MX2008005269A - Chemical composition and method for detecting counterfeit currency - Google Patents

Abstract

A composition and method of detecting counterfeit paper currency includes applying a test solution to a paper currency having ink printed thereon. If the paper currency is counterfeit, the test solution causes the ink to release from the paper currency. If the paper currency is genuine, the ink will not release from the paper currency. The test solution may be an aqueous-alcohol solution having a chemical thickener, and preferably includes a de-foaming agent, a bactericide/fungicide and a fragrance.

Description

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR DETECTING FALSE CURRENCY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a composition, apparatus and method for detecting counterfeit currency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known that since paper money was developed and put into use, governments around the world have been related to problems of counterfeiting. As duplication and printing and especially color photocopying techniques have advanced over the years, it is more difficult to always distinguish between fake and legitimate paper money. It is obvious that the problem of counterfeiting of paper money is and has been a main interest of many governments, banks, commercial businesses and commercial stores around the world. In response to the challenge of the ever increasing interest in counterfeiting, several instruments and detectors have been developed to detect the counterfeit currency. However, it has been discovered that known instruments and detectors are not reliable, or are also expensive to manufacture. In some cases, such instruments are also bulky and / or complex in design for practical use.

For example, different arrangements have been developed to detect a starch content in the fake paper money. These compositions generally contain iodine, which is believed to react with starch on the fake paper money, to form a blue or bluish back stain on the fake paper currency. On the other hand, genuine paper money either contains no starch, or its content is chemically non-traceable. Therefore, the iodine in the composition remains unreacted, or reacts slightly, and either no color change is observed, or a light golden brown color is observed. In many countries around the world, however, it is illegal to defame genuine paper money by deliberately staining it. In addition, counterfeiters are now bleaching the real paper money and using it to make fake paper money. Therefore, the compositions mentioned above for testing paper will not be effective. Currency validators of the prior art have also been proposed, which identify authentic United States currency and distinguish it between the currency of various denominations by measuring the average spacing between the vertical grid lines in the bill portrait areas. One such device is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,349,111, Shah et al. The identification of counterfeit currency based on an average spacing of the grid line probably leads to failures to distinguish between the currency having relatively minor differences in the transfer spacing. Another problem with several validators of the prior art is that they can accept high denomination counterfeit bills as valid denomination bills. However, many coin validators of the prior art require that the tested bill be inserted into the validator in a specific orientation (eg, first seal of the Federal Reserve). Such devices are subject to user error and may result in authentic tickets being rejected merely because of inappropriate orientation. Experience has shown that there is a large difference in the electrical complex permittivity, dependent on frequency, between counterfeit and genuine notes. The genuine notes have a substantially different complex permittivity which is different from the permittivity of counterfeit notes. Complex, costly devices have been proposed, which measure the electrical complex permittivity of paper notes to determine whether the notes are genuine or counterfeit. In recent years, the high quality of printing and photocopying machines has only served to increase the problem of counterfeiting. One of the measures against counterfeiting, which has been adopted in many countries, is the use of a metal embedded in paper checks or bills. However, the metal detectors used to distinguish between counterfeit and genuine coins are expensive and also bulky and / or complex in design to be easily used by cashiers. The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above and other problems, and provides an economical, simple and portable way in which to detect counterfeit paper money. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is referred to in the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a composition and method for using the composition to determine whether a paper currency is genuine or counterfeit. One embodiment of the present composition may be comprised of water, a chemical thickener and a solvent. In another embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for detecting fake paper money having ink printed thereon is provided. The apparatus is comprised of a container having an applicator and an interior cavity. An aqueous-alcoholic solution having a chemical thickener (ie, a test solution) can be located in the interior cavity. The test solution is in liquid communication with the applicator. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the composition is applied to an applicator (e.g., a bearing). The moistened applicator is applied to an area of the paper money that has ink printed on it. The ink used in genuine paper money will not be released from paper money. On the other hand, the inks used in the fake coins will be released from the paper and transferred to the applicator. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification, taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an apparatus containing a test solution in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the lid removed for convenience of illustration; and Figure 3 is a flow chart depicting the steps for a false currency detection method in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION While this invention is susceptible to modalities in many different forms, it is shown in the figures and will be described herein in detailed preferred embodiments of the invention, with the understanding that the present description is considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and it is not proposed to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the illustrated embodiments. Although the composition can be any water-based solution, the first embodiment of the composition of the present invention can be obtained by adding a thickener in a range of about 0.1% to 1% of the total volume of the composition to an aqueous solvent (in the range of 89%, 90.9% of the total volume of the composition) (in a range of about 9% -10% of the total volume of the composition; Example 1 Water 89% by volume Isopropyl alcohol 10% by volume Xanthan gum 1% by volume The solvent may be a single compound or a mixture of compounds belonging to the same chemical group. For example, the solvent may be an alcohol selected from the following group: isopropyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl. Or the solvent may be one of the following certhones: acetone, ethyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone, profiloketone, methylprofyl ketone. The solvent can also be selected from one of the following polyalcohols: propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, or polyethylene glycol. In a preferred embodiment, the solvent is isopropanol in a range of about 0.1% to 10% by total volume of solution, available from Ashland Specialty Chemical CO. and other chemical supplies. Chemical thickeners that may be used in the present invention include gum, sugar, starch or any other commonly known chemical thickener. More particularly, the thickener is a polysaccharide or comprises methylcellulose. In a preferred embodiment, the thickener is xanthan gum and comprises about 0.1% up to 1% of the total volume of the solution. Such xanthan gum is available from Kelco, a division of Merck &; Co. , Inc., under the tradename Kelzan S. In addition to water, solvent and thickener, the composition of the present invention may include: a defoamer in a range of about 0.1% to 1% of the total volume of the solution; a bactericide or fungicide in a range from about 0.1% to 1% of the total volume of the solution; and a fragrance in a range of about 0.1% to 1% of the total volume of the solution. Examples of a first embodiment of the present invention are illustrated below.

