FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an anticounterfeit element and particularly to an anticounterfeit element for use in documents of value or high value documents along with equipment/ device/ for detection of presence of the anticounterfeit element therein and the presence of genuine anticounterfeit element and a method of manufacturing the anticounterfeit element.

The present invention further relates to the field of identifying anticounterfeit document of value. The anticounterfeit element according to the present disclosure is also known as a security element, security device, synonymous to each other. The present invention preferably use term “anticounterfeit element” along with other synonymous terms as mentioned above. The present invention also employs a method of manufacturing the same, i.e., “anticounterfeit element”.

DEFINITIONS

DOCUMENT OF VALUE:

Document of value herein means any document which may be in the form of paper or sheet used in currency notes, stamp paper, revenue stamps, postal stamp paper, passport or other any type of important document used by government or companies or individuals. The document of value may be referred as article or product in the description.

The document of value employs security features in the form of Security fiber/element or security thread and both may be referred as security device.

SECURITY:

As used herein, the term “security” relates to security for the originality and genuine or authenticity of the document of value and the like. The term “Security” is nowhere related to a security item/product like defence products or weapons.

ANTICOUNTERFEIT ELEMENT/ SECURITY ELEMENT/ SECURITY FIBER OR SECURITY THREAD:

The term as used herein, namely, the anticounterfeit element or security element or security fiber or security thread is a product. The security product(s) preferably is in the form of an article in the form of thread or fiber a small piece article made on the substrate. The anticounterfeit element or security product herein is also known as security device.

In the known art, the anticounterfeit element or security fiber or the security element may be introduced into a pulp slurry during the process of paper manufacturing for the document of value. Whereas, the security thread is embedded in the document of value such that the security thread may be partially embedded in the paper of the document of value and partially exposed out of the paper of the document of value with the indicia configured on the exposed portion of the security thread.

SECURITY PRODUCTS:

The term security products may include the security fiber and the security thread, anticounterfeit element but is not limited to these.

INDICIA:

The term “Indicia” herein refers to the security feature(s) configured in the security anticounterfeit element, or security element, or security device, or security fiber, or security thread as per the requirement of the manufacturer of the document of value. By indicia made in the anticounterfeit element the genuineness of the document of value can be judged that document of value or article is a genuine product or counterfeited product. The indicia in the anticounterfeit element used to identify the genuineness and originality of document of value. The indicia are decided by the end user like central hank like RBI in India, Post office, Passport Office, or Government treasury or ant user.

The indicia may be in the form of a text or an image, symbol etc. For example, the text in the Indian currency is RBI, and Bharat, on the security thread. The image may be in the form of a flag of different colour, logo, picture etc. For example, the picture may be an image of a bird. Symbol may be different logos, marks, trade-marks etc

WAVE NUMBER

The wave number is typical measure in vibrational (infrared) spectroscopy, and its historical unit is the reciprocal of centimetre (cm-1). Wave number is a unit of frequency, often used in atomic, molecular, and nuclear spectroscopy. Wave number is the reciprocal of wavelength of a wave. It is defined as the number of waves per unit length. ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM, WAVE SPECTRUM

The varieties of electromagnetic radiation form a continuum known as the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Its broad categories are called

• Radio waves

• Microwaves

• Infrared (IR) light

• visible light

• Ultraviolet (UV) light

• X-rays

• Gamma rays

INFRARED REGION SPECTRUM: 780 nm and 1 mm

• Infrared radiation (IR), also known as thermal radiation, is that band in the electromagnetic radiation spectrum with wavelengths between 780 nm and 1 mm.

• IR is categorized as IR-A (780 nm-1.4 pm), IR-B (1.4-3 pm) and IR-C, also known as far-IR (3 pm-1 mm).

UV REGION SPECTRUM

• The UV region covers the wavelength range 100-400 nm UV is categorized and is divided into three bands: UVA (315-400 nm) UVB (280-315 nm) UVC (100-280 nm).

VISIBLE REGION SPECTRUM

• Visible light covers the range of wavelengths from 400 - 750 nm. This is the only region in spectrum that human eyes are sensitive to. It can be day light or normal light means can be seen in sun or moon light or by lamp light.

SPECTRAL FINGERPRINTS

The region between 400 cm ¹ and 1500 cm ¹ in the Infrared spectrum is known as the fingerprint region. Spectrum is in form of graph. The spectrum graph usually contains a large number of peaks. However, the fingerprint region of a given compound is unique. The peaks of spectral fingerprint region are unique and therefore can be used to distinguish between the compounds. It means every compound has unique fingerprint region. COUNTERFEIT:

The term “counterfeit” herein means to imitate something authentic, with the intent to steal, destroy, or replace the original, for use in illegal transactions, or otherwise to deceive individuals into believing that the fake is of equal or greater value than the real thing.

