Security threads having at least two security detection features and security papers employing same

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention therefore provides a security thread, suitable for at least partial incorporation in and/or for mounting on a security document or means of identification, such as a label.
The present inventive security thread comprises a plastic thread or ribbon having at least two security detection means located thereon, where a first security detection means comprises a repeating pattern and where a second security detection means comprises metal-formed indicia.
The pattern of the first security detection means comprises at least one metal region and at least one electrically isolating or nonconductive region, where such regions extend across the entire width of the plastic thread and are in an alternating sequence.
The present invention further provides a security paper having a first surface and having a security thread, as defined hereinabove, at least partially embedded therein and/or mounted on the first surface.
The present invention also provides a process for making a security paper having a first surface, which process comprises at least partially embedding a security thread, as defined hereinabove, in the security paper and/or mounting the security thread on the first surface of the security paper.
The present invention additionally provides a method of verifying the authenticity and reading the coded information of a security paper containing a security thread, as defined hereinabove, which method comprises: identifying the repeating pattern on the thread by a machine; and visually detecting, in transmitted illumination, the metal-formed indicia on the thread.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.