EP3800061A1 - Security element with an optical effect layer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a security element (1) with increased protection against forgery, which has at least a first area (2) with structures (4). The structures (4) reflect an image motif (5) in different spatial areas, so that a movement image is created for the viewer when a light source (6) moves accordingly and / or when an angle of observation is changed. When the light source (6) moves and / or the viewing angle changes, the image motif (5) moves at the same time. Furthermore, an optical effect layer (7) is provided which defines a second area (3). The structures (4) are completely or partially covered by the optical effect layer (7).

Description

The invention relates to a security element, in particular for securities, security paper or security objects such as bank notes, ID cards, credit cards, ATM cards, tickets.

Security elements of the type mentioned above are usually used to increase the security against forgery of securities or security papers, such as bank notes, ID cards, credit cards, ATM cards, tickets, etc.

The object of the present invention is to create a security element with increased security against forgery.

• dass eine optische Effektschicht vorgesehen ist, welche optische Effektschicht einen zweiten Bereich definiert und
• dass die Strukturen vollflächig oder partiell von der optischen Effektschicht abgedeckt sind.

This object is achieved by a security element of the type mentioned according to the invention in that the security element has at least a first area with structures, and the structures reflect an image motif into different spatial areas, so that for the viewer when a light source is moved accordingly and / or when one changes Observation angle creates a movement image, with movement of the light source and / or change in the observation angle at the same time a movement of the image motif occurs, and is further provided

• that an optical effect layer is provided, which optical effect layer defines a second area and
• that the structures are completely or partially covered by the optical effect layer.

The advantage achieved in this way is that such an overlapping position of the first area to form the image motif designed as a moving image and of the second area to form at least one optical appearance or one optical effect creates a great variety of combinations and designs. This increases the security against forgery of the security element designed in this way even further. In this way, the movement image formed by the structures is combined directly with the optical effect generated or caused by the optical effect layer to form an overall image. One viewer of the security element can thus quickly and reliably determine its authenticity through a purely visual inspection without the aid of aids.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the optical effect layer contains color-shifting pigments, in particular interference pigments, pigments with a color-shifting thin-layer structure or liquid crystal pigments.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the color-shifting pigments comprise at least one absorber layer, at least one spacer layer made of a dielectric material and at least one reflective layer, the spacer layer being arranged between the reflective layer and the absorber layer.

Furthermore, the optical effect layer can have at least one liquid crystal layer, in particular a cholesteric liquid crystal layer.

The optical effect layer preferably has at least one layer that enhances the color effect on a side facing away from a visible side. The color-shifting effect can be enhanced, for example when using color-shifting pigments or a liquid crystal layer, by means of the layer that enhances the color effect. From the perspective of the user, the layer that enhances the color effect lies behind the color-shifting pigments or the liquid crystal layer.

Another possible embodiment has the features that when the light source is moved and / or the viewing angle is changed in the optical effect layer, a color shift effect arises.

Another embodiment provides that the optical effect layer contains metallic pigments and / or magnetic pigments and / or colored pigments and / or dyes.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the security element contains, in addition to the optical effect layer, a layer with fluorescent pigments and / or fluorescent substances.

Another possible embodiment is characterized in that the security element comprises, in addition to the optical effect layer, an optically non-linear layer or an optically non-linear layer.

Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the optical effect layer is printed and / or vapor-deposited onto the structures.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the security element comprises a carrier layer made of a plastic, the plastic in particular being formed from a translucent and / or thermoplastic plastic, and that the carrier layer preferably includes at least one of the materials from the group polyimide (PI), polypropylene ( PP), monoaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone, (PEEK) polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PAEK ), Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystalline polymers (LCP), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinylchloride (PVC) ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-fluoroterpolymer (EFEP) and / or mixtures and / or copolymers of these materials comprises or is made from at least one of these materials.

Another alternative embodiment is characterized in that the carrier layer has a thickness with a thickness value which comes from a thickness value range whose lower limit is 5 µm, preferably 10 µm, and whose upper limit is 1000 µm, preferably 50 µm, amounts to.

Another possible and possibly alternative embodiment has the features that the at least one absorber layer has at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group consisting of nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, silver, Copper and / or alloys of these materials comprises or is made from at least one of these materials.

