Compounds for use in the textile field, and more particularly the use of compounds of the 4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene family for the manufacture of fluorescent fibers, the fluorescent compound being chosen from those of formula I: ##STR00001##
Also, processes for producing the fluorescent fibers and also to the uses thereof, notably for the provision of security to products.

Compounds for use in the textile field, and more particularly the use of compounds of the 4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene family for the manufacture of fluorescent fibers, the fluorescent compound being chosen from those of formula I: ##STR00001##
Also, processes for producing the fluorescent fibers and also to the uses thereof, notably for the provision of security to products.

The invention relates to a varnished banknote comprising from 0.0015 to 2.5 wt. % of a lactam; and to the use of a lactam to either impart anti-biofilm properties to a banknote or to inhibit biofilm growth on a banknote substrate.

The identification card includes a glass substrate provided with first and second surfaces facing opposite directions. The first surface of the glass substrate is provided with at least one first recess, and the identification card includes a first resin material layer filled in the first recess; and at least one of a first information storage medium, a first security feature, and a first decorative feature bonded to the first resin material layer. In a variation, an identification card has a ceramic substrate with first and second surfaces facing in opposite directions. The first surface of the ceramic substrate is provided with at least one first recess, and the identification card includes a first resin material layer filled in the first recess(es); and at least one of a first information storage medium, a first security feature, and a first decorative feature bonded to the first resin material layer.

The present invention provides an anti-counterfeit marking technique for verifying authenticity of objects using x-rays fluorescence (XRF) analysis.

In a general aspect, orientation information is used to generate a unique code. In some aspects, orientation information is extracted from an object. The object includes multiple elements, and the orientation information indicates the relative spatial orientations of the respective elements. The orientation information can be extracted, for instance, by a scanner system that detects the elements. A unique code is generated for the object based on the orientation information. In some examples, the elements are diamond particles that each have one or more color centers, and the orientation information is extracted by detecting the color centers.

A security device is provided, including: a surface relief structure formed of one or more cured materials on a substantially flat substrate, the surface relief structure defining a primary set of relief elements at a first scale and a secondary set of relief elements at a second scale which is smaller than the first, the primary set of relief elements including a plurality of raised protrusions spaced by recesses and the secondary set of relief elements being disposed on the tops of at least one of the raised protrusions and/or in at least one of the recesses. A security device including a structure formed of cured material(s) and an embossed structure is also provided. Methods of manufacture are also disclosed.

Gravity-actuated display systems suitable for use as security markers, for example to incorporate into bank notes. The devices can be made very thin and flexible, yet are robust enough to endure the harsh conditions of paper currency in general circulation. Because the displays are gravity actuated, they do not require a power source or circuitry. The gravity-actuated displays can be fabricated using microembossing or photolithography and can be filled and sealed using roll-to-roll techniques. The microcells can also be patterned to provide custom designs, such as official seals.

Gravity-actuated display systems suitable for use as security markers, for example to incorporate into bank notes. The devices can be made very thin and flexible, yet are robust enough to endure the harsh conditions of paper currency in general circulation. Because the displays are gravity actuated, they do not require a power source or circuitry. The gravity-actuated displays can be fabricated using microembossing or photolithography and can be filled and sealed using roll-to-roll techniques. The microcells can also be patterned to provide custom designs, such as official seals.

A security device is provided, comprising one or more surface relief structure(s), each formed of one or more cured material(s), the surface relief structure(s) being disposed on a substantially flat substrate and defining a plurality of raised elements spaced from one another, the raised elements corresponding to elements of an image, whereby the plurality of raised elements varies across the surface relief structure(s) so as to exhibit a multi-tonal version of the image. Methods of manufacturing such devices are also disclosed.