COUNTERFEITING:

The term “counterfeiting” herein is meant in context of counterfeiting money, including currency and coins, but also involves the fraudulent production of copies of valuable digital media, such as CDs and DVDs, as well as designer clothing, jewellery, accessories etc., but is not limited to these examples.

LEVEL-1 SECURITY: OVERT FEATURES:

The term “overt” herein means open/non-hidden. Level 1 security features can be seen in daylight spectrum range. No device is needed to check the level- 1 security. The security products / security devices having Level- 1 security changes colour when view form different angle or by tilting the document of value having Level- 1 security product / devices therein. Level- 1 security features are preferably used in a security thread. The colour change effect can be seen for any two colours, for example, on tilting the document by an angle, the colour may change from red to green.

LEVEL-2 SECURITY: COVERT FEATURES:

The term “covert” herein has the plain dictionary meaning, i.e., hidden. Level-2 security or the covert element can be detected with the help of a special device. For example, the special device may include use of an ultraviolet lamp emitting light in the UV spectrum. The special device may be a handheld device or may be a part of a machine or equipment. The security product radiates light having a particular colour (wavelength) when it is irradiated with the ultraviolet light from the special device. The security product radiates the light of a particular colour upon being irradiated with the ultraviolet light, and the colour of the light radiated by the security product depends on the chemical or compound used for the Level-2 security product. The level-2 security product may be embedded in the document of value by the way of anticounterfeit element /security element/ security fiber or security thread. LEVEL-3 SECURITY: FORENSIC SECURITY FEATURE,

SPECTRAL FINGER PRINT FEATURE

Level-3 security employs a unique spectral fingerprint as a security feature to identify the counterfeit products. Every compound or chemical has own unique spectral fingerprint and can be seen in the form of graph. The spectral fingerprint can be identified in the form of graph using a special device. The security products with level-3 security features exhibits particular spectral fingerprint graph according to the type of compound, or chemical used on the anticounterfeit element.

LEVEL-4 SECURITY: SPECIAL COATING MATERIAL (SCM)

FEATURES

Level-4 security employs a special coating material on the anticounterfeit element. The presence or absence of the special coating material on document of value is detected by a special device.

IRRADIATION/ IRRADIATED:

Irradiation is the process by which an object is exposed to radiation. The exposure can originate from various sources, including natural sources.

The term device, machine, equipment, used herein are synonymous to each other and term “Equipment” is preferably used in the description herein below.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The background information herein below relates to the present invention but is not necessarily prior art.

The present invention relates to an anticounterfeit element for use in a document of value/high value for protecting valuable articles or document of value to avoid making of fake or duplicate document of value and quick and easy method to identify if such document of value is fake or imitated one. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing the same, so that a document of value is equipped with such an anticounterfeit security element.

The present invention relates to an anticounterfeit element for securing information carriers, and a method for manufacturing such an anticounterfeit element. There is a permanent interest of anticounterfeit security element in papers /documents of value against forgeries and unauthorized reproduction. Particularly, in view of today's advanced copying and printing techniques, it is becoming ever more difficult to find effective security features that, if cannot prevent unauthorized reproduction or forgery by the copying and printing machines, at least make it clearly recognizable. For protection of the valuable products such as branded articles and documents of value/high value, these valuable products are often equipped with anticounterfeit elements that permit the authenticity of the valuable article to be verified, and that simultaneously serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction.

Anticounterfeit elements that cannot be reproduced even with the most modern copiers play a special role in safeguarding authenticity of the document of value. For this purpose, special printing inks that include gloss pigments or other optical effect pigments are often printed, since the characteristic gloss and the play of colours of such pigments cannot be copied.

With the instances of sophisticated counterfeiting increasing day by day in documents of value like the currency notes, stamp papers, passport paper etc., there is felt a need for more advanced anticounterfeiting security features in the document of value.

A good security feature normally has both overt and covert elements also known as level 1 and level 2 security features. But today these security features are not enough to protect the manufacturing of security products or to identify the counterfeit products. A good security feature is required in addition to the known overt element and covert element features used in the document of value.

The drawbacks or the issues or the limitations of the existing conventional security element/fiber which are used as anticounterfeit element are described with reference to the currency notes or the hank notes. Typically, the security fibres present in the currency note are invisible under normal light, but become visible under Ultra Violet light. This is done by irradiating the currency note or document of value, particularly the portion of the currency note that contains the security fibre’s, with ultra-violet radiation or ultra-violet light.

