Multi-functional transparent secure marks

Claim 2

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein: said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces; said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate; said area of increased transparency resembles a graphical watermark and defines a degree of transparency that excludes the degree of transparency defined by a transparent window; said transparentizing composition comprises a transparentizing agent and a security agent.

Claim 3

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cellulosic substrate defines a textured portion and wherein said graphical image is further defined by said textured portion.

Claim 4

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 2 wherein said textured portion and said transparentized portion lie in common areas of said cellulosic substrate.

Claim 5

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 3 wherein said textured portion and said transparentized portion define substantially identical boundaries and wherein said textured portion and said transparentized portion are positioned in substantial alignment on said cellulosic substrate.

Claim 6

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 2 wherein said textured portion defines a variable thickness profile and wherein said transparentizing composition is applied across said variable thickness profile such that said area of increased transparency defines a varying transparency.

Claim 7

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transparentized portion includes a printed portion, wherein printed matter defining the printed portion is covered by said transparentizing composition.

Claim 8

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 6 wherein said printed portion lies in a reduced-thickness portion of said substrate.

Claim 9

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 6 wherein said printed matter comprises an amount field of a negotiable document.

Claim 10

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 6 wherein said printed matter comprises a secure data field.

Claim 11

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said security agent comprises a photochromic agent.

Claim 12

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said security agent comprises a thermochromic agent.

Claim 13

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said security agent comprises a fluorescent agent.

Claim 14

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said security agent comprises a coloring agent.

Claim 15

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said security agent comprises a fragrance.

Claim 16

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said security agent comprises a UV ink.

Claim 17

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transparentizing composition comprises a radiation-curable composition.

Claim 18

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transparentizing composition is selected so as to cure upon contact with said cellulosic substrate.

Claim 19

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein: said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces; said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate resembling a graphical watermark and defines a degree of transparency that excludes the degree of transparency defined by a transparent window; said transparentizing composition comprises a transparentizing agent; said transparentized portion includes a printed portion; and printed matter defining the printed portion is covered by said transparentizing composition.

Claim 20

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein: said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces; said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate resembling a graphical watermark and defines a degree of transparency that excludes the degree of transparency defined by a transparent window; said transparentizing composition comprises a transparentizing agent; said transparentized portion includes a printed portion; and printed matter defining the printed portion is covered by said transparentizing composition.

Claim 21

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 18 wherein said cellulosic substrate defines a textured portion and wherein said graphical image is further defined by said textured portion.

Claim 22

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 19 wherein said textured portion and said transparentized portion lie in common areas of said cellulosic substrate.

Claim 23

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 20 wherein said textured portion and said transparentized portion define substantially identical boundaries and wherein said textured portion and said transparentized portion are positioned in substantial alignment on said cellulosic substrate.

Claim 24

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 19 wherein said textured portion defines a variable thickness profile and wherein said transparentizing composition is applied across said variable thickness profile such that said area of increased transparency defines a varying transparency.

Claim 25

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 18 wherein said printed portion lies in a reduced-thickness portion of said substrate.

Claim 26

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 18 wherein said printed matter comprises an amount field of a negotiable document.

Claim 27

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 18 wherein said printed matter comprises a secure data field.

Claim 28

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein: said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces and a textured portion; said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern; said transparentizing composition and said textured portion define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define a textured area of increased transparency in said substrate; said area of increased transparency resembles a graphical watermark; and said transparentizing composition comprises a transparentizing agent.

Claim 29

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein: said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces and a textured portion; said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern; said transparentizing composition and said textured portion define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define a textured area of increased transparency in said substrate; said area of increased transparency resembles a graphical watermark; and said transparentizing composition comprises a transparentizing agent.

Claim 30

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 26 wherein said textured portion and said transparentized portion lie in common areas of said cellulosic substrate.

Claim 31

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 27 wherein said textured portion and said transparentized portion define substantially identical boundaries and wherein said textured portion and said transparentized portion are positioned in substantial alignment on said cellulosic substrate.

