EP2483082A2

EP2483082A2 - Data carrier having a window

Info

Publication number: EP2483082A2
Application number: EP10766239A
Authority: EP
Inventors: André Gregarek; Michael Rahm; Marius Dichtl; Manfred Heim; Hans Lochbihler; Winfried HOFFMÜLLER
Original assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Priority date: 2009-10-02
Filing date: 2010-09-20
Publication date: 2012-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 2030-09-20
Also published as: CA2774819A1; HK1172587A1; CN102574413B; CN102574413A; DE102009048145A1; PL2483082T3; KR101500816B1; RU2499674C1; BR112012006555A2; KR20120089668A; WO2011038848A3; ES2581839T3; CA2774819C; WO2011038848A2; EP2483082B1; ZA201202342B

Abstract

The invention relates to a data carrier, in particular a value or security document, having a window (14), which extends from a lower face (16) to an upper face (18) of the data carrier, and a film element (20) having a security element (22) that covers the window (14) on the upper face (18) of the data carrier, wherein a portion of the security element (22) lies over the window (14) and a portion of the security element (22) lies adjacent to the window (14). According to the invention, the portion of the security element (22) lying over the window (14) has a radiation-modification region (24), which is in register with the window (14) and in which the visual appearance of the security element (22) is modified by means of electromagnetic radiation.

Description

Disk with window

The invention relates to a data carrier, in particular a value or security document, with a window that extends from a bottom to an upper side of the data carrier, and with a film element with a security element that covers the window on top of the disk, a part of the security element over the window and part of the security element next to the window.

Security or value documents, such as banknotes, identity cards and the like, are often provided for security with security elements that allow verification of the authenticity of the documents and at the same time serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction. Increasingly transparent security features, such as transparent windows in banknotes, are becoming increasingly attractive. For window production, for example, a film provided with an adhesive layer on one side is applied to a banknote in order to close a previously produced through opening of the banknote.

The application of the film on the banknote is subject to unavoidable tolerances, so that a specially adapted to an opening security element of the film can not be perfectly aligned with the opening. These tolerances must be considered in the design of the security element, which limits the freedom in designing the designs.

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to further develop a data carrier of the type mentioned in the introduction and in particular to apply high-security elements with high security to the window to allow for a customized design and thereby combine an attractive visual appearance with high security against counterfeiting.

This object is achieved by the data carrier with the features of the main claim. A method of manufacturing such a data carrier is given in the independent claim. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, it is provided in the case of a generic data carrier that the part of the security element lying above the window has a radiation modification area, which stands in the register with the window and in which the visual appearance of the security element is modified by the action of electromagnetic radiation.

The invention is based on the idea of allowing tolerances between the security element of the film element to be applied and the window of the data carrier, but modifying the visual appearance of the security element in a modification region in the register to the window by exposure to radiation, in particular by laser application. The register fluctuations between the film element and the window then largely or completely disappear into the background when viewed, and instead the perfect register between the window and the modification area dominates the visual impression for the viewer.

Due to the precise alignment of window and modification area to each other, these two elements can also with their visual appearance and / or their information content each other be coordinated or related to each other. For example, the window and the modification area may represent the same motif, or may each represent only subject parts that complement each other to an overall motif. On the one hand, such a visual or substantive interaction increases the attention and recognition value of the security and, on the other hand, leads to increased security against counterfeiting, since the production of the content-related security features window and modification area represents a greater technological hurdle than the separate or unrelated production of two security features ,

The window of the data carrier may be formed by a through opening which extends from the bottom to the top of the data carrier. The window may also be formed by a transparent area of the data carrier which allows for visual inspection, such as an unprinted area of a polymer banknote. In the case of multi-layered data carriers, a window can also be formed by a combination of transparent areas in first data carrier layers and through openings in second data carrier layers, for example the paper layer, and a not completely transparent print acceptance layer of a composite banknote.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, the security element has a metal layer which is demetallized in the radiation modification region. Under demetallization is understood to mean the removal of the metal layer or its transformation into a transparent modification. The metal layer may be completely demetallized, that is, completely removed, or completely transformed into a transparent modification, or it may also be only partially demetallized to provide a still semi-transparent modification range, in particular with a light transmission between 20% and 80%. As explained in more detail below, the metal layer in the region of the opening can also be demetallized only in certain areas, so that the radiation modification region within the area of the opening produces a substructure which is perfectly matched to the opening.

In particular, the security element contains a metallized diffractive diffraction structure, a metallized blazed diffraction structure, a metallized matt structure or a color shift-effect thin-film element, which is typically formed from a metallic reflection layer, a dielectric spacer layer and an absorber layer. In addition, other security elements come with metallized structures, such as metallized micro hollow mirrors, into consideration.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, the security element has first and second subareas which interact differently with the electromagnetic radiation, with both first and second subregions partially overlying the window and partially adjacent to the window. The different interaction may be in a different strength or in a different type of interaction. For example, a different strength of the interaction in metallized security elements can lead to a demetallization of only the first subarea, or in the case of radiation-dyeable or radiation-bleachable security elements to a color change of only the first subarea or else to a strong color change of the first Subregion. In the case of a different degree of interaction, both subsections react basically in the same way, but one subsections react more strongly than the other, which weakens or even does not react at all.

By contrast, in the case of a different type of interaction, both partial regions react to the action of radiation, but in different ways. For example, a colorless area of a radiation-dyeable security element may turn red in the first subarea and blue in the second subarea. Also in this way a different visual appearance in the modification area can be achieved.

In an advantageous embodiment, the radiation modification region comprises only first, but not second partial regions, so that the second partial regions above and next to the window show the same visual appearance.

In order to achieve a different interaction strength, in a preferred embodiment of at least one of the two subregions an interference structure, preferably a relief structure in the form of a grid pattern, which is defined by a lattice constant and an orientation of the grid lines. The second subarea may not contain a relief structure or likewise a relief structure in the form of a grid pattern which is defined by a second grid constant and a second orientation of the grid lines, wherein the second grid constant and / or the second orientation of the grid lines of the second subarea of the first Lattice constant or the first orientation of the grid lines of the first sub-range is different. The grid- Pattern of the second portion may also have the same lattice constant and orientation of the grid lines as the grid pattern of the first portion, but tilted by a certain angle to the first grid pattern, for example by the grid pattern are arranged on the edges of a sawtooth.

The material removal takes place with the help of the grid pattern, which has an increased absorption. The increased light absorption can be explained physically by resonance excitation in the metal (surface plasmon polaritons or cavity resonances). For this purpose, the lattice constant is expediently selected such that it is of the order of the wavelength of the laser light used for the radiation modification. The resonant light absorption at the grating also depends very much on profile cross-section and on the grating material and on the surrounding material. The profile is therefore expediently adapted to the laser wavelength used in order to achieve a high absorption. For example, a grid with laterally different trench depth shows a laterally different absorption behavior. In an advantageous embodiment, the first subarea contains a grid pattern with the highest possible absorption and the second subarea is formed without a grid structure. The incident laser radiation then leads to demetallization of the grating area at the adjusted wavelength, angle of incidence and polarization. In particular, the second orientation of the grid lines may be substantially perpendicular to the first orientation in order to achieve a different interaction of the subareas with linearly polarized electromagnetic radiation. In a preferred embodiment, the two partial areas have a grid pattern with a grid constant of 750 to 1050 nm, preferably of about 900 nm, and with different orientation of the grid lines.

