Safety document and method for creating such a safety document

Abstract

The invention relates to a security document comprising a cover layer (10), a booklet (12) comprising at least one sheet of paper, a rigid data plate, a flexible hinge (18), the security document being folded along a central axis, the fold defining a non-zero curvature zone, the assembly formed by the cover layer, the booklet of sheets and the hinge being assembled by means of a first seam (14), a security device consisting of a first element integrated into the data plate and a second element integrated into the sheet of the booklet (12).The document includes a second fastening means (22) linking the hinge (18) to the cover layer (10), extending substantially parallel to the first seam (14), at a distance from the first seam (14), and positioned between the first seam (14) and the rigid data plate, the second fastening means (22) generating a translational movement of the data plate (16) relative to the first page of the booklet (12) by changing the opening angle of the cover layer (10) of the security document. [Fig. 4].

Description

Title of the invention: Safety document and method for manufacturing such a safety document

[0001] The invention relates to security documents consisting of several sheets defining information pages, such as passports. Traditionally, these security documents comprise a booklet made of several sheets of paper, a cover layer, and a data page on which the document holder's information is recorded. The data page is made of a rigid plastic, such as polycarbonate, and includes at least one transparent area forming a window through which information recorded on the page preceding or following the data page can be viewed.

[0002] Generally, the assembly consisting of the booklet of paper sheets, the data page, and the cover layer is joined by means of a seam extending along a central axis, and then folded along said central axis so that each face of a sheet, extending between the seam and an edge parallel to the seam, forms a page. A folded sheet thus constitutes four pages. The data page is therefore positioned between a cover page and the first page of the booklet.

[0003] The fold defines a non-zero area of ​​curvature. The term curvature will be understood in the remainder of this description as a curve, or geometric arc, other than a straight line. From a mathematical point of view, curvature is the ratio between the change in direction of the tangent to the curve and a displacement of an infinitesimal length along it: the greater this ratio, the greater the curvature. It will be understood in this application that the curvature is defined by the curved area at the fold that can be easily observed when the security document is folded. In general terms, this corresponds to the spine of the document located between the front and back covers (the covers being formed by the outer pages of the cover).

[0004] The final document is obtained by a final cutting step of all the folded sheets, the cutting being carried out according to a format determined in the ICAO standard referring to the ISO / IEC 7810 standard, namely 125mm*88mm, in the folded configuration, i.e., closed. More precisely, the edges must be circumscribed by the following concentric rectangles: bottom rectangle: 87.25mm*124.25mm and outer rectangle: 88.75mm*125.75mm.

[0005] To assemble the rigid data page to the cover layer and the booklet of paper sheets, it is known to attach a flexible hinge to the data page, the hinge being adapted to be sewn without being damaged.

[0006] It is also known to associate the data page with a subsequent page by means of a security device consisting of a first element integrated into the data page, such as a window, and a second element integrated into the subsequent page. The two elements are combined to form a security device that reveals information enabling the authentication of the security document.

[0007] In particular, document FR3112097 describes a security device formed from a frame on a page following the data page, the frame being made up of a series of alternately light and dark bands, the passport further comprising a lenticular network on a window of the data page, the lenticular network being superimposed on the frame to alternately display a first light image or a second dark image through the lenticular network.

[0008] Also known from document FR3084850 is a security device comprising two interleaved frames on a page following the data page and a lenticular network formed in the data page adapted to come and be superimposed on the frames so that when the document goes from a first opening configuration to a second opening configuration, the lenticular network shifts to come and be superimposed from a first part of the frame to a second part of the frame to create a moiré effect.

[0009] During the implementation of these solutions, it was observed that prior art solutions made it possible to clearly observe the security feature, namely two consecutive images or a moiré effect, when the lenticular array of the data page performs a sliding or translational movement on the interlaced frames of the subsequent page to create a sufficient offset between the data page and the page containing the frames. "Sufficient" is understood to mean an offset of between 1 and 5 mm. The observed result of the security feature depends on the value of the offset, but also on the dimensions of the first element of the security feature integrated into the data page, and on the dimensions of the second element integrated into the subsequent page, which define the amount of information that can be visualized during the translational movement.

