US5465301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Security threads
Assignee: De la Rue International Ltd
•
Filing: 1994-01-19
•
Granted: 1995-11-07
•
Expires: 2014-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A security thread (11) for use in security articles (10), includes a substrate having a coating on one or both sides thereof, the coating containing a thermochromic material selected from pigments and dyestuffs which changes from coloured to colourless when the temperature of the pigment or dyestuff is changed to the activation temperature. The thermochromic material may be coloured when the temperature is below the activation temperature and become colourless when the material is at the activation temperature or above. The thread (11) is for security paper (10) for use in producing banknotes and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard B. Jotcham
- 👤 Gerald S. Payne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:57
CPC Classifications
D; D21; D21H; D21H21/00; D21H21/14; D21H21/40; D21H21/44; D21H21/48; D21H21/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A security thread for use in security articles, said thread comprising a substrate bearing indicia, the thread having a thermochromic coating on one side of the thread, said thermochromic coating comprising a coating containing a thermochromic material selected from pigments and dyestuffs, which material is coloured when the temperature of said thermochromic coating is below an activation temperature and is colourless when the temperature is at or above said activation temperature, the indicia being obscured when the material is coloured and visible when the material is colourless.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A security thread for use in security articles, said thread comprising a substrate bearing indicia, the thread having a thermochromic coating on one side of the thread, said thermochromic coating comprising a coating containing a thermochromic material selected from pigments and dyestuffs, which material is coloured when the temperature of said thermochromic coating is below an activation temperature and is colourless when the temperature is at or above said activation temperature, the indicia being obscured when the material is coloured and visible when the material is colourless.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 in which the substrate has a thermochromic coating on both sides of the thread.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 in which said indicia comprise indicia printed on the substrate beneath the thermochromic coating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 in which one side of the substrate has a metallized coating, which is partially demetallised to form said indicia, and the thermochromic coating is provided on one side of the thread over the metallised coating such that at a temperature below the activation temperature when viewed from one side the thread appears as a continuous coloured line and when viewed from an opposite side appears as a metallised thread with demetallised coloured indicia and at the activation temperature or above both sides of the thread are viewed as metallised thread having colourless demetallised indicia.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 in which one side of the substrate has a metallised coating, which is partially demetallised to form said indicia, and the thermochromic coating is provided on the one side of the thread over the metallised coating and on the other side of the thread, such that when the thermochromic material is colourless the demetallised indicia are visible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 in which the indicia are printed on the substrate with an ink comprising a thermochromic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 in which the thermochromic coating is composed of a variety of thermochromic compounds which display differing colours, which compounds are coloured or clear at different activation temperatures, such that as the thread is warmed or subsequently cooled it progresses through a pattern of changing colours.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 further including, a fluorescent dye or material in the substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 further including, on one side of the thread beneath the thermochromic coating, a UV fluorescent or luminescent material in the substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 which further includes a machine readable feature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A security paper comprising opposed surfaces for the provision of printing to identify a document formed from the paper, and positioned at least partially between the two surfaces of the paper as a security feature a security thread claimed in claim 1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Security paper as claimed in claim 11 in which the thread is wholly embedded between the surfaces of the paper.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
Security paper as claimed in claim 11 in which the thread is positioned partially between the surfaces of the paper, portions of the thread being positioned in windows where there is no or virtually no paper fibres on the thread.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
Security paper as claimed in claim 11 in which the thread has indicia thereon, and the thread is slit to produce registered indicia with respect to the edge of the thread, or unregistered indicia.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
Security paper as claimed in claim 11 wherein the paper is made from fibres selected from synthetic fibres, a mixture of synthetic and natural fibres, and natural fibres.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
Security paper as claimed in claim 11 wherein said paper is a laminate of two sheets with the security thread positioned between the laminated sheets.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A banknote or other security document when produced from the security paper claimed in claim 11.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
92 words
A security thread for use in security articles, said thread comprising a substrate bearing indicia, the thread having a thermochromic coating on one side of the thread, said thermochromic coating comprising a coating containing a thermochromic material selected from pigments and dyestuffs, which material is colourless when the temperature of the thermochromic coating is below an activation temperature and which is coloured when the temperature of the thermochromic coating is at or above the activation temperature, the indicia being visible when the material is colourless and obscured when the material is coloured.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
92 words
A security thread for use in security articles, said thread comprising a substrate bearing indicia, the thread having a thermochromic coating on one side of the thread, said thermochromic coating comprising a coating containing a thermochromic material selected from pigments and dyestuffs, which material is colourless when the temperature of the thermochromic coating is below an activation temperature and which is coloured when the temperature of the thermochromic coating is at or above the activation temperature, the indicia being visible when the material is colourless and obscured when the material is coloured.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 in which the indicia are printed on the substrate with an ink comprising a thermochromic material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 in which the thermochromic is composed of a variety of thermochromic compounds which display differing colours, which compounds are activated at different activation temperatures, such that as the thread is warmed or subsequently cooled it progresses through a pattern of changing colours.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 further including a fluorescent dye or material in the substrate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 further including, on one side of the thread beneath the thermochromic coating, a UV fluorescent or luminescent material in the substrate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 which further includes a machine readable feature.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
Security paper comprising opposed surfaces for the provision of printing to identify a document formed from the paper, and positioned at least partially between the two surfaces of the paper as a security feature a security thread claimed in claim 18.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
Security paper as claimed in claim 24 in which the thread is wholly embedded between the surfaces of the paper.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
