Abstract:
A method of protecting an informational article including providing an informational article substrate having a zone for inserting variable information within the zone, and securing a transparent tape, preferably see-through holographic layer having a write-resistant exposed surface over the information.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/849,296, filed Oct. 3, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to informational articles which are provided with a zone within which information is provided either in handwritten or printed form and, more specifically, it relates to providing such an article resistant to both counterfeiting, through photocopying, and alteration through manual or printed means. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It has been known for many purposes to provide means to protect informational articles from counterfeiting and alteration. For example, special inks, graphic designs, codes, holograms and materials have been used to make it more difficult for counterfeiters to copy the paper currency. Also, cards have been encased between a pair of laminated plastic sheets to protect them from deterioration and alteration. Further, holograms have been employed in credit cards to inhibit unauthorized reproduction. 
         [0004]    However, a unique problem still exists for protecting certain items which must be completed by an intermediary after initial manufacture and prior to delivery to the end user. For example, a state prints on paper or paperboard all of the information required for a temporary registration plate except for the expiration date. The temporary registration plate is used by the new car owner until the permanent license plate is received. The expiration date is typically applied with a pen, marker or other printing means by the car dealer at the time of the sale of the vehicle. It is important that the temporary plate be designed such that it cannot be easily counterfeited by photocopying and the information provided thereon by the dealer, such as the expiration date, cannot be altered. 
         [0005]    Therefore, the present invention proceeds upon the desirability of providing an informational article that are resistant to counterfeiting and alteration, and a method of protecting such informational article from counterfeiting and alteration. For example, temporary vehicle registration plates that are resistant to counterfeiting and alteration after the insertion of the required information, such as the expiration date, by the car dealer. 
       OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an information article and a method of producing same with overcomes the aforementioned problems. An efficient means for resisting counterfeiting by photocopying or alteration of the informational article. The information article resists counterfeiting by photocopying and/or alteration, and resists alteration of the information inserted onto the information article by an authorized intermediary. 
         [0007]    It is an another object of the present invention to provide such an informational article and the method for producing same wherein the informational article is not effective until additional information is added thereto, e.g., the temporary registration plate is not effective until the expiration date is added thereon. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide the informational article and method as aforesaid, which applies a write resistant treated transparent tape comprising a refractive image over the additional information. 
         [0009]    It is a still another object of the present invention to provide the informational article and method as aforesaid, which can be employed economically and without the need for special skills or equipment on the part of the individual (i.e., the intermediary) completing the informational article by adding the required additional information. 
         [0010]    It is a yet another object of the present invention to provide a refractive image in the write resistant treated transparent tape which comprises a tamper evident feature. 
         [0011]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the informational article has a preprinted side containing base or basic information and a zone on the preprinted side for subsequent insertion of additional information by an intermediary. For example, the preprinted side of the information article can contain base information, such as the state in which the temporary registration plate is effective, and the zone can be used by the car dealer to insert the expiration date. It is appreciated that such temporary registration plates must be sufficiently large to be viewable from a distance by a law enforcement officer without getting out of her vehicle, thereby enabling the law enforcement officer to quickly determine whether the temporary vehicle registration is valid or expired. 
         [0012]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an overlay pattern which preferably is a refractive image, such as a hologram, so as to resist reproduction, such as photocopying. Preferably, the hologram is de-metalized for see through purposes. The overlay pattern of the present invention is overlaid on top of the informational article&#39;s zone containing the information. Efforts to photocopy, even on paper of identical color as the original form would fail to reproduce the refractive image and thereby preclude photocopying as a means of counterfeiting the temporary registration plate. 
         [0013]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an adhesively bonded transparent tape comprising a refractive image, such as a hologram, can be placed over the zone after the information is inserted thereon by the intermediary, e.g., a car dealer applying the expiration date within the zone. The adhesively bonded transparent tape can be made of a polyester or polyolefin. Preferably, the adhesively bonded transparent tape is covered with a write resistant coating, such as a silicone resin with a wax added thereto, such as polytetrafluoroethylene. 
         [0014]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises providing an information article with a zone for inserting information by an intermediary, inserting the information within the zone and thereafter applying the write resistant, adhesively bonded transparent protective tape comprising the refractive image pattern over the zone. 
         [0015]    Various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the ensuing detailed description, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The following detailed description, given by way of example, and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of an informational article in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the informational article comprising the additional information and a see through holographic overlay in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the informational article with the see through holographic overlay covering the zone or area of the additional information in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a schematic side elevational sectional view, not to scale, of a tape assembly embodying the present invention in a particular form, attached to a substrate such as a personal identification card, in untampered condition; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a similar but exploded view of the tape assembly of  FIG. 4 , again shown in untampered condition; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a similar view of the same tape assembly after tampering. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    As used herein, the term “refractive image” means any visually perceptible contrasting portion which has contrast increased upon exposure to either natural or artificial light and shall include, but not be limited to photographs, illustrations, printed patterns, colors, and holograms. 