To verify whether the currency note or document of value is genuine or fake, it is necessary to position each currency note under the ultraviolet light manually one by one and a person has to check for the presence of the security fibre in the currency note. Thus, from the above, it is apparent that the existing method for determining genuineness of the currency notes or any document of value having the anticounterfeit element (which are the fibres visible under ultraviolet light only) works well when handled individually or in small numbers at a time.

However, handling a large number of currency notes or documents of value at a time is a difficult and tedious task. For example, cash withdrawals from banks, payment of wages to a large number of people (employees), or in currency chests where the number of currency notes are handled per hour is phenomenal, it is difficult to check the presence or absence of these anticounterfeit elements or fibres in the currency notes. This is a major challenging issue.

Further, the inventors observe that the existing currency notes or documents of value do not have a multi-level security features, i.e., a forensic verification is not available for determining the genuineness of the documents of values or the currency notes.

With the instances of sophisticated counterfeiting increasing day-by-day, there is felt an acute need for more advanced anticounterfeiting security features in the anticounterfeit elements or security fibre incorporated in the document of value. A good security feature provides both overt and covert elements, which are also known as level 1 and level 2 security features. But, today, the two-level security features in an anticounterfeit element are not enough.

Dual fluorescent security fibres which are in use today in a security papers like the currency notes, or the bank notes, the stamp papers for tax collection or in documents for legal purpose etc., offer only level- 1 and level-2 security. The two- level security features are very old development and security features can be breached and is not enough. Accordingly, there is a need of a level-3 feature.

The present invention envisages an anticounterfeit element which overcomes the above-mentioned grave lacunas.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative; An object of the present invention is to solve one or more deficiencies encountered in the prior art or to at the minimum deliver a beneficial substitute;

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anticounterfeit element with one or more validating and/or security features;

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an anticounterfeit element for authentication, and identification as a measure of anticounterfeiting or anti-falsification protection against forgery;

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an anticounterfeit element for use in a document of value like fiduciary, bank note, passport, and other security papers or security documents;

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anticounterfeit element that cannot be reproduced even with the most modern copiers and play a special role in safeguarding authenticity;

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anticounterfeit element having multi-layer securities;

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anticounterfeit element having machine readable features;

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anticounterfeit element which need special machine for detecting security features of an anticounterfeit element;

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anticounterfeit element which need special machine having information in data form of security features incorporated in the document of value for detecting and comparing security features of an anticounterfeit element;

Another object of the present invention is to provide novel and inventive anticounterfeit security product having distinct features embedded in a document of value related to security along with a method for manufacturing the same;

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anticounterfeit element for securing data carriers, having a multi-layer security feature; and Another object of the present invention is to provide an anticounterfeit security element for identifying the genuineness of document of value or in other words identifying counterfeit products of valuable products.

Other objects and benefits of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to bind the scope of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an anticounterfeit element for safeguarding documents of value is disclosed.

The present invention provides an anticounterfeit element for use in documents of value or high value documents along with device/equipment/machine for detection of the same and a method of manufacturing the same and further to the field of identifying anticounterfeit documents.

Level- 1 or Level-2 security is known in the anticounterfeit elements used in a document of value. Level-3 security by means of using Forensic features is the object of the invention.

The anticounterfeit element comprising a substrate, a covert security feature disposed on the substrate, the covert security feature being a feature detectable under a radiation which being outside the visible radiation spectrum, and a forensic security feature comprising pigment material having a unique spectral fingerprint, which being detectable upon exciting with a radiation having a wavenumber in a predetermined range, the forensic security feature being incorporated with the covert security feature.

An anticounterfeit element (100) for safeguarding documents of value, the anticounterfeit element (100) comprising: a substrate (102); a coating/pigments material (400) having covert security feature (104) and forensic security feature (106) disposed on the substrate (102), wherein the covert security feature (104) being a feature detectable by eyes under a radiation which being outside the visible radiation spectrum, wherein forensic security feature (106) having a unique emission spectral fingerprint; or a coatings/pigments material (500) having forensic security feature (106) having a unique emission spectral fingerprint, which being detectable upon excitation with a radiation having a wavenumber in a predetermined range which being outside the visible radiation spectrum, disposed on the coating/pigment’s material (400) and/or side by side; or a coatings/pigments (500) having forensic security feature (106) having a unique emission spectral fingerprint, which being detectable upon excitation with a radiation having a wavenumber in a predetermined range which being outside the visible radiation spectrum, disposed on the substrate not having coating/pigment material (400) disposed on it; to obtain final substrate having anticounterfeit elements (100); wherein said coatings/pigments materials (400, 500) may or may not be visible in one or more colours in normal light or daylight. wherein said anticounterfeit element final product (100) is in the form of article manufactured by slit, or cut, or chopped, or punched into the required shapes and sizes from the final substrate as per the requirement of end user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

The present invention will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic top view of an anticounterfeit element in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional side view of an anticounterfeit element in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 1A (provided in last Page) illustrates a block diagram of an equipment for determining genuineness of a document of value containing the anticounterfeit element of FIG. 1 in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 3 is wave diagram of different regions of the wave spectrum.

