Method for Manufacturing a Security Paper and Microlens Thread

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a security paper includes an endless microlens thread having a top and an opposing bottom with the top provided at least in fractional regions with microlenses. A paper web having a predetermined ridge pattern is produced and defines ridge regions in which the microlens is embedded in the interior of the paper, and that exhibits, lying between the ridge regions, window regions in which the microlens thread emerges at the surface of the paper web. The microlens thread is introduced into the paper web and, at the same time, is joined on its bottom and, in the ridge regions, also on its top with the paper web. The paper web with the microlens thread forms the security paper.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for manufacturing a security paper, comprising:
 (A) providing an endless microlens thread defining a top and an opposing bottom, the top being provided with microlenses at least in fractional regions;   (B) producing a paper web having a predetermined ridge pattern defining ridge regions in which the microlens thread is embedded in the interior of the paper web, and that exhibits, lying between the ridge regions, window regions in which the microlens thread emerges at the surface of the paper web; and   (C) introducing the microlens thread into the paper web and, at the same time, joining on its bottom and, in the ridge regions, also on its top, with the paper web, the paper web with the introduced microlens thread forming the security paper.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein
 before the introduction into the paper web, the microlens thread is provided on its top with an adhesive layer in the form of the ridge pattern; and   wherein in step C), the microlens thread is introduced into the paper web in register, such that the adhesive-coated regions of the microlens thread coincide with the ridge regions of the paper web.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the microlens thread includes a motif having a motif jump, the microlens thread being introduced in register, such that the motif jump comes to lie in one of the ridge regions of the paper web. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the adhesive layer forms an adhesive pattern having a sequence of uncoated regions and adhesive-coated regions, the adhesive-coated regions each having an up to 50% smaller dimension than the ridge regions of the paper web. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein, immediately before entering into the paper web, the microlens thread is selectively coated with adhesive in those regions of its top that, at sheet formation, come to lie below ridge regions of the paper web. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein
 before the introduction into the paper web, the microlens thread is provided in an opening region with a plurality of openings in the form of the ridge pattern; and   wherein in step C), the microlens thread is introduced into the paper web in register, such that the regions of the microlens thread that are provided with openings coincide with the ridge regions of the paper web.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the microlens thread includes a motif having a motif jump, the microlens thread being introduced in register, such that the motif jump comes to lie in one of the ridge regions of the paper web. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein, immediately before entering into the paper web, the microlens thread is selectively provided with openings in those regions of its top that, at sheet formation, come to lie below ridge regions of the paper web. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the openings are produced by punching or laser cutting. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the paper web having the predetermined ridge pattern is formed in a paper machine, and the endless microlens thread enters into the paper machine. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein, in step A), a microlens thread is provided whose surface exhibits fractional regions having microlenses, said fractional regions are coated with adhesive before introduction into the paper web, and are smaller than the width of the ridge regions of the ridge pattern in the paper web. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein, in step A), a microlens thread is provided whose surface exhibits fractional regions having microlenses that are not coated with adhesive before the introduction into the paper web 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein, in step A), a microlens thread is provided whose top exhibits fractional regions having microlenses and microlens-free fractional regions, the microlens-free fractional regions being smaller than the width of the ridge regions of the ridge pattern in the paper web, and the microlens-free fractional regions being coated with adhesive before the introduction into the paper web. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the microlens thread is provided contiguously on its bottom with an adhesive layer before the introduction into the paper web. 
     
     
         31 . A microlens thread for introduction into a paper web, according to the method of  claim 29 , having a top and an opposing bottom, wherein the top exhibits fractional regions having microlenses, and exhibits microlens-free fractional regions that are coated with adhesive. 
     
     
         32 . The microlens thread according to  claim 31 , wherein the fractional regions having microlenses and the microlens-free fractional regions on the top form alternating strips that each completely occupy the width of the microlens thread and that each exhibit, in the longitudinal direction of the microlens thread, a dimension between 1 mm and 30 mm. 
     
     
         33 . The microlens thread according to  claim 31 , wherein the bottom of the microlens thread is coated contiguously with adhesive.