Another possibility for producing a different interaction for two subregions filled with grid patterns consists in the use of grid patterns with different grid profiles for the first and second subarea. Particular preference is given to variants of the invention in which the two subareas interact to different degrees with polarized laser radiation, since a clear difference in the strength of the interaction can be achieved in a simple manner. In a further development of the invention, it is provided that the two partial regions are formed from sub-interlaced sub-regions. The subregions may in particular consist of parallel strips, preferably with a strip width between 10 μm and 500 μm.

In a further embodiment with differently interacting partial areas, the first partial area contains a surface-increasing relief structure, preferably a surface-increasing relief structure with a crossed sinusoidal surface topography. The surface topography may for example have a height of 200 to 400 nm, preferably of about 300 nm, and in the x and y direction each have a lattice constant of 200 to 400 nm, preferably of about 300 nm.

Further details for the selective removal of only one of two or more subregions by exposure to radiation are given in document WO 2006/079489 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated into the present description to this extent. In a further possibility to produce differently interacting partial regions, the first and second partial regions are formed by elevations and depressions of an embossed structure. In particular, it will

a support having an embossing structure with elevations and depressions, which form first and second regions with different first and second height levels, wherein the second regions of the embossed structure are formed in the form of a desired pattern,

- becomes the embossed structure with the first and second areas

fully metallized, and

Radiation is applied to the metallized embossed structure to selectively remove the metallization in the second regions of the embossed structure by the action of the radiation.

The irradiation can be carried out in particular with laser radiation.

Preferably, after the metallization step, a laser-beam-absorbing and / or laser-beam-reflecting cover layer is applied to the metallized embossed structure, which fills the depressions of the embossed structure. When selecting the cover layer, it is particularly important that less laser radiation is transmitted in the area of the recesses. A laser-reflecting cover layer can therefore show the same or even better effect than a laser-beam-absorbing cover layer. After its application, the cover layer is removed from the raised areas of the metallized embossed structure, in particular scraped off or wiped off. In this case, a technically unavoidable, thin Tonungsfilm the cover layer on the raised areas of the metallized embossed structure remain. Such a cover layer advantageously contains laser-beam-absorbing or laser-beam-reflecting pigments or dyes and, in this case, may additionally be used as a color layer in order to design it as desired from the bottom side. Further details and variants of the structuring method on the basis of a metallized embossed structure with elevations and depressions are described in the application PCT / EP2009 / 00882, the disclosure of which is included in the present description to this extent.

With particular advantage, the invention can be used in micro-optical display arrangements, such as moiré micro-optical magnification arrangements, moiré-type micro-optical magnification arrangement and the more general modulo magnification arrangements, which are described in particular in the international applications

WO 2009/00528 AI and WO 2006/087138 AI are described, the disclosure of which is included in the present description in this respect. All of these micro-optical magnification arrangements contain a motif image with microstructures, which reconstructs a predetermined target image when viewed with a suitably coordinated viewing grid.

As explained in more detail in the abovementioned publications and applications, a multiplicity of visually attractive enlargement and movement effects can be generated which lead to a high recognition value and a high security against forgery of the security elements produced. For example, the grid parameters of the motif image and the viewing grid can be matched to one another in such a way that, when the presentation arrangement is tilted, an orthopedic The result is a rallatory motion effect, where the first subject moves perpendicular to the tilting direction rather than parallel to it, as one would intuitively expect. In one variant of the invention, it may be provided that the security element contains microstructures having a line width of between about 1 μm and about 10 μm, the visual appearance of which is changed in the radiation modification area. The microstructures advantageously form at least within or at least outside the radiation modification region a motif image which is divided into a plurality of cells, in each of which imaged regions of a predetermined target image are arranged. The lateral dimensions of the imaged regions are preferably between about 5 μπ \ and about 50 μπι, in particular between about 10 μιτι and about 35 μιη. Preferably, a viewing grid of a plurality of viewing grid elements for the reconstruction of the predetermined target image when viewing the motif image using the viewing grid is also provided, wherein the lateral dimensions of the viewing grid elements with advantage also between about 5 μπι and about 50 μιη, in particular between about 10 μπι and about 35 μπι lie.

The modification in the radiation modification region can consist, for example, in a selective demetallization of a metal layer, which makes the microstructures of a motif image recognizable. In another variant, the microstructures are colored, wherein the color of the microstructures is changed in the radiation modification region. In this case, in particular a first color can be converted into a second color by the action of radiation. One of the two colors can also be transparent, in particular, a first color through the Radiation effect bleached and thus made transparent or transparent areas can be colored by the action of radiation and thus made colorful. In advantageous configurations, the microstructures within and outside the radiation modification region each represent a different motif, in particular different patterns, characters or codings. The change between the different patterns, characters or codings then takes place in register with the cut edges of the window.

For this purpose, the microstructures are advantageously present in a two-layer paint system with two paint layers arranged one above the other with essentially the same refractive index. In this case, a second motif image is embossed in the lower lacquer layer and a first motif image in the upper lacquer layer arranged above the lower lacquer layer. In the radiation modification region, the upper lacquer layer is removed, so that there the second motif of the lower lacquer layer and, outside the radiation modification region, the first motif of the upper lacquer layer can be seen visually.

In a further variant of the invention, it is provided that

the security element comprises a plurality of reflective first microabstracting elements arranged flat in a viewing element pattern and transmissive second microimaging elements arranged flatly in the viewing element pattern, wherein the second microimaging elements are within and the first microimaging elements are outside the radiation modifying range,

wherein the security element further comprises a microstructure object containing a plurality of microstructures that in such a way to the

Matching element pattern adapted microstructure patterns are arranged, that the microstructure object by means of the first micro-imaging elements is shown enlarged in front of the top, and

wherein the second microimaging elements are assigned an object plane area lying outside the security element, so that the microstructures of the microstructure object can not be seen from the underside when viewed using the second microimaging elements, but another microstructure object with multiple microstructures can be positioned in the object plane area for verification , so that the further microstructure object is enlarged by means of the second microimaging elements in front of the underside. In particular, the first microimage elements are in the form of micromirrors and / or the second microimage elements are microlenses. Further details and advantages of such a combination of microlenses and hollow microspheres can be found in the German patent application DE 10 2009 022 612.5, the disclosure of which is incorporated into the present description to this extent.

The shape of the window is subject to no restrictions according to the invention. It can be used in all forms, especially in the form of a musical be formed by characters or codes. If the window is formed by a continuous opening or if the window comprises a continuous opening, it is also particularly advantageous to use screened openings as described in the German patent application DE 10 2009 011 424.6, the disclosure content of which is incorporated into the present description is recorded. If the continuous opening is formed by such a line grid from a plurality of parallel cut lines, the pass effects described above are even particularly evident due to the large number of transitions from support to opening.

In the present description, a continuous opening is usually mentioned, although, as the examples show, this opening can consist of several parts and could also be referred to as a group of several openings.

As an alternative or in addition to the window, the radiation modification region is also advantageously designed in the form of a pattern, of characters or codings. The patterns, characters or encodings of the radiation modification region and window are with particular advantage the same or related to each other, complement each other, for example, to an overall motif.

In a preferred development, it is provided that the film element is applied to the upper side of the data carrier with a laser-ablatable adhesive layer and the laser-ablatable adhesive layer is removed in the region of the window. As a result, a particularly clear visual appearance in the window can be achieved. The invention also includes a method for producing a data carrier with the method steps:

Providing a data carrier substrate having a window that extends from a lower side to an upper side of the data carrier substrate, and a film element with a security element,

Covering the window on the upper side of the data carrier substrate with the film element such that a part of the security element comes to lie above the window and a part of the security element next to the window, and

Impinging the security element from the underside of the data carrier substrate and through the window with electromagnetic radiation to modify the visual appearance of the security element in a radiation modification area above the window.