[0010] It has also been observed that, in the prior art, this translational movement is sufficient between the data page and the inner cover page. The inner cover page is understood to be the page opposite the data page, on the inner face of the cover layer. This type of document is illustrated by [Fig. 1].

[0011] Indeed, the translational movement between the data page and the inner cover page, pressed against each other, is achieved by changing the opening angle between the data page and the first page of the booklet. Between a closed document configuration and an open configuration, for example, an angle of more than 90° between the data page and the first page of the booklet, as As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the translational movement is sufficient to create a shift of at least 1 mm. This shift is due to the fact that the cover layer is longer than the paper pages. This shift is well known for all booklet-style documents, due to the cutting step performed when the booklet or document according to the invention is in the closed position.

[0012] It is understood that the larger the opening angle, the greater the offset and vice versa.

[0013] On the other hand, the inventors have found that the translational movement is much less between the data page and the first page of the booklet between two positions, and does not allow easy observation of the safety device.

[0014] Indeed, in existing security documents, the offset between the data page and the first page of the booklet is much smaller, even almost zero, when the passport is in an open configuration in which the cover page and the data page form an angle greater than 90° and the data page is pressed against the first page of the booklet. In this case, the data page and the first page of the booklet are therefore close to the so-called closed configuration, resulting in a very small offset between the data page and the first page of the booklet.

[0015] The present invention aims to overcome the drawback described above and to provide a solution enabling a security device to be clearly observed between a data page and the first page of the booklet, in a simple and intuitive way, without having to resort to complex means of observation.

[0016] To this end, the present invention relates to a security document comprising a cover layer delimiting an outer face and an inner face, a booklet comprising at least one sheet of paper, a rigid data plate, a flexible hinge, the security document having a length L and a width 1, being folded along a central axis, the fold defining a non-zero curvature zone, the assembly formed by the cover layer, the booklet of sheets and the hinge being assembled by means of a first seam made along an axis parallel to the central axis in the curvature zone, a security device consisting of a first element integrated into the data plate and a second element integrated into the sheet of the booklet, on a page facing the data plate and forming the first page of the booklet, the first and second elements cooperating to form the security device.The document includes a second fastening means linking the hinge to the cover layer, extending substantially parallel to the first seam, at a distance from the first seam, and positioned between the first seam and the rigid data plate, the second fastening means generating a translational movement of the data plate relative to the first page of the document. booklet by changing the opening angle of the cover layer of the security document.

[0017] According to other characteristics: the second means of attachment is formed by a seam; the second seam is positioned parallel to the first seam at a distance d between 1 and 5mm from the first seam; the translational movement of the data plate generates an offset of at least d when the passport is in open configuration in which the opening angle of the cover layer is at least 180°; the second seam has a length less than the width 1 of the cover layer; the first element of the security device forms a transparent window equipped with a lenticular grating and the second element of the security device comprises at least two interlaced frames, one frame being made up of bands of a color distinct from the other frames, so that the bands of a frame are each observable through the lenticular grating when said lenticular grating is arranged opposite the set of the two frames, each lens focusing the incident light through the lens onto a band of a frame to form an image, the translational movement of the data plate relative to the first page of the booklet, allowing the image formed by each of the frames to be observed alternately; the document has a length L extending between two lateral edges, and the first seam is arranged along the central axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the length L, equidistant from each of the lateral edges; the document has a length L extending between two lateral edges, and the first seam is arranged parallel to the central axis, in the area of ​​curvature of the document, on the side opposite the data plate; the hinge is formed from a strip of polymer material chosen from polypropylene or polyurethane; the cover layer is formed from an assembly of a sheet made of a resistant material and an additional sheet of paper, separate from the booklet of paper sheets, the additional sheet of paper being attached to the booklet by the first stitch, then glued over its entire surface to the sheet of resistant material; The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a security document 1, comprising the following steps: determining the distance between the first seam and the second fastening means, adding a hinge having a width greater than the overlap width of the data plate and the distance between the first seam and the second fastening means, adding a rigid data page and assembling the hinge on a longitudinal edge of the plate. lamination data, Addition of the booklet of paper sheets, Addition of the cover layer, joining of the booklet and cover sheets and the hinge by means of the first seam, joining of the hinge to the cover layer by means of a second fastening means positioned between the first seam and the second fastening means.

