# US 2014/0197625 A1 · Laser-personalizable security articles

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- Number: US 2014/0197625 A1
- Document ID: US20140197625A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/118,688
- Filed: 2012-05-16
- Published: 2014-07-17
- Earliest claimed: 2011-05-20
- Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho; Christopher K. Haas; Douglas S. Dunn; Steven Hin-Chung Kong; David B. Olson; Randy A. Larson; Travis L. Potts
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197625A1

## CPC

- B42D 25/41: using electromagnetic radiation (B42D25/435 takes precedence)
- B42D 25/00: Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof (printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14)
- B42D 25/21: for multiple purposes
- B42D 25/23: Identity cards
- B42D 25/24: Passports
- B42D 25/285: {Gift cards}
- B42D 25/29: Securities; Bank notes
- B42D 25/435: using electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser
- B42D 25/455: using heat
- B42D 25/46: using pressure
- G02B 3/0056: {arranged along two different directions in a plane, e.g. honeycomb arrangement of lenses (G02B3/0043 takes precedence; miniaturised objectives for electronic devices employing wafer level optics G02B13/0085)}
- B42D 25/324: Reliefs
- B42D 2033/30
- B42D 2035/34
- B42D 2035/50
- Y10T 156/10: Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
- B42D: BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Laser-personalizable security articles include multi-layer security documents. The multi-layer security document includes an optically transparent cover layer, a composite image and an imagable layer adjacent to the cover layer. The first surface of the cover layer is at least partially a microstructured surface, where the microstructured surface forms microlenses or a lenticular surface. The composite image is made by a collection of complete or partial images viewed through the microstructured surface of the cover layer. The composite image is located on or within the second surface of the cover layer. The imagable layer is a laser imagable layer. When imaged, a personalized second composite three dimensional image is created on or in the imagable layer.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A laser-personalizable security article comprising:
a multi-layer security document, the multi-layer security document comprising:
an optically transparent cover layer with a first surface, a second surface, and a thickness between the first surface and the second surface, the first surface being at least partially a microstructured surface, wherein the microstructured surface forms microlenses or a lenticular surface;
a composite image, wherein the composite image comprises a collection of complete or partial images located such that when viewed through the microstructured surface of the cover layer, the collection of complete or partial images forms the composite image; and
an imagable layer wherein the imagable layer comprises a laser imagable layer.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The laser-personalizable security article of claim 1, wherein the collection of complete or partial images is located on or within the second surface of the cover layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The laser-personalizable security article of claim 2, wherein the microstructured surface comprises microlenses, and the cover layer thickness is such that the second surface of the cover layer is within the focal plane of the microlenses.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The laser-personalizable security article of claim 2, wherein the collection of complete or partial images is printed or laser written.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The laser-personalizable security article of claim 1, wherein the composite image comprises a color image.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The laser-personalizable security article of claim 1, wherein the cover layer comprises a multi-layer construction comprising a cover film and a spacing film.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The laser-personalizable security article of claim 1, wherein the imagable layer comprises a laser charable layer, a laser writable multi-layer film article, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The laser-personalizable security article of claim 1, wherein the security document comprises additional layers.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The laser-personalizable security article of claim 1, wherein the imagable layer further comprises a two dimensional image.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The laser-personalizable security article of claim 1, wherein different portions of the microstructured surface form different microlenses.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The laser-personalizable security article of claim 1, wherein the microstructured surface comprises a crosslinked (meth)acrylate material.

### Claim 12

A laser-personalized multi-layer security document comprising:
an optically transparent cover layer with a first surface, a second surface, and a thickness between the first surface and the second surface, the first surface being at least partially a microstructured surface, wherein the microstructured surface forms microlenses or a lenticular surface;
a first composite image, wherein the first composite image comprises a collection of complete or partial images located such that when viewed through the microstructured surface of the cover layer, the collection of complete or partial images forms the first composite image; and
an imaged layer located adjacent to the cover layer, wherein the imaged layer comprises at least one personalized laser imaged second composite image comprising a collection of complete or partial images such that when viewed through the microstructured surface of the cover layer the collection of complete or partial images forms the second composite image, and wherein there are no adhesive layers between the cover layer and the image layer.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The laser-personalized multi-layer security document of claim 12, wherein the security document comprises additional layers.

### Claim 14

A method of preparing a laser-personalizable security article comprising:
providing an optically transparent cover layer sheet with a first surface, a second surface, and a thickness between the first surface and the second surface, the first surface being at least partially a microstructured surface, wherein the microstructured surface forms microlenses or a lenticular surface;
providing a composite image, wherein the composite image comprises a collection of complete or partial images located such that when viewed through the microstructured surface of the cover layer, the collection of complete or partial images forms the composite image; and
providing an imagable layer sheet, wherein the imagable layer comprises a laser imagable layer; and
forming a laminate by laminating the second surface of the cover layer sheet to the imagable layer sheet.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the lamination comprises lamination with heat and pressure.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the collection of complete or partial images is located on or within the second surface of the cover layer.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the microstructured surface comprises microlenses, and the cover layer thickness is such that the second surface of the cover layer is within the focal plane of the microlenses.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein collection of complete or partial images is printed or laser written.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the composite image comprises a color image.

### Claim 20 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the imagable layer comprises a laser charable layer, a laser writable multi-layer film article, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 21 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the microstructured surface comprises a crosslinked (meth)acrylate material.