The security element is preferably applied in step c) with laser radiation, in particular with UV radiation, visible radiation or near-infrared radiation of a wavelength up to 1.5 μπι.

In step b), the film element is advantageously applied to the top of the data carrier with a laser-ablatable adhesive, and an adhesive present in the region of the window is removed in step c) by the laser application. If the window is formed by a continuous opening or if the window comprises a through opening, the through opening in step a) is preferably introduced by punching or laser cutting with a cutting laser into the data carrier substrate or into the data carrier layer containing the through opening, during laser cutting preferably with a wavelength of about 10.6 μπι.

When creating the through opening, an edge or surrounding area of the opening on the underside of the data carrier substrate or the data carrier layer can also be colored or modified in order to integrate the opening on both sides of the data carrier or a data carrier layer by register effects. Preferably, it will do so

provide the data carrier substrate or the data carrier layer with a laser-modifiable marking substance at least in the vicinity of the through opening to be produced,

the continuous opening is introduced into the data carrier substrate or the data carrier layer by the action of laser radiation, and

the laser-modifiable marking substance is modified in the vicinity of the opening by the action of laser radiation.

The marking substance can not only be modified in the edge region of the opening directly adjoining the opening, the laser-modified region can also have a certain small distance from the opening. Preferably, the laser-modifiable marking substance is modified by the cutting laser beam itself when the through-opening is produced in the data carrier substrate. It makes use of the fact that the laser energy in an outer region of the profile of the cutting laser beam is sufficient to be used simultaneously with the laser beam. cutting process to modify the arranged in the edge region or in the vicinity of the opening to be cut mark fabric. In this way, a perfect registration of openings and laser-modified edge area or near area is automatically ensured.

Alternatively or additionally, in the same operation by a laser module on the one hand with higher laser energy, the through opening can be introduced into the carrier and on the other hand be modified with lower laser energy of the laser-modifiable marker in the vicinity of the opening. Since both steps are performed in the same operation, highly accurate registration (offset less than 0.4 mm, in particular less than 0.2 mm or even less than 0.1 mm) of aperture and laser-modified near range is achieved.

Further details and advantages of such a method can be found in the publication WO 2009/003587 AI, the disclosure of which is included in the present description to this extent. The data carrier can in particular be a value document, such as a banknote, in particular a paper banknote, a polymer banknote or a film composite banknote, or an identity card, such as a credit card, bank card, cash card, authorization card, identity card or passport personalization page.

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention will be explained below with reference to the figures, the representation of which has been dispensed with scale and proportionate reproduction, to increase the clarity. The various embodiments are not limited to use in the specific form described, but can also be combined with each other. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a banknote after a

2 shows a cross section through the banknote of FIG. 1 along the line II-II, FIG.

3 in (a) to (c) the production sequence and an example of a visual and content-related interaction between opening and hologram,

Fig. 4 in (a) a cross section through an inventive

Security paper, and in (b) and (c) each a top view of the top or bottom of the security paper in the area of the hologram or the continuous

Opening,

FIG. 5 intermediate steps in the production of a security paper according to the invention, wherein (a) a plan view of the security element to be applied and (b) a view of the security paper before the security element is applied, and (c) and (d) the finished security paper in plan view and FIG show in cross section, 6 in (a) and (b) intermediate steps in the production of a further security paper according to the invention,

7 is a plan view of a security paper according to an embodiment of the invention,

8 shows a view of the underside of a security paper according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, FIG. 9 shows a micro-optical representation arrangement according to FIG

Embodiment of the invention in cross section,

10 shows a moiré magnification arrangement with micromotif elements of different color impression inside and outside the opening,

11 in (a) in cross section and in (b) in plan view of a micro-optical representation arrangement according to the invention, in which a change in the motif image shown takes place at the cut edges of the through opening, and

12, 13 show two embodiments of the invention, which are formed on the basis of a combination of microlenses and micro-cavities.

The invention will now be explained using the example of banknotes. Figures 1 and 2 show in plan view and in cross section a schematic representation of a banknote 10, the banknote paper 12 is provided with a window in the form of a through hole 14, the extends from the bottom 16 to the top 18 of the bill paper 12. On the upper side 18 of the banknote paper 12, the through opening 14 is covered with a film strip 20. While the invention is explained below using the example of continuous openings in banknotes, the invention is not limited to such designs. Rather, the window of a data carrier may also be formed by a transparent region of the data carrier that allows visual inspection, such as a see-through window of polymer banknotes. In the case of multi-layered data carriers, a window can also be formed by a combination of transparent areas in first data carrier layers and through openings in second data carrier layers, for example the paper layer, and the not completely transparent print acceptance layer of a composite banknote.

The foil strip 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 contains a security element in the form of a metallized hologram 22, which partly overlies and partially adjoins the through opening 14. Typically, the hologram 22 has a larger area than the through opening 14 and the film strip 20 is applied to the banknote paper 12 so that the hologram 22 completely covers the opening 14 and also covers an area adjacent to the opening 14, as in FIGS Figures 1 and 2 shown. The part of the hologram 22 lying above the through-opening 14 forms in the exemplary embodiment a laser modification region 24 in which the visual appearance of the hologram 22 is modified by the action of laser radiation and which according to the invention is in perfect register with the through-opening 14. This makes it possible to align a motif represented by the hologram 22, 24 without register variation on the shape or the outline of the through opening 14 and thus to establish a visual or substantive interaction between the opening 14 and the hologram motif 22, 24, as follows concrete embodiments illustrated. This increases both the attention and re-recognition value of the hologram 22, 24 and its security against forgery, since the perfect alignment of the two elements opening 14 and laser modification area 24 represents a major obstacle for a potential counterfeiter.

The manufacturing process and a first example of a visual and content-related interaction between opening and hologram will now be illustrated with reference to the plan views of FIG.

In the production of a security paper according to the invention, with reference to FIG. 3 (a), initially a film strip 30 is provided with a metallized hologram, for example a true color hologram 32, which contains, for example, a motif with a mountain chain 34 and a sky 36 shown only schematically in the FIGURE , Further, by laser cutting into the security paper 40, a multi-part continuous opening 42 is introduced, which represents as a motif a sun with concentric rays, as shown in Fig. 3 (b). Simpler shapes can also be introduced well into the security paper by punching instead of laser cutting.

The film element 30 with the hologram 32 is then applied to the upper side 47 of the security paper 40 such that the opening 42 is located in the region of the sky 36 of the hologram 32. Then that will be Film element 30 from the underside of the security paper 40 forth through the opening 42 through laser radiation, for example, the radiation of a pulsed Nd: YAG laser at 1.064 μπι applied, and thereby demetallisiert the metal layer of the hologram 32 in the lying over the opening 42 areas.

The demetallized areas of the hologram then form a laser modification area 38 in which the visual appearance of the hologram 32 is modified as shown in Fig. 3 (c). Since the aperture 42 serves as a mask in demetallizing the hologram 32, the laser modification region 38 is perfectly matched to the cut edges of the aperture 42.

