DOCUMENT

Abstract: A document of value, such as a vehicle tax disc, which is to carry personalised information comprises a substrate (1); and a release film (3) carrying a transparent adhesive (6). A first portion (4) of the film is adhered via the adhesive (6) over a corresponding first portion of the substrate (1). A releasable protective sheet (7) is secured to the adhesive (6) over a second portion (5) of the film. After personalised information (9) has been provided on the exposed portion of the substrate (1), the protective sheet (7) is removed from the film, the second portion of the film is adhered to the substrate (1) over the personalised information, and the film is then released from the substrate to leave the substrate covered with the adhesive (6).

Description: DOCUMENT The invention relates to a document, particularly a document of value such as a vehicle licence, and to a method of manufacturing such a document. Many conventional documents of value need to be personalised with information relating to the holder of the document. In the case of vehicle licences, for example, the licence must bear details of the vehicle to which the licence relates. These documents of value then need to be displayed in a permanent manner so that they can be reviewed by others to check for validity and the like. Conventionally, this has involved mounting the document in a specially designed holder which is adhered to a transparent support medium such as a windscreen of a vehicle. One of the problems with such an arrangement is that the document can easily be removed from the holder and there is a risk that information on the document could be fraudulently altered, particularly the personalised information, so that if the document is stolen it could be amended and then be used with a different vehicle. An approach which has been used in the past to prevent successful tampering with such a document of value is to coat the face of the document with adhesive so that the document is fully adhered to the transparent medium. However, this prevents personalised information being written onto the document at the point of issue since the document is already coated with adhesive. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a document of value which is to carry personalised information comprises a substrate; a release film carrying a transparent adhesive, a first portion of the film being adhered via the adhesive over a corresponding first portion of the substrate; and a releasable protective sheet secured to the adhesive over a second portion of the film whereby after personalised information has been provided on the exposed portion of the substrate, the protective sheet is removed from the film, the second portion of the film is adhered to the substrate over the personalised information, and the film is then released from the substrate to leave the substrate covered with the adhesive. We have developed a new form of document of value which not only enables the document to be personalised at the point of issue but also enables the full surface of the document to be covered with adhesive so that it can be adhered to a transparent support medium. Thus, if an attempt is made to remove the document from the support medium, at least the personalised information will be damaged and thus prevent the document from being reused. Typically, the substrate is provided with security features of a conventional type such as a hologram, a watermark, or a bar code and in addition one or more of these security features could be provided in such a way that the feature is not visible to the naked eye but only under non-visible radiation such as infrared radiation. In addition, security features could be provided which are machine readable. This is particularly useful in the case of tax discs and the like where the validity of the disc could be checked automatically by viewing the machine readable feature through the transparent support medium to which the disc is adhered. The substrate may also carry security printing such as rainbow printing. In addition, the substrate may be provided with certain fixed data such as details of the issuing organisation, the type of document, validity details and the like, provided by offset or screen printing. It should be understood, however, that all conventional printing methods could be used for providing information on the document. To provide additional security, one or more of the inks used could be solvent sensitive to prevent attempts to remove the document from the support medium using a solvent. In some cases, individual documents of value according to the invention could be provided. However, preferably, the substrate forms part of a larger sheet carrying information related to the document of value. Preferably, the document of value is separable from the larger sheet, for example by being perforated around its edge. Conveniently, the remainder of the larger sheet is also provided with security printing such as rainbow printing and also fixed data. The security printing could also include a so-called VOID feature to prevent unauthorised copying as described in WO-A-95/19890. Typically, the first and second portions of the film carrying the adhesive will not be continuous but there will be a small space between the two portions. However, this is not essential. Further, the film is preferably non- transparent to prevent fraudulent photocopying of underlying print. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a document of value which is to carry personalised information comprises providing a substrate, the substrate carrying at least one security feature; and adhering a first portion of a release film carrying a transparent adhesive to a corresponding first portion of the substrate, the remaining, second portion of the film having a releasable protective sheet secured to the adhesive. Preferably, the substrate is paper while the security feature can be chosen from one or more of a hologram, watermark, non-visible printing (such as infrared readable printing) rainbow printing, a security thread and the like. Preferably, the method further comprises, prior to adhering the release film, printing fixed data onto the substrate. This process could comprise an offset or screen printing method. Conveniently, where the document of value forms part of a larger sheet, the method further comprises perforating the sheet, at least around the document of value including the release