Figure 4 is another wave diagram of different regions of the wave spectrum. Figure 5 and 6 are another wave diagram of different regions of the wave spectrum to understand the invention. The Wave graph of fingerprint spectrum for assessing genuineness of Document of value.

LIST OF NUMERALS

The following is the list of numerals and their meaning as used in the present specification.

100 - Anticounterfeit element

102 - Substrate

104 - Covert security feature

106 - Forensic security feature

108 - Protective layer

200 - Equipment/device/machine

202 - Processor

204 - Memory

206 - Ultraviolet radiation source

208 - First detector

210 - Infrared radiation source

212 - Second detector

214 - Verification unit

216 - Sorting unit

400- a coating/pigments material having covert security feature (104) and forensic security feature (106).

500- a coatings/pigments material having forensic security feature (106) having a unique emission spectral fingerprint, DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is related to an anticounterfeit element (100) for safeguarding documents of value, the anticounterfeit element (100).

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing and different embodiments.

Throughout the present specification, to describe the invention, the word “comprises”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers, or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers, or steps.

Different embodiments are provided so as to convey the scope of the present invention thoroughly, and fully to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present invention, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present invention. As used in the present invention, the forms "a,” "an," and "“they”" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present invention is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" or “associated” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements. The present invention relates to a novel and inventive anticounterfeit element used for document of value like currency notes, stamp papers etc used as security features.

More specifically, the present invention relates to an anticounterfeit element or security device or security fiber which is having printed marks or indicia or text or design disposed or formed on a suitable substrate. The present invention further relates to a method of making the anticounterfeit element. The anticounterfeit element is having one or more such security features incorporated in it.

To have more and good security features in addition to the conventional existing overt or/and covert elements the present invention incorporates an additional security feature as third level security, which is a forensic feature. The level 3 security feature of the present invention is a machine-readable feature, which also helps in reducing or eliminating human errors.

The present invention herein seeks to fill this void and accordingly provides an anticounterfeit element with multi-level security features. Further, in order to detect the multi-level security features, a special equipment is required. Accordingly, the present invention herein provides an equipment for detecting the presence or absence of multi-level security features embedded in the anticounterfeit element. In accordance with the present invention, the equipment can be a handheld equipment, a table-top or can be integrated with sophisticated high-speed reading/sorting machines.

The overt feature is a feature detectable by a human eye in the visible radiation spectrum. The overt feature is used as one of the securities features in an anticounterfeit element.

The covert feature means hidden features detectable by irradiating the product/ article having covert feature with a radiation, the radiation may be outside the visible radiation spectrum including IR or UV spectrum range. However, preferably the ultraviolet spectrum range used to identify the covert. The covert feature is used as security feature in an anticounterfeit element.

The forensic security feature herein means unique features of material like fingerprint of each human being is unique include a compound or a chemical or material. Every material or compound or chemical has specific unique fingerprint spectrum. The fingerprint definition is given in the beginning of disclosure. According to present invention unique fingerprint spectrum of coating/pigment material (C PM) used as one of the security features of the anticounterfeit element. As each material/ compound has unique fingerprint spectrum, the fingerprint details of material used for coating in anticounterfeit element having covert features and forensic features keep stored in an equipment.

The coating/pigment material used on the substrate of the anticounterfeit element by depositing on the substrate as security features. It means these coating/pigment materials having covert features and/or forensic features. The layer of the coating/pigment material chemical or the compound is suitably disposed on the substrate of anticounterfeit element.

The forensic coating material (FCM) comprising pigments having a unique spectral fingerprint, which being detectable upon exciting with a radiation having a wavenumber in a predetermined range.