The unavoidable in the application of the film member 30 on the security paper 40 register tolerances are - not visible to the viewer - received by the subject sky 36 of the hologram 32, but they do not cause tolerances between the aperture 42 and the laser modification region 38. In this way, the Laser modification region 38 and the opening 42 are matched in design without regard to tolerances. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the laser modification region 38 is matched, for example, visually and in terms of content, to the opening 42 such that both regions represent the same motif (sun with rays) without offset. In the context of the invention, of course, more complex interactions can be generated, as described in more detail below.

In a development, the surroundings of the expected laser modification area 38 can be provided with colorants or feature substances. to vary the visual impression of the laser modification region 38 as desired. For example, the surrounding area of the expected laser modification area 38 of the hologram 22 may be provided with an optically variable layer, such as a color-shifting liquid-crystal layer. After application to the security paper and demetallization in area 38, the opening 42 will then appear bright as viewed, while when the security paper 40 is placed on a dark background, the optically variable effect of the liquid crystal layer will be evident. The desired color impression of the liquid crystal layer can be adjusted, for example, by the choice of the liquid crystal material and the thickness of the optically variable layer.

FIG. 4 shows another development of the embodiment of FIG. 3, in which the through-opening 42 is integrated by register effects not only on one, but on both sides of the security paper 40. 4 (a) shows a cross section through the security paper 40 and FIGS. 4 (b) and (c) respectively show a plan view of the top side and underside of the security paper 40 in the region of the hologram or the through opening.

To provide the security paper with two-sided passport effects, the security paper 40 was provided before cutting the through hole 42 in a surrounding area 44 of the opening to be generated with a laser-modifiable marker, which by the action of radiation of a C02 laser at 10.6 μιτι its color changes, for example, from transparent to red, but which is not changed by laser radiation at 1.064 μηι or 532 nm. If the opening 42 is then cut into the security paper 40 from the lower side 46 with an Xte cutting laser, the laser beam in an edge region 48 of the opening 42 becomes the threshold energy for the transformation of the marking substance from transparent to red due to the Gaussian beam profile The opening 42 is thus generated on the underside 46 of the security paper 40 thus with a circumferential red edge 48.

In order to complete the design 50 of the underside 46, the security paper 40 can optionally be additionally exposed to C02 laser radiation of lesser laser energy, in which only the threshold for the color conversion, but not required for cutting energy threshold is exceeded, so that on the Bottom 46 additional colored areas 52 arise. Since the cutting of the opening 42, the coloring of the edge areas 48 and the coloring of the non-cut areas 52 with the same cutting laser beam in the same step or in the same operation, the colored areas 48, 52 and the opening 42 are in perfect register to each other, as shown in Fig. 4 (c). Further details on the laser-modifiable marking substances which can be used for this development and on further variants of the coloring of the peripheral or surrounding area of the through-opening can be found in document WO 2009/003587 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated into the present description.

After applying the sheet member 30 of Fig. 3 (a) to the security paper 40 of Fig. 4 (a) and demetallizing the hologram in the laser modification portion 38, the visual appearance shown in Fig. 4 (b) is formed on the upper surface of the security paper 40 - Image corresponding to the appearance of Fig. 3 (c). The design 50 of the underside 46 is not changed in the demetallization, since the marking substance of the regions 44 does not react to the radiation of the Nd: Y AG laser used for demetallization, or the energy, more precisely the irradiation (energy per surface) a reaction is not enough. The latter applies in particular when a heat-reactive dye is used.

Overall, the finished security paper from above or from below respectively in Fig. 4 (b) and 4 (c) shown visual appearance, the opening 42 on both sides by pass effects in an overall picture (landscape with sun or wheel with Spokes) is involved. The radiation modification region of the security element can, as in the embodiments described so far, cover the entire area of the through opening. However, the radiation modification region may also be present only in a part of the area of the through opening and thus form a substructure within the area of the through opening. In order to produce such a radiation modification region with a substructure which has been perfectly adapted for opening, the following procedure can be used, for example: In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, initially a film element 60 is provided with a security element 62 which has first and second subregions 64 and 66, respectively which interact with the electromagnetic radiation used for the modification to different degrees. For this purpose, the partial regions 64, 66 can be metallized, for example Be filled grid patterns whose grid lines are arranged rotated by 90 ° to each other, as indicated in Fig. 5 (a) by the different hatching of the portions 64, 66. The shape of the partial regions 64, 66 forms a desired motif, for example the letter sequence "PL" shown in FIG. 5 (a).

The film element 60 is then applied to a security paper 70 having a through opening 72 (Fig. 5 (b)), and from the underside of the security paper 70 through the through opening 72 with linearly polarized laser radiation of a Nd: Y AG laser applied ,

With a suitable alignment of the plane of polarization of the laser radiation, it is absorbed much more strongly by the partial regions 64 than by the partial regions 66, so that the energy or power of the laser radiation is sufficient for demetallization of the partial regions 64, while it does not cause demetallization in the weaker absorbing partial regions 66. In this way, only the partial regions 64 are selectively demetallized in the region of the opening 72.

Since the through hole 72 serves as a mask for demetallization in regions, the laser modification region 74 of the security element 62 formed by the demetallized regions is perfectly matched to the cut edges of the opening 72. The laser radiation non-demetallized regions 66 continue without any offset from outside the opening 72 into the region of the opening 72, as shown in the plan view of Fig. 5 (c) and in the cross section of Fig. 5 (d). In advantageous embodiments, the different interaction of the partial regions 64, 66 can be achieved by laterally differently pronounced gratings, one partial region having a high absorption, and another region which is not to be demetallised having a low absorption. This corresponds to the design shown in Fig. 5. A particularly high absorption contrast between these subareas is achieved when surface plasmon polaritons (SPs) are excited in one grating subregion and the other subregion does not allow such resonance excitation. The beam source used is preferably linearly polarized laser radiation of a predefined wavelength at a certain angle of incidence. SPs can result in total absorption of incident TM-polarized light (E vector is perpendicular to the grid lines). For highly conductive metallic lattices, on the other hand, the TE polarized light (E vector parallel to the lattice lines) is hardly absorbed. As a result, absorption contrasts can be achieved by gratings with sub-regions of greater than 10 differently oriented by 90 °, and even> 100 in the infrared region. For the metallization are particularly well the precious metals Au, Ag, Pt, but also Al, Cr and Ni.

For example, shows a rectangular reflection grating with a period of 1 μιη and a trench width of 0.6 pm with incident radiation of a wavelength of 1064 nm, an angle of incidence of 1 ° and TM polarization as a function of the trench depth for the metals Au, Al, Ag and Cu pronounced absorption maxima, for example, reach a maximum absorption of 100% for Ag and Cu at a trench depth of about 110 nm. Since the position of the SPs in the wavelength spectrum depends not only on the grating period but also on the grating profile and on the optical constants, an absorption difference can also be achieved in subregions in which these parameters of the grating vary. Further, it is possible to achieve a high absorption of TE polarized light and a lower absorption of TM polarized light by a corresponding design of a grating profile. This absorption of the TE polarized light is based on a resonance effect, which is particularly pronounced in deep grating structures (trench depth> period / 2).

The different interaction of the partial regions 64, 66 can also be achieved in other ways, for example by different, surface-enlarging relief structures. The selectivity is based in this case on the fact that the vapor deposition of a metal layer on different coarse relief structures results in an even thinner metal layer, the coarser the relief is formed. In addition, incident laser radiation is generally more often reflected with a coarser structuring and therefore gives off more energy to the metallization, so that overall coarser relief structures can already be demetallized with lower laser energy. Decisive is the aspect ratio. The larger the aspect ratio, the better demetallised.

