A pre-laminated structure with a see-through window and a method of forming it

Abstract

The present invention refers to a pre-laminated structure for a security document comprising: a core structure comprising one or more core layers; a first cover layer formed on one side of the core structure and having a see-through portion; a second cover layer formed on the opposite side of the core structure and having a cutout portion aligned with the see-through portion; and an inlay; wherein a third cutout portion is formed in at least one of the one or more core layers and the inlay is at least partially inserted in the third cutout portion, and wherein the third cutout portion is positioned so as to have at least one portion aligned with the see-through portion and the cutout portion. The present invention refers also to the security document comprising said pre-laminated structure and to the methods for forming the pre-laminated structure and the security document.

Description

[0001] A PRE-LAMINATED STRUCTURE WITH A SEE-THROUGH WINDOW AND A METHOD OF FORMING IT

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a pre-laminated structure for a security document, such as a smart card or a data page; a security document; a method of forming a pre-laminated structure for a security document, and a method of forming a security document.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Smart cards, or identification cards, are increasingly used for making financial transactions, providing access to premises, and allowing identification of a smart card holder by integrating personal information into the card. Generally, a smart card comprises means for storing and transmitting data, optionally also for receiving data and / or processing stored and / or transmitted data. The transmittance and / or reception of data may be contactless using an electromagnetic field and / or involve one or more contacts provided in a surface of a smart card. Therefore, a smart card may be considered as being part of a complex system, the smart card interacting with entities within the complex system via one or more interfaces depending on an intended application of the smart card. An example of an interface is given by a card terminal of contact type, contactless type or of a mixture of both types. In any case, a smart card generally includes at least one integrated circuit module comprising at least one of a memory module, a processor module and an antenna module.

[0006] As smart cards contain sensible information of its holder and / or grant authorization for its holder, it is important to equip smart cards with security features that allow to protect a smart card against unintended access to its functions, as well as to make a smart card safe against fraud and forgery.

[0007] In a similar way, security documents, such as passports, identity cards or the like, typically include sensitive data of one or more persons associated with the security document. Such data may include image data in the form of images, text, and the like, security features in the form of indentations, and the like, electronically readable data stored in a corresponding RFID chip, and the like. Irrespective of the type of information or data to be stored in a respective security document, it is mandatory that any tampering with this data or information has to be prevented as much as possible, wherein preferably any attempt of tampering or otherwise manipulating the sensitive data will result in recognizable traces on the security document.

[0008] For example, “window” features may be included into current identity cards, smart cards, passports or other security documents for protecting an identity card against forgery and / or manipulation. Basically, a window is punched out during the fabrication process and a security pattern is provided in the void of the window. After filling the remaining void of the window with an appropriate plug, the card is exposed to hot lamination, fusing the material together into a monolithic card body of the smart card under fabrication. In case of manipulation of the “window” feature, the integrity of the “window” feature is damaged. Therefore, “window” features represent security features that allow to optically inspect the validity or authenticity of a smart card, which is particularly useful for smart identity cards.

[0009] Conventionally, these “window” features require a piece of material to be inserted as a plug into the window to fill the gap.

[0010] In order to form windows with complex configurations and hence to provide the security documents with additional security features, there is a need to insert in the core of the security document plugs with complex shapes, for instance with a “T-shape”.

[0011] Moreover, there is a need to simplify and make more economical the process of assembling the security documents.

[0012] Summary

[0013] The above issues of conventional security documents with “window” features are overcome by a pre-laminated structure for a security document, a security document and a method of forming a pre-laminated structure and a security document as defined in the appended set of claims.

[0014] In the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the expression “pre-laminated structure” indicates a pre-laminated body with multiple layers of an insulating material, such as PVC, PC, recycled PC or some other appropriate thermoplastic polymer, whose multiple layers are prelaminated together. Such a pre-laminated body may be considered as representing an intermediate product obtained during fabrication of a security document. For example, an illustrative pre-laminated structure may be obtained by fusing together different layers of a thermoplastic material into a single homogeneous sheet body, thereby forming a monolithic substrate body. In some illustrative examples of a pre-laminated structure, the substrate body (or base substrate) may have at least one contact and / or interconnection embedded therein, optionally with one or more electronic modules integrated into the substrate body in electric connection with at least one contact and / or interconnection of the substrate body.

