EP2886363B1 - Security element for security documents - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a security element for security papers, documents of value and other data carriers, wherein the security element consists of a substrate. The substrate has a first motif-forming subregion with a first optically variable element that forms a first motif in the form of at least one pattern, character or coding, wherein the first optically variable element consists of a first type of embossed structures. The substrate additionally has a second motif-forming partial area with a second optically recognizable element which forms a second motif in the form of at least one pattern, character or coding, wherein the second optically detectable element comprises either a second type of embossed structures or one in translucency identifiable area exists.

This is for example from the WO 2013/007374 A1 an optically variable element is known, in particular a security element for a data carrier, with a substrate having a motif-forming portion with a first portion which is produced by intaglio printing, and a second portion which is not produced by intaglio printing, wherein the two portions can be visually perceived each as forward and / or backward, the optically perceptible and the haptic detectable impression of the first portion agree, as well as the visually perceptible and the haptic detectable impression of the second portion do not match. The WO 2013/007374 A1 thus provides an optically variable element that is visually attractive due to the optically protruding and / or receding portions and in which the haptic detectable impression matches the optically perceivable impression only for the first portion and not for the second portion. This variation of the haptic or tactile perception of the motivational Section generates a high recognition value and leads to an easy verifiability of the authenticity of the optically variable element.

The WO 2013/007374 A1 However, refers exclusively to haptic detectable or haptic detectable appearing, optically variable elements.

In principle, security elements which attract the attention of the observer by means of a conspicuous visual appearance and enable the authentication of the associated value document are referred to as so-called "Level 1" security features. As is well known, these security features may correspond to other security features to facilitate matching between different motifs, e.g. to allow on a banknote. In particular, the comparison of portraits that occur, for example, in intaglio printing, watermarks and / or film element should support the recognition and increase the security against counterfeiting. Also the matching of effects, e.g. It is well known to synchronize the color-shifting and motion effects between RollingStar security threads and Sicpa Spark OVMI elements. However, all these matching options have in common that they take place among several security elements with one another, that these security elements provide the same appearance, and that the effects or security elements were produced using different techniques.

In order to enable an adjustment, several security elements are thus introduced into the banknote. The coordination of the appearance between the generated elements, however, is technologically difficult, since the images shown must have a high recognition value and thus even the smallest differences are immediately recognizable. This requires high demands on the production of each individual element be put. Furthermore, the illustrations shown are generated using different technologies, which on the one hand have their own objective imaging properties and on the other hand generate their own subjective perceptions in the viewer. In addition, the illustrations shown are based on elements that originate from different producers in the manufacturing process of the value document. For example, watermarks and film applications are produced by a paper or substrate manufacturer, whereas a portrait printed on the substrate by intaglio printing is produced by a security printer. The patent document DE 10 2011 120063 A1 discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention is therefore the object of developing a generic security element such that the disadvantages of the prior art is eliminated and the protection against counterfeiting is further increased.

This object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the visually perceptible impression of the first motif and the visually perceptible impression of the second motif match.

If the second optically recognizable element consists of a second type of embossed structures, the first type of embossed structures and the second type of embossed structures are preferably shaped differently.

A translucent recognizable area in the sense of this invention is, for example, a perforation of the substrate, ie a region with a reduced Thickness of the substrate of the security element or a complete removal of the substrate. A perforation is thus a partial material removal of the substrate, a reduction of the thickness of the substrate, for example in the form of a (real) watermark or even a hole in the substrate. This results in an increase in the light transmittance or the transparency of the substrate.

Furthermore, in the context of this invention, an area in translucency is recognizable if an opaque coating of the substrate arranged around this area is recessed in this area or at least partially removed from this area or replaced by a translucent coating. In this case, the substrate must also be translucent at least within the region, for example by forming the substrate within the region from a transparent film or from a translucent paper.

An opaque coating is, for example, a metallization or a paint application of a non-glazing color. An area recognizable in translucency is thus for example a so-called clear text or a demetallization, which can be produced, for example, subsequently by ablating the metal layer or the paint by means of laser radiation, washing processes or etching.

