WO2016142590A1

WO2016142590A1 - Identification document provided with an internal security marking

Info

Publication number: WO2016142590A1
Application number: PCT/FR2016/000034
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pascal-Daniel MICHAU; Guilhem GIRAUDET DE BOUDEMANGE
Original assignee: Imprimerie Nationale S.A.
Priority date: 2015-03-10
Filing date: 2016-03-03
Publication date: 2016-09-15
Also published as: FR3033524A1; FR3033524B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an identification document (10), especially a smartcard, including: a body (22) and a covering (24, 26) comprising at least one external film (40) made of transparent polymer and one internal film (42) made of transparent or opaque polymer, said two films (40, 42) being laminated to one another, and the covering (24, 26) being added to the body (22), characterised in that said covering (24, 26) is a thermosetting or thermoplastic material and includes, in its thickness, a local weld (20) produced ultrasonically so as to form a visually discernible thermoset pattern (21).

Description

Identification document with internal security marking

The present invention relates to an identification document, of the type comprising an internal security marking located in the body of the document, and visible to the naked eye.

These documents serve to identify their carrier, either by electronic communication with a suitable identification device, or simply by visual inspection by an authorized authority.

A large number of identification documents have a multilayer body. This is often the case for security documents in the form of smart cards, operating radiofrequency, which include an insert. According to embodiments, such a document may include one or more chips with or without contact.

The insert is placed between layers of plastic covers, and the different layers of plastics are laminated together under defined conditions of temperature and pressure, to make them integral with each other and form a plan document.

The assembly operation of the layers constituting the document is often carried out using a thermal soldering iron, but in certain cases, it uses techniques of assembling by ultrasonic welding of several layers of plastics. in order to secure them more firmly together, because this ultrasound technique makes it possible to obtain a stronger bond between the assembled layers of the document.

Ultrasonic welding is usually positioned and performed to provide bonds between the invisible layers on the finished products.

In the field of identification documents, the problem of detectability of falsification of the document is a crucial problem. To detect any falsifications, it is known to make several inscriptions and markings, including security printing, holograms, etchings, made on different layers of the document by different printing and deposit modes, and at different stages of document manufacture.

Also known is a method of laser writing information in a particular layer of the document.

But to modify the inscriptions on the document, the counterfeiters sometimes engage in a separation of its various constituent layers, a modification of the inscriptions appearing on these and a reassembly of the document by a new operation of rolling of these layers of materials plastics.

Another forgery technique involves sanding the outer layers of the document to erase the data or other security markings, and then re-launder falsified layers. It is then difficult simply by visual observation of the document to detect that it was thus falsified, except to carry out a very minute examination, sometimes only visually impossible without the aid of magnification means.

The general object of the invention is to propose a simple mode of securing an identification document, making it possible to make a falsification attempt identifiable by a simple visual examination.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of securing an identification document, which does not affect the geometric characteristics, and in particular the flatness of the document.

Another object of the invention is to create a security reason that resists and remains apparent after a possible disassembly and reassembly of the document components.

These aims are achieved by means of the identification document and the method of manufacturing such a document, in accordance with the invention.

The principle of the invention is to create locally in the body of the document, a visible and indelible mark. In the case of a multilayer document, this mark will be carried out between several layers. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, an internal welding of several layers of material is locally carried out, using ultrasound set to locally transform the plastic material into a heat-hardened material having a visible local disturbance.

The molecular structure is locally modified in the ultrasound application area. It solidifies the plastic material which is thus heat-hardened, which constitutes an irreversible state, and even a subsequent lamination can no longer make it plastic in the thermoset zone. The pattern marked by ultrasound is visible and indelible.

While in the known identification documents, the inter-layer welds are designed to remain invisible, the invention provides a local ultrasonic weld of a thermosetting or thermoplastic material, which has the particularity of solidifying or freezing the material. his heart, by an irreversible operation. It follows that it will be useless to heat the thermo hardened material hoping to melt the marking obtained. Ultrasonic local marking will form a solid block or core, visible to the naked eye, and resistant to subsequent lamination, even to lamination under high pressure and heat.

When the depth of the local weld exceeds the thickness of a layer of material, the local weld will have a dual function, namely the mechanical joining of the layers, and the creation of an indelible visible marking. The invention therefore relates to an identification document comprising a body and a cover comprising at least one outer transparent polymer film and an inner transparent or opaque polymer film, said two films being laminated one on the other, and the cover being attached to the body of the document, characterized in that said cover is made of a thermosetting or thermoplastic material and comprises in its thickness a local weld made by ultrasound so as to form a heat-cured and visually identifiable pattern.