[0015] Moreover, in the present disclosure, it is to be understood that a security document indicates any type of documents comprising security features, such as a smartcard, an identity card, a passport, for instance an electronic passport, and the like.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a pre-laminated structure for a security document is provided, the pre-laminated structure comprising: - a core structure comprising one or more core layers;

[0017] - a first cover layer formed on one side of the core structure and having a see-through portion;

[0018] - a second cover layer formed on the opposite side of the core structure and having a cutout portion, the second cutout portion being at least partially aligned with the see-through portion; and

[0019] - an inlay; wherein a third cutout portion is formed in at least one core layer and the inlay is at least partially inserted in the third cutout portion, and wherein the third cutout portion is positioned so as to have at least one portion aligned with the see-through portion and the cutout portion, so as to form a see-through window in the prelaminated structure for seeing the inlay.

[0020] This configuration is advantageous because it enables positioning the inlay comprising security features in the core of the pre-laminated structure. Moreover, by forming the inlay, the core layers and the cover layers with different materials and by designing specific combinations of materials, it is possible to provide the pre-laminated structure with additional security features. The present solution hence offers more versatility in the design of the security features.

[0021] It is to be understood that the expression “see-through portion” indicates a portion of the first cover layer that enables seeing through it, for example a cutout portion forming an opening in the first cover layer or a portion of transparent or translucent material.

[0022] According to an illustrative configuration, the inlay may be provided with a security feature such as an image. The image may be advantageously positioned in the core of the pre-laminated structure and may be protected from the outside, while being visible through the see-through window formed in the pre-laminated structure.

[0023] According to a preferred configuration, the inlay may be made of a polycarbonate material. According to another preferred configuration, the inlay may be made of a recycled polycarbonate material.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, a security document is provided, which comprises:

[0025] A pre-laminated structure as the one defined above; One or more transparent layers, preferably with printed features, covering one side of the pre-laminated structure;

[0026] One or more transparent layers, preferably with printed features, covering one side of the pre-laminated structure.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for forming a pre-laminated structure for a security document is provided, the method comprising the following steps: a) Providing a core structure comprising one or more core layers; b) Forming a third cutout portion in at least one core layer; c) Attaching a first cover layer to a first surface of the core structure, the first cover layer comprising a see-through portion; d) Inserting at least part of an inlay in the third cutout portion; e) Attaching a second cover layer to a second opposite surface of the core structure, the second cover layer comprising a cutout portion, so that the first cover layer, the second cover layer and the core structure form a stacked structure wherein the see-through portion, the cutout portion and at least one portion of the third cutout portion are aligned along a stacking direction of the stacked structure, so as to form a see-through window in the pre-laminated structure for seeing the inlay.

[0028] This configuration is advantageous because it enables positioning the inlay comprising security features in the core of the pre-laminated structure and offers more versatility in the design of the security features. Moreover, the present solution provides a simple and economical method for forming a pre-laminated structure for a security document.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for forming a security document is provided, the method comprising the following steps:

[0030] - Forming a pre-laminated structure according the method provided above;

[0031] - Providing at least one transparent layer, preferably with printed features, on one side of the prelaminated structure;

[0032] - Providing at least one transparent layer, preferably with printed features, on the opposite side of the pre-laminated structure;

[0033] - Laminating the transparent layers to the pre-laminated structure. Brief description of the drawings

[0034] The present invention will be explained in detail with regard to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0035] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pre-laminated structure for a security document according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pre-laminated structure for a security document according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pre-laminated structure for a security document according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a security document according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a security document according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Fig. 6A schematically illustrates a step of a method for forming a security document according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Fig. 6B schematically illustrates a further step of a method for forming a security document, during pre-lamination, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Fig. 6C schematically illustrates a further step of a method forforming a security document, during lamination of the security document, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Fig. 7A schematically illustrates a step of a method for forming a security document according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Fig. 7B schematically illustrates a further step of a method forforming a security document, during pre-lamination, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Fig. 7C schematically illustrates a further step of a method forforming a security document, during lamination of the security document, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Detailed description

[0047] The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. The scope of the present disclosure is defined in the appended set of claims. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Finally, those fields considered known to the skilled person will not be described to avoid covering in a useless way the described invention.

