EP2920002B1 - Security feature for a security document, a security document and a method of producing a security feature - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a security feature for a value and / or security product, for example a security and / or security document or a security element, and a method for producing such a security feature. A security and / or security document may, for example, be a personal document, in particular an identity card, or a means of payment, in particular a banknote. Such documents are typically produced in standardized formats, for example in the ID 1, ID 2 or ID 3 format according to ISO 7810. The documents can basically consist of or contain an organic polymer or a ceramic material, paper, cardboard or metal. Cards and card-shaped components of book-type documents may preferably be made of laminated polymer films.

The security features used in the value and / or security products can only serve to prove the authenticity of the products regardless of their nature or by their user. Such security features are, for example, guilloches, watermarks, embossing prints, tipping pictures, holograms, the special paper of banknotes and the like. Personalizing, for example, personalizing, security features also contain in coded form or in plain text information about the type of document, about the user of this document and / or about an object to which the document is uniquely assigned. Such information may be a facial image (photograph) of the user, his personal information such as the name, birthday, place of birth, signature or a personal identifier such as a membership number. Another security feature that individualizes the document can be, for example, a serial number of the document or the chassis number of a motor vehicle to which the document is assigned.

One of the aforementioned various types of security features is the iris print made by high pressure or offset printing ( DE 10 2007 059 747 A1 ). For example, in DE 10 2006 050 120 A1 a method for individual identification of a printed product to ensure its authenticity described. To carry out this Method is used a multiple printing units having printing machine for printing sheets with multiple sub-images, wherein a plate or forme cylinder has a controllable drive in at least one printing unit of the printing press. In the printing unit, the iris pressure is executed. In a single printing unit at least two different printing inks are used side by side. These inks are separated from each other in a paint box by so-called color box separators, but they mix in the inking unit.

Furthermore, in DE 10 2008 012 423 A1 a polymer layer composite of a plurality of polymer layers specified with a colored security feature, wherein information is decomposed into a plurality of print extracts, each comprising a partial information of the information and printed on different substrate layer surfaces are printed. In this information color transitions can be integrated, such as an iris print. For this purpose, the pixels of a first color in a printout and the pixels of a second color can be printed in a further printout.

In DE 102 04 870 A1 it is known to apply a security feature by introducing fibers into a value carrier, for example a banknote or a badge. These fibers can be made detectable by irradiation with light of a certain wavelength. The introduction of such fibers is known when scooping the paper of a banknote. The fibers form a security feature with randomly distributed features.

In DE 10 2009 040 747 B3 is stated, fluorescent mottled fibers, which consist at least partially of an adhesive to apply to a film or a document. These fibers also have a first and a second luminescent substance (biluminescence). The adhesive ensures that the mottled fibers can be more easily integrated into plastic-based documents. When sprinkling onto the surface of a film, an adhesive strength is produced by the adhesive, so that the fibers are not fixed to a document during a subsequent lamination, but already when scattered onto the surface of the film. The glue also creates a permanent bond between the mottled fibers and the document so they can not be removed from the document.

For applying the mottled fibers to a substrate, for example a security and / or security document, is in DE 10 2010 063 015 A1 a device suitable for this purpose with a grit holder specified whose inner surface is at least partially uneven and which has at least one slot-shaped scattering opening.

There is a constant need for novel, in particular individualizing, for example personalizing, security features which are secured against counterfeiting and / or falsification and / or copying. Preferably, the security feature may also be located in at least one counterfeiting and / or falsification and / or copy secure inner product level. In addition, the present invention has the essential further object of providing a cost-effective, simple and quickly realizable security feature. The security feature is intended to increase the security level compared to conventional value and / or security documents or security elements.

As far as in the description and in the claims of the present application, the term 'value and / or security product', which may be in particular a security and / or security document or a security element is used, including, for example, a passport, identity card, driver's license or another ID card or access card, a vehicle registration document, vehicle registration document, visa, check, means of payment, in particular a banknote, check, bank, credit or cash card, loyalty card, health card, chip card, company card, proof of eligibility, membership card, gift - or shopping voucher, bill of lading or other proof of entitlement, tax stamp, postage stamp, ticket, (game) token, adhesive label (for example, for product security) or any other ID document to understand. As a product according to the invention is also a security element to understand that has the security feature of the invention and can be permanently connected to the document, such as a sticker, label or the like. The product may be, for example, a smart card. The security and / or value document may be in ID 1, ID 2, ID 3, or any other normalized or non-normalized format, such as a booklet form, such as a passport-like item. A security and / or valuable product is generally a laminate of a plurality of document layers, which have been connected in register under the influence of heat and under increased pressure. These products should meet the standardized requirements, for example ISO 10373, ISO / IEC 7810, ISO 14443. The product layers consist, for example, of a carrier material which is suitable for lamination.

Insofar as the term 'security feature' is mentioned in the description and in the claims of the present application, according to the present invention, a feature is to be understood which causes an optical impression which acts on a viewer and which is represented by a colored, in particular luminescent, pattern of In a relative arrangement of mutually adjacent particles of grit, in particular of fibers, most preferably of mottled fibers, is produced. The security feature can occupy the entire area of the document or only part of it.

As far as used in the description and in the claims of the present application, the term 'grit', it is to be understood as a plurality of particles. The grit is characterized by its property of being scattered. They may be particles of any shape, such as platelet, rod, spherical or irregularly shaped particles, and also fibers, i. elongated structures characterized by a large ratio of their length to their diameter, and the like. The particles typically have a size (diameter of grains or fibers) of from 10 to 500 μm, preferably from 30 to 150 μm, and most preferably from 40 to 100 μm. To produce fibers, for example, a 25 dtex filament according to ISO 1144 can be used, which is cut into filament pieces. The grit is present in several types, which differ at least by their recognizable with the human eye color. The color is based on the color impression, which is caused by the color tone and / or brightness of the color when illuminating the material to be spread with electromagnetic radiation, not only single or multi-colored visual impressions but also black / gray / white contrasts into consideration.

The object underlying the present invention is achieved by the security feature according to the invention for a value and / or security product. The security feature is formed by a spreading material fixed on at least one surface of at least one substrate, preferably of fibers, most preferably of mottling fibers. It is at least grit of a first type and grit of a second type. Accordingly, the particles of the spreading material of the first type are different from the particles of the spreading material of the second type. This does not exclude that in addition other types of grit may be present, namely grit of a third type, grit of a fourth type, etc., wherein the grit of these other types also on the at least one surface of the at least one substrate is fixed. The grit of the first type appears to the human eye in a first color, ie its particles emit or reflect electromagnetic radiation in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The grit of the second type appears to the human eye in a second color, which differs from the first color of the grit of the first type. If, in addition, there are other types of spreading material, this appears to the human eye in still different colors, which differ from each other and from the first and the second color. The spreading material of the first type and the spreading material of the second type and optionally the spreading material of further types form on the at least one substrate surface in the manner according to the invention a color gradient structure, for example an iris, of colors running inside one another.

The object underlying the present invention is also achieved by a value and / or security product having at least one security feature according to the invention. The security feature is located on at least one exterior of the security and / or security product, i. on the outside of a document or security element, or it is located in at least one interior level in the security and / or security product. Preferably, the security feature is visually or at least mechanically detectable by means of optical methods from the outside.