film, so that the document of value and the release film can be detached from the remainder of the sheet. The invention is applicable to documents of value of many different types but is particularly concerned with such documents which are to be mounted on a transparent medium. Examples include vehicle licences, tax discs, certificates of insurance, and the like. More generally, the invention is applicable to visas, passports, licences, cheques, identity cards, plastic cards, bank notes, tickets, bonds, share certificates, vouchers, passes, permits, electrostatic photocopies, electrostatic laser printed materials, brand authentication labels, serial numbering slips, quality control certificates, bills of lading and other shipping documentation, legal documents and tamper evident labels. Some examples of documents and methods according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1-5 are schematic, cross-sections through a document of value during successive stages of its production and use; Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the appearance of a page from a book of documents of value constructed according to the method shown in Figures 1 and 2; and, Figure 8 is a block diagram of apparatus for providing personalised information on a document of value. In these examples, we will describe the production and use of vehicle licences which are to be mounted on the inner surface of a transparent vehicle windscreen. In a first stage (Figure 1) , a substrate 1 is provided and typically this will include a watermark (not shown) and other normally, invisible security indicia such as a bar code printed in infrared readable or normally invisible fluorescent ink. The advantage of a bar code is that it provides a machine readable feature enabling the document to be checked automatically through the transparent support medium (such as a vehicle windscreen) . The substrate 1 may be any suitable planar surfaced substrate such as paper including rag paper, surface finished paper such as resin coated paper, lacquer coated paper, synthetic paper (including non-woven paper and spun bonded paper) , plastic films, paper plastic laminates, metallised plastics, metallic foils, metallic foil clad paper, metallic sheeting such as aluminium sheeting, glass, ceramics and the like. The substrate 1 is also provided with security printing such as rainbow printing which will be provided over the entire surface of the substrate 1 (again not shown) ; and fixed data such as the expiry date of the document, a serial number and the like using offset, screen or laser printing as shown at 2. The paper substrate 1 is preferably chemically sensitised in a conventional manner so that it will react on attack by certain chemical solvents so as to be tamper indicating. In addition, the inks used for the various printing stages can also be solvent sensitive for similar reasons. Other security features which could be provided on or in the paper substrate 1 include invisible fluorescent features, and the use of pearlescent/iridescent, magnetic and metallic inks, holographic features such as described in EP-A-0625096 and EP-A-0626909 incorporated herein by reference, and other optically variable features such as light diffractive, e.g. holographic structures, light interference structures, and the optically (light) polarising structures, for example liquid crystal polymeric materials. Optically variable effects are exhibited as diffraction, interference, or polarisation under white light illumination. Diffraction offers the greatest complexity as it is possible to offer a spectrum of diffraction effects ranging from regular diffraction grating structures through diffraction grating mosaics and graphical diffraction effects (such as 2D and 2D/3D effects) , to the simple or complex holographic reconstruction of objects, holograms, stereo holograms and multiplex holograms. Such diffractive structures can be created from fine line engraving, laser holography and electron beam recording methods. Computer generated diffractive patterns can be created, for example the Landis and Gyr Kinegra and the diffraction catastrophe patterns of Reserve Bank of Australia (W0/90/01733) . Pixellated diffractive structures may be created by using the system described by CSIRO in WO91/03737. The diffraction effects of the present invention result from the presentation of a viewable surface which possesses a diffracting profile. The polarisation of white light may be effected through the use of liquid crystal materials as described in AU-488652 or by using polymeric liquid crystalline material such as described in DE-A-3942663. Such materials will have relatively high molecular weights and may be applied by coating or screen printing methods. Optically variable effects are viewable in white light although machine readable effects may be used. White light interfering patterns result from the manufacture of multiple layers of materials having different refractive indices, which are deposited at thicknesses approximately one quarter of the wavelength of light per layer. Such materials may be used directly coated on the film, or adhesively transferred to another substrate. Additionally there are known to be inks which comprise flakes of such layered structures such as described in EP-A-227423. Special types of diffracting structure are also envisaged of the type described in EP-A-0201323 incorporated herein by reference. These transparent holograms make use of layers of for example zinc sulphide, titanium oxide(s) and zirconium (IV) oxide. If holograms are used, these could include a serial number optionally matching a serial number printed on the substrate. In the example shown in the drawings, a waterproof paper sheet 54 is shown adhered to the rear of the substrate 1. This is particularly useful where the document will comprise a tax disc for mounting on the inside of a vehicle windscreen. There is a risk in this situation that sunlight will cause the inks on the paper substrate 1 to migrate through the substrate and if the inside of the windscreen is subsequently washed, any migrating inks could be removed. By incorporating the waterproof paper sheet 54, this problem is avoided. In the next stage, a release film 3 such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester or PVC is provided coated in first and second portions 4,5 with a pressure sensitive adhesive 6 which is light stable. The adhesive 6 in the second portion 5 is covered