A Security Sheet

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed towards a security sheet (10) for displaying personal data (11) comprising a plastic substrate (12) comprising first and second outer surfaces (13, 14). A first opaque region (21) extends partially across the plastic substrate (12) between the first and second outer surfaces (13, 14). A first window (50) is at least partially surrounded by the first opaque region (21). A security device (51) comprises a transparent first device region (52) and a second device region (53) formed from a second device insert (55). The first and second device regions (52, 53) have different optical detection characteristics. The security device (51) is arranged in the plastic substrate (12) such that, when viewed in reflected light incident upon the first outer surface (13), at least part of the first device region (52) is visible at least partially around the second device region (53) in the first window (50).

Claims

1. A security sheet for displaying personal data comprising a plastic substrate comprising: first and second outer surfaces; a first opaque region extending partially across the plastic substrate between the first and second outer surfaces; a first window at least partially surrounded by the first opaque region; and a security device comprising a transparent first device region and a second device region formed from a second device insert, wherein the first and second device regions have different optical detection characteristics and the security device is arranged in the plastic substrate such that, when viewed in reflected light incident upon the first outer surface, at least part of the first device region is visible at least partially around the second device region in the first window.

2. The security sheet of claim 1, wherein the first device region extends at least partially across the first opaque region such that part of the first device region is visible at least partially around the second device region in the first window.

3. The security sheet of claim 1, wherein the transparent first device region is formed from at least one first device layer comprising at least one plastic layer, at least one first device insert and/or at least one ink layer.

4. The security sheet of claim 3, wherein the second device region extends through the first device region such that the first device region extends at least partially around the second device region.

5. The security sheet of claim 1, wherein the second device region is transparent.

6. The security sheet of claim 1, wherein the first and second device regions are adjacent such that, when viewed in reflected light incident upon the first outer surface, at least part of the first device region is visible at least partially around and adjacent to the second device region in the first window.

7. The security sheet of claim 1, wherein the security device further comprises a third device region arranged in the plastic substrate such that, when viewed in reflected light incident upon the first outer surface, at least part of the first device region is visible at least partially around the second device region in the first window and the third device region is visible at least partially between the first and second device regions.

8. The security sheet of claim 1, wherein, when the first outer surface is viewed in transmitted light incident upon the second outer surface, at least part of the first device region is visible at least partially around the second device region in the first window.

9. The security sheet of claim 1 further comprising a second opaque region extending at least partially across the plastic substrate between the first opaque region and the second outer surface.

10. The security sheet of claim 1, wherein the shapes of the first window, first device region and/or second device region individually or collectively define one or more indicia.

11. The security sheet of claim 1 comprising at least one security element at least partially overlapping the security device such that, when viewed in reflected light incident upon the first outer surface, the at least one security element is at least partially visible in the security device.

12. The security sheet of claim 10, wherein the at least one security element and/or the shapes of the first window, first device region and/or second device region form personal data.

13. The security sheet of claim 1, wherein the different optical detection characteristics comprise at least one of different visible colours, different visible responses to an external stimulus, different opacities and/or different optically variable effects.

14. The security sheet of claim 13, wherein: the different optical detection characteristics comprise different visible responses to an external stimulus and the first and second device regions have different luminescence, different infrared absorption characteristics, different photochromic responses, different electrochromic responses, different piezochromic responses and/or different thermochromic responses; the different optical detection characteristics comprise different optically variable effects and the first and/or second device regions comprise at least one optically variable device, ink and/or material; and/or the different optical detection characteristics comprise different optically variable effects in the form of colour shifting such that the colour of the first and/or second device region varies at different angles of view.

15. The security sheet of claim 1, wherein: the colours of the first and second device regions visible at the first outer surface change based upon the superposition of backgrounds of different colour over the second outer surface; the first and second device regions have a first colour combination when viewed in visible light and a second colour combination in non-visible light, the first and second colour combinations being different to one another; and/or at least one of the first and second device regions has the same colour when viewed against a first background in visible light as when viewed against a second background in non-visible light, the first and second backgrounds being in contrast to one another.