Translucency in the sense of this invention means that an object, such as the substrate or the plastic film, can transmit incident light in a certain proportion. If light strikes one side of the object, a certain portion of the light is transmitted to the other side of the object and exits there again. The greater the percentage of transmitted light relative to the incident light, the greater translucent is the object. If the percentage is at least. 90%, ie if the object allows the incident light to pass through almost unattenuated, as in the case of a window, the object is called transparent. On the other hand, an object which transmits less than 10% and preferably about 0% of the incident light, ie in which the amount of transmitted light relative to the incident light is low or near zero, is said to be opaque or non-translucent.

An optically variable element in the sense of this invention is an element whose visual appearance changes upon tilting of the element. For example, when the optically variable element is tilted, its color changes, a bar appears to move from one side of the element to another, tilting displays different characters, or a so-called pumping effect appears as an enlarging or contracting outline of an image subject.

For the purposes of this invention, the visually perceptible impression of the first motif and the visually perceptible impression of the second motif match if both motifs show the same representation, for example the same portrait of a person, the same currency symbol or the same graphic image. This is for example given when the first motif shows the head of a person in the profile of obliquely left in the form of a first type of embossing structures and the second motif also shows the head of the same person in the profile of obliquely left, but in the form of a second and the first kind of different kind of embossed structures. The two different types of embossed structures can in this case to different tilting or movement effects within the subject lead, for example, to different color changes or pumping effects.

A coincidence of the motifs is for example also given when the first motif shows the head of a person in the profile of obliquely left in the form of a first type of embossed structures and the second motif is designed as a hole in the substrate, wherein the outline of the hole said person in the profile of diagonally left represents.

Thus, according to the invention, a comparison of representations, such as e.g. Portraits, pictorial representations, currency symbols or the like, in various forms, but within a single security element, such as e.g. a security thread or a foil strip. These representations have a different appearance in order to establish a technological barrier to counterfeiting for counterfeiters. At the same time, the abovementioned representations provide high recognition for the user of the document of value, that is, when compared with one another, are clearly identified as e.g. same portrait, pictorial representation or currency symbol recognized. It is therefore possible to additionally place representations on further security elements within the value document for the purpose of a more comprehensive comparison. As a result, the security against counterfeiting is increased by providing at least three representations (in the simplest case according to the invention, two within one security element plus one on another security element of the value document) for adjustment by the user.

• eine mit holographischen Gittern erzeugte Echtfarbendarstellung und eine mit Mikrospiegeln erzeugte dreidimensionale Darstellung oder
• ein durch Gitterstrukturen erzeugtes achromatisches Portrait und ein Echtfarbenportrait oder
• eine mit Mikrospiegeln erzeugte dreidimensionale Ziffer und eine mit Mottenaugenstrukturen erzeugte hochauflösende schwarze/metallische Ziffer oder
• ein mit Subwellenlängengittern erzeugtes farbiges Währungsmotiv und ein mit Mikrokavitäten erzeugtes, achromatisches Währungsmotiv.

According to the invention, for example, within a film strip or security thread an element visible in reflection using different Embossed structures shown several times. These embossed structures may be exemplified by the following types:

• a true color representation produced with holographic gratings and a three-dimensional representation generated with micromirrors or
• an achromatic portrait produced by lattice structures and a true color portrait or
• a three-dimensional digit created with micromirrors and a high-resolution black / metallic digit or moth-like generated with
• a colored currency motif generated with subwavelength gratings, and an achromatic currency motive generated with microcavities.

If the second optically recognizable element likewise consists of embossed structures, these are embodied in a second type of embossed structures. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the first type of embossed structures and the second type of embossed structures are formed differently. This means that, for example, the first type of embossed structures is formed by a holographic grating and the second type of embossed structures by micromirrors. If, on the other hand, both types of embossed structures were produced by, for example, a holographic grating, both types of embossed structures are not differently shaped and thus do not fall under the particularly preferred embodiment.