Another embodiment provides that the at least one spacer layer has at least one low-refractive dielectric material with a refractive index less than or equal to 1.65, in particular selected from the group aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ), metal fluorides, for example magnesium fluoride (MgF ₂ ), aluminum fluoride ( AlF ₃ ), silicon oxide (SIO _x ), silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ), cerium fluoride (CeF ₃ ), sodium-aluminum fluoride (e.g. _{Na 3 AlF 6} or Na ₅ Al ₃ F ₁₄ ), neodymium fluoride (NdF ₃ ), lanthanum fluoride ( LaF ₃ ), samarium _{fluoride (SmF 3} ) barium fluoride (BaF ₂ ), calcium fluoride (CaF ₂ ), lithium fluoride (LiF), low-refractive organic monomers and / or low-refractive organic polymers or at least one high-refractive dielectric material with a refractive index greater than 1.65, especially selected from the group zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), carbon (C), indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta ₂ O ₅ ) , Cerium oxide (CeO ₂ ), Ytt rium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ ), europium oxide (Eu ₂ O ₃ ), iron oxides such as iron (II, III) oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) and iron (III) oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), hafnium nitride (HfN) , Hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ ), lanthanum oxide (La ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd ₂ O ₃ ), praseodymium _{oxide (Pr 6} O ₁₁ ), samarium oxide (Sm ₂ O ₃ ), antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), high-index organic monomers and / or comprises high-index organic polymers or is made from at least one of these materials.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the at least one reflective layer has at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, niobium, tin, or from nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt-nickel alloys or at least one high-index dielectric material with a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), carbon ( C), indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta ₂ O ₅ ), cerium oxide (CeO ₂ ), yttrium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ ), europium oxide (Eu ₂ O ₃ ), Iron oxides such as iron (II, III) oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) and iron (III) oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ ), lanthanum oxide (La ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd ₂ O ₃ ), praseodymium _{oxide (Pr 6} O ₁₁ ), samarium oxide (Sm ₂ O ₃ ), Antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), high refractive index organic Monomers and / or high refractive index organic polymers comprises or is made from at least one of these materials.

Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the structures are designed as diffractive structures, as micromirrors, as ray-optically effective facets or as achromatic, reflective structures.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the structures are introduced into the carrier layer by means of an impression device, in particular by means of an embossing process.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the structures are formed in a layer applied directly or with the interposition of at least one intermediate layer to the carrier layer, in particular an embossing lacquer layer, in particular are embossed by means of a molding device.

Another possible embodiment has the features that the further layer with the structures formed therein has a layer thickness with a layer thickness value that originates from a layer thickness value range whose lower limit is 0.5 µm, in particular 0.8 µm, preferably 1 µm, and its upper limit is 300 µm, in particular 50 µm, preferably 20 µm.

According to a further development, it is possible for the security element to be equipped with machine-readable features, the machine-readable features being in particular magnetic codings, electrically conductive layers, substances that absorb and / or re-emit electromagnetic waves.

Furthermore, it can be expedient if the security element has additional layers which include additional layers in particular colored lacquers, protective lacquers, adhesives, heat-sealing lacquers, primers and / or foils.

For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

Fig. 1

einen Schnitt durch ein mögliches Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselements;

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt durch ein anderes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselements;

Fig. 3

einen ersten möglichen Schicht- und/oder Lagenaufbau des Sicherheitselements, in Ansicht und stilisierter Darstellung;

Fig. 4

einen zweiten möglichen Schicht- und/oder Lagenaufbau des Sicherheitselements, in Ansicht und stilisierter Darstellung;

Fig. 5

einen dritten möglichen Schicht- und/oder Lagenaufbau des Sicherheitselements, in Ansicht und stilisierter Darstellung;

Fig. 6

einen vierten möglichen Schicht- und/oder Lagenaufbau des Sicherheitselements, in Ansicht und stilisierter Darstellung;

Fig. 7

einen fünften möglichen Schicht- und/oder Lagenaufbau des Sicherheitselements, in Ansicht und stilisierter Darstellung;

Fig. 8

einen sechsten möglichen Schicht- und/oder Lagenaufbau des Sicherheitselements, in Ansicht und stilisierter Darstellung.