16. A method of manufacturing a security sheet, the method comprising: forming a laminar structure comprising: at least one first opaque layer extending partially across the laminar structure; at least one first device layer, which is transparent; a second device insert located in the at least one first opaque layer, the at least one first device layer and/or at least one plastic layer; attaching the laminar structure together to form a plastic substrate comprising: first and second outer surfaces; a first opaque region formed from the at least one first opaque layer; a first window at least partially surrounded by the first opaque region; and a security device comprising first and second device regions formed from the at least one first device layer and second device insert respectively, the first and second device regions having different optical detection characteristics, wherein the laminar structure is arranged such that the security device is arranged in the plastic substrate such that, when viewed in reflected light incident upon the first outer surface, at least part of the first device region is visible at least partially around the second device region in the first window.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein attaching the laminar structure comprises applying heat and/or pressure, lamination and/or welding.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising forming a second device insert aperture in the at least one first opaque layer, the at least one first device layer and/or at least one plastic layer and inserting the second device insert into the second device insert aperture.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the laminar structure comprises at least one third device layer forming, in the plastic substrate, a third device region of the security device arranged in the plastic substrate such that, when viewed in reflected light incident upon the first outer surface, at least part of the first device region is visible at least partially around the second device region in the first window and the third device region is visible at least partially between the first and second device regions.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one third device layer comprises a third device insert, at least one ink layer and/or at least one plastic layer; and/or further comprising punching, cutting or forming a first window aperture, the at least one third device layer and a third device aperture from the at least one first opaque layer, wherein the laminar structure further comprises the at least one third device layer and the second device insert is located within the third device aperture, wherein the first window aperture forms the first window in the plastic substrate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] By way of example only, embodiments of a security sheet, a security document and a method in accordance with the present disclosure are now described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042] FIG. 1A is a plan view of a security sheet of a security document, particularly a data page of a passport, according to the present disclosure, when viewed in visible light;

[0043] FIG. 1B is a plan view of the security sheet of FIG. 1 when viewed in non-visible light;

[0044] FIG. 2A is a side view of a cross-section through section A-A of the security sheet of FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 2B is a side view of a cross-section of a laminar structure for forming the security sheet of FIG. 2A;

[0046] FIG. 3A is a side view of a further embodiment of a cross-section through section A-A of the security sheet of FIG. 1;

[0047] FIG. 3B is a side view of a cross-section of a laminar structure for forming the security sheet of FIG. 3A;

[0048] FIG. 4A is a side view of a further embodiment of a cross-section through section A-A of the security sheet of FIG. 1;

[0049] FIG. 4B is a side view of a cross-section of a laminar structure for forming the security sheet of FIG. 3A;

[0050] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a security sheet of a security document, particularly a data page of a passport, according to the present disclosure, when viewed in visible light;

[0051] FIG. 6A is a side view of a cross-section through section B-B of the security sheet of FIG. 5; and

[0052] FIG. 6B is a side view of a cross-section of a laminar structure for forming the security sheet of FIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] FIGS. 1A to 2B illustrate a security sheet 10 of a security document in accordance with the present disclosure. In the illustrated the example the security document comprises a passport (only the security sheet 10 thereof is illustrated) and the security sheet 10 comprises the data page of the passport. The security sheet 10 comprises personal data 11, which may be printed and/or laser marked on the security sheet 10.

[0054] As shown in further detail in FIG. 2A, the security sheet 10 comprises a plastic substrate 12 having a first and second outer surfaces 13, 14. Each of the first and second outer surfaces 13, 14 may be substantially flat and planar as illustrated. The plastic substrate 12 is formed from a plurality of plastic layers 15 attached together and which may be fused together into a substantially non-laminar or unitary structure. FIG. 2B illustrates a laminar structure 16 comprising the plastic layers 15 laid over one another prior to their attachment together to form the plastic substrate 12. The plastic layers 15 may be attached together by the application of heat and/or pressure, such as during lamination and/or welding, by adhesion and/or any other suitable method.