[0018] The invention, according to an exemplary embodiment, will be understood from the following detailed description, given by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] Fig. 1 represents a state-of-the-art safety document,

[0020] Figure 2 represents a side view of the safety document according to the invention in its closed configuration.

[0021] Figure 3 represents the security document of Figure 2 in a semi-open configuration.

[0022] Figure 4 represents the security document of Figure 2 in open configuration

[0023] Figures 5a and 5b [Fig.5a] and [Fig.5b] respectively represent a side view and a front view of the security document of [Fig.2] in a second open configuration in which the data plate is positioned on an inner face of the cover layer.

[0024] The invention relates to a multi-page security document such as a passport or other type of identity booklet. The invention will be described in the remainder of this application as a passport, but can be applied to any other type of booklet-style identity document. The passport has a length L and a width 1 in its open configuration, as illustrated in Figures 4, 5a, and 5b. The passport is folded along a central axis, the fold defining a non-zero curvature zone, as defined in the preamble to the description.

[0025] The passport has a cover layer 10. This cover layer 10 is made of a wear-resistant material so as to protect the other pages of the passport. The cover layer 10 delimits an outer face 10a and an inner face 10b, and has a substantially rectangular shape when unfolded, defining a length L and a width 1.

[0026] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 5b, the passport comprises a booklet 12 including at least one sheet of paper 12 intended to receive the passport holder's data. Generally, a passport comprises 10 to 40 sheets of paper, forming a rectangular booklet 12, which, when unfolded, has a length L and a width 1 close to, but slightly less than, the dimensions of the cover layer 10.

[0027] The cover layer 10 and the booklet sheets 12 are joined by means of a first seam 14 made parallel to the lateral central axis, substantially parallel to the width 1 of said sheets. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the passport is folded along the central axis and the first seam 14 is made along this central axis, extending in a direction perpendicular to the length L, equidistant from each of the lateral edges. In the closed configuration, i.e., when the passport is folded, each sheet of the booklet 12 defines four pages.

[0028] By way of example, the passport has a length L of approximately 17.7 cm in the open configuration in which the cover layer is substantially flat, the opening angle being approximately 180°. The length L extends between two lateral edges and the first seam 14 is arranged along the central axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the length L, 88.5 mm from each of the lateral edges.

[0029] The passport also includes a rigid data plate 22, also called a data page. The term "plate" will be preferred in the remainder of this description in order to define a front and back data page, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 5. The data plate 16 is made of a rigid plastic such as polycarbonate and has a thickness between 500 µm and 800 µm. Traditionally, one of the data pages contains the data relating to the identity of the passport holder, possibly a photograph, and security features that make any unauthorized reproduction of said data plate 16 very difficult. As described above, it is known to incorporate into the data plate 16 a first element integrated into the data plate, such as a transparent window, which, combined with a second security feature on a page adjacent to the data plate 16, generates a security feature specific to the passport.

[0030] Since the data plate is rigid and has the thickness indicated above, it cannot be attached to the passport pages by means of stitching. In order to create a connection between the data plate 16 and the passport pages, a flexible hinge 18 is attached on one side to the cover layer 10 and to the booklet pages 12 by means of the first stitch 14, and on the other side to the data plate 16.

[0031] Typically, and as illustrated in the figures, the hinge 18 is attached to the data plate 16 at an overlap area 20 in which the two materials adhere to each other. Indeed, in this overlap area 20, the local fusion of the materials of the data plate 16 and the hinge 18 creates an irreversible chemical bond. This fusion is achieved after a lamination step of the hinge 18 and the data plate 16. Other methods of attaching the hinge to the data plate known to the person skilled in the art can be used in the present invention.