Optionally a protective layer disposed on the substrate coated with material of covert and FCM features. coating/pigment material (C/PM): spectral fingerprint

Coating/ Pigment Material (C/PM): The coating material used as security feature in an anticounterfeit element having specific colour as cover features and specific spectral fingerprint of forensic features. The presence of the coating material with specific features as per requirement of end users in the anticounterfeit element is detected by the machine. The document of value supposed to has anticounterfeit element having coating/pigment material disposed on the substrate. The machine indicates the presence or absence of specific coating material by alert means by means of beep sound or colour indication (for example red or green) or display a message.

In accordance with invention according to present disclosure one of a coating/pigment’s material (400) having covert security feature (104) and forensic security feature (106) disposed on the substrate (102), wherein the covert security feature (104) being a feature detectable by eyes under a radiation which being outside the visible radiation spectrum, wherein forensic security feature (106) having a unique emission spectral fingerprint.

In accordance with invention according to present disclosure one of a coatings/pigment’s material (500) having forensic security feature (106) having a unique emission spectral fingerprint, which being detectable upon excitation with a radiation having a wavenumber in a predetermined range which being outside the visible radiation spectrum, disposed on the coating/pigment’s material (400) and/or side by side. The coatings/pigments material (400, 500) may be organic and or inorganic or combinations thereof.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the coating material having forensic features is detectable upon exciting the forensic coating material used in the anticounterfeit element with a radiation having a wavenumber in the infrared range of 400 cm ¹ to 1500 cm ¹ . The coating material is configured to absorb and emit the radiation.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the anticounterfeit element (100) comprises a substrate (102). The substrate (102) can be made of any material that can be used as a base to dispose or print one or more coatings thereon.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the substrate (102) is made of anyone of a material selected from the group consisting of cellulose, polymer, cotton-based paper, and combinations thereof. Further, the substrate being in anyone form from selected group consisting of films, sheets, plate, slab, page, and combinations thereof. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned forms and any other forms may be employed.

The anticounterfeit element will be in form of strip piece. The anticounterfeit element (100) as claimed in claim lis an article having shape in the form of strip piece having shape selected from the group consisting of regular shape, irregular shape, and combinations thereof, wherein the regular shapes being one selected from the group consisting of strip, round, and a polygon, and wherein the polygon is one selected from the group consisting of square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, and combinations thereof.

The anticounterfeit element (100) the covert security feature (104) is in a form selected from the group consisting of an indicia, mark, strip(s) and combinations thereof, wherein the strip(s) may be combinations of parallel strips in straight or non-straight pattern or non parallel strips. The indicia in strip form may be combinations of parallel strips in straight or non-straight pattern.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the covert security feature is disposed by disposal means on one side or both sides of the substrate. The disposed feature may be in a form selected from the group consisting of an indicia, mark, and combinations thereof.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the substrate (102) may vary according to need and application. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the substrate (102) can be in the range of 30 microns to 100 microns. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the substrate (102) can be 40 microns or less.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the anticounterfeit element (100) can have any shape. More specifically, the anticounterfeit element (100) can have a shape selected from the group consisting of regular shape, irregular shape, and combinations thereof.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the regular shape can be one selected from the group consisting of a strip, circle, and a polygon. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the polygon can be one selected from the group consisting of square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, and combinations thereof.

COVERT SECURITY FEATURES

The covert features are known in the security fiber or anticounterfeit elements. In accordance with one feature of the present disclosure, the covert security feature is visible with eyes when document of value having anticounterfeit element irradiated with a UV radiation having wavelength in the range of 100 nm to 380 nm. The visible features of the indicia be visible with colour, which were not visible to eyes when UV light is not put or irradiated on the document of value. The visible colour maybe one colour or more than one colour, according to the requirement of end user. The coating/pigments material disposed on the substrate in the form of indicia, mark, strip(s) and combinations thereof. The selection of coating/pigments material decide on the basis of end requirement of user means colours viewed as covert features and colour of the coating pigment visible to eyes while used on the anticounterfeit element as forensic features.

In case anticounterfeit element is not present in the document of value the covert features will not visible. It means document of value will not exhibit any additional colour in form indicia when irradiated by radiation.

The UV region covers the wavelength range 100-400 nm and is divided into three bands: UVA (315-400 nm) UVB (280-315 nm) UVC (100-280 nm).

In accordance with one feature of the embodiment of the present invention, the anticounterfeit element (100) coated with a coating/pigment’s material (400) having covert security feature (104) and forensic security feature (106) disposed on the substrate (102), wherein the covert security feature (104) being a feature detectable by eyes under a radiation which being outside the visible radiation spectrum, wherein forensic security feature (106) having a unique emission spectral fingerprint.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the covert security feature (104) is visible when irradiated with a radiation having wavelength in the range of 100 nm to 380 nm.