• eine Vielzahl von Mikrospiegeln, die ein gewölbtes bzw. dreidimensionales Bild darstellen oder
• eine Vielzahl von Mikrospiegeln, die ein dunkles oder metallisches Pixelbild in hoher Auflösung zeigen oder
• eine Vielzahl von Mikrokavitäten, die ein dunkles oder metallisches Pixelbild in hoher Auflösung zeigen oder
• Mottenaugenstrukturen, d.h. Strukturen mit Abmessungen, die kleiner als die Wellenlänge des sichtbaren Lichts sind und die unregelmäßig auf einer Fläche angeordnet sind, die ein dunkles oder metallisches Pixelbild in hoher Auflösung zeigen oder
• holographische Strukturen, insbesondere diffraktive Gitterlinien, die beispielsweise ein Stereogramm zeigen oder
• holographische Strukturen, insbesondere diffraktive Gitterlinien, die beispielsweise eine Echtfarbendarstellung zeigen oder
• holographische Strukturen, insbesondere diffraktive Gitterlinien, die pumpende oder laufende Effekte aufweisen oder
• achromatische Strukturen, d.h. Mattstrukturen, die ein achromatisches Gitterbild zeigen oder
• ein- und mehrdimensionale Subwellenlängengitter, d.h. Strukturen mit Abmessungen, die kleiner als die Wellenlänge des sichtbaren Lichts sind und die regelmäßig auf einer Fläche angeordnet sind, die eine Mehrfarbendarstellung in hoher Auflösung zeigen oder
• Moiré-Magnifier oder Modulo-Mapper (wie sie beispielsweise aus WO 2009/000528 A1 bekannt sind), d.h. eine rasterartige Anordnung von Mikrolinsen, die über Mikromotivelementen oder Mikrostrukturen angeordnet sind und diese vergrößert abbilden oder ein zusammenhängendes größeres Bild ergeben oder
• Kippbilder ohne eine vergrößerte Abbildung, wie beispielsweise Prägestrukturen mit einem farbigen oder metallischen Untergrund, die bei unterschiedlichen Betrachtungswinkeln unterschiedliche Abbildungen zeigen, oder
• aus dem Stand der Technik bekannte sogenannte Blazed Gratings.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is further provided that, by combining the following techniques, a representation of motifs by embossing within a security thread or film strip can be achieved, which in combination with one another fulfills the tasks set out above:

• a plurality of micromirrors that represent a domed or three-dimensional image or
• a variety of micromirrors that show a high resolution, dark or metallic pixel image
• a variety of microcavities that show a dark or metallic pixel image in high resolution or
• Moth eye structures, ie structures with dimensions that are smaller than the wavelength of visible light and are arranged irregularly on a surface that show a dark or metallic pixel image in high resolution or
• Holographic structures, in particular diffractive grating lines, for example, show a stereogram or
• Holographic structures, in particular diffractive grating lines, for example, show a true color representation or
• holographic structures, in particular diffractive grating lines, which have pumping or running effects or
• achromatic structures, ie matte structures that show an achromatic lattice image or
• single and multi-dimensional subwavelength gratings, ie, structures having dimensions smaller than the wavelength of visible light and regularly arrayed on a surface exhibiting high resolution multicolor representation
• Moiré magnifier or modulo mapper (as for example WO 2009/000528 A1 are known), ie, a grid-like arrangement of microlenses, which are arranged on micromotif elements or microstructures and these magnified images or give a coherent larger image or
• Tilting images without an enlarged image, such as embossed structures with a colored or metallic background, the different viewing angles show different pictures, or
• known from the prior art so-called Blazed Gratings.

Security elements in which a combination of these techniques can be used according to the invention are, for example, film strips with carrier film ("L-lead"), film strips without carrier film ("T-lead"), foil patch, security threads, or hot stamped and treated with metallic paint holographic, Structures (direct embossing on polymer substrate) as well as imprints in UV lacquer on a polymer substrate, wherein the UV lacquer cures upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation of ultraviolet wavelength.

Particularly advantageous here is the execution of film strips and security threads as registered in the longitudinal direction on or applied security element. As a result, a defined positioning of the imaging elements in the interplay along the banknote height is achieved.

All of the above-mentioned imaging elements can additionally be combined with a thin-film vaporization to produce interference structures, a metallization (eg with Al, Cu, Ni, Fe, Zn), a coating with nematic and / or cholesteric liquid crystals or a glaze overprint Colours.

• ein mit holographischen Gittern erzeugtes Echtfarbenportrait und ein mit gerastertem Cleartext erzeugtes Demetallisierungsportrait,
• eine mit Mikrospiegeln erzeugte dreidimensionale Darstellung, beispielsweise ein Wölbportrait, und ein in strichhafter Darstellung erzeugtes Demetallisierungsportrait,
• ein mit Mikrospiegeln erzeugtes Wölbmotiv und ein in Durchsicht sichtbares, mit hochbrechenden Schichten beschichtetes Hologrammmotiv.