Thanks to this structure and this embodiment, the identification document obtained is virtually tamper-proof, insofar as it will not be possible to open or reuse all or part of the document without detection of any fraud.

In particular embodiments, the identification document has one or more of the following features:

the cover comprises a transparent outer film and a transparent inner film, and said thermo-hardened pattern is made in the transparent inner film.

the body of the document is also made of a thermosetting or thermoplastic material, and the thermo-hardened pattern forms a core which straddles between layers of the cover, and at least a fraction of the thickness of the body of the document.

said thermo-hardened pattern forms a core which straddles the body and at least one cover of the document.

said heat-hardened pattern straddles the two blankets and the body of the document so as to form a thermo-hardened rivet visually detectable.

The invention also relates to an original method of manufacturing an identification document. This manufacturing process comprises the following successive steps:

- Providing a draft document comprising a stack of films, the upper film is transparent, the stack being laminated on the body of the document.

- Ultrasonic local welding of at least some of the films to each other in a heat-cured pattern visually detectable.

The transparent polymers are in particular PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PC (polycarbonate), TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), PEC (material consisting of a mixture of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate glycolized), polyester, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), and bioplastics, such as PLA (polylactic acid).

Ultrasonic welding is preferably performed by vibrating a sonotrode at a frequency between 20 kHz and 70 kHz, with an output amplitude of between 10 and 10 kHz. and 40 μιη, and with a welding energy of between 400 Watts and 900 Watts. The welding is preferably performed for a very short time, of the order of a few milliseconds.

It should be noted that the invention applies, without limitation, to security documents or identification of any form factor having layers of thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics. The invention applies in particular and without any limiting character, to documents in the form of a plastic chip card or magnetic tape. These cards can be in particular format said ID-1 (85.60mm x 53.98mm), or other formats according to the ISO-7810, or in the so-called ID-3 (125mm x 88mm), or the so-called ID-2 (105mmx74mm) format of an ID card, or ID-000 (25mm x 15mm) format of a SIM card.

In the remainder of the description, the nonlimiting assumption is made that the identification document is a smart ID card, in the so-called ID-1 format.

The description is made with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an identification card according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the map of Figure 1 according to a sectional plane passing through the electronic module and the ultrasonic welding; Figure 3 is an elevational view of a manufacturing facility of the map of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the sonotrode used in the installation of Figure 3; and

FIG. 5 is an end view of the sonotrode of FIG. 4.

The card 1 illustrated in Figure 1 is for example a national identity card. It is preferably of rectangular shape. It has dimensions to be stored in a wallet or card holder. As known per se, it includes printed information 12 visible on at least one of its faces to identify the card and the carrier.

The card 1 advantageously comprises one or more electronic chips 18 for storing data and the identity of the carrier and which are accessible by reading the chip by a suitable electronic device.

According to the principle of the invention, the card 10 has, visible on the surface, or visible through certain transparent surface layers, a security pattern 21, distinctive and visually identifiable, obtained by local welding 20 to make the material of the pattern of security 21 heat-hardened and non-erasable. This welding is performed by ultrasound, under conditions which will be described later. The card 1 may have a different structure, an exemplary practical embodiment being shown in the figures, without limitation.

The card 10 shown in section in Figure 2 along a section plane passing through the electronic module 18 and the security pattern 21, comprises a card body 22 disposed between two covers or structure layers 24, 26 identical.

As known per se, the card body 22 may consist of a frame or skeleton 30 internally defining a housing 32 of rectangular shape in which is housed an insert 34 of complementary shape, but the frame 30 is not essential.

The frame 30 and the insert 34 are of substantially the same thickness and together form the card body 22.

The insert 34 is formed for example of several layers and, in the case of a contactless smart card, contains within it one or more radio frequency antennas.

The card body 22 typically comprises inscriptions on each of its two faces, for example inscriptions relating to the identity of its wearer.

The outer layers 24, 26 are identical and are formed of polymers, their outer layers 40 preferably being transparent. Each layer comprises for example two films 40, 42 superimposed.

The inner film 42, in contact with the card body 22, is a heat-curable or thermoplastic sheet. It is formed for example of polycarbonate and has a thickness between 100μιτι and 300 μιτι, preferably substantially equal to 150 μηι, to ensure a good visual effect of depth of the mark.