[0055] The plastic substrate 12 comprises a first opaque region 21 extending partially across the plastic substrate 12 between the first and second outer surfaces 13, 14 and a first window 50 extending through and at least partially surrounded by the first opaque region 21. The first opaque region 21 may be formed from at least one first opaque layer 33 comprising at least one of the plastic layers 15 as illustrated in FIG. 2B and/or at least one ink layer. The first window 50 may comprise a first window aperture 27 through the at least one plastic layer 15 and/or at least one ink layer. Alternatively, the at least one first opaque layer 33 may not extend to the edge of the plastic substrate 12 and the first window 50 may be formed as an edge window. In particular, the first window may be partially surrounded by the first opaque region and extend between an edge of the at least one first opaque layer 33 and the edge of the plastic substrate 12. If the at least one first opaque layer 33 comprises at least one ink layer it may be applied in the laminar structure 16 over at least one of the plastic layers 15 apart from in the region forming the first window 50.

[0056] The plastic substrate 12 may comprise a first transparent region 20 overlying the first opaque region 21 and the first window 50. The first transparent region 20 may extend from the first opaque region 21 to, and thereby form, the first outer surface 13. The first transparent region 20 may be at least partially transparent such that the first opaque region 21 and first window 50 are at least partially visible through it when the first outer surface 13 is viewed in reflected visible light. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the first transparent region 20 may be formed from at least one first outer layer 30, 31, 32 (three first outer layers 30, 31, 32 are illustrated) of the plastic layers 15, which may be arranged to overlie the at least one first opaque layer 33 and first window aperture 27 in the laminar structure 16. The at least one first outer layer 30, 31, 32 may form the first outer surface 13 of the laminar structure 16 and may be transparent or at least partially transparent.

[0057] The plastic substrate 12 may comprise at least one core region 22, 23 extending at least partially across the plastic substrate 12 and located between the first opaque region 21 and the second outer surface 14. The at least one core region 22, 23 may be transparent and may comprise first and second core regions 22, 23. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the at least one core region 22, 23 may be formed from at least one core layer 34, 35 of the plastic layers 15, such as first and second core layers 34, 35. The at least one core layer 34, 35 may be transparent and the at least one first opaque layer 33 may at least partially overlie the at least one core layer 34, 35 in the laminar structure 16.

[0058] The plastic substrate 12 may further comprise a second opaque region 24 extending at least partially across the plastic substrate 12 and located between the first opaque region 21 and the second outer surface 14. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the second opaque region 24 may be located between the at least one core region 22, 23 and the second outer surface 14. In a similar manner to the first opaque region 21, the second opaque region 24 may be formed from at least one second opaque layer 36 comprising at least one of the plastic layers 15 (as in FIG. 2B) and/or at least one ink layer. The at least one second opaque layer 36 may at least partially overlie the at least one core layer 34, 35 in the laminar structure 16.

[0059] The plastic substrate 12 may further comprise a second window 58 through the second opaque region 24. In a similar manner to the first window 50, the second window 58 may comprise a second window aperture 29 through the at least one second opaque layer 36 or an edge window. As in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the second window 58 may be an edge window such that the at least one second opaque layer 36 may not extend to the edge of the plastic substrate 12. The second window 58 may extend from the edge of the at least one second opaque layer 36 and the edge of the plastic substrate 12. The second window 58 may at least partially overlap and/or be aligned with the first window 50.