1. (a) Zunächst wird mindestens ein Substrat mit jeweils mindestens einer Substratoberfläche bereitgestellt.
2. (b) Ferner wird Streugut zumindest eines ersten Typs und eines zweiten Typs bereitgestellt, wobei das Streugut des ersten Typs für das menschliche Auge in einer ersten Farbe und das Streugut des zweiten Typs in einer zweiten Farbe erscheinen und wobei gegebenenfalls Streugut weiterer Typen für das menschliche Auge in noch anderen Farben bereitgestellt wird.
3. (c) Schließlich werden das Streugut des ersten Typs und das Streugut des zweiten Typs auf die mindestens eine Substratoberfläche aufgebracht, vorzugsweise aufgestreut, sodass das Streugut des ersten Typs und das Streugut des zweiten Typs auf der mindestens einen Substratoberfläche eine Farbverlaufsstruktur von ineinander verlaufenden Farben bilden.

The object underlying the present invention is also achieved by a method for producing the security feature according to the invention for the value and / or security product. This production process comprises the following process steps:

1. (a) First, at least one substrate is provided, each with at least one substrate surface.
2. (b) Further, the spreading material of at least a first type and a second type is provided, wherein the spreading material of the first type appears to the human eye in a first color and the spreading material of the second type in a second color, and optionally of other types for the human Eye is provided in still other colors.
3. (C) Finally, the grit of the first type and the grit of the second type are applied to the at least one substrate surface, preferably scattered so that the grit of the first type and the grit of the second type on the at least a substrate surface form a color gradient structure of colors running into each other.

The grit is preferably formed by fibers, most preferably by mottled fibers.

Unless otherwise indicated, subsequent embodiments in the description are representative of the term 'spreading material' in each case refer to fibers, but this should not be construed to be limiting, but in each case also includes generalized other types of grit.

Accordingly, the fibers thus form a colored surface in that a more or less dense surface is formed with free regions of different sizes between the fibers. When applying the fibers with a high fiber density, the resulting free areas between the fibers are small and vice versa. Due to the fiber coating on the at least one surface, therefore, a color impression is produced which can be detected indirectly by the human eye or else indirectly by means of a device suitable for this purpose. According to the invention, the color surface varies between at least two colors, whereby a (continuous) transition takes place between the colors by color mixing. The color mixture may be additive (eg corresponding to the RGB color space) or subtractive (eg corresponding to the CMYK color space). For example, red and blue fibers may be applied to the at least one substrate surface, wherein the fibers of one type, for example the red fibers, in a first color field and the fibers of the other type, for example the blue fibers, are applied in a second color field. In a mixed-color region in which a transition takes place, for example, from the purely red to the purely blue color, ie in the border region between the first and the second color field, mixed colors between red and blue color, in this case, for example, violet color tones, are formed. The transition between the colors preferably takes place continuously, ie without noticeable color jump, which would be characterized by a boundary between two color areas with different colors. For the continuous color transition, the color changes along a single color progression or alternatively in several color gradients. Thus, at least fibers of a first type substantially in a first color field and fibers of a second type are applied to the substrate surface substantially in a second color field. In the border area between the Both color fields form a transition zone in which the color gradient structure is formed. Their width can be adjusted individually. The two color fields do not overlap but are arranged side by side on the substrate surface and thus spatially separated from each other. Uniform colored areas in the color fields can be omitted, in which case only the transition zone is present, ie the color gradient structure. The same applies to the composition of more than two fiber types.

The formation of a color gradient structure by means of fibers creates a novel feature which can serve as an authenticity feature and / or as a coding feature for the value and / or security product. It is easy to manufacture and therefore inexpensive. By the fibers form a defined color structure on the value and / or security product and thus are also easily localized, a better detectability of the fibers is ensured.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fibers on the at least one substrate surface, i. in the color patches and in the transition zone of the gradient structure, random, i. stochastic, distributed. It is therefore very particularly preferred no preferred direction and no regular arrangement of the fibers to each other. Their distances from each other, their position and their spatial orientation on the at least one surface are therefore also stochastic.

The inherent color of each of the fibers, which distinguishes the fiber types from each other, can be generated by any excitation. It suffices if it is from the human eye, i. in the visible spectral range, is perceptible.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the security feature is illuminated with light in the visible spectral range, the first color and / or the second color are perceived by the human eye. This is the case when the fibers absorb spectrally unevenly in the visible spectral radiated electromagnetic radiation, so that only individual color components are remittiert. Fibers of the first type, fibers of the second type and optionally fibers of other types therefore absorb different color components of the visible spectral range, so that different color components of this spectral range are remitted by fibers of different types and are thus perceivable by the human eye. Preferably, the fibers of one type are each uniformly colored, ie they reflect light at all their surface locations essentially the same electromagnetic spectrum. Fibers of one type are also dyed uniformly from one fiber to another. In principle, it is of course also possible to use fibers which have different fiber regions whose remitted electromagnetic radiation produces different color impressions. Preferably, however, the fibers of each type are formed only from one material each, which causes a uniform color impression. To produce the respective color impression at least one dye and / or at least one pigment are added to the fiber material, and / or the fibers are coated with at least one dye and / or at least one pigment. As dyes and pigments, it is possible to use all commercially available materials which are compatible with the fiber material and which survive the processing conditions for the production of the fibers and their introduction into and / or application to the fibers.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first color and / or the second color and / or optionally further colors when the security feature is illuminated with an excitation radiation, for example with electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet (UV) spectral range, in particular with UV-A Radiation (380 to 315 nm) and / or UV-B radiation (315 to 280 nm), very particularly preferably UV-A radiation, for example at 365 nm, and / or optionally also with UV-C radiation (280 up to 200 nm), for example up to 200 nm, in particular 254 nm, perceived by the human eye. This is luminescence, preferably photoluminescence, which can be emitted in the form of fluorescence or phosphorescence with both Stokes and anti-Stokes shift. Alternatively, the excitation radiation can also be in another spectral range, for example in the visible or infrared (IR) range. Luminescence occurs when the fibers absorb the electromagnetic excitation radiation irradiated, for example, in the UV spectral range, and then emit electromagnetic radiation in the spectral range visible to the human eye. Fibers of the first type, fibers of the second type and fibers of other types thus absorb the excitation radiation and luminesce spectrally different in the visible spectral range, so that different colors of fibers of different types are emitted. Preferably, the fibers of one type luminesce uniformly, ie they emit light at all locations with substantially the same electromagnetic spectrum. In principle, it is of course also possible to use fibers which are formed from different parts, so that different luminescence emanates from the different parts and therefore these different ones Parts produce different color impressions. Preferably, however, the fibers of each type are formed only from one material each, which causes a uniform color impression.

In one embodiment, fibers of the first type are excitable with UV-A radiation, but not with UV-B radiation, and fibers of the second type are excitable with UV-B radiation, but not with UV-A radiation. As a result, the one area with the fibers of the first type is visible under UV-A excitation, the other area under excitation with UV-B radiation. When irradiating both UV-A radiation and UV-B radiation, both fiber types can be seen simultaneously, so that the color gradient structure is visible.

In a further embodiment, fibers of the first type are excitable with UV-A radiation and UV-B radiation and fibers of the second type are excitable with UV-B radiation, but not with UV-A radiation. As a result, the color gradient under UV-B radiation is directly visible, under UV-A excitation, however, only the fibers of the first type are visible.