[0048] In the present disclosure, expressions such as “top”, “bottom”, “up”, “down”, “right”, “left”, “central” and variations thereof refer to the orientation of the pre-laminated structures and of the security documents shown in the illustrative embodiments of the Figures, but they should not be intended as limiting the present invention to a predefined orientation of the pre-laminated structure and of the security document.

[0049] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pre-laminated structure 100 for a security document according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pre-laminated structure 100 comprises a core structure 130 comprising a first core layer 132 and a second core layer 134. A cutout portion 138 is formed in the second core layer 134.

[0050] A first cover layer 140 is positioned on the bottom side of the core structure 130. A second cover layer 150 is positioned on the top side of the core structure 130. A first cutout portion 124 is formed in the first cover layer 140 and a second cutout portion 122 is formed in the second cover layer 150. The first cutout portion 124 and the second cutout portion 122 are aligned to each other so as to form a see-through window 120.

[0051] An inlay portion 110 is advantageously inserted in the cutout portion 138 of the core structure 130, so that a portion of the inlay 110 is aligned with the see-through window 120. The cutout portion 138 may have dimensions equal to or larger than the dimensions of the first and / or second cutout portions 122 and 124, as long as at least one portion of the cutout portion 138 accommodating the inlay 110 is aligned with and visible from the see-through window 120. The inlay 110 is formed of a transparent or translucent material. Preferably, an image or another security feature is formed on one part of the inlay 110 and is visible through the see-through window 120. To this purpose, the first core layer 132 is advantageously made of a transparent material so that the security feature contained in the inlay 110 is visible through the see through window 120. The second core layer 134 accommodating the inlay 110 is made of a colored material, for example a white, grey, or black material. The material of the second core layer 134 may have any color suitable for providing security features to the pre-laminated structure 100. Preferably, an antenna for electronic communication 136 is formed in the second core layer 134, for instance, if the pre-laminated structure 100 is configured to form a smartcard. The inlay 110 may be made of polycarbonate or recycled polycarbonate.

[0052] The first and the second cover layers 140 and 150 may be made of a white or opaque material. The white material has the advantage that it is more economical than the opaque material.

[0053] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pre-laminated structure 100’ for a security document according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] The pre-laminated structure 100’ comprises a core structure 130 comprising a first core layer 132 and a second core layer 134. A first cover layer 140 is formed on the bottom side of the core structure 130 and a second cover layer 150 is formed on the top side of the core structure 130.

[0055] In the configuration shown in Figure 2, both the first core layer 132 and the second core layer 134 of the core structure 130 are provided with cutout portions 138 and 139, which are aligned to each other so as to form an opening 160. Hence, the core structure 130 is provided with an opening 160 and the inlay 110 is inserted into the opening 160.

[0056] The top surface of the inlay 110 is flush with the top surface of the core structure 130 and the bottom surface of the inlay 110 is flush with the bottom surface of the core structure 130. In this way, the inlay 110 is accommodated inside the core structure 130 and is protected from the outside. The cutout portion 122 formed in the top cover layer 150 and the cutout portion 124 formed in the bottom cover layer 140 are aligned to each other and aligned with at least one portion of the opening 160. In this way, a see-through window 120 is formed in the pre-laminated structure 100’ and the inlay 110 can be visible from both sides of the pre-laminated structure 100’. The inlay 110 is made of a transparent or translucent material; preferably, it may include security features, for instance in the form of images. The security features are visible from both sides of the pre-laminated structure 100’ thanks to the presence of the see through window 120.

[0057] According to a preferred configuration, in the pre-laminated structure 100’ of Fig. 2, both layers of the core structure 130 may be formed from a colored material, for example a white, grey or black material, so as to reduce use of transparent materials. Forming the core structure in a colored material is advantageous because it allows reducing the production costs. Moreover, the colored material can be advantageously used to hide particular features or components inside the pre-laminated structure.

[0058] According to an alternative configuration, the first core layer 132 may be made of a transparent or translucent material and the second core layer 134 may be made of a colored material, for example a white material. According to another configuration, both the first core layer 132 and the second core layers 134 may be made of a transparent or translucent material.