More specifically, the covert security feature (104) when irradiated with the radiation in the ultraviolet region spectrum, the covert security feature (104) is configured to absorb the ultraviolet radiation, which being incident thereon, and emit a radiation which is in the visible region thereby becoming visible to human eye.

The covert security feature (104) can be in one form selected from the group consisting of hidden images, hidden text, hidden images, etc. Further, the form of the covert security feature (104) is not limited to these and any other form is also well within the ambit of the present invention.

In accordance with one feature of the embodiment of the present invention, the covert security feature (104) on the anticounterfeit element and hence the anticounterfeit element (100) is disposed / configured with indicia which is sensitized to only UV-A detector (i.e., the indicia are printed with ink which is excited by UV-A, 365 nm wavelength lamp and the detector detects it).

In accordance with one feature of the embodiment of the present invention, the covert security feature (104) on the anticounterfeit element and hence the anticounterfeit element (100) is disposed / configured with indicia which is sensitized to UV-A and UV-B detectors (UV-B = 305 nm wavelengths).

In accordance with one feature of the embodiment of the present invention, the covert security feature (104) on the anticounterfeit element and hence the anticounterfeit element (100) is disposed / configured with indicia which is sensitized to UV-A, UV-B and UV-C detectors (UV-C = 256 nm wavelength).

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the covert security feature (104) is disposed on one side or both sides of the substrate (102). In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the covert security feature (104) and forensic security features (106) are disposed on one side or both sides of the substrate (102).

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the covert security feature (104) is in a form selected from the group consisting of an indicia, mark, and combinations thereof. It is to be noted that the form of the covert security feature is not limited to the above-mentioned forms, and any other form is also well within the ambit of the present invention.

SPECIAL COATING MATERIAL

In accordance with one feature of the embodiment of the present invention, the anticounterfeit element (100) is sensitized to a detector which has a combination of indicia printed with inks excited by UV-A lamps, and the special coating material.

In accordance with one feature of the embodiment of the present invention, the anticounterfeit element (100) is sensitized to a detector which has a combination of three i.e., indicia printed with inks excited by UV-A and UV-B lamps and also the special coating material.

In accordance with one feature of the embodiment of the present invention, the anticounterfeit element (100) is sensitized to a detector which has a combination of four i.e., indicia printed with inks excited by UV-A, UV-B and UV-C lamps and also the special coating material.

ANTICOUNTERFEIT ELEMENT WITH MUTI-LEVEL SECURITY FEATURES

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an anticounterfeit element (100) with multi-level security features is disclosed, which overcomes one or more drawbacks or limitations associated with the conventional anticounterfeit elements with two-level security features.

An anticounterfeit element (100) for safeguarding documents of value, the anticounterfeit element (100) comprising: a substrate (102); a coating/pigments material (400) having covert security feature (104) and forensic security feature (106) disposed on the substrate (102), wherein the covert security feature (104) being a feature detectable by eyes under a radiation which being outside the visible radiation spectrum, wherein forensic security feature (106) having a unique emission spectral fingerprint; or a coatings/pigments material (500) having forensic security feature (106) having a unique emission spectral fingerprint, which being detectable upon excitation with a radiation having a wavenumber in a predetermined range which being outside the visible radiation spectrum, disposed on the coating/pigment’s material (400) and/or side by side; or a coatings/pigments (500) having forensic security feature (106) having a unique emission spectral fingerprint, which being detectable upon excitation with a radiation having a wavenumber in a predetermined range which being outside the visible radiation spectrum, disposed on the substrate not having coating/pigment material (400) disposed on it; to obtain final substrate having anticounterfeit elements (100); wherein said coatings/pigments materials (400, 500) may or may not be visible in one or more colours in normal light or daylight. wherein said anticounterfeit element final product (100) is in the form of article manufactured by slit, or cut, or chopped, or punched into the required shapes and sizes from the final substrate as per the requirement of end user.

Figure 1 and 2 shows the top view and side view to explain the novel inventive features in accordance of the invention. According to the present invention coating/pigment material with specific properties of covert security feature (104) and forensic security feature (106) disposed on the substrate. The dispose of coating/pigment material by any of known means like printing, coating, vaporisation etc method. The forensic security feature (106) may be disposed over the covert security feature (104) or side by side or aside as per the user requirement.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the anticounterfeit element having substrate wherein laver of covert features exhibiting material disposed in the form of Indicia. The anticounterfeit element (100) further includes a forensic security feature (106) over the covert security features. The coating/pigments material is having forensic security feature (106) in the form of spectral fingerprint. It is known that every material, chemical, compound has unique spectral fingerprint. The unique spectral fingerprint can be identified by irradiated the material with IR radiation. The coating/pigments material absorbs the radiation and emit the radiation. The emitted radiation has unique spectral fingerprint and hence the forensic security features are detectable by special equipment sensing the radiation excited after irradiating having a wavenumber in a predetermined range. In accordance with embodiment of the present invention, the forensic security feature (106) is incorporated over the covert security feature (104) or aside of covert features and/or forms a part of the covert security feature (104).

