SECURITY ARTICLE

Abstract: A security article, such as a promotional game mechanic, lottery ticket, event ticket or videocassette, comprises a first element bearing information applied in an initially colorless substance (2) contained in microcapsules, and a second element bearing a second substance (4). For example, the first substance (2) can comprise an initially colorless liquid color former dispersed into an ink, and the second substance (4) can comprise a dispersion of a developer for the color former. The first and second elements are placeable together so as to break the microcapsules and reveal the information by a reaction of the first and second substances (2, 4).

Description: SECURITY ARTICLE Background to the Invention The present invention relates to a security article such as a promotional or lottery ticket or a product label or container bearing hidden information which is revealed under predetermined conditions. The article may be a game mechanic and may be used to promote products by introducing a game element into a promotion which is linked to the everyday use of the product. A typical example of the use of prior game mechanics is a promotion linked to a cold drink in which a "win" or "lose" message appears when the game mechanic is placed against the cold drink container or placed with the container in a refrigerator. The message can be made to appear by using thermochromic ink which changes in color or opacity below a certain temperature. Another example is a lottery ticket with one or more opaque silver scratch-off panels, underneath which prize information has been printed. An example of a known security article is an event ticket including validity information only revealed under predetermined circumstances, such as exposure to ultraviolet light. Summary of the Invention It is an aim of the invention to provide a low-cost, reliable security article. The present invention provides a security article comprising a first element bearing information applied in an initially colorless substance contained in microcapsules, and a second element bearing a second substance, the first and second elements being placeable together so as to break the microcapsules and reveal the information by a reaction of the first and second substances. Thus, the invention uses technology from the unrelated field of no carbon required (NCR) business forms. . The first substance may for example comprise an initially colorless liquid color former dispersed into an ink, the second substance comprising a dispersion of a developer for the color former. Alternatively, the first substance may comprise the developer and the second the color former. The second substance may also be microencapsulated. In an embodiment of the invention, the first and second elements comprise first and second panels of a folding card, the first and second substances arranged to come into contact when the panels are folded together. Alternatively, the elements could be separate, and for example, one of the elements could comprise a product label. Breaking of the microcapsules can be achievable by applying shear force or pressure, for example by rubbing a side of one of the elements facing away from the substances with a coin. The first element can bear further, colorless information applied as a decoy in a third substance which does not react with said second substance. The third substance may be the same as the first substance but without the color former or developer. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the information is in the form of a bar code readable by a scanner. The article may comprise decoy bar-code-style information printed in an initially colorless ink that in use develops into a color that cannot be read by a bar code scanner. Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a game mechanic according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the game mechanic shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 a and 3b show a design of reactive and non-reactive substances according to another embodiment; and Figure 4 shows a design of reactive and non-reactive substances according to yet another embodiment. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figures 1 and 2 show a game mechanic in the form of a card which is intended to be folded along the dotted line. The game mechanic is fabricated by firstly printing a background pattern, text and/or solid area 1. Next, an ink comprising an initially colorless color former is printed to give prize information in the form of text or at least one shape or symbol at 2. Suitable color formers include: Bisaryl carbazolyl methane compound - colorless to blue Diaminofluran compound - colorless to black Quinazoline compound - colorless to yellow all of which are obtainable as Pergascript (trademark) color formers from Ciba Speciality Chemicals. The color former is dissolved into a solvent mixture commonly used in capsule solvent blends. Suitable solvents include hydrogenated terphenols, Sure Sol 290 (Koch Chemical Industries) and Exxsol D-100 (Exxon Chemical). The solution is then microencapsulated using techniques well known in the NCR and cosmetics industries. The microcapsules are strong enough to allow dispersion into an ink and subsequent print processing but weak enough to release their contents on applying shear force, pressure or heat. The microcapsules containing the colorless liquid color former are then dispersed into an ink