[0032] Preferably, the overlap area 20 extends over the entire length of the data plate 16 and extends over a width of approximately 8mm from the longitudinal edge of the data plate 16.

[0033] The passport according to the invention also includes a security device consisting of a first element integrated into the data plate 16 and a second element integrated into the booklet 12, on a paper page facing the data plate, this paper page forming the first page of the booklet 12. The first and second elements cooperate to form a security device. More particularly, the translational movement of the data plate 16 relative to the first page of the booklet 12 allows for the alternate observation of images generated by the superposition of the first and second elements.

[0034] The present invention will be described in the following description on the basis of a security device comprising a first element forming a transparent window provided with a lenticular network and a second element forming at least two interlaced frames, each frame being formed of bands of a color distinct from the other frames.

[0035] However, other types of security devices can be considered, such as a window with strips of optically variable material that change color according to the color of the page of booklet 12.

[0036] The visual effect obtained by the security device when the data plate 16 translates on the first page of booklet 12 will be described below.

[0037] In order to enable a translational movement between the data plate 16 and the first page of the booklet 12, the passport according to the invention further comprises a second fastening means 22, visible in Figures 2 to 5. The second fastening means 22 connects the hinge 18 to the cover layer 10 and is positioned between the first seam 14 and the rigid data page. Consequently, the second fastening means 22 connects the data plate 16 to the cover layer 10. The second fastening means 22 extends substantially parallel to the first seam 14, at a distance from the first seam 14. The second fastening means 22 is adapted to generate a translational movement of the data plate 16 relative to the first page of the booklet 12 by changing the opening angle of the cover layer 10 of the security document.

[0038] Advantageously, the second fastening means 22 is formed by a seam parallel to the first seam 14 extending over at least part of the width 1 of the cover layer 10. According to a preferred embodiment, the second seam 22 extends over the entire width 1 of the cover layer 10. In a way advantageous, the first and second seams 14, 22 are made with a thread woven from natural or synthetic material (such as polyamide) well known to the craftsman, traditionally used for passports and offering sufficient flexibility and resistance to wear.

[0039] Other variations can be considered. The second fastening means 22 can be achieved by bonding. The weld bead extends substantially parallel to the first seam 14, at a distance from the first seam 14. The second fastening means can also be formed by rivets having an elongated body and a head. The rivet is inserted into a hole formed in the hinge, and the rivet material is chosen to adhere to the covering layer, for example, by applying heat. The holes and rivets are arranged in a direction parallel to the first seam 14, at a distance from the first seam 14.

[0040] The second fastening means 22 allows the data plate 16 to be attached to the cover layer 10 and is positioned between the first seam 14 and the longitudinal edge of the data plate 16. It follows that opening the cover page at an angle of at least 45° relative to the data plate 16 will cause the data plate 16 to move in translation relative to the first page of the booklet 12, as shown schematically in [Fig. 3]. Since the data plate is superimposed on the first paper page of the booklet 12, this translational movement will cause the data plate to slide on the first page of the booklet 12. Thus, between two opening angles of the cover layer 10, for example between 90° and 180°, the translational movement of the data plate on the first paper page allows a user to observe the visual changes in the security device.

[0041] It is then easy to check the authenticity of the passport by moving from a first opening angle to a second opening angle of the cover layer 10, to vary the translational movements in one direction or another and to observe alternately the visual effects generated by the security device.

[0042] The translational movement of the data plate relative to the first page of the booklet 12 results in a shift or slippage of the data plate. This shift or slippage depends on the change in the opening angle of the cover layer 10, but also on the distance separating the first seam 14 and the second fastening means 22. The shift is proportional to the distance between the first seam 14 and the second fastening means 22.

[0043] According to a first variant, the second fixing means 22 is positioned equidistant from the first seam 14 and the longitudinal edge of the data plate, at a distance d between 1 and 5mm.

[0044] According to a second variant, the distance separating the edge of the data plate and the second fastening means 22 is different from the distance d separating the second fastening means 22 and the first seam 14.