[0060] The plastic substrate 12 may comprise a second transparent region 25 extending thereacross and located between the second outer surface 14 and the second opaque region 24, at least one core region 22, 23 and/or first opaque region 21. The second transparent region 25 may extend to, and thereby form, the second outer surface 14. The second transparent region 25 may be at least partially transparent such that the second opaque region 24, at least one core region 22, 23 and/or first opaque region 21 are at least partially visible through it when the second outer surface 14 is viewed in reflected visible light. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the second transparent region 25 may be formed from at least one second outer layer 37, 38, 39 (three second outer layers 37, 38, 39 are illustrated) of the plastic layers 15, which may be arranged to overlie and/or overlap the at least one first opaque layer 33, at least one core layer 34, 35 and/or the at least one second opaque layer 36 in the laminar structure 16. The at least one second outer layer 37, 38, 39 may form the second outer surface 14 of the laminar structure 16 and may be transparent or at least partially transparent.

[0061] The plastic substrate 12 further comprises a security device 51 aligned with the first window 50 and comprising first and second device regions 52, 53 visible in the first window 50 in reflected light incident upon the first outer surface 13. The first device region 52 is transparent and extends at least partially around, preferably entirely around (as illustrated) the second device region 53. The second device region 53 may therefore be at least partially separated, preferably entirely separated (as illustrated), from the edge of the first window 50 when the first outer surface 13 is viewed in reflected light incident thereupon, such as when viewed in plan view or perpendicular to the first outer surface 13 as in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0062] The first device region 52 may extend at least partially across the plastic substrate 12 and may be located between the first opaque region 21 and the second outer surface 14. The first device region 52 may be formed from at least one first device layer 54, comprising at least one of the plastic layers 15 and/or at least one ink layer, which may be located between the at least one first opaque layer 33 and the second outer surface 14. At least one core region 22, 23 and at least one core layer 34, 35 may be located on at least one side, preferably both sides as illustrated, of the first device region 52 and at least one first device layer 54 respectively. The first device region 52 and at least one first device layer 54 may extend at least partially across, and preferably entirely across, the first opaque region 21 and first window 50 and at least one first opaque layer 33 as illustrated. Thus the first opaque region 21 and first device region 52 may extend between (preferably all) edges of the security sheet 10.

[0063] The second device region 53 is formed from a second device insert 55 in at least one of the plastic layers 15. The second device insert 55 may be transparent or opaque. The second device insert 55 may be located in a second device insert aperture 56 through at least one of the plastic layers 15. The second device insert 55 may extend through a second device insert aperture 56 in the at least one first device layer 54. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the second device region 53 may not extend through the first window 50 and may have substantially the same thickness as the first device region 52, such as if the second device insert 55 has the same thickness as the at least one first device layer 54 and does not extend through any of the other plastic layers 15.

[0064] The second device region 53 may be formed from a second device insert 55 extending through a plurality of the plastic layers 15. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an embodiment in which the second device region 53 and second device insert 55 extend through the first window 50 and first window aperture 27 respectively. In particular, the second device insert 55 may extend through at least one first device layer 54, at least one core layer 34, 35, at least one first and/or second opaque layer 33, 36 and/or at least one first and/or second outer layer 30, 31, 32, 37, 38, 39. Thus the second device region 53 may extend at least partially into the at least one core region 22, 23, second window 58, first transparent region 20 and/or second transparent region 25. The manufacture of such a security sheet 10 may be improved due to the increased ease of handling a thicker second device insert 55. Furthermore, such an arrangement provides for additional verification since, if the second device insert 55 is thicker than the at least one first device layer 54, they may have different optical densities and such a difference may be visible in transmitted light.

[0065] The first and second device regions 52, 53 may be visible in the second window 58 in reflected light incident upon the second outer surface 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 3B, the second opaque region 24 may not overlap the first window 50 such that the first and second windows 50, 58 overlap one another and the security device 51 is aligned with the first and second windows 50, 58. Such an arrangement of the first and second windows 50, 58 is known as a full window. The security sheet 10 may therefore be at least partially transparent and see through in the first and second windows 50, 58, particularly through the transparent first device region 52 and, if also transparent, the second device region 53. Thus the first and second device regions 52, 53 can be verified from both of the first and second outer surfaces 13, 14.