To produce the respective color impression by means of luminescence, at least one luminescent substance is added to the fiber material, and / or the fibers are coated with at least one luminescent substance. As luminescent substances it is possible to use all commercially available materials which are compatible with the fiber material and which survive the processing conditions for producing the fibers and their introduction into and / or application to the fibers, namely both organic and inorganic luminescent substances, for example rhodamine 6G, fluorescein and rare earth (luminophore) doped materials which form a host lattice for the luminophores, in particular substances doped with terbium, gadolinium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, cerium and / or europium, for example oxides, oxinates, sulphides, oxysulphides, Oxynitrides, phosphates or vanadates. The pigments preferably have a particle size of less than 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns and most preferably less than 6 microns. The pigments formed herewith can additionally be coated with organic substances in order to increase the quantum yield of the luminescence.

The fibers can either luminesce exclusively and, when illuminated in the visible spectral range, be colorless or nearly colorless to the human eye or appear colored to the human eye only when illuminated in the visible spectral range when illuminated with electromagnetic radiation outside the visible spectral range but have no luminescence, or they can both appear colored to the human eye when illuminated in the visible spectral range and additionally luminesce.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fibers of the first type and of the second type and optionally further types are formed at least partially by an adhesive. The adhesive should be at least partially exposed on the outside of the fibers, so that the fibers are fixed there when hitting the at least one substrate. The glue can form a fiber part. For example, the fibers may be formed of a plurality of coaxial strands, at least one of which is formed by the adhesive. The adhesive may therefore be adjacent to strands of another material on the outside of the fibers, or it may completely surround a fiber core, such as a sheath type. The adhesive material may contain at least one of the substances responsible for the color of the fibers when illuminated in the visible spectral range and / or for the luminescence of the fiber.

By means of the adhesive, the fibers can be fixed on the at least one substrate surface, so that the color gradient structure is preserved during the manufacturing process for the value and / or security document.

In a further preferred development of the present invention, the adhesive is a hot-melt adhesive, ie an adhesive which melts when heated. Alternatively, the adhesive may also be a reactive adhesive, for example an acrylate adhesive. The hotmelt adhesive has, for example, a softening temperature of 50 to 200.degree. C., preferably of 80 to 120.degree. The adhesive is preferably not tacky at room temperature. Thus, the fibers can be well isolated at room temperature. The hotmelt adhesive may for example be formed from polyamide or from a polyamide copolymer. In particular, the adhesive may be formed of PA12, PA6 or PA6.6. Preferably, the adhesive is formed of PA6 or a copolymer of polyamide. This glue can encase a core of the fibers. This core can be formed, for example, from PA6.6. Alternatively, instead of polyamide and polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, cellulose or their derivatives, such as viscose or cellophane into consideration. Polyamide is preferred. When the fibers are applied to the at least one substrate surface, the fibers are fixed there, for example by heating. For this purpose, the substrate can be heated immediately before the application of the fibers.

As an alternative or in addition to the adhesive which forms part of the fibers, the at least one substrate surface in a further preferred development of the present invention can also be provided with an adhesive, for example with a hot-melt adhesive or with a reactive adhesive. In this case, the fibers are applied to the provided with the adhesive surfaces of the substrate and fixed there, for example by heating.

The fibers, in particular mottled fibers, can be designed differently with regard to their shape and geometry. For a characterization serve the length, the diameter and the cross-sectional shape. A typical length is in a range of 2 to 25 mm, preferably about 6 mm. The diameter is for example in a range of 20 to 150 microns, preferably 50 to 60 microns. The cross-sectional shape is preferably circular or oval, but may also be formed, for example, star-shaped or otherwise. Examples of this are in DE 103 24 630 A1 whose disclosure content, at least with regard to these cross-sectional shapes and the production of such fibers, is incorporated by reference into the present application.

The valuable and / or security product may be formed from a polymer selected from a group comprising polycarbonate (PC), in particular bisphenol A polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), derivatives thereof, such as glycol modified PET (PETG), Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyimide (PI), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polystyrene (PS), polyvinylphenol (PVP), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), in particular thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) and derivatives thereof, and / or paper. In addition, the product can also be made of several of these materials. It preferably consists of PC or PC / TPU / PC. The polymers may be either unfilled or filled. In the latter case they are preferably transparent or translucent. If the polymers are filled, they are opaque. The above information relates both to films to be bonded together and to liquid formulations applied to a precursor, such as a resist. The product is preferably prepared from 3 to 12, preferably 4 to 10, films. A laminate formed in this way can finally be coated on one or both sides with a protective lacquer. Overlay layers formed in this way protect a security feature arranged underneath and / or give the document the required abrasion resistance. The security feature is preferably formed on at least one of the inner layers.

The at least one substrate, on whose at least one surface the fibers are applied, is thus formed in each case by a product layer or by the product itself. Alternatively, a precursor for the value and / or security product, for example a blank that does not yet have all the product layers, but most of the security features, can be used as a substrate on one or both surfaces of which the fibers are applied.

The fibers of the first type are in a first color region (in a first color field) on the at least one substrate surface, and the fibers of the second type are in a second color region (in a second color field) on the at least one substrate surface. The two color areas are adjacent to each other but do not overlap. According to the invention, the color progression structure can consist in particular in that a part of the fibers of the first type is also applied (partially) in the second (adjacent) color region (overlapping with this color region). Alternatively or additionally, according to the invention, the color gradient structure can also consist in that a part of the fibers of the second type is also applied (partially) in the first (adjacent) color region (overlapping this color region).

For this purpose, the fibers of the first type can first be applied to the at least one substrate surface, in particular scattered, whereby the fibers of the first type are additionally applied to the at least one surface, in particular scattered, overlapping in the second color region of the second fiber type. become. Furthermore, the fibers of the second type can subsequently or simultaneously be applied to the at least one substrate surface, in particular scattered, wherein the fibers of the second type are additionally applied to the at least one surface, in particular also overlapping in the first color region of the first fiber type be sprinkled. Basically, it is sufficient to apply only the fibers of the first type overlapping in the second color region on the at least one substrate surface, but not the fibers of the second type overlapping in the first color range. Advantageously, however, both types of fibers are applied in each case overlapping, so that the color gradient structure is formed in the overlapping region. Thus, for example, overlapping strips can be produced with the respective fiber types.

For overlapping application of the fibers, an application device with at least one applicator can be used, which in each case has at least one scattering housing. In the at least one scattering housing is in each case at least one scattering housing interior, in each of which fibers of one type are included. The litter housing interior is closed at the bottom by a bottom in which discharge openings are, through which the fibers emerge from the application device. The at least one applicator can be arranged such that the fibers are applied from the interior spaces in different areas to the at least one substrate surface. For this purpose, the scattering housings are preferably arranged at a defined distance above the substrate surface and each have at least one discharge opening, from which the fibers can emerge from the interior spaces and fall onto the substrate surface. The housing interiors are separated from each other. The housing interior can be located in a commissioned work or in several commissioned works. In the case of, for example, two housing interiors for two fiber types, either two application units, each with an interior space or a commissioned unit with two interiors, are provided. When applying more than two fiber types correspondingly more housing interior spaces are provided. In the event that the interiors are in a commissioned work - preferably adjacent to each other or even spaced apart - the fibers of all types are preferably applied simultaneously to the substrate surface. For example, fibers of two types from the commissioned work, which has two housing interior spaces arranged next to one another, can be sprinkled into different color fields on the at least one substrate surface. In the event that in each case an interior is in one of several commissioned works, the commissioned works are spaced from each other or are arranged one after the other over the substrate surface, so that the fibers are sequentially applied to the substrate surface. The fibers can, for example, from two application units, each having a housing interior, be sequentially sprinkled into different color fields on the at least one substrate surface.