[0059] An antenna 136 for enabling electronic communication may be formed in the second core layer 134, for instance, if the pre-laminated structure 100’ is configured to form a smartcard.

[0060] The first and second cover layers 140 and 150 may be formed of an opaque or white material.

[0061] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pre-laminated structure 100” for a security document according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] The pre-laminated structure 100” comprises a core structure 130 comprising a first core layer 132 and a second core layer 134. Similarly to the configuration shown in Figure 2, both the first core layer 132 and the second core layer 134 are provided with cutout portions 138 and 139, which are aligned to each other so as to form an opening 160. The inlay 110 is inserted into the opening 160. The inlay 110 of the pre-laminated structure 100” may comprise the same features as the inlays described with reference to the pre-laminated structures 100 and 100’.

[0063] The first core layer 132 and the second core layer 134 may be made of a transparent or translucent material or of a colored material, for instance white, grey or black, as described with reference to Fig. 2.

[0064] A first cover layer 140 is formed on the bottom side of the core structure 130 and a second cover layer 150 is formed on the top side of the core structure 130.

[0065] The second cover layer 150 is provided with a cutout portion 122, which is at least partially aligned with the inlay 110. The second cover layer 150 may be made of an opaque or white material.

[0066] The first cover layer 140 is a continuous layer without any cutout portion. The first cover layer 140 is advantageously made of a transparent or translucent material. In this way, a see-through window 120 is still formed in the pre-laminated structure 100” and the inlay 110 can be seen from both sides of the pre-laminated structure 100”. In fact, the transparent or translucent portion of the first cover layer 140 aligned with the cutout portion 122 of the second cover layer 150 forms a see-through portion for seeing the inlay 110.

[0067] Figure 4 schematically illustrates the cross-sectional view of a security document 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] The security document 500 comprises the pre-laminated structure 100, two transparent sheets 200, two transparent sheets 300 and two overlay sheets 400. In particular, a first transparent printed sheet 200, a second transparent sheet 300 and an overlay sheet 400 are attached to one side of the pre-laminated structure 100 and another first transparent sheet 200, another second transparent sheet 300 and another overlay sheet 400 are attached to the opposite side of the prelaminated structure 100. In this way a stacked structure is formed. Since the sheets 200, 300 and 400 attached to the pre-laminated structure 100 are transparent in correspondence of the inlay 110, they enable seeing through the window 120 formed in the pre-laminated structure 100.

[0069] The pre-laminated structure 100 comprises the core structure 130 comprising two core layers 132 and 134, wherein a cutout portion is formed in the bottom core layer 134. The inlay 110 is inserted into the cutout portion of the bottom layer 134 of the core structure 130.

[0070] In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the inlay 110 has a T-shape comprising a main body 111 and a protruding portion 112. The main body 111 of the inlay 110 is completely inserted into the cutout portion of the bottom layer 134 of the core structure 130. The protruding portion 112 protrudes from the bottom side of the bottom core layer 134 and is flush with the bottom surface of the bottom cover layer 140 during lamination. Thanks to the complex shape of the inlay 110, it is possible to provide the pre-laminated structure 100 with additional security features and to create a more versatile security document.

[0071] The top core layer 132 comprises a filling portion 152 that fills the cutout portion 122 formed in the top cover layer 150. The filling portion 152 is flush with the top surface of the top cover layer 150.

[0072] Figure 5 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a security document 500’ according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] The security document 500’ comprises a pre-laminated structure 100’. On both sides of the prelaminated structure 100’, a first transparent sheet 200, a second transparent sheet 300 and an overlay sheet 400 are attached, so as to form a stacked structure. Since the sheets 200, 300 and 400 attached to the pre-laminated structure 100’ are transparent in correspondence of the inlay 110, they enable seeing through the window 120 formed in the pre-laminated structure 100’. The transparent sheets 200 and 300 are preferably printed transparent sheets and they may comprise printed security features.

