Abstract:
There is described method of processing printed sheets (100), especially sheets of printed securities, into individual documents (150), such as banknotes, each printed sheet (100) comprising an array of imprints arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. The method comprises the following steps : (i) pre-processing the printed sheets (100) by partly slitting each printed sheet (100) row-wise or column-wise to form slits (110) between adjacent rows or adjacent columns of imprints, slitting being performed in such a manner that the adjacent rows or adjacent columns of imprints are still attached to one another at edges of each thus pre-processed printed sheet (100′); (ii) stacking the pre-processed printed sheets (100′) so as to form sheet stacks (121, 122) comprising a predetermined number of pre-processed printed sheets (100′) stacked one upon the other; and (iii) processing the sheet stacks (121, 122) by cutting each sheet stack (121, 122) column-wise or row-wise along cutting lines (115) between adjacent columns or rows of imprints, cutting being performed along a direction perpendicular to the direction of the slits (110) and in such a manner that individual documents (150) are produced as a result. Also described is a system for carrying out this method.
Abstract:
There is described a printed security element comprising a rainbow feature exhibiting, at least in part, a gradual transition from a first colour to a second colour distinct from the first colour, the rainbow feature extending over a colour-gradient area of the printed security element where first and second printed patterns are partly superimposed or juxtaposed, each of the first and second printed patterns comprising a first, respectively second set of linear or curvilinear elements. The first and second printed patterns are printed in register one with the other by means of two distinct printing plates so that the first and second sets of linear or curvilinear elements are partly superimposed or juxtaposed in the colour-gradient area and thereby generate the rainbow feature, the first printed pattern exhibiting the first colour and being printed by means of a first printing plate and the second printed pattern exhibiting the second colour and being printed by means of a second printing plate. Furthermore, at least the first or second printed pattern exhibits, in the colour-gradient area, a modulation of line width or line structure such as to cause, when superimposed or juxtaposed with the other printed pattern, a gradual transition from the first colour to the second colour. Also described is a method of producing the aforementioned printed security element.
Abstract:
There is described a method of processing a substrate web (W) into individual sheets (S) for the production of security documents, such as banknotes, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a substrate web (W) ; b) inspecting the substrate web (W) to check a quality thereof; c) cutting the substrate web (W) into individual sheets (S) ; d) sorting the individual sheets (S) in dependence of results of the inspection at step b) to produce at least two types of sorted sheets (S A , S B , S C ), including good sheets (S A ) meeting desired quality requirements and bad sheets (S B , S C ) that are found to exhibit defects ; and e) processing at least the good sheets (S A ), and preferably also the bad sheets (S B , S C ), into individual stacks or reams (R, R W ) each consisting of a predetermined number of individual sheets. Also described is an installation for carrying out this method.
Abstract:
There is described a recto-verso printing press (100*) adapted to carry out simultaneous recto-verso printing of sheets, the printing press (100*) comprising a main printing group (5, 6, 15, 16, 25, 26) with first and second printing cylinders (5, 6) cooperating with one another to form a first printing nip between the first and second printing cylinders (5, 6) where first and second sides of sheets are simultaneously printed, the first printing cylinder (5) acting as a sheet conveying cylinder of the main printing group (5, 6, 15, 16, 25, 26). The printing press (100*) further comprises an additional printing group (7, 8, 17, 18, 27, 28) with third and fourth printing cylinders (7, 8) cooperating with one another to form a second printing nip between the third and fourth printing cylinders (7, 8) where the first and second sides of the sheets are simultaneously printed, the third printing cylinder (7) acting as a sheet conveying cylinder of the additional printing group (7, 8, 17, 18, 27, 28). The main printing group (5, 6, 15, 16, 25, 26) and the additional printing group (7, 8, 17, 18, 27, 28) are coupled to one another by means of an intermediate sheet conveying system comprising one or more sheet-transfer cylinders (10, 10', 10") interposed between the first and third printing cylinders (5, 7).
Abstract:
There is described a method of detecting security features (41-49; 30; 10; 51, 52) printed, applied or otherwise provided on security documents, in particular banknotes, which security features (41-49; 30; 10; 51, 52) comprise characteristic visual features intrinsic to the processes used for producing the security documents. The method comprises the steps of digitally processing a sample image (c 0 ) of at least one region of interest (R.o.I.) of the surface of a candidate document, which region of interest (R.o.I.) is selected to include at least a portion of said security features (41-49; 30; 10; 51, 52), which digital processing includes performing one or more iterations (N) of a multiresolution analysis (MRA) of the sample image (c 0 ) to extract classifying features (Ã 2 , C, ...) which are characteristic of said security features (41-49; 30; 10; 51, 52).
Abstract:
There is described a method for controlled production of security documents, especially banknotes, wherein said security documents are subjected to a plurality of successive printing and processing operations (20.1, 20.2, ...) on a plurality of processing stations. The method comprises the steps of : (i) providing a computer network comprising a central server station (10) coupled via a data network (15) to a plurality of local computer stations (25.1, 25.2, ..., 26.1, 26.2,...), one local computer station (25.1, 25.2, ...) being operatively coupled to each processing station (20.1, 20.2, ...) ; (ii) defining at least one production order, which production order involves the production of a desired volume of security documents according to a defined production workflow, this production order being subdivided into a plurality of production loads (30, 30*, 30**, ...) each being assigned a machine-readable load identifier (35) ; (iii) assigning selected processing stations among available processing stations (20.1, 20.2, ...) to carry out processing of the production order according to the production workflow ; and (iv) selectively processing each production load (30, 30*, 30**, ...) through the processing stations (20.1, 20.2, ...) depending on the determined production workflow of the corresponding production order defined for each production load, whereby each production load (30, 30*, 30**, ...) is first subjected to a load acceptance procedure based on its machine-readable load identifier (35) before being authorized to be processed on a selected processing station among said available processing stations (20.1, 20.2, ...). Also described is a system for carrying out said method.
Abstract:
There is described a printing press (100*; 100**; 100***; 100****) adapted to carry out printing on a sheet-like or web-like substrate (S), in particular for the production of security documents such as banknotes, comprising a printing unit (2*; 2**; 2***; 2****) designed to print a first side (I) and/or a second side (II) of the substrate (S). The printing press (100*; 100**; 100***; 100****) further comprises an in-line casting device (80; 80*; 80**) adapted to apply a layer of material acting as an optical medium on a portion of the first or second side (I, II) of the substrate (S) and to replicate and form a micro-optical structure (L) in the layer of material acting as optical medium. The printing unit (2*; 2**; 2***; 2****) is furthermore adapted to print at least one printed pattern on the first or second side (I, II) of the substrate (S) in register with the micro-optical structure (L).