Secure tickets and method of making tickets

Abstract: Tickets (10) for concerts, conventions, sports, and like events, have a security feature to assist in preventing counterfeiting. A stretchable security thread (25, 26) is disposed in a piece of paper stock extending so that it intersects, with portions lying on either side of, a line of separation (20, 21, 22) in the piece of paper stock (and/or is parallel to the length of the ticket). The line of separation typically is a perforation. The security thread is a stretchable material, such as polyester, and may have microprinting. When the ticket is detached at the line of separation, the security thread does not initially separate but rather stretches to provide a visual (and tactile) indication between the separated portions of the paper stock before it breaks. Such tickets are produced from a web of material having the security threads, which web is printed, and then cut into sheets for delivery to a customer who then can apply variable printing. In making perforations, care is taken not to make a perforation gap at the intersection of a security thread with a line of separation.

Description: BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Counterfeiting of event tickets for concerts, galas, sporting events, and the like is common. There are a number of different techniques used in commerce today to attempt to thwart such counterfeiting. For example, for sporting events tickets are often printed on a paper stock that has a "slick" cast coated finish. Another commercially available product to attempt to thwart counterfeiting is the use of a laminated stock which has colored tissue laminated between sheets of white paper. While these proposals can be successful, they usually require a ticket taker who is sharp, and they may produce final products which are undesirable for some situations. GB-A-440421 and GB 483142, each describes a paper sheet comprising a bank note having a thread or filament coated or impregnated with metal extending therethrough. The thread is opaque and detectable electrically or by examining the document by transmitted light. According to the present invention, a method and product are provided which can simply, yet effectively, thwart counterfeiting of tickets and the like. The product according to the present invention is designed so that the anti-counterfeiting feature thereof becomes particularly visible to the ticket taker when the ticket taker is taking the action that requires his or her most concentration, proper separation of the ticket body from the ticket stub. The tickets are also produced in a simple manner, and while the paper stock from which the tickets are made is a special paper stock, it is relatively inexpensive, differing from conventional ticket paper stock only slightly (that is in the provision of a few security threads therein, typically only one thread per ticket). According to one aspect, the present invention provides a piece of paper stock having a security feature, comprising: a piece of paper stock having length and width dimensions much greater than its thickness and a security thread disposed in said piece of paper stock and extending so that it is generally parallel to said length dimensions characterised in that the thread is stretchable so that as the piece of paper stock is separated perpendicular to said length dimension, said security thread does not initially separate, but in stretched form provides a visual indication between the separated portions of the paper stock that it is there. Means are provided defining a line of separation (such as a line of weakness, like a perforation; or an indicia line) in the paper stock at which the stock is adapted to be torn or otherwise separated to separate the piece of paper stock into distinct pieces of stock. The stretchable security thread, such as a flat, preferably polyester thread may have microprinting thereon. In this way when the piece of paper stock is separated along the line of separation the security thread does not initially separate but provides a visual and distinct resistance indication between the separated portions of the paper stock that it is there, stretching about 6mm (¼ inch) or so before it breaks. The means defining a line of weakness are not essential, but rather the thread may merely be generally parallel to the dimension of elongation of a ticket formed from the stock. The piece of paper stock preferably is a ticket for an event, having indicia printed on at least the top face thereof providing information relating to the event to which the ticket corresponds, or the agency using the same. The security thread provides a clear visual -- and even tactile -- indication to the ticket taker at the time that the ticket taker is concentrating most carefully (that is while separating the ticket stub from the body of the ticket). The security thread (which can be clear, metallized or colored), if present, makes it easy to see that the ticket is legitimate. Normally the line of separation will be a line of weakness, such as a series of perforations. In such case, the perforating apparatus is constructed so that there is a significant gap at the security thread so that it is not severed by the perforating blade. However, the line of separation may merely be an indicia line instead of a line of weakness. The invention further provides a method of producing a ticket for an event, from a web of paper having edges, and security threads encased therewithin, comprising the steps of: (a) providing the web of paper with security threads disposed therein so that the edges of the web are substantially parallel to the security threads, and so that the edges and threads are spaced from each other a predetermined distance in a first dimension; (b) continuously printing the web to provide a plurality of printed tickets; (c) cutting the web into sheets; and (d) providing means defining a line of separation in each individual printed ticket extending generally perpendicular to a security thread in that ticket, characterised in that the thread is stretchable so that when a ticket is divided along the line of separation, the security thread is not initially detached but rather in stretched form provides a visual indication between detached portions of the ticket on either side thereof that the security thread is present. There also may be the further steps, after step (c) and prior to step (d), of: rotating the cut sheets 90°; gluing each cut sheet to a preceding sheet; punching line holes in the sheets for proper registration in the print device, right and left; and then folding the sheets for delivery. Steps (a) - (d) are typically practised so as to provide each security thread in each printed ticket, although many multiple threads may be provided in each ticket if desired. Step (d) may be practised by providing perforations at the line of separation, the perforations including perforation gaps, but no perforation gap being provided at the intersection of the security thread with the line of separation. It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a ticket or the like that can thwart counterfeiting in a simple and inexpensive, yet effective manner. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the invention, and from the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary ticket according to the invention; FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the ticket of FIGURE 1 when separated along lines of separation thereof, showing the security thread providing a security feature; and FIGURE 3 is a side view schematically illustrating perforation of the paper stock adjacent a security thread to make the tickets of FIGURES 1 and 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A piece of paper stock 10, which is illustrated in the form of an event ticket (in this case a ticket for the Super Bowl) is illustrated in FIGURE 1. The term "paper stock" includes paper, paperboard, and all types of paperlike products that may be utilizable for event tickets or the like, such as ten point paper. The piece of paper stock 10 has length and width dimensions 11, 12, respectively, that are much greater than its thickness dimension 13 (see FIGURE 3). It also includes a top face 14 (FIGURE 1) and a bottom face 15 (see FIGURE 3). Indicia 16 are printed an the top face 14 in order to provide an indication of what event the ticket relates to, perhaps an assigned neat that the ticket relates to, the admission price, date of the activity, etc. Of course, printing may also be provided on the bottom face 15 (such as conditions of liability, refund, etc.) if desired, as is conventional. The piece of paper stock 10 also preferably includes means defining a line of separation therein at which the paper stock is adapted to be torn or otherwise separated to separate the piece of paper stack 10 into distinct pieces of stock, however, in some cases, the ticket is merely torn without a line to assist the tearing. A means defining a line of separation are shown generally by reference numeral 18, and may comprise an indicia line 19, or lines of weakness -- typically perforations -- 20, 21, 22, and/or 23. The lines of separation 18 typically are perpendicular to the length dimension 11 and parallel to the width dimension 12, although depending upon the exact configuration of the paper stock/ticket 10 this could be different. What has been described above is conventional. What is new according to the present invention is the provision of a security thread 25 in the piece of paper stock 10. The security thread 25 extends -- as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 -- so that it is generally parallel to the dimension of elongation 11 of the ticket 10, e.g., so that it intersects, with portions lying on either side of, the lines of separation 18 (if provided). The security thread 25 is of a stretchable material, such as a flat polyester thread, and may be provided with microprinting thereon, such as described in British Patent 1,095,286. The paper, with security thread 25 therein, is per se commercially available from Portals, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia, and may be constructed according to said British Patent 1,095,286. Normally for use in making tickets just one security thread 25 is provided in each ticket (that is the security threads are spaced from each other about 51 mm (two inches) in a web of paper supplied by Portals, Inc.), although multiple security threads per ticket may be provided if desired. The effect of the stretchable security thread 25 disposed in the piece of paper stock 10 is to provide a visual and tactile indication to the ticket taker when he or she separates the stock 10 along a line of separation 18 (or along any line generally transverse to the dimension of elongation 11 of the ticket 10). For example, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, if the ticket taker separates the portions of the stock 10 along the perforation lines 20, 21, the thread 25 stretches at those points of separation (typically stretching about 6 mm (1/4 inch) before breaking), and is clearly visible between the distinct ticket portions, as illustrated at 26 in FIGURE 2. Reference numeral 26' in FIGURE 2 illustrates a second security thread visible portion, illustrating that multiple threads may be optionally provided in a single ticket 10. If perforations, such as 20-23, are utilized in the construction of the ticket 10, it is, of course, necessary to form the perforations without severing the security thread (or threads) 25. For this purpose a perforating blade such as illustrated schematically at 28 in FIGURE 3, may be utilized. The perforating blade includes normal notches 29 (at which point no perforation gap is formed), and at the area where the security thread 25 is provided (aligned), an enlarged notch 30 in provided to insure that the blade 28 does not severe the thread 25 when making perforation gaps; or a blade may be broken and moved apart at the thread location. Tickets 10 may be mass produced according to a method of producing event tickets according to the invention. Tickets 10 are typically made from a conventional web of paper having edges, with stretchable parallel security threads encased within the paper, between the edges, again such paper being available from Portals, Inc. The spacing of the security threads 25 may be specified when ordering the paper from Portals, and for the particular purposes here would typically be about every 51 mm (two inches). In the practice of the method of the invention the following steps are followed: (a) Providing the web of paper with security threads 25 disposed therein so that the edges of the web are substantially parallel to the security threads, and so that the edges and threads are spaced from each other a predetermined