Example 2 Water 86% by volume Isopropyl alcohol 10% by volume Xanthan gum 1% by volume Defoamer 1% by volume Bactericidal / fungicidal 1% by volume Fragrance 1% by volume Example 3 Water 88% by volume Isopropyl alcohol 10% by volume Xanthan gum 0.5% by volume Defoamer 0.5% by volume Bactericidal / fungicidal 0.5% by volume Fragrance 0.5% by volume Example 4 Water 88% by volume Isopropyl alcohol 10% by volume Xanthan gum 0.5% by volume Defoamer 0.5% by volume Bactericidal / fungicidal 0.5% by volume Fragrance 0.5% by volume The defoamer may also include fatty acids, a mixture of fatty acids, several polyglycols (for example, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol), polyglycol esters (for example, diethylene glycol distearate, diethylene glycol monostearate, ethylene glycol monostearate, fatty acid esters of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol dioleate, propylene glycol monostearate), hydrocarbon oil and paraffin wax . In a preferred embodiment, the defoamer comprises a mixture of fatty acids, polyglycols and polyglycol esters in hydrocarbon oil, and is available from Nalco Chemical Company, under the product name Nalco 8627 Foam Control Chemical. Additionally, the preferred bactericide / fungicide is available from Anti-Che Specialties, Inc. of Trumbull, CT under the trade name Acticide LA and the preferred fragrance is bubble gum fragrance, available from Horizon Aromicts of ilmington, DE under the trade name Fragrance of Chicle 4731, S. Accordingly, the preferred composition is as follows.