They each show in a greatly simplified, schematic representation:

Fig. 1

a section through a possible embodiment of the security element according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a section through another embodiment of the security element according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a first possible layer and / or layer structure of the security element, in view and stylized representation;

Fig. 4

a second possible layer and / or layer structure of the security element, in view and stylized representation;

Fig. 5

a third possible layer and / or layer structure of the security element, in view and stylized representation;

Fig. 6

a fourth possible layer and / or layer structure of the security element, in view and stylized representation;

Fig. 7

a fifth possible layer and / or layer structure of the security element, in view and stylized representation;

Fig. 8

a sixth possible layer and / or layer structure of the security element, in view and stylized representation.

By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols or the same component names, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be transferred accordingly to the same parts with the same reference symbols or the same component names. The position details chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., also relate to the figure immediately described and shown and, if there is a change in position, are to be transferred accordingly to the new position.

The term “in particular” is understood below in such a way that it can be a possible more specific design or more detailed specification of an object or a method step, but does not necessarily have to represent a mandatory, preferred embodiment of the same or a mandatory procedure.

The figures are described comprehensively and the same parts or components are always given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the term “layer” is generally used for a multi-layer, related component assembly. Each of the layers described below can thus also comprise several layers, preferably connected to one another or adhering to one another.

The Fig. 1 shows a security element 1, in particular for securities, banknotes, card applications or security papers, in a strongly stylized and not to scale representation.

The security element 1 has at least one first region 2 and at least one second region 3 covering this at least in regions. The at least one first area 2 is arranged below the second area 3 in the position or position of the security element 1 shown. The two areas 2, 3 or those layers or plies forming them are designed differently from one another and will be described in more detail below.

The at least one first region 2 comprises structures 4 or is formed by them. An image motif 5 is reflected from the structures 4 of the first area 2 into different spatial areas, so that a so-called movement image is created for the viewer when a light source 6 moves accordingly and / or when a viewing angle changes.

In this exemplary embodiment, the second region 3 which at least partially covers or overlays the first region 2 is formed by an optical effect layer 7. The optical effect layer 7 can also be designed as an optically variable layer or be referred to as this. That the structures 4 forming or supporting layer or layer is in turn covered over the whole area or partially by the effect layer 7. The term “covered” is understood below to mean an arrangement in which at least one surface section of at least one of the surface of the layer or layer forming or supporting the structures 4 is covered by the effect layer 7. Some possible exemplary embodiments for the arrangement of the layers and plies are shown and described below.

The optical effect layer 7 can have or form an optically variable effect that is dependent on the viewing angle and / or the illumination angle and / or the type of illumination. The optically variable effect can be, for example, a top view / see-through effect and / or a color-shifting effect and / or a fluorescence effect or the like.

It should be mentioned here that the structures 4 can be provided partially or over the entire area. This also applies to the optical effect layer 7, which can also be provided partially or over the entire surface. The optical effect layer 7 can also be formed from a plurality of layers or comprise them.

The security element 1 can also comprise a carrier layer 8. The carrier layer 8 can be formed from a plastic material. Furthermore, several layers can also form the carrier layer 8. The plastic can be formed from a translucent and / or thermoplastic plastic material. At least one of the materials from the group polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), monoaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone, (PEEK) Polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystalline polymers (LCP), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA) , Polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinylcholride (PVC), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and ethylene - Tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-fluoroterpolymer (EFEP) and / or mixtures and / or copolymers of these materials comprise or be produced from at least one of these materials.

The carrier layer 8 for its part can have a thickness with a thickness value which originates from a thickness value range whose lower limit is 5 μm, preferably 10 μm, and whose upper limit is 1000 μm, preferably 50 μm.

The structures 4 described above can be designed, for example, as diffractive structures, as micromirrors, as ray-optically effective facets or as achromatic, reflective structures. The formation of the structures 4 as diffractive structures is, for example, from EP2782765B1 and the EP2885135B1 as well as the WO2015107347A1 known. While an embodiment of the structures 4 as micromirrors, for example from the US10189294A1 as well as the EP3362827A1 is familiar to the person skilled in the art. A facet-like shape of the structures 4 is based, for example, on FIG EP2632739A1 emerged. Furthermore, the structures 4 can be or will be introduced into the carrier layer 8 by means of an impression device, in particular by means of an embossing process.