The manufacturer of anticounterfeit element in accordance with the present disclosure keep the details of data and information’s of material used for covert features and forensic features for every manufacturing lot. This information he stores in special equipment manufactured to detect the presence or absence of anticounterfeit element made. Regarding covert features, it stores the information of different colours will exhibit when irradiated with UV source and match or verify the same with the help of special equipment. Similarly for forensic features the data and information’s are stored in form of spectral fingerprint, that is in form of graph and peaks of graphs as shown in figure 5 and figure 6. The special equipment scans the document of value by emitting UV and IR radiations with predetermined spectrum range. The anticounterfeit element reflect/refract the radiation and that radiation is detected and sensed by the sensors of the equipment. The processor processes the information’s and compared with the information’s stored in the equipment. The equipment can store plurality of information’s for different materials used for different batch products for covert and forensic security features. Like currency notes, passport paper, stamp paper has different colour covert features and different coating/pigments material.

The coating of coating/pigments material can be done on the covert features or aside or side by side. There may be separate coating of pigments material or can be done by mixing pigments material in a solution of covert material if forensic security features coated/disposed over the covert features only.

The forensic security feature (106) cannot be visible by eyes even after irradiated the pigments material. The forensic security feature (106) can be seen in the equipment or by the equipment by detecting the unique spectral fingerprint of material coated on anticounterfeit element (100) embedded in the document of value and compared with stored data information of same coating/pigments material in the equipment. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the forensic security feature (106) is detectable upon excitation with the radiation having a wavenumber in the range of 400 cm ¹ to 1500 cm ¹ .

The anticounterfeit element (100) further includes a protective layer (108) disposed on the substrate (102) disposed with material having covert and forensic security features.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the forensic security feature (106) is present on one or both sides of the substrate (102).

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the substrate (102) with anticounterfeit properties thereon, may be coated with a protective coating (108) to protect the whole of the anticounterfeit element (100). In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the coating material is applied on one or both sides of the substrate (102).

Further, it is to be noted that the shape of the anticounterfeit element (100) is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and any other shape of the anticounterfeit element (100) is well within the ambit of the present invention.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the coating/pigments material is applied on one or both sides of the substrate.

METHOD

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing the anticounterfeit element (100), which being incorporated within the documents of value to be safeguarded, is disclosed.

A method for manufacturing the anticounterfeit element (100) which being incorporated within the documents of value to determining the genuineness of the document of value, the method comprising the following steps on the provided substrate (102), disposing/coating of pigment material having covert (104) and forensic (106) security features on the substrate (102) on one or both sides thereof, one on top of other or aside or side by side, by anyone or more methods such as flexography, rotogravure, Myer bar, knife coating, offset printing, letterpress, screen printing, or any other method known in the art and combinations thereof, wherein the final anticounterfeit element is in the form of an article manufactured by slit, or cut, or chopped, or punched or by any other method known in the art into the required shapes and sizes as per the requirement of end user from the final substrate having plurality anticounterfeit elements.

The forensic security feature (106) may comprise coating/pigments material binders, and solvents, and having a unique spectral fingerprint, which being detectable upon exciting the coating/pigments with a radiation having a wavenumber in the range of 400 cm ¹ to 1500 cm ¹ . This may be followed by a step of curing.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the pigments or the colours used may be one or more than one.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the step of printing or coating of the ultraviolet coatings is performed such as to form indicia in a predetermined design or in text form in any language or inscription.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the coated / printed weight of the ultraviolet coating material can be in the range of 0.1 to 20 gsm. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the weight of the ultraviolet coating material which being coated or printed can be in the range of 0.5 to 2 gsm.

The anticounterfeit element final product manufactured in the form of film of the substrate is then slit, or cut, or chopped, or punched into the required shapes and sizes manufactured as per the requirement of end user.

EQUIPMENT

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an equipment (200) for determining genuineness of a document of value containing the anticounterfeit element (100) is disclosed.

