective polymeric layer abuts said opaque core layer and a second transparent protective polymeric layer abuts said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocking layer.

6. A security document according to claim 4 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker comprises an intermediate transparent polymeric layer printed with an ultraviolet blocking agent over at least the area defined by said transparent window, and wherein said first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on a first transparent polymeric layer abutting said intermediate transparent polymeric layer and said second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on a second transparent polymeric layer abutting said opaque core layer.

7. A security document according to claim 2 wherein said security document comprises a transparent core polymer substrate interposed between first and second opaque layers and wherein said first and second opaque layers having axially aligned windows punched therethough so as to form said transparent window.

8. A security document according to claim 7 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker comprises a transparent ultraviolet blocking layer abutting said first opaque layer and wherein a first transparent polymeric layer abuts said transparent ultraviolet blocking layer and a second transparent polymeric layer abuts said second opaque layer.

9. A security document according to claim 8 wherein said first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said first transparent polymeric layer and said second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said second transparent polymeric layer.

10. A security document according to claim 8 wherein said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed on opposite sides of said transparent ultraviolet blocking layer.

11. A security document according to claim 7 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker comprises an intermediate transparent polymeric layer abutting said first opaque layer and printed with an ultraviolet blocking agent over at least the area defined by said transparent window and wherein a first transparent polymeric layer abuts said intermediate transparent polymeric layer and a second transparent polymeric layer abuts said second opaque layer.

12. A security document according to claim 11 wherein said first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said first transparent polymeric layer and said second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said second transparent polymeric layer.

13. A security document according to claim 7 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is an ultraviolet blocking agent incorporated into said transparent core polymer substrate during fabrication of said transparent core polymer substrate.

14. A security document according to claim 13 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is incorporated into said transparent core polymer substrate by applying a dyestuff comprising an ultraviolet blocking agent to said transparent core polymer substrate and applying heat so as to have said dyestuff migrate into said transparent core polymer substrate.

15. A security document according to claim 14 wherein a first transparent polymeric layer abuts said first opaque layer and a second transparent polymeric layer abuts said second opaque layer.

16. A security document according to claim 15 wherein said first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said first transparent polymeric layer and said second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said second transparent polymeric layer.

17. A security document according to claim 2 wherein said security document comprises a transparent core polymer substrate and wherein first and second opacifying coatings are applied over respective first and second sides of said transparent core polymer substrate in a manner so as to form said transparent window.

18. A security document according to claim 17 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker comprises a transparent ultraviolet blocking agent printed on said first side of said transparent core polymer substrate within the area defined by said transparent window, said first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said transparent ultraviolet blocking agent and said second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said second side of said transparent core polymer substrate within the area defined by said transparent window.

19. A security document according to claim 18 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker further comprises a transparent ultraviolet blocking agent printed on said second side of said transparent core polymer substrate within the area defined by said transparent window and wherein said second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said transparent ultraviolet blocking agent printed on said second side of said transparent core polymer substrate within the area defined by said transparent window.

20. A security document according to claim 18 further comprising a protective transparent polymeric coating applied to the exposed surface of each of said first and second opacifying coatings and wherein said protective transparent polymeric coatings are transparent to ultraviolet radiation.

21. A security document according to claim 19 further comprising a protective transparent polymeric coating applied to the exposed surface of each of said first and second opacifying coatings and wherein said protective transparent polymeric coatings are transparent to ultraviolet radiation.

22. A security document according to claim 19 wherein said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed using any one of lithographic, flexographic, gravure, intaglio, screen, thermal transfer, electrostatic or inkjet printing techniques.

23. A security document according to claim 1 wherein said security document is an identification document taken from the group comprising a financial transaction card, a driver'"'"'s license, an entitlement card and a travel document.

24. A security document according to claim 1 wherein said security document is a document of value taken from the group comprising a banknote, a traveler'"'"'s check, a security certificate, a vehicle title and a vital statistics document.

25. A security document according to claim 2 wherein said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are of a differing color.

26. A security document according to claim 2 wherein each of said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are composed of a plurality of colors.

27. A security document according to claim 1 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is comprised of an ultraviolet blocking agent selected from the group consisting of Benzophenone, Benzotriazole, Cyano diphenyl acrylate and Phenyltriazine classes.

28. A security document according to claim 1 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is comprised of any one of nano-size titanium dioxide or nano-size zinc oxide.

29. A security document according to claim 2 wherein said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns form a complementary graphical image when both sides of said security document are simultaneously illuminated with ultraviolet light.

30. A security document according to claim 2 wherein said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns form an interlocking graphical image when both sides of said security document are simultaneously illuminated with ultraviolet light.

31. A security document according to claim 2 wherein said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns comprise a completed array of alphanumeric characters when both sides of said security document are simultaneously illuminated with ultraviolet light.

32. A security document according to claim 31 wherein said completed array of alphanumeric characters comprises personal data, and wherein said personal data is repeated on said security document in normal-readable form for comparison with said completed array of alphanumeric characters.

33. A method of applying a security feature to a security document comprising:

(a) forming a transparent window within said security document;

(b) incorporating at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker over at least a portion of said transparent window; and

(c) printing a first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern proximate a first side of said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker such that said first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is axially aligned with said transparent window.