According to a further preferred embodiment, provision is made for a reflection-visible element and a further element visible in transmission to be arranged within a foil strip or security thread, which image represent the same or similar motif. These elements can be, for example:

• a true color portrait produced with holographic grids and a demetallizing portrait produced with screened clear text,
• a three-dimensional representation produced with micromirrors, for example a curving portrait, and a depiction of demetallization produced in a line representation,
• a vaulted motif created with micromirrors and a hologram motif visible in phantom and coated with high-index layers.

• durch Demetallisierung erzeugten Motiven,
• negativ gedruckten Motiven,
• Motiven, die von geprägten und mit hochbrechenden Schichten versehenen Strukturen gebildet werden,
• Motiven, die von gedruckten Flüssigkristallen erzeugt werden, abgleichfähige Darstellungen in Reflexion und in Transmission liefern.

It can thus be achieved by combining the above techniques, a representation of motifs by embossing within a security thread or film strip, which inventively in combination with

• by demetallization generated motifs,
• negatively printed motifs,
• Motifs formed by embossed structures with high refractive layers,
• Motifs generated from printed liquid crystals that provide alignable representations in reflection and in transmission.

Particularly advantageous is the execution of film strips and security threads as registered in the longitudinal direction or applied security element of a banknote. As a result, a defined positioning of the imaging elements in the interplay along the banknote height is achieved. These are, for example, images of a portrait visible in reflection, which is formed by micromirrors as a curvature portrait and always appears in the middle of the window of a security thread and images of the same visible in transmission portraits, which created as rastered Cleartext always appears under the paper webs of a security thread.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the first motif-forming subregion and the second motif-forming subregion are arranged disjointly relative to one another, i. do not overlap.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the first and second motif-forming subregions have the same haptic effect. Unlike the WO 2013/007374 A1 The two motivating subregions not only have to produce the same visual impression of tactility, but also create the same haptic impression. When scanning with a finger, the motif-forming subareas must either all be palpable or not be felt. If, therefore, both motivating subareas appear tactile detectable for a viewer, both subareas must be either actually tactile detectable or surprisingly tactile not be detected. If, on the other hand, both motivating subareas do not appear to be tactile detectable for a viewer, then both subareas must either actually be tactile not detectable or surprisingly tactile detectable.

According to a further preferred embodiment it is provided that on the security paper, value document or data carrier another security element is applied, which forms a third motif in the form of at least one pattern, character or a coding, wherein the visually perceptible impression of the third motif with the visually perceptible Impression of the first and second motive matches. This further security element is arranged differently from the security element according to the invention and at another location on the security paper, value document or data carrier than the security element according to the invention. This additional security element thus results in an additional hurdle for a counterfeiter, which he must overcome in an adjustment of the security paper, value document or data carrier.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the first, second and optionally third motif form a portrait, a pictorial representation, a number or a currency symbol.

The substrate according to the invention can be embodied as a single-layer or multi-ply security paper. Multi-ply security paper contains at least one ply of paper. The further layers can likewise be made of paper, but also of other materials, for example by plastic films. The security paper is particularly preferably made of cotton fibers, as used for example for banknotes.

Preferably, the substrate may also be made of paper of other natural fibers, also preferably of synthetic fibers, a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers or also preferably of at least one plastic film. Further preferably, the substrate consists of a combination of at least two superimposed and interconnected different substrates, a so-called hybrid, for example a combination of plastic film-paper-plastic film, i. a paper substrate is covered on either side by a plastic film, or paper plastic film paper, i. a substrate made of a plastic film is covered on each of its two sides by a paper substrate.

Information on the weight of the substrate used are, for example, in the Scriptures DE 102 43 653 A9 stated, their statements in this regard be included in full in this application. The font DE 102 43 653 A9 in particular states that the paper layer usually has a weight of 50 g / m ² to 100 g / m ² , preferably from 80 g / m ² to 90 g / m ² . Of course, depending on the application, any suitable weight can be used.

Value documents for which such a substrate or security paper can be used are, in particular, banknotes, stocks, bonds, certificates, vouchers, checks, high-quality admission tickets, but also other papers which are subject to counterfeiting, such as passports and other identification documents, and also cards such as credit cards. or debit cards whose card body has at least one layer of security paper, and also product securing elements such as labels, seals, packages and the like.

The simplified term security paper or value document includes all the above materials, documents and product securing means.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the specified combinations but also in other combinations, without departing from the scope of the present invention, insofar as this is covered by the scope of the claims.