Another alternative possibility would be to provide a separate further layer 9 for forming the structures 4. The further layer 9 can be applied directly to the carrier layer 8. The further layer 9 is indicated with a dashed line. For example, the further layer 9 can be formed by an embossing lacquer, which is reshaped accordingly to form the structures 4. This can in turn take place by means of the molding device or a molding element in an embossing process. In this way, the structures 4 can in turn be shaped. The further layer 9 with the structures 4 formed therein can have a layer thickness with a layer thickness value which originates from a layer thickness value range whose lower limit is 0.5 μm, in particular 0.8 μm, preferably 1 μm, and whose upper limit is 300 μm , in particular 50 µm, preferably 20 µm.

In the Fig. 2 it is also shown that although the structures 4 are formed by the further layer 9, the further layer 9 is not applied directly to the carrier layer 8. For this purpose, an intermediate layer 10 can be provided, which is formed, for example, by an adhesion promoter, a primer, an adhesive or the like.

In addition to the intermediate layer 10, a reflective layer 11, for example, can also be provided. The reflective layer 11 is indicated with a dashed line. If the reflective layer 11 is provided, the one on both sides of this could be preferred An intermediate layer 10 formed from an adhesion promoter or primer can be provided. However, it would also be possible to provide only the reflective layer 11, which can be formed over the entire area or partially, instead of the intermediate layer 10, or to design the intermediate layer 10 as a full-area or partial reflective layer or layer.

The optical effect layer 7 can contain color-shifting pigments 12, for example. In the Fig. 1 one of the color-changing pigments 12 is shown laterally in a greatly enlarged illustration. Thus, the color-changing pigments 12 can each comprise at least one absorber layer 13, at least one spacer layer 14 made of a dielectric material and at least one reflective layer 15. In the present exemplary embodiment, the individual layers of the color-shifting pigment 12 are arranged in layers one above the other. In this case, the spacer layer 14 is arranged between the reflective layer 15 and the absorber layer 13.

However, it would also be possible to choose a physical arrangement of the layers relative to one another in which the reflective layer 15 is arranged on the inside and this is surrounded by the spacer layer 14, in particular completely encompassed. The spacer layer 14 can for its part be surrounded by the absorber layer 13, in particular be completely surrounded by the latter.

This means that when the light source 6 moves and / or the viewing angle changes in the optical effect layer 7 by means of the color-changing pigments 12, a color-changing effect is created.

The at least one absorber layer 13 can comprise at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group consisting of nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, silver, copper and / or alloys of these materials at least one of these materials must be made.

The at least one spacer layer 14 can have at least one low-index dielectric material with a refractive index less than or equal to 1.65, in particular selected from the group aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ), metal fluorides, for example magnesium fluoride (MgF ₂ ), aluminum fluoride (AlF ₃ ), silicon oxide (SIO _x ), silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ), cerium fluoride (CeF ₃ ), sodium-aluminum fluoride (e.g. _{Na 3 AlF 6} or Na ₅ Al ₃ F ₁₄ ), neodymium fluoride (NdF ₃ ), lanthanum fluoride (LaF ₃ ), samarium _{fluoride (SmF 3} ) barium fluoride (BaF ₂ ), calcium fluoride (CaF ₂ ), lithium fluoride (LiF), low refractive organic monomers and / or low refractive organic polymers or at least one high refractive dielectric material with a refractive index greater than 1.65 , in particular selected from the group zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), carbon (C), indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta ₂ O ₅ ), Cerium oxide (CeO ₂ ), yttrium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ ), europium oxide (Eu ₂ O ₃ ), iron oxides such as iron (II, III) oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) and iron (III) oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ ), lanthanum oxide (La ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd ₂ O ₃ ), praseodymium _{oxide (Pr 6} O ₁₁ ), samarium oxide (Sm ₂ O ₃ ), antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), high break End organic monomers and / or high refractive index organic polymers comprise or be made of at least one of these materials.

The at least one reflective layer 15 can be at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, niobium, tin, or from nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt -Nickel alloys or at least one high-index dielectric material with a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), carbon (C), indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta ₂ O ₅ ), cerium oxide (CeO ₂ ), yttrium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ ), europium oxide (Eu ₂ O ₃ ), iron oxides such as iron (II , III) oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) and iron (III) oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ ), lanthanum oxide (La ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium oxide (MgO ), Neodymium oxide (Nd ₂ O ₃ ), praseodymium _{oxide (Pr 6} O ₁₁ ), samarium _{oxide (Sm 2} O ₃ ), antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide (SiC), Silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), high refractive index organic monomers and / or high refractive index organic polymers or made from at least one of these materials be.