Example 5 Water up to 86% by volume Isopropanol up to 10% by volume (99% isopropanol, Ashland Specialty Chemical Co.) Xanthan gum up to 1% by volume (Kelzan S, Kelco Division of Merck &Co.) Defoamer up to 1% by volume (Nalco 8627 Foam Control Chemical, Nalco Chemical Company) Bactericide / fungicide up to 1% by volume (Acticide LA, Acti-Chem Specialties, Inc.) Fragrance up to 1% by volume (Bubble Gum Fragrance 4731, WS, Horizon Aromatics) With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the present invention also provides an apparatus 10 for detecting counterfeit paper money having ink printed thereon. The apparatus 10 comprises a container 15 having an applicator 20 and an interior cavity 25. A test solution (e.g., an aqueous-alcoholic solution having a chemical thickener as described above) is located within the interior cavity. and is in liquid communication with the applicator 20. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a cap 30, which prevents the applicator 20 from drying and also prevents the test solution from evaporating. The applicator 20 may be formed of felt, cotton or even expanded foam plastic. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the applicator 20 is attached to the end of an applicator rod which is housed within the cavity 25. In use, the cap 30 is removed from the applicator 20 and the test solution is applied to the paper currency being tried. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the container 15 may take the form of a felt marker pen or similar applicators for liquids. Alternatively, the container 15 can take the form of a solution dropper. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for detecting counterfeit currency. Referring now to Figure 3, the method comprises the steps of providing paper money having an ink printed on it 100. An aqueous-alcoholic test solution including a chemical thickener, as described more fully above, is provided 105. The test solution is applied to an area of the paper money that has the ink printed on it 110. If the paper money is false, the test solution causes the ink to be released from the paper money 125. If the paper money is genuine, the test solution will not cause the ink to be released from the paper currency 120. In addition to the solutions discussed above, any water-based solution can be used to cause the ink to be released by the counterfeit paper money. However, the additional chemical components discussed above have been added to improve the commercial use and application of the test solution. It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that the step of applying the test solution to paper money 110 can be carried out in a variety of ways. However, in a preferred embodiment, the test solution is supplied to the applicator 20 (as described above) from the container to moisten the applicator 20. The applicator 20 is instead rubbed in the area of the ink paper currency printed on this. It should be understood that the applicator 20 may be part of an apparatus 10 as described above, or the applicator 20 may simply be a separate bearing, a sample of cloth or cotton, with the test solution contained in a separate vial or container . The wetted applicator 20 is then rubbed over the area of the paper money that has the ink printed on it. If the paper money is counterfeit, the ink will be released from the paper money 125. In still a more preferred embodiment, the ink is transferred from the paper money to the applicator 130. After a paper is tested, the applicator can be wiped with a cloth and used to test the authentication of another paper currency. While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come in mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims (36)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present is considered as a novelty, and therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS 1.
2. An apparatus for detecting counterfeit paper money having ink printed thereon, characterized in that the apparatus comprises: a container having an applicator and an interior cavity; and an aqueous-alcoholic solution having a chemical thickener located in the interior cavity and in liquid communication with the applicator; The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the aqueous-alcoholic solution having a chemical thickener comprises approximately 0.1% up to 1% thickener, approximately 0.1% up to 1% defoamer, approximately 0.1% up to 10% alcohol, approximately 0.1% up to 1% fungicide, approximately 0.1% up to 1% fragrance and the rest water, by total volume of the solution.
3. 3. A composition for detecting counterfeit paper money, characterized in that it comprises water, a chemical thickener and a solvent.
4. 4. The composition according to claim 3, characterized in that the composition comprises by volume, approximately 0.1% up to 10% solvent, approximately 0.1% up to 1% thickener and the rest water.
5. 5. The composition according to claim 3, characterized in that the thickener is a rubber.
6. 6. The composition according to claim 3, characterized in that the thickener is a sugar.
7. 7. The composition according to claim 3, characterized in that the thickener is a polysaccharide.
8. 8. The composition according to claim 3, characterized in that the thickener comprises ethylcellulose.
9. 9. The composition according to claim 3, characterized in that the solvent is an alcohol.
10. 10. The composition according to claim 3, characterized in that the solvent is an alcohol selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, methylalcohol, oxo alcohol, ethyl alcohol and fatty alcohol.
11. 11. The composition according to claim 3, characterized in that it also comprises a defoamer.
12. The composition according to claim 11, characterized in that the defoamer is comprised of a mixture of fatty acids, polyglycols and polyglycol esters in a hydrocarbon oil.
13. The composition according to claim 3, characterized in that the composition further comprises by volume, about 0.1% to 1% of a defoamer.
14. The composition according to claim 3, characterized in that it also comprises a fungicide.
15. 15. The composition according to claim 4, characterized in that the composition further comprises by volume, about 0.1% to 1% of a fungicide.
16. 16. The composition according to claim 3, characterized in that it also comprises a fragrance.
17. The composition according to claim 16, characterized in that the composition further comprises by volume, about 0.1% to 1% of a fragrance.
18. 18. A method for detecting counterfeit currency, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: providing a paper currency having an ink printed thereon; provide an aqueous-alcoholic test solution that includes a chemical thickener; apply the test solution to an area of the paper money that has the ink printed on it; whereby after the application of the test solution to the counterfeit paper currency, the test solutions will cause the ink printed on it to be released from the paper money and for a genuine paper currency, the application of the test solution will not cause that the ink printed on it is released from the paper money.
19. 19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of moistening an applicator with the test solution and then applying the moistened applicator to the paper currency area having the ink printed thereon.
20. 20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the application of the moistened applicator to an area of a counterfeit money paper having an ink printed on it, causes the ink printed on it to be transferred from the counterfeit paper money to the moistened applicator and where the application of an applicator moistened with The area of a genuine paper currency that has ink printed on it, will not cause the ink to be transferred from the genuine paper money to the wetted applicator.
21. 21. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the test solution comprises water, a chemical thickener and a solvent.
22. 22. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the test solution comprises by volume approximately 0.1% up to 10% solvent, approximately 0.1% up to 1% thickener and the remainder water.
23. 23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the thickener is a rubber.
24. 24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the thickener is a sugar.
25. 25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the thickener is a starch.
26. 26. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the thickener is a polysaccharide.
27. 27. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the thickener comprises methylcellulose.
28. 28. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the solvent is an alcohol.
29. 29. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the solvent is an alcohol selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, isopropanol, methyl alcohol, oxo alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and fatty alcohol.
30. 30. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the test solution further comprises a defoamer.
31. 31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that the test solution further comprises by volume, approximately 0.1% to 1% defoamer.
32. 32. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the test solution further comprises a fungicide.
33. 33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that the test solution further comprises by volume, about 0.1% to about 1% of a fungicide.
34. 34. A method for detecting counterfeit currency, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: providing a paper currency having printed ink in this; provide a water-based test solution; apply the test solution to an area of the paper money that has the ink printed on it; whereby after the application of the test solution to the counterfeit paper currency, the test solutions will cause the ink printed on it to be released from the paper money and for a genuine paper currency, the application of the test solution will not cause that the ink printed on it is released from the paper money.
35. 35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that it also comprises the step of moistening an applicator with the test solution and then applying the moistened applicator to the area of paper money that has the ink printed on it.
36. 36. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that the application of the moistened applicator to an area of a counterfeit monetary paper having an ink printed on it, causes the ink printed on it to be transferred from the counterfeit paper money to the moistened applicator. and wherein the application of a wetted applicator to the area of a genuine paper currency having ink printed on it, will not cause the ink to be transferred from the genuine paper currency to the wetted applicator.