Reference to the following embodiments and the additional figures, the advantages of the invention will be explained. The embodiments represent preferred embodiments, to which, however, the invention should not be limited in any way. Furthermore, the representations in the figures of the better understanding because of highly schematized and do not reflect the realities again. In particular, the proportions shown in the figures do not correspond to the conditions present in reality and serve exclusively to improve the clarity. Furthermore, the embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are reduced to the essential core information for the sake of clarity. In the practical implementation much more complex patterns or images can be used.

Fig. 1

ein Wertdokument mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselement gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 2

ein Wertdokument mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselement gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel.

In detail, show schematically:

Fig. 1

a value document with a security element according to the invention according to a first exemplary embodiment,

Fig. 2

a value document with a security element according to the invention according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a value document 5, for example, a banknote, on the surface of a security element 4 is applied. The security element 4 is in this case designed as a film strip.

On the security element 4 is a first optically variable element 1, which consists of a first type of embossed structures. The first type of embossed structures consists for example of an arrangement of micromirrors which are embossed into the surface of the security element 4.

Furthermore, a second optically variable element 2, which consists of a second type of embossed structures, is located on the security element 4.

The second type of embossed structures consists for example of an arrangement of microcavities that are embossed into the surface of the security element 4. Thus, the second type of embossed structures differs from the first type of embossed structures, since the first type of embossed structures is formed by micromirrors, the second type of embossed structures, however, by microcavities.

The two optically variable elements 1 and 2 are both designed in the form of a five-pointed star, wherein both the surface of both stars and their geometric configuration match. Furthermore, the micromirrors of the first optically variable element 1 and the microcavities of the second optically variable element 2 are designed so that both show a similar color shift effect when the value document 5 is tilted. If the value document 5 is tilted, for example, about the axis A-A in the direction symbolized by the arrows, the optically variable element 1 shows a color change from green to gold and the optically variable element 2 from blue to gold. Of course, the two optically variable elements 1 and 2 can also show the same color change from green to gold or blue to gold. Instead of a color change, the optically variable element 1 can also show a dark bar in front of a green or blue background, which moves from left to right and back again when the value document 5 is tilted.

The visually perceptible impression of the two optically variable elements 1 and 2 thus corresponds in the sense of this invention.

Fig. 2 shows the value document 5 Fig.1 , wherein additionally on the value document, a further third security element 3 is applied. This security element 3 is as well as the optically variable elements 1 and 2 in The shape of a five-pointed star, with its surface, its geometric design and thus its visually perceptible impression with the two stars Fig. 1 matches.

Claims (8)

1. A security element (4) for security papers, value documents (5) and other data carriers, with a substrate, wherein the substrate has a first motif-forming portion with a first optically variable element (1) which forms a first motif in the form of at least one pattern, character or a coding, wherein the first optically variable element (1) consists of a first type of embossed structures, and wherein the substrate has a second motif-forming portion with a second optically recognizable element (2) which forms a second motif in the form of at least one pattern, character or a coding, wherein the second optically recognizable element (2) consists of a region recognizable in translucence or of a second type of embossed structures, characterized in that the optically perceivable impression of the first motif and the optically perceivable impression of the second motif match, wherein the first motif-forming portion and the second motif-forming portion are arranged in mutually disjoint fashion.
2. The security element (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first type of embossed structures and the second type of embossed structures are different.
3. The security element (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and/or second type of embossed structures consists of one of the following reflective microstructures or nanostructures: micromirrors, microcavities, moth-eye structures, diffractive structures, achromatic structures, subwavelength gratings, moiré magnifiers, modulo mappers, tilt images without magnification, blazed gratings.
4. The security element (4) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the region recognizable in translucence is a perforation of the substrate or a region around which an opaque coating is arranged, wherein within the region the opaque coating is omitted or at least partly removed or replaced by a translucent coating.
5. The security element (4) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second motif-forming portions have a haptically equal effect.
6. The security element (4) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second motif-forming portions are not haptically perceivable.
7. The security element (4) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the security paper, value documents (5) or data carrier there is applied a further security element (3) which forms a third motif in the form of at least one pattern, character or a coding, wherein the optically perceivable impression of the third motif matches the optically perceivable impression of the first and second motif.
8. The security element (4) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first, second and optionally third motif form a portrait, a pictorial representation, a number or a currency symbol.

Images