The outer transparent film 40 forms the outer surface of the card. It is formed for example of polycarbonate. Its thickness is between 50μηι and 100 μιη and preferably its thickness is 50μιτι.

The two films 40, 42 forming each cover layer 24, 26 are laminated to one another and the cover layers 24, 26 are laminated to the card body 22 when the card is completed.

The body 22 of the document or card is also in a thermosetting or thermoplastic material so that the local ultrasonic weld can extend into the thickness of the card body to form a substantially carrot or cylinder shaped mark 21 .

The invention provides for local welding in a zone of the card, for example in the example considered, at the interface between the cover 24, 26 and the card body 22.

In order to obtain a perfect location, this local weld 20 is preferably obtained by ultrasound emitted by a sonotrode. The power and characteristics of the sonotrode, as well as the application parameters (time, pressure, ...) will determine the depth of the mark 21, and more generally its dimensional characteristics.

The specific location of the weld will also condition the final appearance of the mark 21.

Thus, if the weld is made at the interface between external films 40, 42 both transparent, we get a transparent local weld but with a disturbance visible in the transparency, a kind of impression with heart visible to the eye naked, which forms the indelible mark 21.

If the upper film 40 is transparent and the lower film 42 is white, the solidified local weld 20 will have the appearance of a three-dimensional print in the thickness of the film 40, on a white background.

The upper film 40 is preferably always transparent. Other combinations are theoretically possible for films 40, 42, namely:

a transparent film 40 on a film 42 also transparent, a transparent film 40 on a white film 42,

a white film 40 on a transparent film 42,

a white film 40 on a 42 white film.

But the combination of a transparent film on a white film produces the best visual effects. In these combinations, the white may be replaced by another opaque or translucent color.

According to alternative embodiments, it is possible to print at the interface between the upper transparent layer 40 and the lower layer 42, or between the layer 42 and the body 22, security inks, for example metallized inks which change. depending on viewing angle, dichroic or iridescent inks, liquid crystal inks, UV reactive inks, IR, or other light spectra, or a metallic foil made of aluminum or any other substrate , in general any means likely to create a new visual effect under the effect of the local welding.

The local weld 20 is an indelible mark even after rolling, because of thermosetting performed locally in the heart of the card or document.

According to an advantageous embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3, the depth of the local weld 20 could extend to the opposite face of the card. We would then obtain a mark 21 in the form of a thermo-hardened core and through from one face to the other, so that there would be two visible marks, one on each face of the card. But a shallower weld is also possible within the scope of the invention. It could extend only in the thickness of one of the superficial films 40, 42, without reaching the insert or the card body 22. It would then obtain a simple indelible mark on or near the outside of the map. Of course, in this case the security effect obtained for the card or the document would be less.

The appearance of the local weld may be either a visible but meaningless local disturbance 21 or an interpretable mark, such as a letter of the alphabet, a number, a logo, or any other known sign. This sign may be the same for a lot of cards, or it may be individualized for each unit card.

It should be noted that in case of disassembly of the layers of the document according to the invention, it necessarily destroys the layers in the vicinity of the local weld 20, which is not the case for known documents devoid of a local weld ultrasonic, because they remain thermoplastic and can be disassembled by applying heat and reassembled.

The map of FIGS. 1 and 2 is made by implementing, in particular, the method illustrated in FIG.

To manufacture the card, a blank thereof is first made by pre-assembling the insert 34 in the frame 22 and placing the cover layers 24 and 26. The blank thus obtained is formed of a stack of films and card body not related to each other according to the thickness. In this particular case, the films 40, 42 are not linked and are only superimposed, as are the card body 22 and the inner films 42.

The assembly thus formed is placed in an ultrasonic welding installation as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this figure, the blank of the card 10 placed on a plane support 50 is recognized. Ultrasonic welding equipment 60 is placed opposite the support 50.

It comprises as known in itself a sonotrode 62 shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 and an electromagnetic transducer 64 capable of transforming an electric current produced by a high frequency generator 66 into an ultrasonic vibration of the sonotrode 62.

For welding, the card blank is held between the support 50 and the sonotrode 62.

The frequency used for the ultrasonic welding operation is typically between 20 kHz and 70 kHz and preferably is equal to 35 kHz, and the amplitude of the vibrations of the sonotrode 62 is between 10 m and 40 μιτι, and preferably is substantially equal to 16 μητ The welding is preferably carried out for a very short time, with a welding energy of between 400 Watts and 900 Watts.

The combinations of the various parameters of the ultrasonic welding operation (frequency and power of the sonotrode, force of application of the sonotrode on the card, duration of application, etc.) according to the characteristics sought for the marking of safety 21, are within the reach of those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the sonotrode 62 is formed of a substantially circular piece 64 having at one end a flat face 70, from which a relief 72 is projected, describing on its upper surface the distinctive pattern 21 whose weld will have the form.

The sonotrode 62 is adapted to vibrate axially. In particular, the vibration amplitude of the sonotrode 62 to which reference is made above is an axial amplitude.

In the illustrated example, this distinctive pattern 21 is formed of the combination of the two letters LZ. Any other motif consisting of letters, numbers, or symbols is possible.

Advantageously, several cards are made simultaneously, using several sonotrodes, then are cut after completion of the weld 20.

Advantageously, to allow the maintenance of the different films forming the different cards not yet cut, other solder points are made simultaneously pattern 21 between the different films, especially in areas outside the areas forming the cards, which disappear after cutting.

During manufacture, the or each chip 18 is preferably integrated in the card or document after making pattern 21.

It can be seen that, due to the transparency of the films 40 and 42, the weld forming the visible pattern 21 in FIG. 2 is visually observable by the operator, thus enabling the latter to ensure that the card not disassembled and reassembled.

Advantages of the invention:

The identification document according to the invention and its manufacturing process meet the goals set.

The localized visual pattern obtained thanks to the ultrasonic welding remains visible, whatever the subsequent operations of lamination or delamination of the card or document, unlike a purely thermal welding, which would not leave any visual effect, since in the subsequent lamination step the thermal welding would fade.

As a result, the detection of an attempt to falsify the card or the document is significantly enhanced.

In addition, since it is possible to laminate the layers together after the local ultrasound marking, the subsequent lamination makes it possible to ensure the flatness of the surface of the surface. the map or document. No relief or hollow is visible in the ultrasonic marking after rolling of the polymer layers. The method of ultrasonic welding marking therefore has no impact on the flatness of the final product.

Claims

1 - Identification document (10) comprising:

a body (22), and

a cover (24, 26) comprising at least one outer film (40) of transparent polymer and an inner film (42) of transparent or opaque polymer, said two films (40, 42) being laminated one on the other , and the cover (24,26) being attached to the body (22),

characterized in that said cover (24, 26) is of a thermosetting or thermoplastic material and comprises in its thickness, a local weld (20) ultrasonically formed to form a heat-cured pattern (21) and visually detectable.

2 - identification document (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover (24, 26) comprises an outer film (40) transparent and a transparent inner film (42), and in that said thermo pattern cured (21) is formed in the transparent inner film (42).

3 - Identification document (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the body (22) is also of a thermosetting or thermoplastic material, and in that the thermo-hardened pattern (21) forms a carrot straddling between layers (40,42) of the blanket (24,26), and at least a fraction of the thickness of the body (22).

4 - Identification document (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that said thermo-hardened pattern (21) forms a core which straddles the body (22) and at least one cover (24, 26 ) of the document.

5 - Document identification (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that said thermo-hardened pattern (21) straddles between the two covers (24, 26) and the body (22) so as to form a thermo-hardened rivet visually identifiable.

6 - Identification document according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is in the form of an identification card, chip or magnetic tape, including the format said ID-1, ID -2 or ID-3. 7 - A method of manufacturing a document or an identification card (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps:

providing a blank document or card comprising a stack of transparent polymeric films (40,42) on one another forming a cover (24,26) and laminated with a body (22), the films ( 40, 42) not being bonded to each other depending on the thickness of the stack, and

- Ultrasonic local welding of the films (40, 42) to each other in a visually recognizable thermo-cured pattern (21), or

- Ultrasonic local welding of the films (40, 42) and the body (22) together in a pattern (21) heat-cured visually detectable.

8 - Process according to claim 7, characterized in that the transparent polymers are PVC, PC, TPU, PEC, ABS, PLA, or polyester.

9 - manufacturing method according to claim 8, characterized in that the welding is performed by vibration of a sonotrode (62) at a frequency between 20 kHz and 70 kHz.

10 - Manufacturing method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the welding is performed by vibration of a sonotrode (62) on an output amplitude of between 10 and 40 μπι.

11 - Manufacturing method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the welding is performed with a welding energy of between 400 Watts and 900 Watts.

12 - Manufacturing method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the welding is preferably performed for a very short time, of the order of a few milliseconds.