[0074] The pre-laminated structure 100’ comprises a core structure 130 provided with an opening 160. The inlay 110 is inserted in the opening 160. The inlay 110 shown in Figure 5 has a complex shape, whose cross-section has the shape of a cross. The inlay 110 is hence provided with a main body 111 and with two opposite protruding portions 112A and 112B, which protrude from opposite sides of the main body 111. The main body 111 of the inlay 110 is completely inserted in the opening 160 of the core structure 130 and the protruding portions 112A and 112B protrude therefrom. The protruding portion 112A has an external surface which is flush with the outermost surface of the bottom cover layer 140. In a similar way, the protruding portion 112B has an external surface which is flush with the outermost surface of the top cover layer 150.

[0075] The solutions according to the present invention allow forming and placing in the pre-laminated structure 100, 100’ inlays having different shapes and dimensions, for instance having configurations with a T-shape cross section or a cross-shape cross section. In this way, there is more versatility in the positioning of the security features in the inlays 110, 110’ and in the prelaminated structures 100, 100’ for the security document.

[0076] It is to be understood that, even if in the configurations shown in Figures 1-5, the first and second cutout portions 122 and 124 have the same size and are aligned to each other, they could also have different dimensions and they could be partially aligned, as long as they have at least one portion aligned with each other and with the inlay 110. In this way, they can form a see-through window 120 for seeing the security features of the inlay 110.

[0077] The method for assembling a security document 500 as the one represented in Figure 4 is schematically shown in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C.

[0078] Figure 6A schematically illustrates the first step of the method for assembling the pre-laminated structure 100.

[0079] First of all, the core structure 130 is formed by assembling the first core layer 132 and the second core layer 134. The core layer 134 is provided with a cutout portion 138. Preferably, the second core layer 134 is further provided with an antenna 136 for enabling electronic communication. After that, the inlay 110 is partially inserted into the cutout portion 138, so that a portion of the inlay 110 protrudes from the bottom side of the second core layer 134.

[0080] Then, a first cover layer 140 and a second cover layer 150 are provided, so as to be attached to the core structure 130. A first cutout portion 124 is formed in the first cover layer 140 and a second cutout portion 122 is formed in the second cover layer 150.

[0081] As schematically illustrated in Figure 6B, the bottom portion of the inlay 110 is shaped so that the inlay 100 has a T-shape. In this way, the inlay 110 has a main body 111 and a protruding portion 112, which protrudes from the core structure 130. The bottom cover layer 140 is attached to the bottom surface of the core structure 130 so that the protruding portion 112 is inserted into the cutout portion 124. In this way, the external surface of the bottom cover layer 140 is flush with the outermost surface of the protruding portion 112 of the inlay 110. As visible in Figure 6B, when assembling the inlay 110 and the core structure 130, the inlay 110 is inserted into the cutout portion 138 of the bottom core layer 134 so as to push the corresponding part of the top core layer 132 upwards. In this way, a portion 152 of the top core layer 132 fills the cutout portion 122 formed in the top cover layer 150.

[0082] Finally, Figure 6C schematically illustrates the final step of the lamination of the additional layers forming the security document. A first transparent sheet 200, a second transparent sheet 300 and an overlay sheet 400 are laminated to both sides of the pre-laminated structure 100.

[0083] The printed sheets 200 and 300 are transparent layers which cover the security features contained in the pre-laminated structure 100 and they enable seeing through the filling portion 152 of the core layer 132 and the portion of the inlay 110 aligned with the see-through window 120. The transparent sheets 200 and 300 are preferably provided with printed features thereon. Finally, the overlay sheets 400 are provided on the security document so as to protect it from the external environment. The overlay sheets 400 are advantageously transparent to enable seeing through the filling portion 152 of the core layer 132 and the portion of the inlay 110 aligned with the see-through window 120.

[0084] The method for assembling a security document 500’ as the one represented in Figure 5 is schematically shown in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C.

[0085] Figure 7A schematically illustrates the first step of the method for assembling the pre-laminated structure 100’.

[0086] First of all, the core structure 130 is formed by stacking a first core layer 132 and a second core layer 134. Both core layers 132 and 134 are provided with cutout portions which are aligned to each other so as to form an opening 160.

[0087] The inlay 110 is then inserted in the opening 160. The dimensions of the inlay 110 are designed so that a first portion of the inlay 110 protrudes from the top of the core structure 130 and an opposite portion of the inlay 110 protrudes from the bottom of the core structure 130. A first cover layer 140 and a second cover layer 150 are also provided, each one having a cutout portion 122 or 124.