[0045] The translational movement of the data plate generates a shift at least equal to the distance d separating the first seam from the second fastening means, when the passport is in an open configuration in which the opening angle of the cover layer is equal to at least 180°.

[0046] As previously indicated, the security device comprises a lenticular grating integrated into the data plate and at least two interlaced frames printed on the first page of booklet 12. One frame is formed of bands of a color distinct from the other frame, such that the bands of a frame are each observable through the lenticular grating when said lenticular grating is arranged opposite the set of the two frames, each lens of the lenticular grating focusing the incident light through the lens onto a band of a frame to form an image.

[0047] The translational movement of the data plate relative to the first paper page allows the image constituted by the first observed through the lenticular network to be observed alternately, and the image constituted by the second frame observed through the lenticular network when the data plate 16 is moved in translation on the first paper page.

[0048] As previously stated, the second fastening means 22 is positioned parallel to the first seam 14, at a distance of between 1 and 5 mm. This distance is chosen to allow for a sufficiently large offset, resulting from the translational movement, to provide a readily observable visual effect. It is also necessary to define this distance between a minimum value below which the passage of the sewing machine, or the application of glue or rivets, is not possible, and a maximum value beyond which the usable area of ​​the data plate is insufficient to mark the information data on it.

[0049] According to a second embodiment, it is also possible to offset the position of the first seam and to decenter it with respect to the central axis of the booklet. The first seam 14 is then positioned parallel to the central axis, in the curved area of ​​the document, on the side opposite the data plate. An offset of 2 mm is permitted because, being close to the central axis and positioned within the radius of curvature of the fold, it is thus barely visible to a user. Moving the first seam allows for a larger space for the second fastening means 22.

[0050] These positioning dimension choices allow for an offset of up to 7 mm of the data plate relative to the first page of the booklet, available for information

[0051] The hinge 18 is formed from a strip of polymer material. This material is either polypropylene or TPU polyurethane. Both materials exhibit sufficient flexibility to allow rotation of the hinge around an axis (the stitching axis, for example) and sufficient tear resistance to withstand the durability tests required for identity documents. The polyurethane material offers better tear resistance. This tear resistance is particularly advantageous in the present invention, in which the hinge is attached to the cover layer by means of two stitching lines and is therefore perforated by a series of regular stitches made with thread and a needle. These two stitching lines thus form two lines of perforations that weaken the hinge.Advantageously, the hinge incorporates a woven mesh embedded in the polymer to improve the hinge's strength while preserving its flexibility.

[0052] According to one embodiment, it is possible to add a third security element on the inner face of the cover layer cooperating with a fourth security element formed in the data plate 16 to form a second security device when the data plate 16 is superimposed on the inner face of the cover page.

[0053] According to a second embodiment of the invention, not shown, the cover layer is formed by an assembly of a sheet made of the wear-resistant material as described above and an additional sheet of paper, separate from the booklet 12 of paper sheets. The additional sheet of paper is attached to the inner face 10b of the sheet of wear-resistant material. In this embodiment, the additional sheet is, in a first step, attached to the booklet by the first seam, and then glued over its entire surface to the sheet of wear-resistant material. The additional sheet thus defines the inner face of the cover layer on which designs or information data can be added.

[0054] In the second embodiment, the second fastening means connects the data plate to the additional sheet under the same conditions and according to the same variants as those described in the first embodiment. The second fastening means is implemented before the step of bonding the cover layer and the additional sheet.

[0055] Advantageously, the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a document comprising a step of determining the distance d separating the first The distance between the first seam 14 and the second fastening means 22 is chosen according to the maximum desired translational displacement between the data plate 16 and the first page of the booklet 12. For example, this distance d is between 1 and 5 mm. The choice of the distance between the first seam 14 and the second fastening means 22 then determines the minimum width of the hinge 18.

[0056] Indeed, the hinge 18 has a width greater than the width of the cover area 20 of the data plate 16 and the distance separating the first seam 14 and the second fastening means 22.