with a silicone or other release paper 7 while the first portion 4 of the film 3 is adhered to the paper substrate 1 over some of the preprinted information 2 as shown in Figure 2. For increased security, the adhesive may include an UV absorbing material. This is particularly useful where the document is a vehicle tax disc which will be adhered to the windscreen of a vehicle. It has been found that such a windscreen allows through UV components of sunlight which bleach the inks on the substrate. By including a UV absorber in the adhesive, the harmful UV can be removed. As a further security measure, it will be possible to include security features such as holograms in the adhesive. In the form shown in Figure 2, the document of value is then supplied to a personalisation location. Personalisation could be carried out centrally with personalised data being supplied to a central issuing station or alternatively could be carried out in many remote locations on demand. The invention is particularly suited to this latter application. It will be noted in Figure 2 that the film 3 is adhered via the adhesive 6 to the substrate l in the first portion 4 but can be folded about a line 8 to reveal part of the surface of the substrate 1. During personalisation, personalised information such as a signature and/or details of a vehicle such at its registration number can be inscribed on the exposed portion of the substrate l as shown schematically at 9 in Figure 3. Following writing of the information, the silicone release paper 7 is removed and the remaining second portion 5 of the film 3 is adhered to the remaining surface of the substrate 1 as shown in Figure 3. In this condition, the tax disc is supplied to a user. The film 3 is then separated by the user from the substrate l and because of its release characteristics, will separate from the adhesive 6 which remains on the surface of the substrate (as seen in Figure 4) fully covering the substrate and printed and personalised data. Finally, the document is adhered via the adhesive 6 to the vehicle windscreen 10, as shown in Figure 5. The characteristics of the adhesive 6 and the substrate 1 are chosen such that any attempt to separate the substrate l from the support medium or windscreen 10 will irreparably damage at least the surface of the substrate l and hence the printing on the substrate. This will prevent the document from being stolen, amended and then reused on a different vehicle. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a particular example of the invention in which a set of five documents of value such as vehicle licences are provided on a page σf a book into which the pages are bound. Each document of value 20-24 is provided on the same paper substrate with two additional regions 20A,20B;21A,21B etc. alongside, which are provided for record purposes. As can be seen, each area 20A,20B carries security rainbow printing 25 which extends across the boundary between the areas (and the boundary between the document of value itself and the adjacent area 20A) , first fixed data 26 provided by offset printing and second fixed data 27 provided by laser printing. Each document of value 20-24 carries rainbow printing 25 and data 28 which has been laser printed and includes a serial number and a year of validity (in this case 1996). The document 21 is provided with an additional holographic thread 50 while the document 22 is provided with a holographic, tamper evident label 51. Typically, the same security features will be provided on each document of value 20-24 on a page and the different holographic features 50,51 are shown in Figure 6 for example only. The five documents of value 20-24 on a single page are covered by a continuous strip of the film 3 which is adhered to the right hand side of each document of value and lies across the document of value with the silicone release paper 7 obscuring the left hand portion as can be seen in Figure 6. In this position, the page is perforated along vertical lines 29 and horizontal lines 30. The perforations in the horizontal lines 30 penetrate through the paper substrate 1 and the film 3 and release paper 7. Figure 7 illustrates the same page as Figure 6 but with the portion of the film 3 carrying the release paper 7 folded back to reveal the exposed, underlying portion of each document of value. It will be seen that in these exposed portions there is laser printing 31 stating "Registration Number" and a printed line 32. In use, when a document of value is to be issued, the purchaser will attend at an issuing station and pay for the document, for example a licence fee of £100, and the issuer will write in manuscript the registration number of the motor vehicle on the line 32 of the appropriate document. This information will also be written in the appropriate part of the areas 20A and 20B next to "Licence Number". The document of value 20, in this example, is then detached from the remainder of the sheet along the perforations 29,30, the release paper 7 is removed and the film 3 pressed down over the personalised information on the line 32 as shown in Figure 3. The document in this form is then handed to the purchaser. When the purchaser returns to his vehicle, he separates the film 3 from the remainder of the document leaving the adhesive in place (Figure 4) and then he adheres the document to the windscreen of the vehicle as shown in Figure 5 so that the surface of the document is fully adhered to the windscreen. In order to assist the user in separating the film 3 from the remainder of the document, the film could be provided with a tab 52 which can be gripped by the user. Typically, if such a tab is provided, this will be provided on each of the documents of value on a page. The area 20A which has been completed can then be sent by the issuing station to a central registration station while the area 2OB remains bound in the book for record purposes. Alternatively, the pages could be fan folded or stored loose etc. In the example just described, the personalised information is handwritten onto each document of value. In an alternative arrangement, this information could be printed automatically either as a result of manual input of the information to a printer or, in a particularly preferred approach, by obtaining the information from an ID card or the like belonging to the purchaser. Figure 8 illustrates schematically apparatus for achieving this. The apparatus includes a controlling processor 