Claim 32

A cellulosic substrate as claimed in claim 26 wherein said textured portion defines a variable thickness profile and wherein said transparentizing composition is applied across said variable thickness profile such that said area of increased transparency defines a varying transparency.

Claim 33

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces, said transparentized portion comprises a radiation-curable transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate resembling a graphical watermark and defines a degree of transparency that excludes the degree of transparency defined by a transparent window, and wherein said radiation-curable transparentizing composition comprises at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic esters of polyhydric alcohols, methacrylic esters of polyhydric alcohols, and vinyl esters.

Claim 34

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces, said transparentized portion comprises a radiation-curable transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate resembling a graphical watermark and defines a degree of transparency that excludes the degree of transparency defined by a transparent window, and wherein said radiation-curable transparentizing composition comprises at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic esters of polyhydric alcohols, methacrylic esters of polyhydric alcohols, and vinyl esters.

Claim 35

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces, said transparentized portion comprises a radiation-curable transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate resembling a graphical watermark and defines a degree of transparency that excludes the degree of transparency defined by a transparent window, and wherein said radiation-curable transparentizing composition comprises a polymer consisting of aliphatic monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylic esters of polyhydric alcohols, methacrylic esters of polyhydric alcohols, and vinyl esters.

Claim 36

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces, said transparentized portion comprises a radiation-curable transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate resembling a graphical watermark and defines a degree of transparency that excludes the degree of transparency defined by a transparent window, and wherein said radiation-curable transparentizing composition comprises a polymer consisting of aliphatic monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylic esters of polyhydric alcohols, methacrylic esters of polyhydric alcohols, and vinyl esters.

Claim 37

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces, said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate resembling a graphical watermark, and wherein said transparentizing composition comprises at least one compound selected from compounds of the formula: wherein R″ is any mono- or polyfunctional organic radical; R is H or CH 3 ; R′ is H or —C(O)C(R)═CH 2 , with the proviso that —C(O)C(R)═CH 2 occurs at least once; x is an integer 0-4 and indicates the number of functional groups on R″ which are reactive with ethylene or propylene oxide; z is an integer 1-4 and may vary independently of x and n; n is an integer 1-20 and is independent of x and z; and wherein if any of R, R′, or R″ are greater than one, their identities and the number of each may be the same or different; or wherein R″ is any mono- or polyfunctional organic radical; R is H or CH 3 ; R′ is H or —C(O)C(R)═CH 2 , with the proviso that —C(O)C(R)═CH 2 occurs at least once; x is an integer 0-4 and indicates the number of functional groups on R″ which are reactive with ethylene or propylene oxide; z is an integer 1-4 and may vary independently of x and n; n is an integer 1-20 and is independent of x and z; and R′″ is H or a group of the formula wherein R, R′, and n, are as defined as above, wherein if any of R, R′, R″or R′″ are greater than one, their identities and the number of each may be the same or different.

Claim 38

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces, said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate resembling a graphical watermark, and wherein said transparentizing composition comprises at least one compound selected from compounds of the formula: wherein R″ is any mono- or polyfunctional organic radical; R is H or CH 3 ; R′ is H or —C(O)C(R)═CH 2 , with the proviso that —C(O)C(R)═CH 2 occurs at least once; x is an integer 0-4 and indicates the number of functional groups on R″ which are reactive with ethylene or propylene oxide; z is an integer 1-4 and may vary independently of x and n; n is an integer 1-20 and is independent of x and z; and wherein if any of R, R′, or R″ are greater than one, their identities and the number of each may be the same or different; or wherein R″ is any mono- or polyfunctional organic radical; R is H or CH 3 ; R′ is H or —C(O)C(R)═CH 2 , with the proviso that —C(O)C(R)═CH 2 occurs at least once; x is an integer 0-4 and indicates the number of functional groups on R″ which are reactive with ethylene or propylene oxide; z is an integer 1-4 and may vary independently of x and n; n is an integer 1-20 and is independent of x and z; and R′″ is H or a group of the formula wherein R, R′, and n, are as defined as above, wherein if any of R, R′, R″or R′″ are greater than one, their identities and the number of each may be the same or different.