Furthermore, or in addition, it would also be possible for the optical effect layer 7 to contain metallic pigments and / or magnetic pigments and / or colored pigments and / or dyes.

The metallic pigments in the optical effect layer 7 can be selected from the group of Al and / or Cu and / or Ag and / or Au and / or Ni and / or Cr and / or Pt and / or Pd and / or TiO ₂ and / or Cr oxides and / or ZnS and / or ITO and / or Bi oxide and / or ATO and / or FTO and / or ZnO and / or Al ₂ O ₃ and / or Zn chromate and / or Fe oxides and / or CuO. To form a print image as an optical effect layer 7 or a layer thereof, the metallic pigments can be mixed into an ink, for example.

The metallic pigments, in particular Al and / or Cu and / or Ag and / or Au and / or Ni and / or Cr and / or Pt and / or Pd and / or TiO ₂ and / or Cr oxides and / or ZnS and / or ITO and / or Bi oxide and / or ATO and / or FTO and / or ZnO and / or Al ₂ O ₃ and / or Zn chromate and / or Fe oxides and / or CuO and / or color-shifting interference pigments and / or SiO ₂ pigments can also be added to a lacquer, which together form the optical effect layer 7 or a layer thereof.

In addition to the optical effect layer 7, further layers or layers can be provided, for example an optically non-linear layer or an optically non-linear layer. Such a layer or such materials or layers forming this layer are also referred to as an IR upconverter or UV downconverter. These can be materials which, under the influence of electromagnetic radiation outside the visible wavelength range of light, have a visible color. Such materials can be excited to emit visible light under these conditions, for example when irradiated with infrared (IR) (λ> 780 nm) and / or ultraviolet (UV) light (λ <380). The further layers can also contain fluorescent pigments and / or fluorescent substances.

The arrangement or application of the optical effect layer 7 or its positions on the structures 4 can be carried out, for example, by a printing process and / or a vapor deposition process or by several of these. However, the previously described materials or additives of the reflective layer 15 could also form a component or a layer of the optical effect layer 7. These can in particular be printed or vapor-deposited and thus form a separate layer of the optical effect layer 7.

If, for example, a printed image is provided as an optical effect layer 7 for the security element 1, a partially opaque printing ink, such as white, and / or a semitransparent metallization can be used, for example. Among other things, a matt and / or glossy degree of gloss can be formed.

A protective layer 16 can be provided as the top layer on the optical effect layer 7, for example, which protects the entire layer and / or layer structure from mechanical damage such as scratches, grooves or the like. The protective layer 16 could also be arranged on the side of the carrier layer 8 facing away from the optical effect layer 7. An arrangement on both sides would also be conceivable. A planar design of the security element 1 can preferably also be achieved by means of the protective layer 16, as indicated by a dashed line in FIG Fig. 1 is indicated.

The following are in the Figures 3 to 8 possible layer structures of the security element 1, mostly starting from the structures 4, shown in each case in simplified representations. The application of these layers or plies to the carrier layer 8 described above is preferably to be provided. It should be mentioned here that the previously described materials and / or additives for the individual layers for forming the optical effect layer 7 can be used and / or used in these exemplary embodiments.

It should be pointed out that, depending on the design of the individual plies and / or layers, the viewing direction of an observer can be directed to only one side of the security element 1 or else to the security element 1 from both sides. Since the layer, generally referred to as optical effect layer 7, can also comprise a plurality of layers and / or plies, it is possible to provide the optical effect layer 7 on only one of the surfaces of the structures 4 or on the layer or plies forming it. However, it would also be possible to provide the optical effect layer 7 and / or additional layers or plies on both sides or surfaces of the structures 4 or the layer or ply forming them. This makes it possible, for example, to arrange individual layers or layers of the optical effect layer 7 on one side of the structures 4 and further possible layers or layers of the optical effect layer 7 on the opposite side of the structures 4. Splitting of the optical effect layer 7 can thus be achieved. However, it would also be possible to arrange the optical effect layer 7 on only one of the sides or one of the surfaces of the structures 4 and to arrange at least one of the additional layers or plies on the opposite side of the structures 4. A high degree of variation can thus be created.