         [0024]    As used herein, the term “informational article” means an article or portion thereof which is intended to communicate information and will expressly include, but not be limited to temporary vehicle registration plates, identification cards, security signs, labels and cards, checks, bank drafts, money orders, and other types of informational signs, labels, and cards. 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIGS. 1-3 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the informational article  100  is a paper or paperboard temporary registration form  10  prior to insertion of the expiration date. That is, the present invention is described in conjunction with a completed temporary registration form  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The temporary registration form  110  is generally rectangular in shape and can have the size on the order of about 8 to 12 inches by about 4 to 8 inches. The registration form  110  is printed on one side (i.e., the printed face  120 ) and has information regarding the state in the upper horizontal portion (not shown). The registration form  110  also has an information receiving zone  150  underlying the horizontal portion within which the expiration date can be inserted by a vehicle dealer using a pen or a marker to provide a thicker line, or by other suitable printing means. For example, the information receiving zone  150  can be disposed above and below the word “EXPIRES” (not shown) on both sides of the information receiving zone  150  to enable a law enforcement officer to view the informational article  100  (i.e., the temporary vehicle registration plate  100 ) from a distance without getting out of her vehicle, thereby enabling the law enforcement officer to quickly determine whether the temporary vehicle registration plate  100  is valid or expired. The blank space underlying the information receiving zone  150  can be employed to provide a vehicle serial number, if desired. 
         [0026]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a tape assembly or member  200  is pre-secured to the printed face  120  of the informational article  100  (e.g., a temporary vehicle registration plate  100 ) by suitable pressure-sensitive adhesive means. The tape assembly  130  which is folded upwardly could be stored in a downward position overlying the information receiving zone  150  containing the required information, such as the expiration date for a temporary vehicle registration plate  100 . The tape assembly  200  can comprises a strippable protective web  210  secured to the adhesive side of the tape assembly  200  to resist undesired premature sticking. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tape assembly  200  can be made transparent by de-metalizing a metal layer of the diffractive or refractive image. The base material of the tape assembly  200  is preferably composed of a material selected from the group consisting of polyester and polyolefins with polyethylene and polypropylene being among the preferred materials in the latter generic category. The required information (e.g., the expiration date) is inserted within the information receiving zone  150  of the informational article  100 . The protective web  210  is then removed from the tape assembly  200  and the protective web  210  is urged downwardly in overlying position with respect to the information provided in the information receiving zone  150  and secured thereto in surface-to-surface contact by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive on the undersurface of the tape assembly  200 . Alternatively, the tape assembly  200  can be provided as a separate member rather than pre-securing to the informational article  100 . 
         [0027]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tape assembly  200  comprises a pattern, preferably is a refractive image  220 , to make the temporary registration form  110  resistant to counterfeiting by photocopying. The refractive image  220  is preferably a hologram, such as a plurality of repeated patterns, such that varying colors can be seen within each information receiving zone  150  as the temporary registration form  110  is moved in either natural or artificial light. As a result, even if a blank temporary registration form  110  is photocopied on paper or paperboard of identical color and design employed by the state, the counterfeiter will not be able to duplicate the color produced by the hologram because it changes with the movement of the temporary registration form  110  in either natural or artificial light. Alternatively, the tape assembly  200  comprises non-holographic patterns or refractive images employed on a reflective background to render the temporary registration form  110  resistant to photocopying. When the dealer sells a vehicle, she inserts, either manually or by printing means, the expiration date of the temporary registration plate  110  within the information receiving zone  150  in large numbers so it is viewable from a substantial distance. The holographic or non-holographic pattern can be integrally provided in the tape assembly  200 , provided as a coating to the tape assembly  200  or can be formed on a separate element and adhesively bonded to the tape assembly  200 . 
         [0028]    The exposed surface of the protective web tape assembly  200  preferably has a coating of a silicone resin to render it resistant to any efforts to write thereon in a manner that would overlay and alter the expiration date. Preferably, a wax is about 2.5 to 10 percent by weight and is incorporated in the silicone resin so as to enhance the write resistant characteristics of the informational article  100 , particularly the tape assembly  200 , with respect to marker pens, crayons, pens, and the like. This renders the exposed surface of the tape assembly  200  non-wetting with respect to inks. Preferably, the silicone resin is a heat curable resin and the wax is polytetrafluoroethylene. 
         [0029]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the protective tape  200  comprising the refractive images  220  overlies all or part of the information receiving zone  150 , which contains the required information, of the informational article  100 . The protective tape  200  can be adhesively secured in overlying surface-to-surface position with respect to the information receiving zone  150 , thereby rendering the informational article  100  of the present invention resistant to counterfeiting. For example, the temporary registration form  110  of the present invention is resistant to counterfeiting before or after completion. The presence of the transparent tape  200 , which is protectively covered, over the information receiving zone  150  of the informational article  100  inhibits unauthorized alteration of the expiration date, such as by changing the numbers or writing over the expiration date. 