[0066] The first and second windows 50, 58 may have different sizes or surface areas (i.e. their areas when viewed at the first and second outer surfaces 13, 14) such that different parts of the security device 51 are visible therein. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 3B, the second window 58 may extend across a greater area than the first window 50 such that more of the security device 51, particularly of the first device region 52, is visible in the second window 58 than in the first window 50.

[0067] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a further embodiment in which the second opaque region 24 overlaps the first window 50 such that a half window is formed. In particular, the at least one second opaque layer 36 may extend entirely across the plastic substrate 12, or at least across the area adjacent to the at least one first opaque layer 33 forming the first window 50. The second opaque region 24 may thus provide an opaque background to the security device 51 when the first window 50 is viewed in reflected light incident upon the first outer surface 13. However, in other embodiments half and full windows may be formed, particularly when the second window 58 extends across a smaller area than the first window 50. For example, the second window 58 may be aligned with (i.e. overlap) and may be smaller than the first window 50. Thus a full window through the first and second windows 50, 58 would be formed within a half window. Alternatively, the second opaque region 24 may partially overlap the first window 50. In such arrangements the second opaque region 24 may provide a partially opaque background to the security device 51 when the first window 50 is viewed in reflected light incident upon the first outer surface 13.

[0068] The first and second device regions 52, 53 have different optical detection characteristics. The different optical detection characteristics may be at least one of different visible colours, different visible responses to an external stimulus, different opacities and/or different optically variable effects. In the illustrated embodiments the different optical detection characteristics comprise different visible colours and different visible responses to an external stimulus. In particular, the first and second device regions 52, 53 have different visible colours in the form of the first colour combination of FIG. 1A when viewed in reflected or transmitted visible light (for example the first device region 52 may be blue and the second device region 53 may be red). The first and second device regions 52, 53 are also fluorescent and have different colours in a second colour combination of FIG. 1B when viewed in reflected or transmitted ultraviolet light (for example the first device region 52 may be red and the second device region 53 may be green). The different optical detection characteristics may be visible in the first window 50 when the first outer surface 13 is viewed in reflected or transmitted light and visible in the second window 58 when the second outer surface 14 is view in reflected or transmitted light.

[0069] In addition, the colours of the first and second device regions 52, 53 in visible and/or non-visible light may vary depending upon the background colour over which the security sheet 10 is superposed. Such an effect may be particularly suitable when the security sheet 10 is at least partially transparent through the first window 50, such as when the first and second windows 50, 58 form a full window, if no second opaque region 21 is present or the second opaque region 21 does not overlap the first window 50, 58. In the present disclosure the background colour is the colour of a background object located on the side of the second outer surface 14 of the security sheet 10 and which may be visible through the first window 50 when it is viewed from the first outer surface 13 in reflected light or transmitted light (i.e. the background is located between the second outer surface 14 and the light source). In particular, the first and second device regions 52, 53 may have first and third colour combinations when viewed against first and second (different) backgrounds colours respectively in reflected and/or transmitted visible light. The first and second device regions 52, 53 may have second and fourth colour combinations when viewed against the first and second backgrounds of different colours respectively in reflected and/or transmitted non-visible light. Preferably the first and second backgrounds are contrasting colours, preferably being light and dark (e.g. white and black).

[0070] At least one of the first and second device regions 52, 53 may have the same colour when viewed against a first background in visible light as its colour when viewed against a second background in non-visible light. For example, when viewed in visible light the first and second device regions 52, 53 may be blue and red in the first colour combination against a light background and yellow and green in the third colour combination against a dark background. When viewed in non-visible light the first and second device regions 52, 53 may be red and green in the second colour combination against a light background and blue and yellow in the second colour combination against a dark background. Thus the first device region 52 appears blue when viewed against a light background in visible light and also blue when viewed against a dark background in non-visible light and has different colours when viewed against a dark background in visible light and a light background in non-visible light.

