Unidirectional opacity watermark

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9855720-B2
Application number	US-201414494102-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 23, 2014
Priority date	Sep 23, 2013
Publication date	Jan 2, 2018
Grant date	Jan 2, 2018

Abstract

A laminar assembly including a first optically opaque layer defining a plurality of through-holes, a second optically opaque layer, an optically transparent inner layer between the inner surface of the first optically opaque layer and the inner surface of the second optically opaque layer, and a preprinted layer proximate the outer surface of at least one of the first and second optically opaque layers. The plurality of through-holes is at least partially filled with material from the optically transparent inner layer, and light is visibly transmitted in a single direction through the plurality of through-holes. Unidirectional opacity watermarks defined by the plurality of through-holes in the laminar assembly provide advantageous anti-counterfeiting measures, and are easy to view and authenticate, yet difficult to simulate.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A laminar assembly comprising:
a first optically opaque layer defining a plurality of through-holes, wherein the first optically opaque layer comprises a polymeric material;
a second optically opaque layer;
an optically transparent inner layer between the inner surface of the first optically opaque layer and the inner surface of the second optically opaque layer, and
a preprinted layer proximate the outer surface of at least one of the first and second optically opaque layers,
wherein the plurality of through-holes is at least partially filled with material from the optically transparent inner layer, and light is visibly transmitted in a single direction through the plurality of through-holes, and
wherein light directed toward the outer surface of the first optically opaque layer is not visibly transmitted through the laminar assembly, and light directed toward the outer surface of the second optically opaque layer is transmitted through the plurality of through-holes in the first optically opaque layer, such that an outline formed by the plurality of through-holes is visible through the outer surface of the first optically opaque layer.

2. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the preprinted layer is proximate the outer surface of the first optically opaque layer.

3. The laminar assembly of claim 2 , wherein the preprinted layer comprises fixed or variable data or images or any combination thereof.

4. The laminar assembly of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of through-holes extends through the preprinted layer.

5. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of through-holes is arranged in the form of one or more fixed or variable images, shapes, designs, textual groupings, or any combination thereof.

6. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of through-holes are conical.

7. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of through-holes are frustoconical.

8. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the area of the opening of at least some of the plurality of through-holes at the inner surface of the first optically opaque layer exceeds the area of the opening of the through-holes at the outer surface of the first optically opaque layer.

9. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the area of the opening of at least some of the plurality through-holes at the outer surface of the first optically opaque layer exceeds the area of the opening of the through-holes at the inner surface of the first optically opaque layer.

10. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of through-holes are cylindrical.

11. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the opening of at least some of the plurality of through-holes at the outer surface of the first optically opaque layer, the inner surface of the first optically opaque layer, or both are in a range between 2 mil and 20 mil, or in a range between 4 mil and 10 mil.

12. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of at least some of the plurality through-holes is perpendicular to the outer surface of the first optically opaque layer.

13. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of at least some of the plurality of through-holes is arranged at an angle between 45° and 90° with respect to the outer surface of the first optically opaque layer.

14. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of at least some of the plurality of through-holes is perpendicular to the outer surface of the first optically opaque layer.

15. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optically transparent inner layer is an information-bearing layer.

16. The laminar assembly of claim 15 , wherein the optically transparent inner layer comprises a microchip or UHF inlay.

17. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of through-holes are partially filled with material from the first optically opaque layer.

18. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein diffuse or ambient light directed toward the outer surface of the second optically opaque layer is not visibly transmitted through the laminar assembly.

19. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optically transparent inner layer is colored or colorless.

20. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optically transparent inner layer comprises an ultraviolet fluorescent material or fluorescing IR activated material.

21. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the laminar assembly is an identification card or a security document.

22. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the laminar assembly is a contactless smart card or a window card.

23. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first optically opaque layer, the second optically opaque layer, the optically transparent inner layer, or any combination thereof comprises polycarbonate, polyester, poly(vinyl chloride), polystyrene, or a combination thereof.

24. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first optically transparent outer layer proximate the first optically opaque layer; and
a second optically transparent outer layer proximate the second optically opaque layer.

25. The laminar assembly of claim 24 , wherein the first optically transparent outer layer, the second optically transparent outer layer, or any combination thereof comprises polycarbonate.

26. The laminar assembly of claim 24 , wherein a thickness of the first and second optically transparent layers is in a range between 2 mil and 8 mil.

27. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the laminar assembly is in a range between 10 mil and 50 mil.

28. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the first optically opaque layer is in a range between 2 mil and 8 mil.

29. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the second optically opaque layer is in a range between 2 mil and 8 mil.

30. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the optically transparent inner layer is in a range between 8 mil and 14 mil.

31. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of through-holes is formed via laser ablation.

32. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optically transparent inner layer comprises two or more layers.

33. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of through-holes is a first plurality of through-holes, the second optically opaque layer comprises a second plurality of through-holes, and light is visibly transmitted in a single direction through the second plurality of through-holes.

34. The laminar assembly of claim 33 , wherein light is visibly transmitted through the second plurality of through-holes in a direction opposite the single direction light is visibly transmitted through the first plurality of through-holes.

35. The laminar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first optically opaque layer comprises a plastic.

36. The laminar assembly of claim 35 , wherein the first optically opaque layer comprises polycarbonate, polyester, poly(vinyl chloride), polystyrene, or a combination thereof.

37. A method of forming a laminar assembly, the method comprising:

Assignees

• Morphotrust Usa Llc

Inventors

• Jones Robert
• Picardi Joseph
• Mailloux Dennis

Classifications

• B42D25/45

  Associating two or more layers · CPC title

• B32B2425/00

  Cards, e.g. identity cards, credit cards · CPC title

• G01N21/59

  Transmissivity (G01N21/25 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B42D25/23

  Identity cards · CPC title

• B42D25/351

  Translucent or partly translucent parts, e.g. windows · CPC title