In an alternative embodiment of the commissioned work, the fibers of different types can also at least partially mix with one another before they leave the applicator, thus forming the color gradient structure during application. For this purpose, for example, the fibers can be introduced next to one another into a common interior of the housing, initially unmixed, so that they can partially mix even before the application in a boundary region. Alternatively, a demarcating partition between adjacent the fiber types respectively receiving interiors of the commissioned work can be provided, however, the interiors only over a part of the entire contact surface separates from each other. This partition already ends above the discharge openings, so that the fibers of different types in this lower area of the interior partially mix with each other before they emerge from the commissioned work.

In a first embodiment, the application device and a substrate surface for applying the fibers to the substrate surface are movable relative to one another. Preferably, the substrate having the substrate surface is movable, and the application device is stationary (unmoved) arranged. For example, the substrate can be moved by means of a transport device, in particular by the substrate resting on a conveyor belt. Alternatively, the substrate may also be a belt that is moved past the application device. In an alternative variant, the application device can also be movable and the substrate surface can be stationary. In all these cases, the fibers can exit the application device from a slot-shaped opening or from a slot-like opening, for example in the form of openings, for example in a straight row. In these cases, the fibers are applied in strips to the substrate surface.

If spatially limited patterns, for example star-shaped, circular patterns and the like, with a color gradient structure are to be produced with fibers of different types, the application device and the substrate are not moved relative to one another in a second embodiment during the application process. For example, the application device for this purpose have discharge openings, which are arranged in the form of the pattern to be generated. Hereby, for example, concentric circular surfaces formed with fibers, which have color gradient structures, can be formed.

Preferably, the substrate surface is arranged below the application device so that fibers emerging from it can fall on the surface (be scattered). If the substrate surface is arranged in a different relative position to the application device, for example laterally to the latter, the fibers can be conveyed to the surface, for example by means of an air flow. In this case, it is necessary that the fibers are fixed on the substrate surface immediately upon impact. This succeeds by a sticky surface or by heating the surface so that fibers equipped with an adhesive adhere to it upon impact.

In any case, the formation of the color gradient structure during overlapping deposition is decisively influenced by the distance between the application device and the substrate surface. The larger this distance, the greater the overlapping application, i. the proportion of fibers of one type entering the color region on the substrate surface of the other fiber type in this case is greater than when the distance is smaller. In the case of mottled fibers (for example polymer fibers with a length of about 6 mm and a diameter of 50 to 60 μm), this spacing may be, for example, 10 to 50 mm. In principle, this distance can also be greater, for example up to 200 mm or up to 300 mm, or even smaller, for example at least 5 mm. Alternatively, overlapping scattering of the fiber types into the other color field may also be achieved by relatively moving the application device relative to the substrate surface during application in a direction perpendicular to the transition between the two color patches. For example, the application device can be moved back and forth shaking during the application process.

Thus, the color-gradient structure can be produced by applying the fibers in a transition area between adjacent color fields, in which different types of fibers are applied to the at least one substrate surface, not sharply delimited to the respective color field, so that a part of the fibers also on the adjacent color field arrives. If this is realized both for the fibers of the first type applied to one of the two color patches and for the fibers of the second type applied to the other of the two color patches, a very smooth transition between the two fiber types can be achieved and thus be achieved between the two colors. Of course, in principle, an application not limited to the respective color field is sufficient for one type of fiber.

The color progression structure can be produced in a further development of the present invention as an alternative to the above formation method, characterized in that the at least one substrate surface has a position variable surface property, which imparts a fixation of the fibers on this and also the color gradient structure on the at least one Substrate surface maps variably in their local formation. In this case, it is not necessary to use fibers that are self-adhesive.

The positionally variable surface property can be formed, for example, by the substrate surface not covering the entire surface adhesive structures. These adhesive structures may consist, for example, of a structured layer of a hotmelt adhesive. For example, the adhesive structures may be formed by adhesive surfaces which are preferably spaced apart from one another and whose surface portion varies as a function of the distance from the boundary line between the first and the second color field on the substrate surface. For example, their number and / or size per unit area of the substrate surface may vary along a given direction, i. become larger or smaller along a gradient direction. As a result, the number of fibers fixed in the surface region in which the color-gradient structure is formed can vary in the direction of the color-progression direction. The fibers of one type are applied to the surface and fixed in the color field in which the adhesive surfaces are located. Unfixed fibers are subsequently removed again.

For example, adhesive surfaces may be located in a color field on the at least one substrate surface whose size, starting from an edge of this field, decreases with the distance to this edge. This results in a gradient of the adhesive surface density within the field. Fibers of one type can then be applied to these adhesive surfaces in a preferably uniform density and thereby or subsequently fixed. After removal of unfixed fibers, a gradient of the surface density of the fibers results parallel to the color progression direction of the color gradient structure formed.

In addition, fibers of a second type may additionally be formed on further adhesive structures having such a surface density gradient, preferably parallel to the color progression direction for the fibers of the first type. For this purpose, the fibers of the second type are applied in a color field on the at least one substrate surface, which is preferably adjacent to the color field and adjacent to this, in which the fibers of the first type are applied. To achieve this, the fibers of both types are preferably applied successively to the at least one substrate surface. For this purpose, the adhesive surfaces of the first type and the adhesive surfaces of the second type are applied successively by the adhesive surfaces for the fibers of the second type are preferably produced only after the fibers of the first type applied, fixed and the unfixed fibers of the first type have been removed again. Only then can the fibers of the second type be applied to the adhesive surfaces provided for them and fixed there, and the unfixed fibers can be removed again.

The adhesive structures may be applied to the at least one substrate surface by, for example, a printing process or a dispenser process. The adhesive for the adhesive structures may be a hot melt adhesive or a reactive adhesive. The same adhesives as for the finishing of the fibers can be used.

Thus, the spreading material of the first type and the spreading material of the second type can be sprinkled onto the at least one substrate surface at the same time, for example when using the first embodiment described for producing the color gradient structure (scattering of the fibers onto the respective other color field), or successively, for instance also through Scattering the fibers onto the respective other color field or by forming the color gradient structure by means of a position-variable surface property of the at least one substrate surface (in accordance with the last-explained embodiment for generating the color gradient structure).

The scattered fibers are fixed after application. In the case of hot melt fixable fibers they are fixed by introducing heat and in the case of fixable by means of a reactive adhesive fibers by irradiation of electromagnetic radiation, such as UV radiation. When using fixable by means of a hot melt adhesive fibers, these can be fixed for example by means of a hot press roll on the surface. If fibers have come onto the surface between individual adhesive structures in the second embodiment variant, which fibers are not fixed, they can subsequently be removed again from the surface, for example by means of a blower or an extraction system.

The application device for the fibers may in particular be elongated and extend across the substrate surface. So that fibers can be discharged uniformly from the interior of the housing, the device preferably has a housing in whose housing interior there is, for example, a rotor with blades, which conducts the fibers through a lower slot or through lower slot-like openings. For this purpose, elongated rotor blades pivot at a short distance over the slot and convey the fibers through it. In principle, however, any other structure can also be used for such an application device.