[0071] In order to achieve these different optical detection characteristics, the structure and materials of the first and second device regions 52, 53, and thus the materials of the at least one first device layer 54 and second device insert 55, are selected accordingly. The second device insert 55 may be transparent such that the background is visible through it in reflected light. Furthermore, the second device insert 55 and at least one device layer 54 may comprise the materials disclosed in US-A-2019/0016953 such that they are fluorescent and change colours depending upon the background colour.

[0072] The security sheet 10 may further comprise at least one security element 28 visible in the first window 50 (i.e. appearing to be located within the perimeter of the first window 50) and at least partially overlapping the security device 51 when the first outer surface 13 is viewed in reflected visible light. The at least one security element 28 may at least partially overlap the second device region 53. The or each at least one security element 28 may overlap only the second device region 53 as illustrated or, alternatively, may also overlap the first device region 52. Furthermore, at least one security element 28 may overlap only the first device region 52 and at least one security element 28 may overlap only the second device region 53.

[0073] As shown in the illustrated embodiments the at least one security element 28 may be located in the first transparent region 20, may comprise laser marking and/or may form personal data, such as in the form of a portrait of the holder of the security sheet 10. In particular, the at least one first outer layer 30, 31, 32 may comprise a suitable additive to enable such laser marking. However, in other embodiments the at least one security element 28 may be located in the first and/or second device region 52, 53, the at least one core region 22, 23 and/or the second transparent region 25. Furthermore, the at least one security element 28 may comprise printed ink, a security thread, a hologram, a foil, a demetallised structure, a biometric data storage device and the like. Thus the at least one first device layer 54 and/or second device insert 55, at least one core layer 34, 35 and/or at least one second outer layer 37, 38 respectively may comprise the at least one security element 28 prior to attachment in the laminar structure 16 and/or an additive for the application of the at least one security element 28 by laser marking after the attachment of the laminar structure 16.

[0074] The security sheet 10 may be manufactured by forming the laminar structure 16 from the plastic layers 15 and the second device insert 55. Prior to stacking the plastic layers 15 they may be preformed, cut or punched in order to form the second device insert aperture 56, the first window aperture 27 and the second window aperture 29. The second device insert 55 may be punched or cut from a separate layer or strip and may be located in the second device insert aperture 56. The plastic layers 15, including the at least one plastic layer 15 containing the second device insert 55, may then be overlaid to form the laminar structure 16. Suitable methods for incorporating such a second device insert 55 in the laminar structure 16 are disclosed in WO-A-2017/060688.

[0075] The plastic layers 15 and second device insert 55 may then be attached together. During lamination or welding heat and/or pressure may be applied to fuse or push the plastic layers 15 together and the material at the surface of each plastic layer 15 may soften, migrate into and substantially mix with the material at the surface of any adjacent plastic layer 15. The material of the plastic layers 15 and second device insert 55 may fill the spacing within the first and second window apertures 27, 29 and thereby form the first and second windows 50, 58. During the attachment process the second device insert 55 may be secured within the plastic substrate 12. For example, during lamination the second device insert 55 may be fused in the plastic layers 15. Thus there may be no distinguishable interface between adjacent plastic layers 15 and second device insert 55 such that the unitary plastic substrate 12 is formed, although they may be distinguishable by the regions of different material within the plastic substrate 12. The lamination may be performed using any suitable method and may be a substantially in-line method, similar to that of WO-A-2017/060684 and WO-A-2017/060688, in which a plurality of security sheets 10 are formed continuously.

[0076] In order to verify the security sheet 10 the document inspector can visually check that the first and second device regions 52, 53 have the correct different optical detection characteristics and have the correct location relative to one another. The security sheet 10 is difficult to replicate due to the complexity of forming the second device region 53 from a second device insert 55 within the first device region 52 and the difficulties in obtaining the necessary materials to form the different optical detection characteristics. By virtue of the first device region 52 being transparent it is more difficult to fraudulently adapt the security device 51, such as attempting to change the at least one security element 28 and/or the first and/or second device regions 52, 53, without leaving visible marks within the transparent first device region 52.