34. A method according to claim 33 further comprising the step of printing a second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern proximate a second side of said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker such that said second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is axially aligned with said transparent window.

35. A method according to claim 34 wherein said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed using any one of lithographic, flexographic, gravure, screen, thermal transfer, electrostatic or inkjet printing processes.

36. A method according to claim 34 wherein said security document comprises an opaque core layer and wherein said transparent window is formed in said opaque core layer.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is a transparent ultraviolet blocking layer, said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed on respective opposite sides of said transparent ultraviolet blocking layer in a region corresponding to said transparent window and wherein said transparent ultraviolet blocking layer is then applied to abut said opaque core layer.

38. A method according to claim 37 further comprising the steps of applying a first protective transparent polymeric layer to the exposed side of said printed transparent ultraviolet blocking layer and a second protective transparent polymeric layer to said exposed side of said opaque core layer.

39. A method according to claim 36 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is an intermediate transparent polymeric layer printed with a transparent ultraviolet blocking agent over at least a portion of said transparent polymeric layer corresponding to said transparent window, said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed on respective opposite sides of said intermediate transparent ultraviolet blocking layer and wherein said transparent ultraviolet blocking layer is then applied to abut said opaque core layer.

40. A method according to claim 39 further comprising the steps of applying a first transparent polymeric layer to the exposed side of said printed intermediate transparent ultraviolet blocking layer and a second transparent polymeric layer to the exposed side of said opaque core layer.

41. A method according to claim 36 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is an intermediate transparent polymeric layer printed with a transparent ultraviolet blocking agent over at least a portion of said transparent polymeric layer corresponding to said transparent window, said first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on an inner side of a first transparent polymeric layer and said second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on an inner side of a second transparent polymeric layer and wherein said first transparent polymeric layer is applied to abut said intermediate transparent polymeric layer and said second transparent polymeric layer is applied to abut said opaque core layer.

42. A method according to claim 34 wherein said security document is comprised of a transparent core polymer substrate and wherein said transparent window is formed by interposing said transparent core polymer substrate between first and second opaque layers having axially aligned windows formed therethrough.

43. A method according to claim 42 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is a transparent ultraviolet blocking layer, said first and second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed on respective opposite sides of said transparent ultraviolet blocking layer and wherein said transparent ultraviolet blocking layer is applied to abut one of said first and second opaque layers.

44. A method according to claim 42 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is a transparent ultraviolet blocking layer applied to at least one of said first and second opaque layers, said first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on an interior side of a first transparent polymeric layer applied to said transparent ultraviolet blocking layer and said second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on an interior side of a second transparent polymeric layer applied to one of said first and second opaque layers.

45. A method according to claim 43 further comprising the steps of applying a first protective transparent polymeric layer to an exposed side of said printed transparent ultraviolet blocking layer and a second protective transparent polymeric layer to an exposed side of one of said first and second opaque layers.

46. A method according to claim 42 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is an intermediate transparent polymeric layer printed with an ultraviolet blocking agent over at least a portion of said intermediate transparent polymeric layer corresponding to said transparent window, said first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on an interior side of a first transparent polymeric layer applied to said intermediate transparent polymeric layer and said second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed on an interior side of a second transparent polymeric layer applied to one of said first and second opaque layers.

47. A method according to claim 34 wherein said security document is comprised of a transparent core polymer substrate and wherein said transparent window transparent window is formed by applying first and second opacifying coatings over respective first and second sides of said transparent core polymer substrate in a manner so as to form axially aligned transparent windows on each side of said transparent core polymer substrate.

48. A method according to claim 47 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is comprised of a transparent ultraviolet blocking agent applied on a first side of said transparent core polymer substrate within said transparent window, said first invisible fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said transparent ultraviolet blocking agent and said second invisible fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said second side of said transparent core polymer substrate within said transparent window.

49. A method according to claim 47 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is comprised of a first transparent ultraviolet blocking agent applied on a first side of said transparent core polymer substrate within said transparent window and a second transparent ultraviolet blocking agent applied on a second side of said transparent core polymer substrate within said transparent window, and wherein said first invisible fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said first transparent ultraviolet blocking agent and said second invisible fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said second transparent ultraviolet blocking agent.

50. A method according to claim 47 further comprising the step of incorporating said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker within said transparent core polymer substrate during fabrication of said transparent core polymer substrate.

51. A method according to claim 50 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is incorporated into said transparent core polymer substrate by applying a dyestuff comprising an ultraviolet blocking agent to said transparent core polymer substrate and applying heat so as to have said dyestuff migrate into said transparent core polymer substrate.

52. A method according to claim 50 wherein said first invisible fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said first side of said transparent core polymer substrate within said transparent window and said second invisible fluorescent ink pattern is printed on said second side of said second side of said transparent core polymer substrate within said transparent window.

53. A method according to claim 33 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is comprised of an ultraviolet blocking agent selected from the group consisting of Benzophenone, Benzotriazole, Cyano diphenyl acrylate and Phenyltriazine classes.

54. A security document according to claim 33 wherein said at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker is comprised of any one of nano-size titanium dioxide or nano-size zinc oxide.