[0057] In order to allow an opening movement of the passport and a rotational movement of the rigid data plate 16 around the first seam 14, a minimum separation distance is provided between the cover area 20 and the second fastening means 22.

[0058] It will also be advantageous to provide a remaining hinge width 18 extending beyond the first seam 14 on the side opposite to that of the data plate 16 to ensure good support of the hinge 18 on both sides of the first seam 14.

[0059] The method also includes the addition of a rigid data plate 16 onto which the hinge 18 has been previously attached by lamination. The booklet 12 of paper sheets and the cover layer 10 are then bound together by means of the first seam 14. The method further includes a step of constructing the second fastening means 22 positioned between the first seam 14 and the data plate 16. According to a preferred embodiment, this step consists of creating a seam 14 to attach the hinge 18 to the cover layer 10.

Claims

Demands

1. Security document comprising a cover layer (10) delimiting an outer face (10a) and an inner face (10b), a booklet (12) comprising at least one sheet of paper, a rigid data plate, a flexible hinge (18), the security document having a length L and a width 1, being folded along a central axis, the fold defining a non-zero curvature zone, the assembly formed by the cover layer, the booklet of sheets and the hinge being assembled by means of a first seam (14) made along an axis parallel to the central axis in the curvature zone, a security device consisting of a first element integrated into the data plate and a second element integrated into the sheet of the booklet (12), on a page facing the data plate (16) and forming the first page of the booklet (12), the first and second elements cooperating to form the security device,characterized in that the document comprises a second fastening means (22) linking the hinge (18) to the cover layer (10), extending substantially parallel to the first seam (14), at a distance from the first seam (14), and positioned between the first seam (14) and the rigid data plate, the second fastening means (22) generating a translational movement of the data plate (16) relative to the first page of the booklet (12) by changing the opening angle of the cover layer (10) of the security document.

2. Safety document according to claim 1, wherein the second fastening means (22) is formed of a seam.

3. Safety document according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the second fastening means (22) is positioned parallel to the first seam (14) at a distance d between 1 and 5mm from the first seam (14).

4. A security document according to claim 3, wherein the translational movement of the data plate generates an offset at least equal to d when the passport is in the open configuration in which the opening angle of the cover layer is equal to at least 180°.

5. Safety document according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second seam (22) has a length less than the width 1 of the cover layer (10).

6. A security document according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first element of the security device forms a transparent window provided with a lenticular grating and the second element of the security device comprises at least two interlaced frames, one frame being made up of strips of a color distinct from the other frames, such that the strips of a frame are each observable through the lenticular grating when said lenticular grating is arranged opposite the set of the two frames, each lens focusing the incident light through the lens onto a strip of a frame to form an image, the translational movement of the data plate relative to the first page of the booklet (12), allowing the image formed by each of the frames to be observed alternately.

7. Safety document according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the document has a length L extending between two lateral edges, and the first seam (14) is arranged along the central axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the length L, equidistant from each of the lateral edges.

8. Security document according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the document has a length L extending between two lateral edges, and the first seam (14) is arranged parallel to the central axis, in the curvature zone of the document, on the side opposite the data plate.

9. Safety document according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge (18) is formed of a strip of polymer material selected from polypropylene or polyurethane.

10. A security document according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover layer is formed from an assembly of a sheet made of a resistant material and an additional sheet of paper, separate from the booklet of paper sheets, the additional sheet of paper being attached to the booklet by the first seam, and then glued over its entire surface to the sheet of resistant material.

11. A method for manufacturing a security document according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: determining the distance between the first seam (14) and the second fastening means (22), adding a hinge (18) having a width greater than the overlap width (20) of the data plate (16) and the distance between the first seam (14) and the second fastening means (22), adding a rigid data page and assembling the hinge (18) onto a longitudinal edge of the data plate (16) by lamination, adding the booklet (12) of paper sheets, adding the cover layer (10), joining the booklet (12) and cover (10) sheets and the hinge (18) by means of the first seam (14), joining the hinge (18) to the cover layer (10) by means of a second fastening means (22) positioned between the first seam (14) and the second fastening means. fixing (22).

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