[0088] As schematically shown in Fig. 7B, the protruding portions of the inlay 110 are then shaped so that the inlay 110 has a cross-section having the shape of a cross. The first cover layer 140 is laminated to the core structure 130 so that the outermost surface of the first cover layer 140 is flush with the outermost surface of the protruding portion 112A of the inlay 110. In a similar way, the second cover layer 150 is laminated to the core structure 130 so that the outermost surface of the second cover layer 150 is flush with the outermost surface of the protruding portion 112B of the inlay 110. In this way, the pre-laminated structure 100’ is formed.

[0089] Finally, Figure 7C schematically illustrates the step of assembling of the security document 500’. The transparent sheets 200 and 300, and the overlay sheet 400 are laminated to both sides of the pre- laminated structure 100’ so as to form a stacked structure that will form the security document.

[0090] It is to be understood that, even if an inlay having a rectangular cross section, a T-shape cross section or a cross cross-section have been described, the inlay can have any other shape and any other cross section which might be convenient for providing security features to the prelaminated structure for the security document.

[0091] Moreover, it is to be understood that, even if the core structure 130 has been described as comprising only two core layers 132 and 134, the core structure 130 may comprise any number of core layers, for instance three, four or more.

[0092] Moreover, it is clear that any combination of opacity levels (i.e. transparent, translucent, colored, white and / or opaque) is possible for the core layers of the core structure 130, as long as a transparent or translucent window is formed in correspondence of the inlay 110 and the security features are visible from at least one side of the pre-laminated structure 100, 100’. For instance, the core structure may comprise any number of layers and, if the core layers are all provided with cutout portions that form an opening, they can all be made of a white or colored material. On the other hand, if the core structure comprises one or more core layers and at least one of the core layers is not provided with a cutout portion, then said at least one core layer should be made of a transparent or translucent materials so as to ensure a see through window that enables seeing the features placed in the inlay.

[0093] List of references

[0094] 100, 100’: pre-laminated structures for a security document

[0095] 110: inlay

[0096] 111 : main body of inlay

[0097] 112, 112A, 112B: protruding portions of inlay

[0098] 120: see-through window

[0099] 122, 124: cutout portions : core of the pre-laminated structure: first core layer : second core layer : antenna , 139: cutout portions : first cover layer : second cover layer : filling portion of the first core layer: opening , 300: transparent sheets : overlay sheet : security document

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) for a security document comprising: a core structure (130) comprising one or more core layers (132, 134); a first cover layer (140) formed on one side of said core structure (130) and having a see-through portion; a second cover layer (150) formed on the opposite side of said core structure (130) and having a cutout portion (122), said cutout portion (122) being at least partially aligned with said see-through portion; and an inlay (110); wherein a third cutout portion (138) is formed in at least one of said one or more core layers (132, 134) and said inlay (110) is at least partially inserted in said third cutout portion (138), and wherein said third cutout portion (138) is positioned so as to have at least one portion aligned with said see-through portion and with said cutout portion (122) so as to form a see-through window (120) in said pre-laminated structure for seeing said inlay (110).

2. The pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to claim 1 , wherein said see-through portion comprises a cutout portion (124) formed in said first cover layer (140) and being at least partially aligned with said cutout portion (122) of said second cover layer (150).

3. The pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to claim 1 , wherein said first cover layer (140) is a continuous layer made of a transparent or translucent material and said see- through portion is a portion of said first cover layer (140) aligned with said cutout portion (122).

4. The pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said core structure (130) comprises a first core layer (132) and a second core layer (134) and said third cutout portion (138) is formed in said second core layer (134).

5. The pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to claim 4, wherein said second core layer (134) is made of a colored material, for example a white, grey or black material.

6. The pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of said one or more core layers (132, 134) comprises a cutout portion (138, 139) andsaid cutout portions (138, 139) are aligned to each other, so as to form an opening (160) for accommodating said inlay (110), wherein at least one portion of said opening (160) is aligned with said see-through portion and with said cutout portion (122).