[0077] Various alternatives to the embodiments discussed above fall within the scope of the present disclosure. The security sheet 10 may comprise a plurality of first windows 50 and corresponding security devices 51 having the same or different arrangements as discussed above. The security sheet 10 may comprise only one or neither of the first and second transparent regions 20, 25 such that that first and/or second outer surface 13, 14 is formed by another region, such as the first opaque region 21, the at least one core region 22, 23 and/or the first device region 52. The security sheet 10 may not comprise the at least one core region 22, 23 and/or the at least one second opaque region 24. Furthermore, the security device 51 may comprise a plurality of second device regions 53, each formed from a second device insert 55 in at least one of the plastic layers 15.

[0078] In a particular embodiment the at least one first device layer 54 forming the first device region 52 may comprise a first device insert and the second device region 53 may be formed from the second device insert 55 being located within an aperture in the first device insert. The first device insert may then be inserted into an aperture in at least one of the plastic layers 15, such as one of the at least one core layers 34, 35 and/or the at least one first and/or second opaque layers 33, 36.

[0079] In the illustrated embodiments the outer perimeters of the first window 50 and second device region 53 have distinctive shapes (for example the second device region 53 is in the shape of a circle). However, in other embodiments the first window 50, second window 58, first device region 52 and/or second device region 53, particularly the shape(s) of the perimeter(s) thereof, may individually or collectively define one or more indicia, preferably alphanumeric character(s), symbol(s), logo(s), graphics or the like and the one or more indicia may convey information. The one or more indicia may represent personal data, which may be in addition to the personal data 11 located outside of the first window 50 and overlying the first opaque region 21. The first window 50, second window 58, first device region 52 and/or second device region 53 may have the same or different shapes.

[0080] FIGS. 5 to 6B illustrate a further embodiment in which the security device 51 further comprises a third device region 60 overlapping the first window 50. The third device region 60 may be visible in the first window 50 (i.e. appearing to be located within the perimeter of the first window 50) when the first outer surface 13 is viewed in reflected visible light. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the third device region 60 may appear to be located between the first and second device regions 52, 53 and may, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, overlap the first and/or second device region 52, 53. In particular, the third device region 60 may extend at least partially, preferably entirely as illustrated, around the second device region 53 and overlap the first device region 52.

[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the third device region 60 may be formed from at least one third device layer 61 located in the laminar structure 16. The at least one third device layer 61 may comprise at least one third device aperture 62 through which the second device region 53 is visible. The at least one third device layer 61 may comprise a ring, which may be open or is preferably closed as in FIGS. 5 to 6B, and the ring may be located around the second device insert 55 in the laminar structure 16. The at least one third device layer 61 may comprise a third device insert that is located in the laminar structure 16 prior to attachment. Alternatively, the at least one third device layer 61 may comprise at least one ink layer located on top of the second device insert 55 and/or at least one of the plastic layers 15, such as the at least one core layer 34, 35 and/or first device layer 54. Yet furthermore, the third device layer may be formed from a portion of at least one plastic layer 15, such as of the at least one first opaque layer 33. In particular, the first window 50 may be formed by forming, punching or cutting the first window aperture 27, the at least one third device layer 61 and the third device aperture 62 from the at least one first opaque layer 33. The second device insert 55 may be located within the third device aperture 62 in the laminar structure 16 prior to attachment. Thus, upon attachment, the at least one third device layer 61 may form the third device region 60 within the first window 50 with the second device region 53 within it.

[0082] The third device region 60 may be opaque and have a similar colour to the first opaque region 21, particularly if they are both formed from the at least one first opaque layer 33. Preferably the third device region 60 has different optical detection characteristics to the first and second device regions 52, 53. Thus the first, second and third device regions 52, 53, 60 may therefore comprise at least one of different visible colours, different visible responses to an external stimulus, different opacities and/or different optically variable effects.