A transaction card having a discontinuous metal stratum with a desired degree of electrical eddy current disruption disposed on a surface of a first layer, such as a glass or other transparent layer. A transaction module disposed in the first layer is electrically isolated from the discontinuous metal stratum. The discontinuous metal stratum may include a plurality of isolated metal features that form a halftone pattern, such as a pattern that is visibly opaque to the naked eye.

A display technique capable of displaying special images. A display includes an image display layer and a mask layer. The image display layer includes one or more colored portions, and displays a transmitted light image corresponding to the one or more colored portions when illuminated with white light. The mask layer includes a transparent material layer having a first major surface and a second major surface, and the first major surface includes one or more regions each composed of first and second strip-shaped parts alternately arranged in a width direction. The second strip-shaped parts are provided with a relief structure. A portion of the mask layer corresponding to at least one of the one or more regions conceals a portion of the transmitted light image corresponding to the second strip-shaped parts.

A display technique capable of displaying special images. A display includes a light shielding layer having a plurality of slits arranged at intervals in a width direction thereof, and an image recording layer that faces a first major surface of the light shielding layer at an interval and in which a latent image is recorded, the latent image being rendered visible by being partially concealed by the light shielding layer.

A display technique capable of displaying special images. A display includes a light shielding layer having a plurality of slits arranged at intervals in a width direction thereof, and an image recording layer that faces a first major surface of the light shielding layer at an interval and in which a latent image is recorded, the latent image being rendered visible by being partially concealed by the light shielding layer.

A micro-optic security device (105) includes a planar array of microlenses (305), which are configured to focus light along a plurality of focal paths (610) associated with a viewing angle. The micro-optic security device further includes an icon layer stack (905) disposed along the plurality of focal paths. The icon layer stack includes a first icon layer (620) with volumes of cured material of a first color (613b) and volumes of substantially transparent material at locations outside of focal paths of the first range of viewing angles. The icon layer stack also includes a second icon layer (640) with volumes of substantially transparent cured material at locations along focal paths of the first range of viewing angles, and volumes of cured material of a second color (637a) at locations along focal paths of a second range of viewing angles.

A micro-optic security device (105) includes a planar array of microlenses (305), which are configured to focus light along a plurality of focal paths (610) associated with a viewing angle. The micro-optic security device further includes an icon layer stack (905) disposed along the plurality of focal paths. The icon layer stack includes a first icon layer (620) with volumes of cured material of a first color (613b) and volumes of substantially transparent material at locations outside of focal paths of the first range of viewing angles. The icon layer stack also includes a second icon layer (640) with volumes of substantially transparent cured material at locations along focal paths of the first range of viewing angles, and volumes of cured material of a second color (637a) at locations along focal paths of a second range of viewing angles.

The present invention relates to the technical field of security documents comprising a security feature, such as a windowed security thread, a security foil, a security patch, a hologram or an ink printed security feature, and a protective coating, and methods of manufacturing of said security documents. The security feature has a security feature thickness t.sub.f of at least about 5 μm (micrometers) and a security feature surface facing away from the substrate consisting of a first region adjacent to the edges of the security feature and a second region non-adjacent to the edges of the security feature. The protective coating covers the security feature surface facing away from the substrate, a first substrate surface adjacent to the edges of the security feature, and a second substrate surface, which is different from the substrate surface covered by the security feature and the first substrate surface. The protective coating covering the security feature surface facing away from the substrate and the first substrate surface is transparent, the protective coating covering the first region has a thickness t.sub.b1, the protective coating covering the second region has a thickness t.sub.b2, the protective coating covering the first substrate surface has a thickness t.sub.c, and the protective coating covering the second substrate surface has a thickness t.sub.a. The thickness t.sub.c is larger than the thickness t.sub.f, which is larger than the thickness t.sub.a; the thickness t.sub.b2 is larger than the thickness t.sub.a; and either the thickness t.sub.c is larger than the thickness t.sub.b1, which is larger than or equal to the thickness t.sub.b2; or the thickness t.sub.c is equal to the thickness t.sub.b1, which is larger than the thickness t.sub.b2. The variable protective coating thickness on the surface of the security document provides the inventive security document with an increased resistance against physical and chemical attacks from the environment, while maintaining the mechanical resistance properties required for such security documents.

The present invention relates to the technical field of security documents comprising a security feature, such as a windowed security thread, a security foil, a security patch, a hologram or an ink printed security feature, and a protective coating, and methods of manufacturing of said security documents. The security feature has a security feature thickness t.sub.f of at least about 5 μm (micrometers) and a security feature surface facing away from the substrate consisting of a first region adjacent to the edges of the security feature and a second region non-adjacent to the edges of the security feature. The protective coating covers the security feature surface facing away from the substrate, a first substrate surface adjacent to the edges of the security feature, and a second substrate surface, which is different from the substrate surface covered by the security feature and the first substrate surface. The protective coating covering the security feature surface facing away from the substrate and the first substrate surface is transparent, the protective coating covering the first region has a thickness t.sub.b1, the protective coating covering the second region has a thickness t.sub.b2, the protective coating covering the first substrate surface has a thickness t.sub.c, and the protective coating covering the second substrate surface has a thickness t.sub.a. The thickness t.sub.c is larger than the thickness t.sub.f, which is larger than the thickness t.sub.a; the thickness t.sub.b2 is larger than the thickness t.sub.a; and either the thickness t.sub.c is larger than the thickness t.sub.b1, which is larger than or equal to the thickness t.sub.b2; or the thickness t.sub.c is equal to the thickness t.sub.b1, which is larger than the thickness t.sub.b2. The variable protective coating thickness on the surface of the security document provides the inventive security document with an increased resistance against physical and chemical attacks from the environment, while maintaining the mechanical resistance properties required for such security documents.

Disclosed is an ink comprising a transparent matrix being UV curable and heat scalable, and at least one pigment component. The ink in its UV-cured state has a peel strength in the range of about 6 to 8 N/cm, wherein this adhesiveness is achievable by means of a further lamination step under the influence of pressure and heat so that the ink acts as a hot glue. Further disclosed is a safety structure comprising a semitransparent layer being formed at least partially by the UV-cured ink, and a secure article comprising the safety structure. Further disclosed is a use of the ink for silkscreen printing.

Disclosed is an ink comprising a transparent matrix being UV curable and heat scalable, and at least one pigment component. The ink in its UV-cured state has a peel strength in the range of about 6 to 8 N/cm, wherein this adhesiveness is achievable by means of a further lamination step under the influence of pressure and heat so that the ink acts as a hot glue. Further disclosed is a safety structure comprising a semitransparent layer being formed at least partially by the UV-cured ink, and a secure article comprising the safety structure. Further disclosed is a use of the ink for silkscreen printing.