Abstract:
There is described a method of creating a transparent polymer window (W) with a field of lenses (L) in a security paper substrate (1), the method comprising the steps of (i) providing a security paper substrate (1), (ii) forming an opening (10) into the security paper substrate (1), (iii) laminating a transparent film (5; 5*) onto a first side (I) of the security paper substrate (1) in such a way as to close the opening (10) at one end, and (iv) filling the opening (10) with transparent polymer material (2). In one embodiment, the transparent film (5) comprises a field of lenses (L) and is laminated onto the first side (I) of the security paper substrate (1) in such a way as to form lenses (L) on the first side (I) of the security paper substrate (1) in register with the opening (10). In another embodiment, the field of lenses (L) is replicated into the transparent polymer material (2) applied in the opening (10) in such a way as to form lenses (L) on a second side (II) of the security paper substrate (1), opposite to the first side (I), in register with the opening (10). Also described is a device designed to fill the opening (10) formed into the security paper substrate (1) with the transparent polymer material (2) and a processing machine comprising the same.
Abstract:
There is described a printed security feature (10) provided onto a printable substrate, which printed security feature includes a printed area (11) consisting of a multiplicity of geometric elements (GE, 15) printed with a given distribution over the printed area. The geometric elements are printed with at least first and second inks which exhibit the same or substantially the same optical appearance when illuminated with visible white light, such that the printed security feature produces a first graphical representation (A1) when illuminated with visible white light. At least the first ink is an ink which responds to non-visible light excitation by producing a characteristic optical response differentiating the first ink from the second ink. The printed security feature produces a second graphical representation (B1) when illuminated with non-visible light, which exhibits a distinctive two-dimensional graphic element (B) which is revealed only when the printed security feature is illuminated with non-visible light. The printed area is subdivided into at least first and second printed portions (P1, P2), adjacent to the distinctive two-dimensional graphic element, and a third printed portion (P3), inside boundaries (200) of the distinctive two-dimensional graphic element. In the first, respectively second printed portion, the geometric elements are printed with the first, respectively second ink. In the third printed portion, the geometric elements are subdivided into first and second contiguous portions (GE_a, GE_b) which are respectively printed with the first and second inks. The first and second inks are printed in register one with respect to the other so that the boundaries of the distinctive two-dimensional graphic element are not visible when the printed security feature is illuminated with visible white light and the distinctive two-dimensional graphic element only becomes visible when the printed security feature is illuminated with non-visible light.
Abstract:
There is described a printed security feature (1) provided onto a printable substrate, which printed security feature includes a printed area (100) consisting of a multiplicity of adjacent rectilinear and/or curvilinear elements (110, 120) printed with a given spatial frequency. The rectilinear and/or curvilinear elements are printed with at least first and second inks which exhibit the same or substantially the same optical appearance when illuminated with visible white light, such that the printed security feature produces a first graphical representation when illuminated with visible white light, at least the first ink being an ink which responds to non-visible light excitation by producing a characteristic optical response differentiating the first ink from the second ink. The printed security feature produces a second graphical representation when illuminated with non-visible light, which second graphical representation exhibits a distinctive two-dimensional graphic element (B) which is revealed only when the printed security feature is illuminated with non-visible light. Inside boundaries (160) of the distinctive two-dimensional graphic element, the rectilinear and/or curvilinear elements are subdivided into first and second juxtaposed portions (110a, 110b, 120a, 120b), the first juxtaposed portions (110a, 120a) being printed with the first ink and the second juxtaposed portions (110b, 120b) being printed with the second ink. Outside the boundaries of the distinctive two-dimensional graphic element, the rectilinear and/or curvilinear elements are printed with only the first ink or the second ink. The first and second inks are printed in register one with respect to the other so that the boundaries of the distinctive two-dimensional graphic element are not visible when the printed security feature is illuminated with visible white light and the distinctive two-dimensional graphic element only becomes visible when the printed security feature is illuminated with non-visible light.
Abstract:
A machine for processing sheets comprises a number of modules through which the sheets for processing pass in a serial manner, one after the other. The modules each comprise a sheet introduction interface and/or a sheet output interface, whereby for at least one of the modules the sheet introduction interface and/or the sheet output interface may be selectively coupled to sheet output interfaces or sheet introduction interfaces of at least two other modules.
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 sheet-fed or web-fed printing press for numbering and varnishing of security documents, including banknotes, comprising : - a numbering group (02) comprising at least one numbering unit (21, 22) for numbering printed material in the form of individual sheets or successive portions of a continuous web carrying multiple security imprints ; and - a varnishing group (03; 03*) located downstream of the numbering group (02) for applying varnish onto recto and verso sides of the printed material, the varnishing group (03; 03*) comprising at least a first varnishing unit (31) disposed above a path of the printed material to apply varnish on the recto side of the printed material and at least a second varnishing unit (32) disposed below the path of the printed material to apply varnish on the verso side of the printed material.
Abstract:
The machine comprises at least a plate cylinder (6) carrying printing plates with engravings corresponding to a specific intaglio structure to be printed, and cooperating with an impression cylinder (3), a collector cylinder (8) on which the ink in the different colours is deposited by selector cylinders (10), each selector cylinder (10) receiving ink of a given colour from a duct roller (11) and each selector cylinder (10) is driven by drive means (20,21,22) in an independent manner.
Abstract:
There is described process for producing security papers, in particular banknotes, comprising the step of sealing the surface of the security papers by applying a protective pattern on the surface of the security paper, which sealing comprising printing the security papers by intaglio printing using an intaglio printing plate with engraved areas such that at least 80% of the whole surface of each security paper is covered with embossed intaglio patterns produced by engraved areas of the intaglio printing plate which are inked or with a combination of embossed intaglio patterns and flat intaglio patterns, which flat intaglio patterns are produced by unengraved areas of the intaglio printing plate which are inked after wiping of the intaglio printing plate, at least a part of the embossed intaglio patterns and/or flat intaglio patterns being printed with a transparent or semi-transparent intaglio ink. The transparent or semi-transparent intaglio ink is applied in engraved areas and/or unengraved areas of the intaglio printing plate so as to seal substantially the whole surface of the security papers with a protective pattern composed of intaglio patterns. Also described are intaglio printing presses for implementing the said process and the resulting security papers.
Abstract:
There is described a sheet inspection system for a sheet-fed recto-verso printing press of the type comprising two printing cylinders (10, 20) for carrying out simultaneous recto-verso printing of the sheets, said sheet inspection system comprising at least one inspection device (200; 300; 400) for taking an image of one side of the printed sheets. The sheet inspection system comprises first and second transfer cylinders (60, 65) interposed between a first (10) of the two printing cylinders (10, 20) and a chain gripper system (5) of the printing press, printed sheets being transferred successively from the first printing cylinder (10) to the first transfer cylinder (60), to the second transfer cylinder (65), and to the chain gripper system (5). The inspection device (200; 300; 400) comprises a line image sensor (210; 310; 410) for performing line-scanning image acquisition of the one side of the printed sheets, this line image sensor (210; 310; 410) visually acquiring an image of a printed sheet while the printed sheet is being transported on the first or second transfer cylinder (60; 65).