If the at least one substrate surface covered with the fibers is located in the value and / or security product, at least those parts of the product which are located between the at least one substrate surface and the fibers by the viewer are preferably transparent or at least translucent and more preferred colorless or possibly only slightly colored in order to recognize the color gradient structure. On the other hand, product material located beyond the at least one substrate surface on which the color gradient structure is formed can also be opaque and optionally colored. Of course, the latter may alternatively also be transparent or translucent and colorless.

The color gradient structure formed by the fibers can itself serve as an authenticity feature for the value and / or security product. If different fiber types are used for different product types, for example banknotes with different values, different color combinations can be formed for different color gradient structures, so that the security feature according to the invention can also be used as a feature that encodes the value of the product. Therefore, the gradient structure can also encode information. Of course, there are also other possibilities for product coding. For example, a value can be coded in each case by means of the different colors and the intermediate color transitions, so that a complex coding can be realized by stringing together a plurality of such colors and color transitions as in the case of a barcode, for example the name of the owner of the product, for example an ID card. or the serial number of a banknote. For example, for this purpose, a plurality of narrow color fields arranged parallel to one another for fibers of a color type with transitions between adjacent color fields can be provided, in which the fibers in the color fields are applied overlapping onto the surface.

The gradient structure is preferably formed in a single plane on or in the security and / or security product. But it is also possible to apply the individual fibers in several levels on or in the product. For example, the fibers of a first type may be distributed in a first plane and the fibers of a second type in a second plane spaced from the first plane. In this case, the optical color impression varies in particular in the transition region between the two color fields depending on the viewing angle to the surface normal, since the two planes spaced from each other are. For example, the fibers of the first and the second type can be applied to the two surfaces of a film, wherein the color fields of both fiber types are arranged in register with each other.

The security feature according to the invention can either occupy the entire area of a security and / or security document or only a part thereof.

The substrate, on the at least one surface of which the fibers are applied and fixed there, can be gathered together with further substrates, for example further polymer films or other film-like materials, such as paper, as layers to form a stack, so that the surface provided with the fibers / n are arranged outside and / or inside. The latter is advantageous because a counterfeiting or falsification of the product is then only extremely difficult, because the fiber plane / n would have to be exposed for this purpose. If the stack is welded to a monolithic laminate by the application of heat and pressure, it is preferred that the fibers also fuse with the surrounding material, thereby further complicating delamination. If the security feature is on the outside of the laminate after lamination, it can be protected from tampering by subsequent coating with a protective varnish or protective film. In addition, this protective lacquer or protective film serves to protect the product against mechanical damage (scratches) during use. Furthermore, on the outside, a diffractive film can be attached. If the substrate and other substrate layers are formed of polycarbonate, the lamination typically in a hot / cold laminating press in a first step at 170 to 200 ° C and a pressure of 50 to 600 N / cm ² and in a second step with cooling carried out at about room temperature and under the same pressure. In the case of polyethylene terephthalate, lamination takes place at a higher temperature, for example at 220 ° C. The polymer films typically have a thickness of from 25 to 150 μm, preferably from 50 to 100 μm. The laminates produced can, for example, represent card-shaped objects or be singulated into card-shaped individual uses. In principle, the laminate can also be a construction for a multilayer banknote.

Fig. 1

zeigt ein erfindungsgemäßes Wert- und/oder Sicherheitsprodukt in Form einer Ausweiskarte (ID-Karte) mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitsmerkmal; (A) schematische perspektivische Darstellung bei Beleuchtung mit sichtbarem Licht; (B) schematische perspektivische Darstellung bei Beleuchtung mit UV-Licht; (C) Detailansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitsmerkmals mit der Farbverlaufsstruktur;

Fig. 2

zeigt eine Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen und Fixieren von Fasern auf einem bandförmigen Substrat in einer schematischen Seitenansicht;

Fig. 3

zeigt ein bandförmiges Substrat und eine Applikationsvorrichtung zum Aufstreuen von Fasern zweier Typen auf die Oberfläche des Substrats; (A) schematische Draufsicht; (B) schematische Vorderansicht;

Fig. 4

zeigt ein bandförmiges Substrat und eine Applikationsvorrichtung zum Aufstreuen von Fasern zweier Typen auf die Oberfläche des Substrats, wobei die Applikationsvorrichtung zwei Auftragswerke für die beiden Faserntypen aufweist; (A) schematische Draufsicht; (B) schematische Schnittansichten des ersten und des zweiten Auftragswerkes; (B1) Schnitt entlang B1; (B2) Schnitt entlang B2;

Fig. 5

zeigt ein bandförmiges Substrat und Applikationsvorrichtungen zum Aufstreuen von Fasern zweier Typen sowie zum Applizieren von Klebestrukturen auf die Oberfläche des Substrats in einer schematischen Draufsicht;

Fig. 6

Schnitt durch eine Melierfaser mit Kern und Mantel;

Fig. 7

zeigt ein Auftragswerk im Schnitt von oben zur Bildung einer sternförmigen Farbverlaufsstruktur;

Fig. 8

zeigt eine Farbverlaufsstruktur in Form einer sternförmigen Fläche in einem andersfarbigen Farbfeld.

For a more detailed explanation of the present invention serve the following figures.

Fig. 1

shows an inventive value and / or security product in the form of an identity card (ID card) with the security feature according to the invention; (A) schematic perspective view when illuminated with visible light; (B) schematic perspective view when illuminated with UV light; (C) detailed view of the security feature according to the invention with the color gradient structure;

Fig. 2

shows a device for applying and fixing fibers on a belt-shaped substrate in a schematic side view;

Fig. 3

shows a belt-shaped substrate and an application device for spreading fibers of two types onto the surface of the substrate; (A) schematic plan view; (B) schematic front view;

Fig. 4

shows a belt-shaped substrate and an application device for spreading fibers of two types on the surface of the substrate, wherein the application device has two applicators for the two types of fibers; (A) schematic plan view; (B) schematic sectional views of the first and the second applicator; (B1) section along B1; (B2) section along B2;

Fig. 5

shows a belt-shaped substrate and application devices for spreading fibers of two types and for applying adhesive structures on the surface of the substrate in a schematic plan view;

Fig. 6

Section through a mottled fiber core and mantle;

Fig. 7

shows a commissioned work in section from above to form a star-shaped gradient structure;

Fig. 8

shows a gradient structure in the form of a star-shaped surface in a different-colored color field.

In the following description of the figures, like reference numerals designate elements having the same function.

The ID card 100 according to the invention has a front side 101 and a rear side (not shown) (FIG. Fig. 1A, 1B ). The front side has a plurality of personal information fields 102, 103, 104 (such as the face image, name, date of birth of the card holder and a personal number) identifying the card holder. This data is generated on the inside of a surface in the card, ie, for example under a protective coating, in order to prevent manipulation of this card and also to avoid mechanical damage to the card.