distance in a first dimension (12). (b) Continuously litho printing the web to provide a plurality of printed tickets (10). (c) Cutting the web into sheets. And (d) providing means defining a line of separation (18) in each individual printed ticket (40) extending generally perpendicular to a security thread (25) in that ticket, so that when a ticket is detached along the line of separation, the security thread in not initially detached but rather provides a visual indication (26, 26') between detached portions of the ticket on either side thereof that the security thread is present. The method may also comprise the further steps, after step (c) and prior to step (d) of: rotating the cut sheets 90 degrees; gluing each cut sheet to a preceding sheet; punching line holes (see the holes in FIGURES 1 and 2) in the sheets, right and left; and then folding the sheets for delivery. The main reason that the tickets would be rotated would be to provide more room to print, depending upon a particular customer's requirements. Some customers might prefer to the tickets to be printed in the long direction; whle others would prefer them to be printed across the long direction, that is, 90° to the length (dimension 11) of the ticket. That is, the tickets (10) can be supplied in bulk to the customer, and the variable information (e.g., date, event) printed thereon after the sheets are delivered to the customer. Steps (a)-(d) may be typically practiced to provide one security thread in each printed ticket 10, although more could be provided. Also, step (d) may be practiced prior to step (c), and typically is. There can be the subsequent variable Information printing step after steps (a)-(d), and then a step of automatically (or manually) separating the sheets into individual tickets (10). It will thus be seen that according to the present invention a product and method of manufacture thereof have been provided which assist in thwarting counterfeiting of event tickets and the like in a simple and relatively inexpensive, yet effective manner. While the invention has been herein shown and described in what is presently conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications may be made thereof within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: A piece of paper stock having a security feature, comprising: a piece of paper stock (10) having length and width dimensions (11, 12) much greater than its thickness and a security thread (25, 26) disposed in said piece of paper stock and extending so that it is generally parallel to said length dimensions characterised in that the thread (25, 26) is stretchable so that as the piece of paper stock is separated perpendicular to said length dimension, said security thread does not initially separate, but in stretched form provides a visual indication between the separated portions of the paper stock that it is there. A piece of paper stock as recited in Claim 1 characterised in that it is a ticket for an event and is printed with information relating to the event or an agency distributing it. A piece of paper stock as recited in Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterised in that said security thread stretches about 6mm (¼ inch) before breaking; providing a tactile as well as a visual indication. A piece of paper as recited in any of Claims 1 to 3 characterised by means (19-23) defining a line of separation in said piece of paper stock, at which said paper stock is adapted to be torn or otherwise separated to separate the piece of paper stock into distinct pieces of stock, portions of said security thread lying on either side of said line of separation. A piece of paper stock as recited in Claim 4 characterised in that said means defining a line of separation comprises means defining a line of weakness (20-23) or an indicia line. A piece of paper stock as recited in Claim 4 or Claim 5 characterised in that the line of separation is defined by perforations, said line of perforations (20-23) being provided so that no perforation gap is provided where said security thread intersects said line of separation. A piece of paper stock as recited in any of Claims 4 to 6 characterised in that there are a plurality of security threads, each intersecting said means defining a line of separation. A method of producing a ticket for an event, from a web of paper having edges, and security threads encased therewithin, comprising the steps of: (a) providing the web of paper with security threads disposed therein so that the edges of the web are substantially parallel to the security threads, and so that the edges and threads are spaced from each other a predetermined distance in a first dimension; (b) continuously printing the web to provide a plurality of printed tickets; (c) cutting the web into sheets; and (d) providing means defining a line of separation in each individual printed ticket extending generally perpendicular to a security thread in that ticket, characterised in that the thread is stretchable so that when a ticket is divided along the line of separation, the security thread is not initially detached but rather in stretched form provides a visual indication between detached portions of the ticket on either side thereof that the security thread is present. A method as recited in Claim 8 characterised by the further steps, after (c), of: rotating the cut sheets 90 degrees; gluing each cut sheet to a preceding sheet and; punching line holes in the sheets. A method as recited in Claim 8 or Claim 9 characterised in that steps (a) - (d) are practised so as to provide one security thread in each printed ticket. A method as recited in any of Claims 8 to 10 characterised in that step (d) is practised by providing perforations at the line of separation, the perforations including perforation gaps, but no perforation gap being provided at the intersection of a security thread with the line of separation. A method as recited in any of Claims 8 to 11 characterised in that step (d) is practised prior to step (c). A method as recited in any of Claims 8 to 12 characterised by the further steps of (e) printing variable information on the sheets after steps (a) - (d); and then (f) separating the sheets into individual tickets.

Inventors: COE ROBERT P, COE, ROBERT P.
Applicants: MOORE BUSINESS FORMS INC, MOORE BUSINESS FORMS, INC.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B42D15
IPC codes: B42D15, D21H21