         [0030]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, any effort to lift the tape  200  will result in the disruption of the refractive image  220  contained in the tape  200  by use of the tamper evident feature, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,443, which is owned by the common assignee of this application and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. It is appreciated that the tape  200  can be adhered to the informational article  100  using suitable adhesives, such as an acrylic base pressure-sensitive adhesive for informational article  100  made of paper or paperboard and a rubber based adhesive for informational article made of plastic. 
         [0031]    In a typical holographic label or overlaminate using radiation casting techniques, the product can be viewed as a two-layer system comprising a clear protective layer and a much thinner holographic layer cast directly onto the protective layer. The holographic image is subsequently made more visible by coating the holographic image side of the label with an ultra thin layer of reflective material. An adhesive layer is finally applied to the reflective side of the label to render the entire system functional as a pressure sensitive holographic label or a holographic overlaminate product. The present invention incorporates the covert security feature by utilizing a tamper evident pattern in the refractive image  220  that remains invisible until the product has been tampered with. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the tape assembly  200  comprises a protective web or liner  210  and a refractive image  220 , preferably a hologram. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the process of providing tamper evident feature to the tape assembly  200  will be described in conjunction with  FIGS. 4-6 . The bond strength between the image layer  16  and the exposed (unpatterned) portions  24  of the surface of protective layer  14  is greater than the shear strength of the image layer  16  and the reflective layer  18 ; the bond strength between the adhesive layer  20  and the reflective layer  18  is also greater than the shear strength of the image layer  16  and the reflective layer  18 ; the bond strength between the image layer  16  and the exposed (unpatterned) portions of the surface of protective layer  14  is greater than the bond strength between the adhesive layer  20  and the reflective layer  18 ; and the shear strength of the protective layer  14  is greater than the shear strength of the image layer  16  and the reflective layer  18 . 
         [0033]    It is this bond strength differential that allows the final product, i.e., the tape assembly  200 , to assume the tamper evident characteristic if tampered with. That is, when stress is applied to remove the label from the surface to which it has been attached by means of an adhesive layer  20 , portions of the image layer  16  that come in direct contact with the patterned layer  12  will be readily detached from the patterned portions because of the weaker interfacial bond between the two UV cured resins. On the other hand, in areas where the image layer  16  is directly cast over the non-patterned portions  24  of the protective layer  14 , the image layer will remain attached to the protective layer  14  because its bond strength towards the protective film is greater than the adhesive strength between the reflective layer  18  and the base substrate  22 . Since the tear strength of the thin UV cast image layer is lower than the adhesive strength between the image layer and the base substrate, the image layer will break in the exact pattern as the patterned layer during the delamination process (as shown in  FIG. 6 ), leaving parts of the image behind on the base substrate and other parts of it on the delaminated portion. 
         [0034]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method provides an appropriate form (i.e., appropriate information article  100  with information receiving zone  150 ), inserts the desired or required information in at least partial overlying relationship with respect to the pattern  220  on the tape member  200  and thereafter covers the information within the information receiving zone  150  by adhesively bonding the transparent tape member  200  comprising the refractive patterns or images  220 . Preferably, exterior surface of the transparent tape member  200  is treated or coated to be write resistant using any known methods. 
         [0035]    It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a simple and effective means of resisting both counterfeiting and alteration of informational articles  100 , such as handicap placards, identification cards, security passes, temporary vehicle registration plates, and the like. The present invention is sufficiently inexpensive to use and can be adapted for use in disposable items. 
         [0036]    Although the present invention has been described using the temporary vehicle registration plates, the present application has applicability in other environments wherein counterfeit and alteration protection is desired with particular emphasis in those instances where the producer and authorized user of the information article or form is not the one who puts in additional information. That is, the intermediary (i.e., the car dealer) puts in the additional information (e.g., the expiration date) on the information article (e.g., temporary vehicle registration plate) produced by the state (i.e., the producer) and used by the car owner (i.e., the authorized user). For example, currently available dated or coded security passes for individuals, company, or vehicles (such as governmental or industrial vehicles) can be rendered more reliable using the present invention. While for convenience of disclosure reference has been made herein to use of the present invention on paper or paperboard articles, the present invention is not so limited. It can be used on plastic, metal, or laminated materials, for example. A vinyl or polyvinylchloride can also be employed. 
         [0037]    While the foregoing has described and illustrated aspects of various embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative components and techniques, and/or combinations and permutations of the described components and techniques, can be substituted for, or added to, the embodiments described herein. It is intended, therefore, that the present invention not be defined by the specific embodiments described herein, but rather by the appended claims, which are intended to be construed in accordance with the well-settled principles of claim construction, including that: each claim should be given its broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the specification; limitations should not be read from the specification or drawings into the claims; words in a claim should be given their plain, ordinary, and generic meaning, unless it is readily apparent from the specification that an unusual meaning was intended.