The Fig. 3 shows a possible layer and / or layer structure of the security element 1 comprising the structures 4 and the optical effect layer 7. The carrier layer 8 is also indicated. The optical effect layer 7 comprises a layer 17 which has a high refractive index (HRI = High Refractive Index) or forms this. The layer 17 is arranged closer to the structures 4 or directly adjacent to them. At this point, however, it should also be explicitly pointed out that the position 17, regardless of its design, can only be an optional configuration and further development.

Independently of this, however, the layer 17 could also be formed by a semitransparent metallization layer. Furthermore, the optical effect layer 7 comprises a further layer 18 which is formed from a printing ink containing the color-changing pigments 12. The further layer 18 is arranged on the side of the layer 17 with the high refractive index facing away from the structures 4.

It is in those embodiments according to FIG Figures 3 to 6 it is provided that the optical effect layer 7, in particular those layers and / or layers forming it, is arranged on only one side of the layer or layer that forms or carries the structures 4. A one-sided arrangement of the optical effect layer 7 is used here. This is preferably that side or surface of the structures 4 which also has the spatial structuring or forms it. This is mostly also the side that is turned towards a viewer. This can be the case, but the optical effect layer 7 can also be arranged on that side facing away from the viewer.

In the Fig. 4 a further possible layer and / or layer structure of the security element 1 comprising the structures 4 and the optical effect layer 7 is shown. The carrier layer 8 is also indicated. The optical effect layer 7 here again comprises the one previously in FIG Fig. 3 described layer 17, which has the high refractive index (HRI = High Refractive Index) or develops it. The layer 17 is arranged closer to the structures 4 or directly adjacent to them.

Independently of this, however, the layer 17 could also be formed by a semitransparent metallization layer. Another thin layer 19 is formed from metallic pigments. As a possible variant of the further layer 19 made of metallic pigments, it should be mentioned that this layer can also be colored with a dye and / or colored pigments. The further layer 19 is arranged on the side of the layer 17 with the high refractive index facing away from the structures 4.

The Fig. 5 shows a possible further layer and / or layer structure of the security element 1 comprising the structures 4 and the optical effect layer 7. The carrier layer 8 is also indicated. Here, too, the optical effect layer 7 again comprises those previously in FIGS Figures 3 and 4 described layer 17, which has the high refractive index (HRI = High Refractive Index) or forms this. The layer 17 is arranged closer to the structures 4 or directly adjacent to them.

Furthermore, the optical effect layer 7 also comprises a further layer 20, which in this exemplary embodiment is formed by a color layer. The color layer forming the further layer 20 can be applied, for example, in a printing process. The further layer 20 is arranged on the side of the layer 17 with the high refractive index facing away from the structures 4.

In the Fig. 6 a possible further layer and / or layer structure of the security element 1 comprising the structures 4 and the optical effect layer 7 is shown. The carrier layer 8 is also indicated. The optical effect layer 7 for its part comprises a layer 21 directly adjacent to the structures 4, which is formed by a partially arranged or partially applied, opaque color layer. The color layer forming the further layer 21 can be applied, for example, in a printing process.

The previously described layer 17, which has the high refractive index (HRI = High Refractive Index) or forms this, is provided as a further layer. In this exemplary embodiment, the layer 17 is preferably formed over the entire area or is provided over the entire area. However, instead of the layer 17 with the high refractive index, it would also be possible to provide a layer 22 which is formed from a semitransparent metallization. The reference number 22 is therefore shown in brackets next to the reference number 17. At this point it should be pointed out that in the present context, in general, each layer made of a material with a high refractive index (HRI = High Refractive Index) can be replaced by a semitransparent metallization.

In all of the exemplary embodiments described, for example, each of the structures 4 itself can be formed from a reflective material or material. However, it would also be possible to provide a separate layer made of a reflective material or material, as in particular in FIG Fig. 2 with the reflective layer 11 is described.

The Figures 7 and 8 each show the previously indicated possibility of arranging the layers and plies on both sides on that layer or ply which carries or forms the structures 4. The structures 4 can also be covered over the entire area or partially by the optical effect layer 7 here as well. Those layers or layers forming the optical effect layer 7 and / or the further possible layers or layers can also be arranged on the mutually opposite sides or surfaces in such a way that they completely overlap and / or overlap only in areas. Independently of this, however, it would also be possible to select the two-sided arrangement in such a way that the structures 4 are covered over the entire area, but the layers or plies located on both sides do not or only slightly overlap one another.

It is with the one in the Fig. 7 The exemplary embodiment shown is provided that further of the previously described layers or layers are arranged on both sides of the layer or layer with the structures 4. In most cases, the layer or ply with the structures 4 is predominantly planar on one side and is provided with the structures 4 on the opposite side. The structures 4 are preferably arranged or formed on that side facing away from the carrier layer 8, if this is provided.

The layer 17, which has the high refractive index (HRI = High Refractive Index) or forms this, is here, as in FIG Figures 3 to 5 described on one side of the structures 4 arranged. It would also be possible to provide the layer 22, which is formed from a semitransparent metallization, instead of the layer 17.

At least one of the further possible layers 18 and / or 19 and / or 20 and / or 21 is provided here on the opposite side of the layer or layer with the structures 4. This entire layer structure can in turn be arranged on the carrier layer 8, as indicated by dashed lines.

The one in the Fig. 8 The embodiment shown is analogous to the embodiment in FIG Fig. 7 likewise the layer 17, which has the high refractive index (HRI = High Refractive Index) or forms this, as also in the Figures 3 to 5 described, arranged on one side of the structures 4. It would also be possible to provide the layer 22, which is formed from a semitransparent metallization, instead of the layer 17.

The carrier layer 8, if present, is provided on the opposite side of the layer or ply with the structures 4. This is the case when the structures 4 are not formed directly in this. On the other side of the carrier layer 8 facing away from the layer or layer with the structures 4, at least one further of the layers 18 and / or 19 and / or 20 and / or 21 can be provided.

The exemplary embodiments show possible design variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not restricted to the specifically illustrated design variants of the same, but rather various combinations of the individual design variants with one another are possible and this possibility of variation is based on the teaching of technical action through the present invention in Ability of the person skilled in this technical field.

The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and the drawings are to be used to interpret the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can represent independent inventive solutions. The task on which the independent inventive solutions are based can be found in the description.

All information on value ranges in the present description are to be understood in such a way that they include any and all sub-areas thereof, e.g. the information 1 to 10 is to be understood in such a way that all sub-areas, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, are also included , ie all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end at an upper limit of 10 or less, for example 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

For the sake of clarity, it should finally be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced.

List of reference symbols

1

Security element

2

first area

3

second area

4th

structure

5

Motif

6th

Light source

7th

optical effect layer

8th

Carrier layer

9

another layer

10

Intermediate layer

11

reflective layer

12th

color-changing pigment

13th

Absorber layer

14th

Spacer layer

15th

Reflective layer

16

Protective layer

17th

location

18th

location

19th

location

20th

location

21

location

22nd

location

Claims (20)

Security element (1), in particular for securities, security paper or security objects such as banknotes, ID cards, credit cards, ATM cards, tickets, the security element having at least a first area (2) with structures (4), and the structures (4) an image motif ( 5) reflect in different spatial areas, so that a movement image is created for the viewer when a light source (6) moves accordingly and / or when an observation angle is changed, whereby when the light source (6) moves and / or the observation angle changes, the image motif moves at the same time ( 5) arises,
characterized, - That an optical effect layer (7) is provided, which optical effect layer (7) defines a second area (3) and - That the structures (4) are completely or partially covered by the optical effect layer (7). The security element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical effect layer (7) contains color-shifting pigments (12), in particular interference pigments, or liquid crystal pigments. The security element (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the color-changing pigments (12) comprise at least one absorber layer (13), at least one spacer layer (14) made of a dielectric material and at least one reflective layer (15), the spacer layer (14) is arranged between the reflective layer (15) and the absorber layer (13). Security element according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the optical effect layer has at least one liquid crystal layer, in particular a cholesteric liquid crystal layer. Security element according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the optical effect layer has at least one layer which reinforces the color-shift effect on a side facing away from a visible side. Security element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a color-shift effect arises when the light source (6) is moved and / or the viewing angle is changed in the optical effect layer (7). Security element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical effect layer (7) contains metallic pigments and / or magnetic pigments and / or colored pigments and / or dyes. The security element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in addition to the optical effect layer (7), an optically non-linear layer or an optically non-linear layer and / or a layer which contains fluorescent pigments and / or fluorescent substances is present is. The security element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical effect layer (7) is printed and / or vapor-deposited onto the structures (4). The security element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a carrier layer (8) made of a plastic, the plastic in particular being formed from a translucent and / or thermoplastic plastic, and that the carrier layer (8) preferably at least one the materials from the group polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), monoaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone, (PEEK) polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystalline polymers (LCP), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC ), Polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinylcholride (PVC) ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride ( PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-fluoroterpolymer (EFEP) and / or mixtures and / or copolymers of these materials or is made of at least one of these materials. Security element (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the carrier layer (8) has a thickness with a thickness value which originates from a thickness value range, the lower limit of which is 5 µm, preferably 10 µm, and the upper limit of which is 1000 µm, preferably of 50 µm. Security element (1) according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the at least one absorber layer (13) has at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group of nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, Molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, silver, copper and / or alloys of these materials comprises or is made from at least one of these materials. Security element (1) according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the at least one spacer layer (14) has at least one low-refractive dielectric material with a refractive index less than or equal to 1.65, in particular selected from the group aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ) , Metal fluorides, e.g. magnesium fluoride (MgF ₂ ), aluminum fluoride (AlF ₃ ), cerium fluoride (CeF ₃ ), sodium-aluminum fluoride (e.g. _{Na 3 AlF 6} or Na ₅ Al ₃ F ₁₄ ), silicon oxide (SIO _x ), silicon dioxide ( SiO ₂ ), neodymium fluoride (NdF ₃ ), lanthanum fluoride (LaF ₃ ), samarium _{fluoride (SmF 3} ), barium fluoride (BaF ₂ ), calcium fluoride (CaF ₂ ), lithium fluoride (LiF), low-breaking organic monomers and / or low-breaking organic polymers or at least one high-index dielectric material with a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), carbon (C), indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), indium-tin Oxide (ITO ), Tantalum pentoxide (Ta ₂ O ₅ ), cerium oxide (CeO ₂ ), yttrium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ ), europium oxide (Eu ₂ O ₃ ), iron oxides such as iron (II, III) oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) and Iron (III) oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ ), lanthanum oxide (La ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd ₂ O ₃ ), praseodymium oxide (Pr ₆ O ₁₁ ), samarium _{oxide (Sm 2} O ₃ ), antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), comprises high-index organic monomers and / or high-index organic polymers or is made from at least one of these materials. Security element (1) according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the at least one reflective layer (15) has at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, gold, platinum, aluminum, niobium, tin, or nickel , Titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt-nickel alloys or at least one high-index dielectric material with a refractive index of greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group of zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO ), Titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), carbon (C), indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta ₂ O ₅ ), cerium oxide (CeO ₂ ), yttrium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ ), Europium oxide (Eu ₂ O ₃ ), iron oxides such as iron (II, III) oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) and iron (III) oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), Hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ ), lanthanum oxide (La ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd ₂ O ₃ ), praseodymium _{oxide (Pr 6} O ₁₁ ), samarium _{oxide (Sm 2} O ₃ ), antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), Tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), high refractive index organic monomers and / or high refractive index organic polymers or is made from at least one of these materials. Security element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the structures (4) are designed as diffractive structures, as micromirrors, as ray-optically effective facets or as achromatic, reflective structures. Security element (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the structures (4) are introduced into the carrier layer (8) by means of an impression device, in particular by means of an embossing process. The security element (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the structures (4) are formed in a layer (9), in particular an embossed lacquer layer, applied directly or with the interposition of at least one intermediate layer (10) on the carrier layer (8) are, in particular are embossed by means of an impression device. The security element (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the further layer (9) with the structures (4) formed therein has a layer thickness with a layer thickness value that originates from a layer thickness value range, the lower limit of which is 0.5 µm, in particular 0.8 µm, preferably 1 µm, and its upper limit is 300 µm, in particular 50 µm, preferably 10 µm. The security element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element (1) is equipped with machine-readable features, the machine-readable features being in particular magnetic codings, electrically conductive layers, electromagnetic waves absorbing and / or re-emitting substances . The security element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element (1) has additional layers, which additional layers include in particular protective lacquers, heat-sealing lacquers, adhesives, primers and / or foils

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