7. The pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein said first core layer (132) and said inlay (110) are made of a transparent or translucent material, so that said see-through window (120) is formed in said pre-laminated structure (100, 100’) by said see-through portion of said first cover layer (140), by at least one portion of said third cutout portion (138) accommodating said inlay (110), by at least one portion of said first core layer (132) and by said cutout portion (122).

8. The pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to claim 6, wherein said inlay (110) is made of a transparent or translucent material, so that said see-through window (120) is formed in said pre-laminated structure (100, 100’) by said see-through portion of said first cover layer (140), by at least one portion of said opening (160) accommodating said inlay (110) and by said cutout portion (122).

9. The pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to claim 8, wherein said first core layer (132) is made of a colored material, for example a white, grey or black material.

10. The pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said inlay (110) has a parallelepiped-shape having a first surface facing towards said first cover layer (140) and a second surface facing towards said second cover layer (150) and at least one of said first surface or said second surface is flush with a surface delimiting said core structure (130).11 . The pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said inlay (110) comprises a main body (111 ) and at least one protruding portion (112, 112A, 112B), and said at least one protruding portion (112A, 112B) is flush with the outer surface of said first cover layer (140) and / or of said second cover layer (150).

12. The pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein said first and / or second cover layers (140, 150) are made of an opaque material.

13. The pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein said first and / or second cover layers (140, 150) are made of a white material.

14. A security document (500, 500’) comprising:A pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) according to any one of claims 1 to 13;One or more transparent layers (200, 300, 400), preferably with printed features, covering one side of said pre-laminated structure (100, 100’);One or more transparent layers (200, 300, 400), preferably with printed features, covering one side of said pre-laminated structure (100, 100’).

15. A method for forming a pre-laminated structure (100, 100’, 100”) for a security document comprising the following steps: f) Providing a core structure comprising one or more core layers (132, 134); g) Forming a third cutout portion (138) in at least one of said one or more core layers (132, 134); h) Attaching a first cover layer (140) to a first surface of said core structure (130), said first cover layer (140) comprising a see-through portion; i) Inserting at least part of an inlay (110) in said third cutout portion (138); j) Attaching a second cover layer (150) to a second opposite surface of said core structure (130), said second cover layer (150) comprising a cutout portion (122),Wherein said first cover layer (140), said second cover layer (150) and said core structure (130) form a stacked structure wherein said see-through portion, said cutout portion (122) and at least one portion of said third cutout portion (138) are aligned along a stacking direction of said stacked structure so as to form a see-through window (120) in said prelaminated structure for seeing said inlay (110).

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said step h) comprises forming a cutout portion (124) in said first cover layer (140) that is at least partially aligned with said cutout portion (122) of said second cover layer (150).

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein said step h) comprises providing said first cover layer (140) with a transparent or translucent material.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said step b) comprises forming a cutout portion (138, 139) in each of said one or more core layers (132, 134) and said cutout portions (138, 139) are aligned to each other so as to form an opening (160), andWherein said step c) comprises inserting at least part of said inlay (110) in said opening19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein said inlay (110) has a parallelepiped-shape having a first surface facing towards said first cover layer (140) and a second surface facing towards said second cover layer (150), andWherein said step c) comprises inserting said inlay (110) in said third cutout portion (138) or in said opening (160) in such a way that at least one of said first surface or said second surface is flush with a surface delimiting said core structure (130).

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 8, wherein said inlay (110) comprises a main body (111 ) and at least one protruding portion (112A, 112B), andWherein said step c) comprises inserting said inlay (110) in said third cutout portion (138) or in said opening (160) in such a way that said at least one protruding portion (112A, 112B) is flush with the outermost surface of said first cover layer (140) and / or of said second cover layer (150).21 . A method for forming a security document comprising the following steps:Forming a pre-laminated structure according to any one of claims 15 to 20;Providing at least one transparent layer (200, 300, 400), preferably with printed features, on one side of said pre-laminated structure (100, 100’);Providing at least one transparent layer (200, 300, 400), preferably with printed features, on the opposite side of said pre-laminated structure (100, 100’);Laminating said transparent layers (200, 300, 400) to said pre-laminated structure (100, 100’) to perform the final lamination of said security document.

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