The partial regions 64, 66 can therefore also be formed with a coarse relief structure (partial region 64) and a fine relief structure (partial region 66) in order to allow selective demetallization of only the partial regions 64. Further details for the selective removal of only one of two or more subregions are given in document WO 2006/079489 AI described, the disclosure of which is included in the present description in this regard.

Another possibility for producing subregions with different interaction strengths in the security element is based on the use of a metallized embossed structure with deliberately introduced elevations and depressions. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment in which a film element 90 is applied to a security paper 80 having a through opening 82 by means of a hot-seal adhesive 84. The film element 90 contains a carrier film 92 which is provided on one side with a UV-curing embossing lacquer layer 94.

In the embossing layer 94, an embossed structure with elevations 96 and depressions 98 is embossed. The terms elevation and depression refer to the surface of the carrier film 92 so that the elements pointing downwards in FIG. 6 (a) represent elevations, since they rise above the depressions 98 as viewed from the surface of the carrier film 92 , In the exemplary embodiment, the elevations 96 additionally have a microrelief structure in the form of a desired hologram. The entire embossing structure with elevations 96 and depressions 98 is provided with a metal layer 100, for example made of aluminum, which also forms a hologram metallization for the microrelief structure of the elevations 96.

The metallized embossed structure is further coated over the entire surface with a laser-beam-absorbing and / or laser-beam-reflecting lacquer 102 which fills the depressions 98 of the embossed structure. In the paint 102 may be a high-temperature UV varnish in which an infrared absorber having a near infrared absorption maximum is dispersed. After application, the applied lacquer is doctored off, rolled or wiped off the surface of the embossed structure, as a rule a technically unavoidable, thin toning film remains on the elevations 96 of the embossed structure. Overall, this results in a metallized embossing structure with a lacquer coating 102 which completely fills the cavities 98 of the embossed structure and which is present on the elevations 96 in a thin toning film, as shown in FIG. 6 (a).

After being applied to the security paper 80, the film member 90 is exposed to laser radiation from the underside of the security paper 80 through the through opening 82, for example the radiation of an Nd: Y AG laser, as indicated by the arrows 86 in Fig. 6 (a). indicated.

By the action of the laser radiation 86 on the lacquer-coated metallization 100, the raised areas 96 are demetallized while the metallization in the recessed areas 98 is maintained. By virtue of the laser-absorbing and / or laser-beam-reflecting additive in the paint 102, not enough laser power in the depressions 98 reaches the metallization 100 in order to trigger a demetallization there. On the other hand, the metallization of the elevations 96 covered only by the thin toning film receives a high energy input and is demetallised. The thin toning film may even promote demetalization since its absorption is often greater than the absorption of the metal layer itself. Overall, the laser beam irradiates the security document 110 shown in FIG. 6 (b), in which the demetallized projections 96 in the area above the opening 82 present a modified visual appearance laser modification region 112 perfectly matched to the cut edges of the opening 82. The area formed by the recesses 98 continues from outside the opening without any offset into the area of the opening 82. The appearance of the security document 110 thus corresponds in principle to the representation of FIG. 5 (c). For example, depressions 98 may form the letter sequence "PL" and thus correspond to subregion 66 of FIG. 5 (c), while in the microstructure of protrusions 96 a background hologram may be coded which corresponds to subregion 64 of FIG. 5 (c ) corresponds. Further details and variants of the structuring method on the basis of a metallized embossed structure with elevations and depressions are described in the application PCT / EP2009 / 00882, the disclosure of which is included in the present description to this extent.

The designs of FIGS. 5 and 6 permit numerous variants and modifications which result from the design possibilities described in the cited documents WO 2006/079489 A1 and PCT / EP2009 / 00882. For example, unlike in FIG. 6, the non-demetallized depressions may also have microrelief structures or only the depressions, but not the elevations, may be provided with microrelief structures. The structures in the embossing lacquer are generally also recognizable without metallization. However, if the paint 102 of FIG. 6 has a similar refractive index as the embossing lacquer 94, the structures can not be formed recognizable.

In other variants, no structures in the metal area are provided. For example, in the document

The structures described in WO 2006/079489 (FIG. 5) are selected such that they are difficult to see with the eye, or the elevations and depressions used for demetallization (FIG. 6) are not provided with further structures. In both cases, the demetallization results in a visual appearance, as shown in the security element 120 of Fig. 7, in which the differently-changing portions 122, 124 outside the through-hole 126 provide the same appearance to the naked eye. The partial regions 122, 124 can be visually distinguished only within the opening 126, where the first partial regions 122 are modified by the laser radiation and form a radiation modification region 128 with a changed visual appearance. By way of illustration, in FIG. 7, in a region 125 outside the opening, some of the subregions 122, 124, which are not distinguishable there with the naked eye, are indicated by dashed lines.

In the designs according to FIG. 6, it is also possible to use a printing ink as a layer which absorbs the laser radiation and prevents demetallization. As shown in the bottom view of a security paper according to the invention of FIG. 8, a colored pattern 130 in the form of the radiation modification region 112 can be seen on the underside, which is in exact registration for demetallization and through opening 82. For the layer structure in this case come into question designs in which the metallization on the film and this is above the ink, or where the metallization between film and ink is, or designs in which the metallization on the ink and this is above the film. The visual appearance corresponds in all three design to that of FIG. 8.

If the laser-absorbing lacquer of FIG. 6 is selected in color and a structure is introduced into the lacquer, a two-color negative motif adapted to a hologram or matt structure can be introduced.

If the variant is chosen in which the lacquer protects the metallization from the laser radiation, then a visual impression is produced when viewed from the upper side as in FIG. 5 (c) and when viewed from the underside a visual impression as in FIG. 8.

Alternatively, it is also possible to choose a variant in which the demetallization is supported by the paint 102, as described in more detail in the application PCT / EP2009 / 00882. The paint used is preferably applied rather thinly, so that it is easy to set a transparent appearance. With a nontransparent varnish, the see through effect of the through opening would be lost. The features described in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6 can also be combined with each other. An additional design element can then appear and / or disappear from the surrounding area in the through opening.

The designs according to the invention can be used with particular advantage in a micro-optical representation arrangement which is particularly suitable as a Moir6 magnification arrangement, as a micro-optical representation. Moiretyping arrangement or may be designed as modulo magnification arrangement. The basic principle of such representational arrangements is explained in the document WO 2009/000528 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated into the present description.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, a film element 140 is applied to a security paper 160 having a through opening 162 by means of a heat seal adhesive 164. The film element 140 contains a carrier film 142, which is provided on its upper side with a grid-like arrangement of microlenses 144 which form a two-dimensional grid with a preselected symmetry on the surface of the carrier film. The spherically or aspherically configured microlenses 144 preferably have a diameter between 5 μm and 50 μm, in particular a diameter between only 10 μm and 35 μm.

On the underside of the carrier foil 142, a motif layer 146 is arranged which contains a motif image with micromotif elements 148 divided into a plurality of cells. The arrangement of the grid cells also forms a two-dimensional grid with a preselected one

Symmetry. The grating period and the diameter of the grid cells of the motif image are of the same order of magnitude as those of microlenses 144, ie preferably in the range of 5 μm to 50 μm, and in particular in the range of 10 μm to 35 μm, so that micromotif elements 148, like microlenses 144 , even with the naked eye are not recognizable.