Security paper as claimed in claim 24 in which the thread is positioned partially between the surfaces of the paper, portions of the thread being positioned in windows where there is no or virtually no paper fibres on the thread.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
Security paper as claimed in claim 24 in which the thread is slit to produce registered indicia with respect to the edge of the thread.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
Security paper as claimed in claim 24 wherein the paper is made from fibres selected from synthetic fibres, a mixture of synthetic and natural fibres, and natural fibres.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
Security paper as claimed in claim 24 wherein said paper is a laminate of two sheets with the security thread positioned between the laminated sheets.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
A banknote or other security document when produced from the security paper claimed in claim 24.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
Security paper comprising opposed surfaces for the provision of printing to identify a document formed from the paper, and positioned at least partially between the two surfaces of the paper as a security feature a security thread as claimed in claim 1.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 in which the indicia comprise a coloured coating on the substrate beneath the thermochromic coating.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 in which the indicia comprise a coloured coating on the substrate beneath the thermochromic coating.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 4 in which both sides of the substrate have a partially demetallised metallised coating.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 5 in which both sides of the substrate have a partially demetallised metallised coating.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 further including a fluorescent dye or material on the surface of the substrate beneath the thermochromic coating.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 36 further including in fluorescent dye or material on both surfaces of the substrate beneath thermochromic coatings on both sides of the thread.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 further including a fluorescent dye or material in a coating on the surface of the substrate beneath the thermochromic coating.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 38 further including a fluorescent dye or material in a coating on both surfaces of the substrate beneath thermochromic coatings on both sides of the thread.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material on the surface of the substrate beneath the thermochromic coating.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 40 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material on both surfaces of the substrate beneath the thermochromic coatings on both sides of the thread.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material in a coating on the surface of the substrate beneath the thermochromic coating.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 42 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material in coatings on both sides of the substrate beneath thermochromic coatings on both sides of the thread.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material above the thermochromic coating.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 44 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material on both sides of the thread above thermochromic coatings on both sides of the thread.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 1 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material in a coating above the thermochromic coating.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 44 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material in coatings on both sides of the thread above thermochromic coatings on both sides of the thread.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
Security paper as claimed in claim 11 in which the thread is slit to produce unregistered indicia.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 in which the thread has a thermochromic coating on both sides thereof.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 further including a fluorescent dye or material on the surface of the substrate beneath the thermochromic coating.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
30 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 50 further including a fluorescent dye or material on both surfaces of the substrate beneath thermochromic coatings on both sides of the thread.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 further including a fluorescent dye or material in a coating on the surface of the substrate beneath the thermochromic coating.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 52 further including a fluorescent dye or material in a coating on both surfaces of the substrate beneath thermochromic coatings on both sides of the thread.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material on the surface of the substrate beneath the thermochromic coating.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
31 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 54 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material on both surfaces of the substrate beneath thermochromic coatings on both sides of the thread.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
29 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material in a coating on the surfaces of the substrate beneath the thermochromic coating.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
33 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 56 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material in coatings on both sides of the substrate beneath thermochromic coatings on both sides of the thread.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material above the thermochromic coating.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
31 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 58 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material on both sides of the thread above thermochromic coatings on both sides of the thread.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
23 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 24 further including a UV fluorescent or luminescent material in a coating above the thermochromic coating.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
22 words
A security thread as claimed in claim 18 in which said indicia comprise indicia printed on the substrate beneath the thermochromic coating.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
70 words
A security thread for use in security articles, said thread comprising a substrate bearing indicia, the substrate incorporating a thermochromic material selected from pigments and dyestuffs, which material is coloured when the temperature of the substrate is below an activation temperature and is colourless when the temperature is at or above said activation temperature, the indicia being obscured when the material is coloured and visible when the material is colourless.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
70 words
A security thread for use in security articles, said thread comprising a substrate bearing indicia, the substrate incorporating a thermochromic material selected from pigments and dyestuffs, which material is coloured when the temperature of the substrate is below an activation temperature and is colourless when the temperature is at or above said activation temperature, the indicia being obscured when the material is coloured and visible when the material is colourless.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
70 words
A security thread for use in security articles, said thread comprising a substrate bearing indicia, the substrate incorporating a thermochromic material selected from pigments and dyestuffs, which material is colourless when the temperature of the substrate is below an activation temperature and is coloured when the temperature is at or above said activation temperature, the indicia being obscured when the material is coloured and visible when the material is colourless.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
70 words
A security thread for use in security articles, said thread comprising a substrate bearing indicia, the substrate incorporating a thermochromic material selected from pigments and dyestuffs, which material is colourless when the temperature of the substrate is below an activation temperature and is coloured when the temperature is at or above said activation temperature, the indicia being obscured when the material is coloured and visible when the material is colourless.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-11-06 | 1999-05-08 | 1999-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-06 | 2003-05-08 | 2003-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-06 | 2007-05-08 | 2007-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |