American Bank Note Holographics, Inc.

Other

Coulter Systems Corporation

Edward H Weitzen

Salvatore F D'Amato

Manfred R Kuehnle

Harold J Weber

Jurgen Kruse

Robert M Fleming

C Frederick Ekman

Embossed holograms or diffraction patterns are formed on hard, unembossible metal substrates such as steel sheet metal. The hard metal substrate has a soft embossible metal layer such as tin formed on it, and holograms are embossed thereon by means of a surface relief, metal master. The soft metal layer must be sufficiently thick to accommodate the deepest surface relief pattern. For tinplate, the embossing can be preformed at room temperature. Among other things, the process produces tinplates and tin cans with embossed holograms.

Embossed holograms formed on hard metal surfaces

A product whereby diffraction patterns and holograms directly onto surfaces of metal material, such as aluminum. Products include household aluminum foil with embossed holograms, and aluminum beverage cans with an embossed hologram on its outside.

Holograms embossed into metal surfaces

A process for embossing diffraction patterns and holograms directly onto surfaces of metal material, such as aluminum, and products made thereby. Temperature ranges for optimizing the embossing are disclosed, being related to the yield strength of the material being embossed. End products include household aluminum foil with embossed holograms, and aluminum beverage cans with an embossed hologram on its outside.

Documents are encoded with at least one thin, transparent coating, normally invisible, but having a readily detectable physical characteristic such as, electrical conductivity, electrical impedance, electrical capacitance, electroluminescence. Each document consists of a substrate on which is applied (1) at least one of the thin coatings, and (2) conventional printing, preferably intaglio. The thin coating may be applied before or after the printing. The coating includes particles driven into the surface to a substantial depth. The uncoated substrate is free of the detectable physical characteristic. The coating is confined to a limited area of the substrate surface and itself constitutes a code or is laid down in a pattern for identification. A second coating can be applied so that all areas of the surface have the same appearance to mask visual detection of the first coating. The first coating can be of such a nature as to defeat electrostatic copying, particular, color copying, by effecting a discernible difference between the original and the copy. Each coded coating is detectable by a machine which is capable of quickly distinguishing a genuine document from a counterfeit document.

Encoded security document

This apparatus tests the genuineness of a document carrying anticounterfeit protection in the form of a usually invisible, electrically conductive coating on at least part of a surface. The apparatus may be arranged to respond to the presence of a coating anywhere on the surface, or it may be arranged to respond only to a coating of specific contour, in a specific location. The apparatus shown comprises an array of contacts and means for supporting a document to be tested in conductive engagement with said contacts. Certain ones of the contacts engage the conductive layer, and are connected in an electric circuit which is completed through the conductive layer. Completion of the circuit is required to produce an indication that the document is genuine. The conductance of the conductive layer must be within a predetermined range in order to produce a signal indicating that the document is genuine. The contacts which engage areas of the document where there should be no conductive layer, may be connected in a second circuit which, if completed through a conductive layer, prevents the production of a signal indicating that the document is genuine.

Growing community of inventors

Lawrence, NY, United States of America

Edward H Weitzen