40 connected to a keyboard 41 for entering appropriate commands, a monitor 42, a card reader 43, and a laser printer 44. The purchaser presents his ID card, typically a smart card, to the issuing station and the card is inserted into the card reader 43. Under control from the keyboard 41, and in response to instructions displayed by the processor 40 on the monitor 42, appropriate information such as the name of the card holder, his vehicle licence number, or the like is obtained from the card by the processor 40 and the card reader 43, and the information is transferred to the laser printer 44 in which the document of value is positioned. The information is then printed in the appropriate position on the document of value. In the example described above, the documents of value are provided in pages of a bound book. It would also be possible to produce the sheets such as those shown in Figure 6 in the form of a continuous roll which preferably is provided with sprocket holes down each edge to enable the roll to be automatically fed. This arrangement is particularly suitable where the documents of value are to be provided with a holographic strip such as the strip 50. This strip can be provided on the base stock (prior to printing) in a very straightforward manner from its own continuous roll and then the base stock carrying the strip can be fed to a printer for printing the other information around the strip. In the example shown, the edge of the release paper 7 is rectilinear as indicated at 53 for the document 20. However, in some cases it is preferred to manufacture this edge in a non-rectilinear manner, for example with a sinusoidal variation since this increases the difficulty of reproducing the assembly. Again, in the example described, the film 3 is transparent. However, the film could be non-transparent and/or non-translucent and prevent the printing underneath the film from being visible. This has the advantage that it is then much more difficult to copy the underlying printing which only becomes visible when the film 3 is removed but then this leads adhesive over the printing so that it cannot easily be photocopied.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A document of value which is to carry personalised information, the document comprising a substrate; a release film carrying a transparent adhesive, a first portion of the film being adhered via the adhesive over a corresponding first portion of the substrate; and a releasable protective sheet secured to the adhesive over a second portion of the film whereby after personalised information has been provided on the exposed portion of the substrate, the protective sheet is removed from the film, the second portion of the film is adhered to the substrate over the personalised information, and the film is then released from the substrate to leave the substrate covered with the adhesive. 2. A document according to claim l, wherein the substrate carries one or more security features. 3. A document according to claim 2, wherein the security features are chosen from a watermark, a hologram, security printing, and a security thread. 4. A document according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the security features is rainbow printing. 5. A document according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least one of the security features is not visible to the naked eye. 6. A document according to claim 5, wherein the at least one security feature is visible under infrared illumination. 7. A document according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the at least one security feature is machine readable. 8. A document according to claim 7, wherein the security feature comprises a bar code. 9. A document according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate is provided with fixed data. 10. A document according to claim 9, wherein the fixed data iε printed onto the document using offset, screen, or laser printing. 11. A document according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the releasable protective sheet comprises a silicone release paper. 12. A document according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the release film comprises one of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and PVC. 13. A document according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the release film is non-transparent. 14. A document according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the release film has a tab which can be gripped to assist in removing the release film from the substrate. 15. A document according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate comprises a paper. 16. A document according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate forms part of a larger sheet and is detachable therefrom. 17. A document according to claim 16, wherein the sheet is perforated to enable the substrate to be detached. 18. A document according to claim 16 or claim 17, provided on a sheet carrying a number of such documents side by side. 19. A document of value according to any of the preceding claims, in the form of a vehicle tax disc. 20. A method of constructing a document of value which is to carry personalised information, the method comprising providing a substrate, the substrate carrying at least one security feature; and adhering a first portion of a release film carrying a transparent adhesive to a corresponding first portion of the substrate, the remaining, second portion of the film having a releasable protective sheet secured to the adhesive. 21. A method according to claim 20, further comprising, prior to adhering the release film, printing fixed data onto the substrate. 22. A method according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the document of value forms part of a larger sheet, further comprising perforating the sheet, at least around the document of value including the release film, so that the document of value and the release film can be detached from the remainder of the sheet. 23. A method according to any of claims 20 to 22 for constructing a document according to any of claims l to 19.

Inventors: HAMILTON MARK SIMON, VAN DEN OEVER RENE, HAMILTON, MARK, SIMON, VAN DEN OEVER, RENE
Applicants: DE LA RUE THOMAS & CO LTD, DEN OEVER RENE VAN, HAMILTON MARK SIMON, HAMILTON, MARK, SIMON, THOMAS DE LA RUE LIMITED, VAN DEN OEVER, RENE
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B42D15
IPC codes: B42D15, G09F3