Furthermore, this card 100 has a security feature 200 according to the invention. This feature is in Fig. 1C shown in detail. It has two partial fields 201, 202, in which mottled fibers of different types 210, 220 are located. For example, the mottled fibers have a diameter of 40 μm and a length of 5 mm. The two types are distinguished by luminescent substances contained therein, which can be made visible by illuminating the security feature with UV radiation, for example at 365 nm. The mottling fibers result within the subfields in each case a color impression, which is caused by the different luminescence colors of the two fiber types. In a transition region 205 in which the two fields adjoin one another, there are both first type mordant fibers 210 and second type mordant fibers 220. Because the first type mordant fibers 210 are also partially dispersed in the second field 202, in which primary to the second type mica fibers 220, and vice versa, there is a color impression characterized by a gradient from the luminescent color of the mica fibers of the first type to the luminescent color of the mica fibers of the second type. The color gradient structure 208 formed in this way, which is formed by the transition region 205, runs parallel to the delimiting edge 209, via which both subfields 201, 202 adjoin one another, namely from one subfield to the other subfield. For example, if mordant fibers of a first type 210 containing a green luminescent material, for example, a terbium-doped oxysulfide, and mottling fibers of a second type 220 containing a red luminescent substance, for example, a europium-doped oxysulfide, are used, a color gradient structure 208 will be interposed between a green Area 206 in the first subfield 201 and a red area 207 in the second subfield 202 obtained. In the transition region 205 between the two subfields, the color gradient structure 208 is formed, in which mixed colors of both types of mica fiber result. Since the two colors are formed by luminescence, an additive color mixture, for example according to the RGB color space, arises.

The security feature 200 is therefore barely visible in pure illumination with light in the visible spectral range (VIS), possibly by scattering of the light by the fibers 210, 220 or by their intrinsic coloration ( Fig. 1A ). Only when illuminated with UV radiation (UV) the inventive color gradient structure 208 ( Fig. 1B ).

In Fig. 2 For example, a device 300 for applying mottled fibers 210, 220 to the top 401 of a belt-shaped substrate 400 and fixing the mottled fibers thereon is shown. The Tape is, for example, an 80 μm thick transparent and colorless polycarbonate film. This tape is first wound on a first roller 311, is unwound from this for sprinkling with the mottled fibers and rewound after sprinkling and fixing on a second roller 312 (reel-to-reel). Between two rollers, the band runs on a horizontal path and is held and guided by guides (not shown) (for example rollers) for this purpose. In a treatment area 315 between the two rollers are above the top of the belt, an application device (a commissioned work) 500 for spreading the mottled fibers and a fixing device 600, which serves to fix the scattered fibers on the surface of the tape. The tape is preferably fed to the application device preheated (not shown).

The mottled fibers 210, 220 are again formed from materials which, depending on the type, for example, luminesce green or red. For fixing, the mottled fibers are at least partially formed from a hot-melt adhesive. For example, the fibers may be made by extruding a plurality of polymers, such as polyamide, and chopping the strand obtained. The mottled fibers are formed by a core 211 and a sheath 212 surrounding the core ( Fig. 6 ). This coat is made by the hotmelt adhesive. It consists of PA6, for example. The jacket also contains the luminescent substances which produce the green or red luminescence color.

The applicator 500 is formed by a housing 510 with a plurality of juxtaposed housing interior 520. For this purpose, the housing extends perpendicular to the plane of the figure. Two housing internal spaces 520, 520 'are separated by a partition wall 530 (see for example Fig. 3B ). In each of the two housing interiors, mordant fibers are of one of two types 210, 220. For example, the mottling fibers of a first type 210 that luminesce with green luminescent color, seen in the transport direction T, are on the left side and the mordant fibers of a second type 220, the luminescent with red luminescent color, seen in the transport direction, on the right side. The mottled fibers are circulated in the housing interior spaces by means of a rotor 540 having blades 541 and are transported out of the interior spaces through a slot 550, 550 'located in the bottom wall of the housing. This forms a curtain of falling out of the commissioned mica fibers that fall at a distance a on the top 401 of the belt 400 and remain there. Preheating the band fixes the mottling fibers on the band. For secure fixation of the mottled fibers of the The area of the strip coated with the fibers is then transported under a fixing device 600, melted by means of the hotmelt adhesive of the fiber mantle 212 of the mottled fibers and pressed onto the surface of the strip. For this purpose, a hot press roll is used as a fixing device. After passing through the fixing device, the mottling fibers firmly adhere to the top of the belt. After the tape has cooled, it can be wound up on the second roll 312.

In Fig. 3 For example, an apparatus 300 for spreading the first type 210 and second type 220 mica fibers from a coater 500 is shown in partial detail to form a security feature 200 according to the present invention. The mica fibers of the first type 210 luminesce green upon UV excitation and the mica fibers of the second type 220 red. Fig. 3A Figure 4 shows the belt 400 in a plan view with the two color patches 201, 202 in which the mottled fibers are sprinkled onto the surface 401 of the belt. On the right next to the two color fields, an edge region 402 is also arranged, onto which no mottled fibers are sprinkled. The application device 500 having the applicator extends transversely to the direction of tape transport T and exclusively over the area of the two color fields in which mottled fibers are scattered onto the belt. The housing 510 of the commissioned work has the two by a partition 530 separated from each other interior spaces 520, 520 '. Melierfasern each one of the two types are housed in one of the two interiors. In the left interior 520 there are mordant fibers of the first type 210, and in the right interior 520 'there are mottled fibers of the second type 220. Between the lintels 550, 550' of the commissioned work and the belt surface 401, a distance a is set. Since the mottled fibers do not fall exactly vertically downwards but partly also laterally in the direction of the respectively adjacent color field for the other mica fiber type ( Fig. 3B ), the mottled fibers of both types are also scattered in the other color field, so that the scattering regions of the two types overlap in a transition region 205. As the spread density of the mica fibers of the one type further decreases, the farther a land for the mottled fibers from the edge 209 delimiting the two color patches is, the lower the density of mordant fibers of one type scattered into the patches of the other type. Thereby, a continuous transition of the color impression produced by the pure luminescent color of this one type over a mixed color to the color impression produced by the pure luminescence color of the other type is formed. The larger the distance a of the applicator 500 to the strip surface, the further the fibers scatter into the respective other color field, so that there is a mixed color between the green and the red luminescent color formed. So that the right-hand lateral edge region 402 is not also sprinkled with second-type mica fibers 220, a shielding screen 560 is arranged above this edge in the region of the applicator.

In Fig. 4 FIG. 3 shows another device 300 for spreading mottled fibers of two types 210, 220 on the upper side 401 of a band-shaped film 400 in order to form a security feature 200 according to the invention. Instead of a commissioned work 500 with two housing interiors 520, 520 'for the two Melierfasertypen as in Fig. 3 In this case, two applicators 500, 500 'are provided, of which the first coater 500 has a housing interior 520 with two lintels 550 for the first type lamination fibers 210 and the second coater 500' has a housing interior 520 'with a lint 550' for the mottled fibers of the second type 220. Mica fibers of the first type luminesce green upon UV excitation and mica fibers of the second type red. The commissioned works are spaced apart in the direction of transport T of the tape, so that the film passes successively these two commissioned works. First, the film passes the first commissioned work 500, whose side sectional view in Fig. 4B1 is shown. Since the housing interior 520 in this case over two lateral slot-shaped openings 550 downwardly open, the mottled fibers 210 are sprinkled on two outer strip-shaped fields 201, 201 'of the film 400, wherein a portion of the fibers on the strip-shaped center panel 202 of Foil falls. From the second coater 500 ', the mottled fibers of the second type 220 fall out centrally through a slot-shaped opening 550', so that they are sprinkled in particular into the stripe-shaped midfield 202 on the film 400, but also partially into the edge regions of the strip-shaped edge fields 201, 201 '. fall. This results in transition regions 205, 205 'in which the scattering overlaps with the mottled fibers of the two types, so that mixing colors are formed there. These form color gradient structures 208, 208 '. The scattering of the mottled fibers on the edge region 402 of the film is prevented by means of the diaphragms 560, 560 '.