used in lithographic, flexographic or silk screen printing. The ink is usually water based but can be solvent based depending on cost and the required printing speed. Next, dummy information, also in the form of text, shapes or symbols is printed at 3 using a polyvinyl alcohol or acrylic dispersion comprising microcapsules made as described above but not containing any color former. A developer layer 4 is then printed on the opposite panel of the card using a polyvinyl alcohol dispersion comprising Bisphenol A (a phenolic resin), zinc salicylate or acid clay. These components may also be made into a solution and microencapsulated. Finally, the card may be scored or creased along the dotted line. In use, the card is folded to bring the prize information 2 into contact with the developer layer 4. Shear force or pressure is then applied to the outside of the folded card, the appropriate area of which may be printed accordingly, for example by rubbing with a coin. The microcapsules are broken and the developer substance reacts with the color former by accepting electrons donated therefrom. The color former then acquires color and the prize information is revealed. Figures 3 and 4 show examples of how the "real" prize information 5 and "dummy" information 6 could be printed. The "real" information could be printed over or under the "dummy" information. Modifications may be made to the specific embodiment described above without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the color former and developer could be reversed, so that the former is printed in a solid area and the prize information is provided by the developer. The layers could be printed in a different order to that described above. There could be more than one area of information to be revealed, so that for example a game can be won by revealing a particular combination of symbols. In another embodiment, secret information, particularly validity information comprising text or symbols, is printed using the color former or developer on an article such as a videocassette or a document such as an event ticket to prove its validity. In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the secret information is in the form of a bar code. A series of initially colorless microencapsulated inks are printed, and when placed in contact with the developer and rubbed, at least one of the inks acquires color and reveals a bar code in a color such as blue or black that can be read by a scanner. At least one of the inks could develop into a color that is ignored by a bar code scanner, such as red. The bar code readable by the scanner conveys specific information such as prize information.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A security article comprising a first element bearing information applied in an initially colorless substance contained in microcapsules, and a second element bearing a second substance, the first and second elements being placeable together so as to break the microcapsules and reveal the information by a reaction of the first and second substances. 2. A security article according to claim 1, wherein the first substance comprises an initially colorless liquid color former dispersed into an ink, and the second substance comprises a dispersion of a developer for the color former. 3. A security article according to claim 1, wherein the second substance comprises an initially colorless liquid color former dispersed into an ink, and the first substance comprises a dispersion of a developer for the color former. 4. A security article according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second substance is microencapsulated. 5. A security article according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second elements comprise first and second panels of a folding card, the first and second substances arranged to come into contact when the panels are folded together. 6. A security article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first and second elements are separate. 7. A security article according to any preceding claim, wherein breaking of the microcapsules is achievable by applying shear force or pressure. 8. A security article according to any preceding claim, wherein the first element bears further, colorless information applied as a decoy in a third substance which does not react with said second substance. 9. A security article according to claims 2 and 8, wherein the third substance contains no color former but is otherwise identical to the first substance. 10. A security article according to claims 3 and 8, wherein the third substance contains no developer but is otherwise identical to the first substance. 11. A security article according to any preceding claim, wherein the information is in the form of a bar code readable by a scanner. 12. A security article according to claim 11, comprising decoy bar-code-style information printed in an initially colorless ink that in use develops into a color that cannot be read by a bar code scanner. 13. A security article as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a game mechanic.

Inventors: BARKER WILLIAM JAMES STEPHEN, PUGH ROBERT JOHN, BARKER, WILLIAM, JAMES, STEPHEN, PUGH, ROBERT, JOHN
Applicants: BARKER WILLIAM JAMES STEPHEN, BH LIQUID CRYSTAL DEVICES LTD, PUGH ROBERT JOHN, BARKER, WILLIAM, JAMES, STEPHEN, BH LIQUID CRYSTAL DEVICES LIMITED, PUGH, ROBERT, JOHN
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G09F3
IPC codes: G09F3