Claim 39

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces, said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate resembling a graphical watermark, and wherein said transparentizing composition comprises: i) a cationic catalyzable constituent selected from a vinyl ether, 2) a polyepoxide, 3) a mixture of vinyl ethers, 4) a mixture of polyepoxides, or 5) a mixture of at least one of a vinyl ether and at least one of a polyepoxide; ii) a free radical catalyzable constituent selected from at least one compound of the Formula: wherein, R″ is any mono- or polyfunctional organic radical; R is H or CH 3 ; R′ is H or —C(O)C(R)═CH 2 , with the proviso that —C(O)C(R)═CH 2 occurs at least once; x is an integer 0-4 and indicates the number of functional groups on R″ which are reactive with ethylene or propylene oxide; z is an integer 1-4 and may vary independently of x and n; n is an integer 0-20 and is independent of x and z; and wherein if any of R, R′, or R″ are greater than one, their identities and the number of each may be the same or different; and iii) a catalyst constituent selected from 1) a free radical catalyst, 2) a mixture of free radical catalysts, 3) a living cationic catalyst, 4) a mixture of living cationic catalysts, or 5) mixtures of at least one of a free radical catalyst and at least one of a living cationic catalyst.

Claim 40

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion formed therein, wherein said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces, said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate resembling a graphical watermark, and wherein said transparentizing composition comprises: i) a cationic catalyzable constituent selected from a vinyl ether, 2) a polyepoxide, 3) a mixture of vinyl ethers, 4) a mixture of polyepoxides, or 5) a mixture of at least one of a vinyl ether and at least one of a polyepoxide; ii) a free radical catalyzable constituent selected from at least one compound of the Formula: wherein, R″ is any mono- or polyfunctional organic radical; R is H or CH 3 ; R′ is H or —C(O)C(R)═CH 2 , with the proviso that —C(O)C(R)═CH 2 occurs at least once; x is an integer 0-4 and indicates the number of functional groups on R″ which are reactive with ethylene or propylene oxide; z is an integer 1-4 and may vary independently of x and n; n is an integer 0-20 and is independent of x and z; and wherein if any of R, R′, or R″ are greater than one, their identities and the number of each may be the same or different; and iii) a catalyst constituent selected from 1) a free radical catalyst, 2) a mixture of free radical catalysts, 3) a living cationic catalyst, 4) a mixture of living cationic catalysts, or 5) mixtures of at least one of a free radical catalyst and at least one of a living cationic catalyst.

Claim 41

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion and at least one textured portion formed therein, wherein: said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces; said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate; said graphical image is further defined by said textured portion; said area of increased transparency resembles a graphical watermark; said transparentizing composition comprises a transparentizing agent and a security agent; and said textured portion and said transparentized portion lie in common areas of said cellulosic substrate.

Claim 42

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion and at least one textured portion formed therein, wherein: said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces; said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate; said graphical image is further defined by said textured portion; said area of increased transparency resembles a graphical watermark; said transparentizing composition comprises a transparentizing agent and a security agent; and said textured portion and said transparentized portion lie in common areas of said cellulosic substrate.

Claim 43

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion and at least one textured portion formed therein, wherein: said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces; said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate; said graphical image is further defined by said textured portion; said area of increased transparency resembles a graphical watermark; said transparentizing composition comprises a transparentizing agent and a security agent; said transparentized portion includes a printed portion; printed matter defining the printed portion is covered by said transparentizing composition; and said printed portion lies in a reduced-thickness portion of said substrate.

Claim 44

A cellulosic substrate having at least one transparentized portion and at least one textured portion formed therein, wherein: said cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces; said transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to said cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in said substrate; said graphical image is further defined by said textured portion; said area of increased transparency resembles a graphical watermark; said transparentizing composition comprises a transparentizing agent and a security agent; said transparentized portion includes a printed portion; printed matter defining the printed portion is covered by said transparentizing composition; and said printed portion lies in a reduced-thickness portion of said substrate.