In the case of a moire magnification arrangement, the grid of the grid cells differs in its symmetry and / or in the size of its Grid parameter slightly from the grating of the microlenses 144, wherein depending on the nature and size of the offset when viewing the motif image, a moire-magnified image of the micromotif elements 148 is formed. A generalization is modulo magnification arrangements in which the motif image does not have to be composed of a grid of periodically repeated individual motifs. For the operating principle of the modulo magnification arrangements and further details, reference is made to the above-mentioned publication WO 2009/000528 AI. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9, the motif layer 146 contains an embossing lacquer layer 150 with elevations 152 and depressions 154, which were initially coated over the entire area with a metal layer 156, as already described in principle in connection with FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the micromotif elements 148 are formed straight through the depressions 154 of the embossing lacquer layer 150.

As in FIG. 6, the metallized embossing structure 150, 156 has been coated with a laser-beam-absorbing lacquer 158 which fills the depressions 154 and forms a thin toning film on the elevations 152. The film element 140 was then applied to the security paper 160 and then acted upon by the continuous opening 162 through from the underside with laser radiation. As a result, the projections 152 in the area above the opening 162 were precisely demetallized, while the metal layer 156 was retained in the recesses 154. Outside of the opening 162, the metal layer is completely present unchanged on both the elevations 152 and in the recesses 154. In the finished security paper, the moire-enlarged micromotif elements 148 (depressions 154) are then only visible within the opening 162 against the background of the demetallized elevations 152, while they are outside the opening 162 due to the lack of contrast between metallized depressions 154 and metallized elevations 152 are not visible.

Overall, this results in the embodiment of FIG. 9 thus a visual appearance as shown in Fig. 7, although the stars 124 as Moire-enlarged micromotifs 148 according to the selected magnifier effect when tilting the security paper migrate, for example, orthoparallaktisch the tilt direction. Since the opening 162 served as a mask for demetallization of the bumps 152, the change of appearance from the stars 124 to the uniform appearing metal layer occurs independently of the tilt of the security paper, respectively, at the cut edge of the opening 162.

If the embossing lacquer layer 150 is additionally provided, for example, with microrelief structures on the elevations, an appearance corresponding to FIG. 5 (c) can also be produced with a magnifier effect. The letters "PL" then move through the magnifier effect, the demetallization appears exactly at the border of the through opening. Within the opening 162, the Moir6-enlarged micromotif elements (depressions) are then recognizable against the background of the demetallized elevations, outside the opening 162 they can be seen against the background of the microrelief structures of the elevations, which form, for example, a background hologram. If the laser-absorbing lacquer of FIG. 9 is selected in color, the designs already described in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6 can also be realized in micro-optical display arrangements. If the back side of the carrier foil is laminated with lenses, the backsides can also be implemented with a micro-optical magnifier effect.

The demetallized regions can also be arranged so as to overlap microstructures so that a negative pattern is formed in the region of the through opening, which is formed by patterned demetallized regions within the metallization. The patterned demetallized areas may be designed, for example, in the form of geometric patterns or in the form of an alphanumeric string.

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of a moiré magnification assembly 170, which is constructed in part like the micro-optical magnification assembly of Fig. 9, with corresponding elements provided with like reference numerals. When viewing the moiré magnification arrangement 170 of FIG. 10, Moir6-enlarged micromotif elements 174, 176 can be seen inside as well as outside the opening 162, but their color impression differs from each other. In this design, the motif image of the magnification arrangement consists of a colored motif layer 172 with micromotif elements 174, wherein the color of the motif layer 172 can be changed by the action of the laser radiation. For this purpose, the motif layer 172 may contain, for example, laser-modifiable pigments, which different properties, in particular with respect to their body color, the color change under laser action, the threshold energy and the required laser wavelength are available. After the application of the film element with the motif layer 172 on the security paper 160, the micromotif elements 174 all initially have the same starting color. By laser application from the underside of the security paper 160 through the opening 162, a color change is then induced in register in the motif layer 172 in register in the region of the opening 162, so that the micromotif elements 176 located there change their color. Considering magnification assembly 170, therefore, a combination of moire-enlarged micromotif elements 174 of a first color outside the aperture and moire-magnified micromotif elements 176 of a second color within the aperture are exhibited.

In addition to a conversion of a first color into a second color, the color change can also consist in a conversion of a transparent motif layer into a colored motif layer or in a bleaching of a colored motif layer. In the second case, a color magnifier effect visible only in the aperture perfectly matched to the aperture, in the latter case a magnifier effect, which is visible only outside the aperture, terminates precisely at the cut edges of the aperture.

For the coloration or bleaching of a lacquer, the use of laser radiation is not necessarily necessary, but a color change can also be induced by UV or IR radiation. So that the varnish in these variants is not already bleached by daylight, the carrier film 142 and / or the lacquer of the microlenses 144 preferably equipped with corresponding UV or IR absorbers. FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the micro-optic display assembly 180 fits exactly to the

Cut edges of the through opening 162 of the security paper 160 shows a change of the illustrated motif image.

Outside the through opening 162, a first motif image is visible, which consists of first moire-magnified micromotif elements 182 in the form of the number sequence "50", as shown in the plan view of FIG. 11 (b). The first micromotif elements 182 thus take up the information of the through opening 162, which is likewise embodied in the form of the number sequence "50".

Within the through opening 162, a second motif image is visible, which consists of second moire-enlarged micromotif elements 184 in the form of the euro symbol "€". The first and second micromotif elements 182, 184 or the opening 162 and the second micromotives 184 thus complement each other to the denomination of the bill "€ 50". The change between the first and the second motif image takes place exactly at the cut edge of the through opening 162. In order to produce the perfect registration of the image change, a film element 190 is used, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), in which a two-layer paint system with two coating layers 192, 194 of the same refractive index arranged one above the other is arranged on the underside of a carrier film 196. The first micromotif elements 182 are thereby as embossed structures in, seen from the carrier film 196, upper lacquer layer 192 in front, the second micromotif elements 184 as embossed structures in the, from the support film 196 seen from lower lacquer layer 194. The opposite side of the support film 196 is with a on the Raster of the micromotif elements 182, 184 coordinated grid of microlenses 144 provided, as already described above.

In the area of the opening 162, the upper lacquer layer 192 of the lacquer system has now been removed in a register-accurate manner by laser application of the foil element 190 from the underside of the security paper 160 and through the opening 162. Therefore, when viewing the surroundings of the opening 162 through the microlenses 144, only the second micromotif elements 184 present in the lower lacquer layer 194 can be seen inside the opening in the form of the symbol "€" (FIG. 11 (b)).

Outside the opening 162, the two paint layers 192, 194 are directly above one another. Because they have the same refractive index, the light passing through is not affected by the embossed structures 184 at the interface of the resist layers 192, 194, so that the second micromotif elements 184 outside the opening 162 are not recognizable. Instead, only the first micromotif elements 182 in the form of the numerical sequence "50" appear there, which are recognizable on account of the refractive index difference at the interface between the upper lacquer layer 192 and the adjacent layer 198, for example a heat seal lacquer layer. If the layer 198 is colored, then the first micromotif elements 182 appear colored outside the opening 162 and the second micromotif elements 184 within the opening 162 appear transparent. The upper lacquer layer 192 is thereby made thin to ensure that both the first 182 and the second micromotif elements 184 lie substantially in the focal plane of the microlenses 144 and appear sharp when viewed.

The first micromotif elements 182 and the second micromotif elements 184 are congruently shown in FIG. 11 (a) for the sake of simplicity of illustration, but in practice are generally not directly superimposed.

In further exemplary embodiments of the invention, the security element arranged on the film element is formed on the basis of a combination of microlenses and hollow micro-mirrors in order to form a micro-optical representation arrangement, which can be viewed from both above and below.

With reference to the schematic sectional view of FIG. 12, such a security element 201 applied, for example, to a banknote comprises a carrier 203 which has microstructures 205 embossed on its upper side 204 and sections, on its lower side 207, a plurality of micromirrors 208 and a plurality of microlenses 209. The microrough mirror 208 and the microlenses 209 are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 12 in a grid with a fixed geometry, for example in a hexagonal grid, and thus flat in a viewing element pattern.

The carrier 203 comprises a PET film 210, on which a first layer 211 of radiation-curing lacquer is applied, which has the microstructures 205. On the underside of the PET film 210 is a Z formed wide layer 212 of radiation-curing paint in which the negative shape of the micro-cavity 208 and the shape of the microlenses 209 is embossed. The microstructures 205, which form a microstructure object or micromotiv M1, are likewise arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 12 in a grid with a fixed geometry, in this case for example likewise a hexagonal grid, and thus flat in a microstructure pattern. wherein the microstructure pattern is adapted to the viewing element pattern and both patterns are aligned such that upon viewing the security element 201 from the top (arrow PI direction) the microstructures 205 together with the micro-cavities 208 form a modulo magnification device or moiré - Form magnification, as described in more detail in the above-mentioned references WO 2009/000528 AI and WO 2006/087138 AI. The present Mikrostrukrurobjekt Ml corresponds to the motif image according to the teaching of WO 2009/000528 AI. When viewing the top side (in the direction of the arrow PI), the observer can see the microstructured object M1 enlarged as a security feature (target image in the meaning of WO 2009/000528 A1).

In order to produce the micro-hollow mirrors 208, the side of the second layer 212 facing away from the PET film 210 is provided in the region A with a mirror 213, in particular a metallization, so that the micro-rooftops 208 are formed as rear-surface mirrors. In the exemplary embodiment, the inner side of the reflective coating 213 of each hollow micromirror 208 or the embossed shape for the micromirrors 208 has the shape of a spherical cap with a radius of curvature of 38 μm and a height of approximately 3 μm. The layer thicknesses of the second layer 212, the PET film 210 and the first layer 211 are selected so that the microstructures 205 are just 19 μηι spaced from the hollow micro-mirrors 208 and thus lie in the plane of the focal points of the micro-hollow mirror 208, so that the desired magnification mapping of Microstructures 205 is effected to produce a security feature.

In a region B of the security element 201, the metal layer 213 is removed by demetallization, so that the embossed forms do not form micromill mirrors there but microlenses 209. The radius of curvature of the convex side 214 of the microlenses 209 is the same as in the micro-hollow mirrors 208 and thus in the exemplary embodiment is 38 μπ \, resulting in a focal length of the microlenses 209 of about 115 μπ \. The plane E of the foci of the microlenses 209 thus lies outside the security element 201, so that the microstructures 205 in the region B can not be seen when viewed from the underside 207 of the security element 201 (direction of arrow P2).

The microlenses 209 are not used for imaging the microstructures 205, but rather for verifying another banknote or for the self-identification of the banknote of the security element 201. For self-authentication, a further microstructure object, not shown in the FIGURE, serves for the banknote at one of the security element 201 laterally spaced location, positioned by bending, bending or folding of the banknote in front of the upper side 204 of the carrier 203 of the security element 201 in the plane E, so that the further microstructure object by means of the microlenses 209 viewed magnified on the bottom 207 becomes. For verification of another banknote, the further microstructure image of another banknote is arranged in front of the upper side 204 of the security element 201 in the plane E in order to effect an enlarged image by means of the microlenses 209 through the underside 207, so that a verification of the other banknote can be carried out.

According to the invention, after applying the security element 201, the demetallization of the metal layer 213 onto a security paper with a continuous opening and radiation exposure of the metal layer 213 from the underside 207 of the security element 201 through the through opening of the security paper, as already detailed above. In this way, it is ensured that the transition from micromirrors 208 to microlenses 209 (boundary of the regions A and B in FIG. 12) takes place in register with the cut edge of the through-opening.

The micro-hollow mirrors 208 and the microlenses 209 may also be formed in different planes, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The structure of the layers 210 to 212 corresponds to the structure of FIG. 12, wherein in FIG. 13, the mirrored sides of the micro-hollow mirrors 208 provided with a continuous metallization 213 are indicated by solid lines (region A). In the region B, the metallization 213 is partially removed by exposure to radiation, so that semitransparent micro-hollow mirrors 208 'are formed there, which are shown in dashed lines in FIG. In this case, the metallization is superimposed in particular with a substructure, for example a dot or line grid, and corresponding to the substructure in subregions. chen completely, so that a total of semi-transparent metallization arises.

A second PET film 222 with a UV varnish layer 223 formed thereon is glued onto the layer 212 by means of a laminating adhesive 221, the convex sides 214 of the microlenses 209 being embossed in the UV varnish layer 223. The convex sides 214 have the shape of a spherical cap with a radius of curvature of 18 μπ \. Due to the radius of curvature of the convex sides 214 of the microlenses 209 of 18 μιτι, the microlenses 209 have a focal length of 54 μπι, which corresponds to the selected layer thicknesses just the distance between the apex of the convex sides 214 and the microstructures 205. In this exemplary embodiment, too, the demetallization of the metal layer 213 takes place after the security element 201 has been applied to a security paper with a continuous opening and radiation exposure of the metal layer 213 from the underside 207 of the security element 201 through the through opening of the security paper and the second PET film 222 through. As a result, a transition perfectly matched to the cut edges of the through opening is generated from the fully metallized micromirrors 208 to the semitransparent hollow micro mirrors 208 '(boundary of the regions A and B in FIG. 13).

Outside the opening (area A), the microstructures 205 can then be seen by the viewer from above (viewing direction PI) through the reflecting, fully metallized micromirrors 208. Within the opening (area B), the microstructures 205 are both from above as well as from below, namely once (viewing direction PI) via reflection on the semitransparent micro-cavity 208 'and once (viewing direction P2) through the microlenses 209 and the semi-transparent micro-cavities 208'.

Further details and advantages of the combination of microlenses and hollow micromirrors can be found in the German patent application

DE 10 2009 022 612.5 are taken, the disclosure of which is included in the present description in this respect.

If the film element is applied to the security paper by means of a heat-seal adhesive or another adhesive, then the heat-seal adhesive 84 may protrude slightly into the region of the opening 82, as illustrated for example in FIG. This can lead to a somewhat dull appearance in the edge area of the through opening. The adhesive can therefore be laserablateable in all embodiments, so that it can be applied over the entire surface and removed in the region of the opening 82 during the modification by the laser. The adhesive layer is then also perfectly matched to the cut edges of the opening, as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 11 (a) for the heat seal adhesive layer 198. For this purpose, the adhesive is preferably provided with corresponding absorbers for the laser radiation. Instead of a simple metallization, as has been described and shown in the exemplary embodiments for illustration, multilayer coating systems can also be used. With appropriate choice of the laser parameters, individual layers in the region of the opening can be removed from such layer systems. For example, at a thin-film element with color shift effect, which typically consists of a reflection layer, a dielectric spacer layer and an absorber layer, only the reflection layer or just the absorber layer are removed by laser application.