In Fig. 5 It is further shown how mottled fibers of two types 210, 220 may be used to create a gradient pattern 208 by a variable positional variation of the surface property of the top surface 401 of the belt 400. The tape is again a polycarbonate film, which may be 80 microns thick, for example. The mottled fibers consist in the core of PA 6.6. The jacket 212 has hot melt adhesive properties. The jacket also contains in each case a luminescent substance, namely mottling fibers of a first type 210 a green luminescent Fabric and mottled fibers of a second type 220 a red luminescent substance. The mottled fibers of the first type are located in the housing interior 520 of a first applicator 500, and the mottling fibers of the second type 220 are located in the housing interior 520 'of a second applicator 500'.

The belt 400 is conveyed in the transporting direction T. It has a region of two color fields 201, 202 which adjoin one another and which adjoin one another via the delimiting edge 209 and which extend in the longitudinal direction of the strip. In the area of the color fields 201, 202, the security feature 200 according to the invention is formed. The belt also has a free edge region 402, which is located on the left side of the belt in the transport direction and in which no mottled fibers are applied.

The belt 400 first reaches a first printing device 700 for applying an adhesive into the color fields 201, 202 to be spread with the mottled fibers. In a right-hand color field 201, seen in the transporting direction T, adhesive 810 is applied over the whole area. In the left-hand color field 202 adjacent thereto, first adhesive structures in the form of, for example, circular surfaces 820 of varying density, in this case of different size, are applied to the surface of the belt. The adhesive is made of PA6, for example. The circular adhesive structures are applied to the tape surface 401 in an area near a line 209 separating the left and right color patches 201 and 201 in the left color field. The areal density of the adhesive within the left color field decreases with the distance from this line to the left and drops to zero within a distance of about 40% of the way to the left edge of the left color field. The Klebeflächengradient is thus generated by a varying size of the adhesive surfaces. Alternatively or additionally, the distance between adjacent adhesive surfaces could also be varied.

After the adhesive surfaces have been produced, mottling fibers of the first type 210 are scattered by means of the first application unit 500 onto both color fields 201, 202. By preheating the band, however, only the fibers falling on the upper side 401 of the band 400 remain adhered to the adhesive 810 applied over the entire area in the right color field 201 and to the adhesive structures 820 in the left color field 202. As the surface density of the adhesive structures drops from the dividing line 209 to the left edge of the left color patch, the number of adherent fibers per unit area drops from this dividing line to the opposite edge, with the density of mottled fibers already dropping to zero within the left color patch.

Furthermore, in the in the representation of Fig. 5 shown unit, which also has the first commissioned work 500, also integrates a first device with which in particular in the left color field 202 non-adherent fibers are removed again from the surface, for example by blowing or suction (not shown separately). In order to secure the mottled fibers 210 to the belt surface 401, they are then bonded to the adhesive by means of a first hot press roll 600 on the surface. Also, this fixing unit is located in the first commissioned unit having unit.

By means of a second printing device 700 'is subsequently on the, seen in the transport direction T, left color field 202 PA6 adhesive over the entire surface 810' applied. In the right color patch 201 adjacent thereto, second PA6 adhesive structures in the form of, for example, circular areas 820 'are applied to the surface 401 of the tape 400 in varying density. The circular adhesive structures are applied to the tape surface in an area near the line 209 separating the right color patch 201 and the left color patch 202 in the right color patch. The area density of the adhesive structures decreases within the right color field with the distance from the dividing line and falls within a distance of about 40% of the way to the opposite edge of the right color field to zero. The adhesive surface gradient is generated by a varying size of the adhesive surfaces. Again, alternatively or additionally, the distance between adjacent adhesive surfaces can be varied to produce a density gradient.

Subsequently, mottled fibers of a second type 220 are scattered by means of a second applicator 500 'onto the left color field 202 and onto the right color field 201. By preheating the tape, the fibers falling on the adhesive surface remain adhered to the adhesive 810 'applied over the entire surface and to the adhesive structures 820'. Since the surface density of the adhesive structures drops from the dividing line 209 between the two color patches to the right edge of the right color patch 201, the number of adherent fibers per unit area drops from this dividing line to the opposite edge, with the density of mottled fibers already within the right color patch Zero drops.

Furthermore, in the in the representation of Fig. 5 shown unit, which also has the second commissioned work 500 ', also integrates a second device with which, in particular in the right color field 201 non-adherent fibers are removed from the surface again, for example by blowing off or sucking off (not shown separately). In order to firmly bond the mottled fibers 220 to the belt surface 401, they are then bonded to the adhesive by a second hot press roll 600 'on the surface. This fixing unit is located in the second commissioned unit having unit.

Finally, in the two color fields 201, 202 a uniform distribution of mottled fibers of one type each, namely mottled fibers of the first type 210 in the transport direction T, right color field 201 and mottling fibers of the second type 220 in, as seen in the transport direction, left Color field 202. In addition, mica fibers of the other type are located near the parting line 209 in the adjacent color field, with their fiber density decreasing from the parting line 209 between both color fields toward the respective field center. This results in a color gradient structure 208 in a transition region 205 in which the fiber gradients are adjusted. Considering the band 400 under excitation radiation for luminescence, in the case of the aforementioned rare earth doped host lattices with radiation in the UV spectral range, the luminescence produced by the mottled fibers appears to form the color gradient structure.

• Zunächst werden nacheinander nur die kreisförmigen Klebestrukturen 820, 820', wie in Fig. 5 dargestellt, mittels der Druckwerke 700, 700' durch Drucken erzeugt, nicht jedoch die ganzflächigen Kleberflächen 810, 810', und die Melierfasern 210, 220 dann jeweils auf diese Klebestrukturen aufgebracht, wobei zunächst die ersten Klebestrukturen 820, dann die Melierfasern des ersten Typs 210 auf die ersten Klebestrukturen, dann die zweiten Klebestrukturen 820' und dann die Melierfasern des zweiten Typs 220 auf die zweiten Klebestrukturen aufgebracht werden. Nach dem Aufbringen der jeweiligen Melierfasern werden nicht verbundene Fasern von der Oberfläche entfernt. Hierzu können Melierfasern ohne Hotmelt-Kleber verwendet werden. Um auch die Melierfasern des ersten Typs 210 in das, in Transportrichtung gesehen, rechte Farbfeld 201 und die Melierfasern des zweiten Typs 220 in das linke Farbfeld 202 jeweils gleichmäßig aufbringen und dort fixieren zu können, werden ferner in nachfolgenden Schritten jeweils Melierfasern des ersten und des zweiten Typs verwendet, die zusätzlich mit einem Hotmelt-Kleber ausgerüstet sind. Diese werden flächengenau in den jeweiligen Farbfeldern auf die Bandoberfläche 401 aufgestreut und dann dort fixiert. Hierzu kann die Vorrichtung von Fig. 3 verwendet werden. Diese Vorgehensweise ist vorteilhaft, da, abgesehen von den isolierten kreisförmigen Klebestrukturen, keine zusätzlichen Kleberschichten auf die Substratoberfläche aufgebracht werden, die den Haftverbund eines dieses Substrat enthaltenden Laminats schwächen könnten.

