Form for concealing variable printed information

• US 20010020785A1
• Filed: 02/09/2001
• Published: 09/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Documotion Research Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Documotion Research Incorporated
• Inventors: Van Boom, Joel Bryan, Scheggetman, Bernard Willem ?quot;Wim?quot;, Casagrande, Chuck
• Granted Patent: US 6,481,753 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 283/72
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/51 the printed and recorded information being identical; using type elements with code-generating means
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/14 Security printing securities B42D25/29
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/28 using thermochromic compounds or layers containing liquid crystals, microcapsules, bleachable dyes or heat- decomposable compounds, e.g. gas- liberating B41M5/38271 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/29 Securities; Bank notes
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/043 by using an original which is not reproducible or only reproducible with a different appearence, e.g. originals with a photochromic layer or a colour background
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0294 where the change is not permanent, e.g. labels only readable under a special light, temperature indicating labels and the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 283/901 Concealed data

Abstract

Variable confidential information (12) is printed over scrambling pattern (14) which is formed of thermochromatic ink. Information (12) cannot be read due to the presence of the underlying scrambling pattern. The information becomes readable when heat is applied to the thermochromatic ink and the optical properties of the thermochromatic ink are altered. Preferably, the alteration of the optical properties of the thermochromatic ink is irreversible

Claims

1. A form for concealing variable printed information and including a thermochromatic scrambling pattern, wherein variable information printed over the thermochromatic scrambling pattern cannot be discriminated from the thermochromatic scrambling pattern until heat is applied and the optical properties of the thermochromatic scrambling pattern are altered.

2. A form as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the alteration of the optical properties of the thermochromatic scrambling pattern is irreversible.

3. A form as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the thermochromatic scrambling pattern is on the underside of a sheet of transparent material and wherein the variable information is printed on the upper side of the sheet of transparent material.

4. A form as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the thermochromatic scrambling pattern and variable information are both on the upper side of a substrate.

5. A form as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the thermochromatic pattern is on the upper side of a substrate and wherein the variable information is printed on the upper side of a sheet of transparent material which is adhered to the upper side of the substrate.

6. A form as claimed in

claim 2

, wherein the thermochromatic scrambling pattern is on the underside of a sheet of transparent material and wherein the variable information is printed on the upper side of the sheet of transparent material.

7. A form as claimed in

claim 2

, wherein the thermochromatic scrambling pattern and variable information are both on the upper side of a substrate.

8. A form as claimed in

claim 2

, wherein the thermochromatic pattern is on the upper side of a substrate and wherein the variable information is printed on the upper side of a sheet of transparent material which is adhered to the upper side of the substrate.

9. A method of concealing printed variable information, the method including printing the variable information over a thermochromatic scrambling pattern, wherein the optical properties of the thermochromatic scrambling pattern can be altered to reveal the printed variable information.