Of course, the described modifications can be used not only in security papers, but also in other data carriers with through openings, for example in polymer notes or laminated film banknotes. If only one film is to be processed by the laser, the second film must be transparent to the laser or the second film is not yet applied in the laser processing step.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 banknote

12 banknote paper

14 through opening

16 bottom

18 top

20 foil strips

22 hologram

24 laser modification area

30 foil strips

32 true color hologram

34 mountain range

36 heaven

38 laser modification area

40 security paper

42 through opening

44 environment area

46 bottom

47 top

48 edge area

50 design

52 colored areas

60 foil element

62 security element

64, 66 subregions

70 security paper

72 through opening

74 laser modification area 80 security paper

82 through opening

90 foil element

92 carrier film

94 Embossing layer

96 surveys

98 wells

100 metal layer

102 1 Aserstrahlabsorbierender paint

110 security document

112 laser modification area

120 security element

122,124 subareas

125 area outside the opening

126 through opening

128 radiation modification range

130 colored pattern

140 film element

142 carrier film

144 microlenses

146 motif layer

148 micromotif elements

150 pre-glaze layer

152 surveys

154 wells

156 metal layer

158 laser-beam-absorbing paint

160 security paper

162 through opening 162 linear polarizing layer

164 Heat Seal Adhesive

170 Moir6 magnification arrangement

172 motif layer

174, 176 micromotif elements

180 micro-optical representation arrangement

182, 184 micromotif elements

190 foil element

192, 194 layers of paint

196 carrier film

198 adjacent layer

201 security element

203 carriers

204 top

205 microstructures

207 bottom

208 microvoid

208 'semitransparent microvoided mirrors

209 microlenses

210 PET film

211 radiation-curing paint

212 radiation-curing paint

213 metal layer

214 convex side of the microlenses

221 laminating adhesive

222 PET film

223 UV varnish layer

Claims

Patent claims

1. A data carrier, in particular value or security document, with a window which extends from a bottom to an upper side of the data carrier, a film element with a security element which covers the window on the top of the data carrier, wherein a part of the

Security element is located above the window and a part of the security element next to the window, characterized in that the overlying the window part of the security element has a radiation modification area, which is in the register to the window and in which the visual appearance of the security element by the action of electromagnetic radiation is modified.

2. Data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the security element has a metal layer which is demetallized in the radiation modification region.

3. A data carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that the security element contains a metallized diffractive diffraction structure, a metallized blazed diffraction structure, a metallized matt structure or a thin-film element with a color shift effect.

4. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the security element has first and second subregions which interact differently with the electromagnetic radiation, wherein both first and second Teilberei- che partly over the window and partially adjacent to the window lie.

5. A data carrier according to claim 4, characterized in that the radiation modification region comprises only first, but not second partial regions, so that the second partial regions above and next to the window show the same visual appearance.

6. A data carrier according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at least one of the two subregions has an interference structure, preferably a relief structure in the form of a grid pattern, which is defined by a lattice constant and an orientation of the grid lines.

7. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the two subregions has a oberflächenvergrößernde relief structure.

8. A data carrier according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that

the first and second subregions are formed by elevations and depressions of an embossed structure.

9. A data carrier according to claim 8, characterized in that the recesses are filled with a radiation-reflecting and / or radiation-absorbing cover layer.

10. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the security element contains microstructures with a line width between about 1 μπι and about 10 μπι whose visual appearance in the radiation modification area is changed.

11. A data carrier according to claim 10, characterized in that the microstructures form a motif image at least in the radiation modification region, which is divided into a plurality of cells, in each of which imaged regions of a predetermined target image are arranged, wherein the lateral dimensions of the imaged regions preferably between about 5 μιη and about 50 μπι, in particular between about 10 μιη and about 35 μηι lie.

12. A data carrier according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a viewing grid of a plurality of viewing grid elements for the reconstruction of the predetermined target image when viewing the motif image using the viewing grid is provided, wherein the lateral dimensions of the viewing grid elements preferably between about 5 μιη and about 50 μπ \, in particular between about 10 μιη and about 35 μιη lie.

13. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the color of the microstructures in the radiation modi ication range is changed.

14. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the microstructures inside and outside of the radiation modification region each have a different Motive, in particular different patterns, characters or encodings represent.

15. A data carrier according to claim 10, characterized in that the microstructures are present in a two-layer lacquer system with two lacquer layers arranged one above the other with essentially the same refractive index, wherein a second motif image in the lower lacquer layer and a first motif image in the The upper lacquer layer arranged above the lower lacquer layer is embossed, and wherein the upper lacquer layer is removed in the radiation modification region, so that within the radiation modification region the second motif of the lower lacquer layer and outside of the radiation modification region the first motif of the upper lacquer layer is visually recognizable.

16. A data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the security element comprises a plurality of reflective first microimage elements arranged flat in a viewing element pattern and transmissive second microimage elements arranged flat in the viewing element pattern, wherein the the first microimage elements within and the second microimage elements lie outside of the radiation modification region, wherein the security element further comprises a microstructure object which contains a plurality of microstructures which are connected to one another in such a way Matching element pattern adapted microstructure patterns are arranged such that the microstructure object by means of the first microimaging elements in front of the upper side is enlarged, and wherein the second microimage elements associated with a lying outside the security element object plane area, so that the microstructures of the microstructure object when viewed by means of the second microimage elements of the Underside can not be seen, however, a further microstructure object with multiple microstructures for verification in the object plane area can be positioned, so that the further microstructure object by means of the second microimaging elements in front of the underside is displayed enlarged.

17. A data carrier according to claim 16, characterized in that the first microimage elements are designed as micro-concave mirror and / or the second micro-imaging elements as microlenses.

18. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the window is designed in the form of a pattern of characters or codes.

19. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, character- ized in that the window is formed by a through opening which extends from the bottom to the top of the data carrier.

20. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the window is formed by a transparent region of the data carrier, which extends from the bottom to the top of the data carrier.

21. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the data carrier is multi-layered and the window comprises a continuous opening in at least one data carrier layer.

22. A data carrier according to claim 19 or 21, characterized in that the through-opening is formed by a line grid of a plurality of parallel cut lines.

23. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the radiation modification region is in the form of a pattern, of characters or codings.

24. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the film element is applied with a laserablatierba- ren adhesive layer on top of the data carrier and the laserablatierbare adhesive layer is removed in the region of the window.

25. A method of producing a data carrier comprising the steps of: a) providing a data carrier substrate having a window which extends from a lower side to an upper side of the data carrier strats, and a film element with a security element,

Applying electromagnetic radiation to the security element from the underside of the data carrier substrate and through the window to modify the visual appearance of the security element in a radiation modification area above the window.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the security element in step c) with laser radiation, in particular with UV radiation, visible radiation or near-infrared radiation of a wavelength up to 1.5 μπι is applied.

27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the film element is applied in step b) with a laserablatierbaren adhesive on top of the data carrier, and in the region of the window existing laserablatierbarer adhesive in step c) is removed.

28. The method according to at least one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the window is formed by a through opening, or in that the data carrier is multi-layered and the window has a through opening in at least one data carrier layer. holds, and that the through opening in step a) is introduced by punching or by laser cutting with a cutting laser in the data carrier substrate or the continuous opening containing data carrier layer, preferably at a wavelength of about 10.6 μιη.

Method according to claim 28, characterized in that the data carrier substrate or the data carrier layer is provided with a laser-modifiable marking material at least in the vicinity of the through opening to be produced, the continuous opening is introduced into the data carrier layer or the data carrier layer by the action of laser radiation, and the laser-modifiable marking substance in Close range of the opening is modified by the action of laser radiation.