The with the in Fig. 5 Color gradient structure 208 which can be produced as shown can also be produced by means of the following procedure:

• First, only the circular adhesive structures 820, 820 ', as in FIG Fig. 5 illustrated by means of the printing units 700, 700 'produced by printing, but not the all-surface adhesive surfaces 810, 810', and the mottled fibers 210, 220 then respectively applied to these adhesive structures, first the first adhesive structures 820, then the mottled fibers of the first type 210th onto the first adhesive structures, then the second adhesive structures 820 'and then the second type mottling fibers 220 are applied to the second adhesive structures. After application of the respective mottle fibers, unbonded fibers are removed from the surface. For this purpose, mottling fibers can be used without hotmelt adhesive. In order to be able to evenly apply and fix the mottling fibers of the first type 210 in the right-hand color field 201, as seen in the direction of transport, in the left-hand color field 202, mulching fibers of the first and the second colorant 202 are also respectively applied used second type, which are additionally equipped with a hot melt adhesive. These are sprinkled with exact area in the respective color fields on the strip surface 401 and then fixed there. For this purpose, the device of Fig. 3 be used. This approach is advantageous because, apart from the isolated circular adhesive structures, no additional adhesive layers are applied to the substrate surface, which could weaken the adhesive bond of a laminate containing this substrate.

That with the devices of the Fig. 3 . 4 and 5 produced and with Melierfasern 210, 220 sprinkled strip material is cut in a further process step, for example, in multiple use, then collected with other films in a suitable format to form a stack. The stack is finally laminated in a hot / cold laminating press. The resulting laminates are then singulated for single use.

With the devices described above, stripe-shaped color fields can be covered with mottled fibers, wherein the resulting color gradient structures are rectilinear.

To produce more complex patterns, a device 300 can be used in which the substrate 400 is not moved relative to the application device 500 of the application device (FIG. Fig. 7 ). The applicator has two housing internal spaces 520, 520 'for the two types of mica fibers 210, 220, which are formed by a star-shaped partition wall 530 in the form of the boundary line of the two color patches 201, 202 on the substrate surface 401 (FIG. Fig. 8 ) are separated from each other. Through openings 550, 550 'in the bottom of the housing 510 of the commissioned work, the fibers fall out and strike the substrate surface 401 on. On the one hand by lateral deflection of the fibers during spreading and on the other hand by an additional movement of the commissioned work 500, for example by a circular jogging movement R or translationally shaking movements R ', R "of the commissioned work relative to the substrate, the fibers not only in the for them By means of more or less strong deflection during movement and / or by a larger or smaller distance of the applicator to the substrate surface, this inaccuracy during scattering can be increased or decreased in the present example is star-shaped.

reference numeral

100

ID card

101

front

102

Field with personal data

103

Field with personal data

104

Field with personal data

200

inventive security feature

201, 201 '

first subfield of the security feature, first (color) area, fringe fields

202

second subfield of the security feature, second (color) area, midfield

205, 205 '

Transition area

206

green area in the first subfield

207

red area in the second subfield

208, 208 '

Gradient structure

209

Bounding edge, dividing line

210

Spreading material / mottling fibers of the first type

211

Core of a mottled fiber

212

Coat of a mica fiber, glue

220

Spreading material / mottling fibers of the second type

300

Apparatus for applying / sprinkling mottled fibers

311

first role

312

second role

315

treatment area

400

band-shaped substrate, band-shaped foil, band

401

Top of the belt-shaped substrate

402

border area

500

Application device, (first) commissioned work

500 '

second commissioned work

510

Housing of the commissioned work

520, 520 '

Housing interior of the commissioned work

530

partition wall

540

rotor

541

shovel

550, 550 '

slot

560, 560 '

curtain board

600

Fixing device, (first) hot press roll

600 '

second hot press roll

700

first printing device for applying the adhesive

700 '

second printing device for applying the adhesive

810, 810 '

Glue, applied over the entire surface

820

first adhesive structures, adhesive

820 '

second adhesive structures, adhesive

a

Distance of the commissioned work to the top of the substrate

R

circular jogging movement of the commissioned work

R ', R "

translatory jogging movements of the commissioned work

T

transport direction

UV

Light in the UV spectral range

VIS

Light in the visible spectral range

Claims (13)

1. Security feature (200) for a value and/or security product (100), wherein the security feature (200) is formed by scattered material of at least one first type (210) and one second type (220) fixed on at least one surface (401) of at least one substrate (400), wherein further the scattered material of the first type (210) appears to the human eye in a first colour and the scattered material of the second type (220) appears in a second colour, and wherein the scattered material of the first type (210) and the scattered material of the second type (220) form on the at least one substrate surface (401) a colour progression structure (208) of colours running into one another.
2. Security feature (200) for a value and/or security product (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the scattered material is formed by fibres (210, 220).
3. Security feature (200) for a value and/or security product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first colour and/or the second colour can be perceived when the security feature (200) is illuminated by light in the visible spectral range (VIS).
4. Security feature (200) for a value and/or security product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first colour and/or the second colour can be perceived when the security feature (200) is illuminated by light in the UV spectral range (UV).
5. Security feature (200) for a value and/or security product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the scattered material of the first type (210) and of the second type (220) are formed at least partially by an adhesive (212).
6. Security feature (200) for a value and/or security product (100) according to claim 5, characterised in that the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive (212).
7. Security feature (200) for a value and/or security product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one surface (401) of the at least one substrate (400) is provided with an adhesive (820, 820').
8. Security feature (200) for a value and/or security product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the colour progression structure (208) is formed by overlapping scattering of a part of the scattered material of the first type (210) scattered onto a first colour region (201) on the at least one substrate surface (401) also onto a second colour region (202) on the substrate surface (401) on which the scattered material of the second type (220) is scattered, and/or by overlapping scattering of a part of the scattered material of the second type (220) scattered onto the second colour region (202) on the at least one substrate surface (401) also onto the first colour region (201) on the substrate surface (401) on which the scattered material of the first type (210) is scattered.
9. Security feature (200) for a value and/or security product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the colour progression structure (208) is produced by means of a layer-variable surface property of the at least one substrate (400) on the at least one substrate surface (401), which provides for a fixing of the scattered material (210, 220) on this surface, and forms the colour progression structure (208) on this surface in a layer-variable manner.
10. Value and/or security product (100) with at least one security feature (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
11. Method for producing a security feature (200) for a value and/or security product (100), comprising the following method steps:

    a) Provision of at least one substrate (400) with in each case at least one substrate surface (401);

    b) provision at least of scattered material of a first type (210) and scattered material of a second type (220), wherein the scattered material of the first type (210) appears to the human eye in a first colour and the scattered material of the second type (220) appears in a second colour;

    c) application of the scattered material of the first type (210) and of the scattered material of the second type (220) onto the at least one substrate surface (401), such that the scattered material of the first type (210) and the scattered material of the second type (220) on the at least one substrate surface (401) form a colour progression structure (208) of colours running into one another.
12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the scattered material of the first type (210) and the scattered material of the second type (220) are applied onto the at least one substrate surface (401) simultaneously or one after another.
13. Method according to any one of claims 11 and 12, characterised in that the scattered material of the first type (210) is applied in a first region (201) onto the at least one substrate surface (401), and that the scattered material of the second type (220) is applied onto the at least one substrate surface (401) simultaneously or subsequently in a second region (202), wherein the scattered material of the first type (210) and the scattered material of the second type (220) are additionally also applied overlapping in the respective region of the other scattered material type.

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