Printed matter – Banking – Checks
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-01
2001-05-08
Wellington, A. L. (Department: 3722)
Printed matter
Banking
Checks
C283S057000, C434S113000, C434S114000, C434S117000, C428S208000, C428S131000, C156S245000, C156S228000, C156S219000, C101S003100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227572
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is in the field of document printing and production and, in particular, relates to the production of documents, such as banknotes, having embossments therein which provide durable tactile indicia for use, for example, by persons who are blind.
BACKGROUND
The denominational value or identity of banknotes and many other types of documents can be readily discerned by persons whose eyesight is not impaired but for persons who are blind it is necessary to use other means, such as a portable reader designed for the particular document in question, to determine such information. A printed braille section placed on such a document could provide a means for such identification and, advantageously, would be integral to the document and avoid the need for an auxiliary reading device. However, the broad circulation and public handling of documents such as banknotes subjects them to substantial wear and any braille printing applied to such documents in the normal manner of embossed printing would not be sufficiently durable because the embossments would soon be compressed and become non-tactile.
Consequently, there is a need in the industry for a means of providing to security documents, banknotes, etc. durable (i.e. relatively permanent) tactile identifying indicia which are able to withstand the substantial wear caused by public circulation and handling and can be readily used by persons with impaired eyesight to determine the denomination or identification of such document.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention there is provided a sheet material (e.g. a sheet or laminate comprising paper) having tactile indicia the tactility of which is resistant to deterioration. The sheet material has therein at least one embossment forming the indicia. A first surface and a second surface are provided by the sheet material and one of the surfaces defines a cavity in the area of the embossment. A layer of reinforcing material is provided to at least the area of that one surface which comprises the cavity. The reinforcing material may be selected from the group consisting of varnishes, inks, adhesives and caulking compounds. Preferably, the thickness of the sheet material is between 75 micrometers and 150 micrometers, the outer width of the embossment is between 500 micrometers and 1200 micrometers and, for varnish, the thickness of the reinforcing material is between 20 micrometers and 40 micrometers.
The indicia may comprise a plurality of embossments arranged in a predetermined pattern such that the indicia enables a sight impaired person to identify one or more predetermined characteristics of the sheet material (e.g. the denomination) by means of feel. Preferably the indicia comprise one or more spaced symbols and each symbol comprises a plurality of rows and columns of embossments (four rows and two columns being preferred) wherein the outer width of each embossment is about 1000 micrometers, the embossments are spaced apart about 2000 micrometers in the symbols and the symbols are spaced apart about 14,500 micrometers.
Also provided in accordance with the invention is a method of making a sheet material having tactile indicia the tactility of which is resistant to deterioration. The steps of the method include embossing a sheet material comprising first and second surfaces with at least one embossment to form the indicia whereby one of the surfaces defines a cavity in the area of the embossment. A layer of a reinforcing material is applied to that one surface of the sheet material in at least the area comprising the cavity and the reinforcing material is dried and/or cured.
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Cassan Lynn S.
Thurston Alisa L.
Wellington A. L.
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