An equipment (200) for determining genuineness of a document of value containing the anticounterfeit element (100) as claimed in claim 1, the equipment (200) comprising:

- a processor (202);

- a memory (204) associated with the processor (202), the memory configured to store data related to details of one or more anticounterfeit element, the sets of data related to the covert security features (104) and forensic security feature (106) of the coating/ pigments used in the anticounterfeit element (s) (100), the data may be in the form of tables, images, colours, colour wavelengths, graphs, data of peaks of graphs for each unique emitted spectral fingerprint of different coating/ pigments used, the sets of data being in a format readable by the processor, an executable instruction;

- to the absorption of the radiation absorbed by the covert security feature (104) and forensic security features, and absorption of the radiation having the wavenumber in the predetermined range, and

- at least one Ultraviolet (UV) radiation source (206) configured for emitting ultraviolet radiation (UV), said atleast one ultraviolet radiation source (206) cooperating with the processor (202), the Ultraviolet (UV) radiation being incident on the document of value to identify the genuineness of the document of value by identifying covert security features (104) and forensic security features (106) of the anticounterfeit element (100);

- at least one first detector (208) configured to capture and detect radiations emitting from the document of value after being irradiated with the Ultraviolet (UV) radiation , the first detector (208) cooperating with the processor (202), and processor will process the data of emitting radiation and further compares with the sets of data stored in the memory (204) of the equipment, confirming the presence or absence of the anticounterfeit element (100) embedded in a document of value, and equipment configured to generate a signal of genuine or non-genuine document of value;

- at least one infrared radiation source (210) configured for emitting infrared radiation (IR), said atleast one infrared radiation source (210) cooperating with the processor (202), the infrared radiation being incident on the document of value to identify the genuineness of the document of value by identifying covert security features (104) and forensic security features (106) of the anticounterfeit element (100);

- at least one second detector (212) configured to capture and detect radiations emitting from the document of value after being irradiated with the Infrared (IR) radiation, the second detector (212) cooperating with the processor (202), and processor will process the data of emitting radiation and further compares with the sets of data stored in the memory (204) of the equipment, confirming the presence or absence of the anticounterfeit element (100) embedded in a document of value, and equipment configured to generate a signal of genuine or non-genuine document of value; - wherein at least one ultraviolet radiation source (206) and at least one infrared radiation source (210) may work independently or combinedly with at least one first detector (208) and/or at least one second detector (212);

- a verification unit (214) configured with processor (202), compares detected radiations data with the data stored in the memory (204), the processor (202) generating an alert either by signal, light, messages or alarm or beep sound, for genuine or non-genuine document of value;

- a sorting unit (216) optionally configured with/in the equipment (200) to sort the documents of value into genuine and non-genuine documents of value.

The equipment can be a handheld equipment, a table-top equipment or can be integrated with sophisticated high-speed reading/sorting machines.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the equipment (200) is preferably capable of verifying and sorting 10 to 100 documents of values in a minute thereby reducing the verification and sorting time and at the same time reducing human errors.

TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed invention, as described herein above, provides several technical advances and advantages including, but not limited to the following:

Reliability: The anticounterfeit element of the present invention is extremely reliable since the anticounterfeit element is machine detectable, thus no human intervention, thereby ruling out human errors, specifically, the inventors have observed that the error rate is 1 in 20,000 readings.

Compatibility: The anticounterfeit element of the present invention is identifiable using the equipment for determining genuineness of the document of value which contains the anticounterfeit element.

Accordingly, while the invention as per disclosure disclosed and has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention according to the present disclosure may be produced in other specific for s without departing from its essential characteristics. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered as merely illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within therefore intended to be embraced therein.

While various embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The one of the objects of the Patent Law is to provide protection to new technologies in all fields and domain of technologies. The new technologies shall contribute in the country economy growth by way of involvement of new efficient and quality method or product manufacturing in India. To provide the protection of new technologies by patenting the product or process will contribute for innovation development in the country. Further by granting patent the patentee can contribute in manufacturing the new product or use of new process of manufacturing by himself or by technology collaboration or through the licensing.

The applicant submits that the present disclosure will contribute in country economy, which is one of the purposes to enact the Patents Act, 1970. The product in accordance with present invention will be in great demand in country and worldwide due to novel technical features of a present invention is a technical advancement in the Faucet valve technology. The technology will provide product cheaper, saving in time of total process of manufacturing. The saving in production time will improve the productivity, and cost cutting of the product, which will directly contribute to economy of the country.

The product in accordance with the present disclosure will contribute new concept security fiber used in the document of value. The present disclosure will replace the whole concept of security fiber being used in industries. The product is developed in the national interest and will contribute significantly to the country economy.

The economy significance details requirement may be called during the examination. Only after filing of Patent application, the applicant can claim for protection of his invention rights.