WO2022218600A1

WO2022218600A1 - Security label, a series of security labels, authentication system having a series of security labels and method for producing a security label

Info

Publication number: WO2022218600A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/055249
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernd Terhalle; Stefan BORGSMÜLLER; Patrick MASKOW; Jie Li
Original assignee: Scribos Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-04-15
Filing date: 2022-03-02
Publication date: 2022-10-20
Also published as: EP4323984A1; DE102021203749A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a security label having: a transparent carrier layer (1); a metallized layer (3) having at least one first optical security feature (6); a release layer (2) arranged partially between the metallized layer (3) and the carrier layer (1); and an integrity-indicating element arranged in the metallized layer (3), the at least one first optical security feature (6) being introduced into the metallized layer (3) by means of laser lithography.

Description

Security label, series of security labels, authentication system with a series of security labels, and method of making one

security labels

The invention relates to a security label according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a series of security labels. The invention also relates to an authentication system with a series of security labels and a method for producing a security label.

Security labels with optically variable elements are known in the prior art.

DE 10 2006 032538 discloses a storage medium with a security feature with a substrate, with at least one functional layer, with at least one feature inscribed in the functional layer and observable in reflection and with at least one feature inscribed in the functional layer and observable in transmission, wherein at least a feature is individualized and at least one feature comprises a diffractive structure.

DE 10 2012 203350 A1 discloses a security label with a metalized layer, at least one optically variable element being incorporated into the metalized layer and the at least one optically variable element having an individual laser lithographic structure with a resolution of less than 20 μm. In addition, labels for proof of first opening are described in the prior art. DE 102016 216878 A1 relates to a security label with a carrier film, with color and functional layers applied along the carrier film and a metallized layer, the metallized layer being partially applied along the carrier film and arranged in register with the first functional layer. Since there is a metalized layer in addition to the proof of first opening, optical security features such as holograms, refractive or other high-resolution structures, for example by laser lithography, can be introduced into the metalized layer. On the one hand, this increases the security effect of the label and, on the other hand, the metallic sheen gives the security label a higher visual value.

WO 2012/019721 A1 discloses a security label that contains both an optical security feature and a tamper evidence. In this case, a layer sequence is provided which includes, among other things, a full-area, semi-transparent metallized layer. The light is partially reflected by the metallized layer at the interface to the next layer, and an optically variable element, for example, becomes visible to the viewer. Due to the partial transparency of the layer for visible light, however, the typically printed layer underneath can also be seen. Thus, in the case described, the optically variable element and the color layer are superimposed, and the viewer gets the impression of a hologram with a colored background.

The fact that the two last-mentioned applications have in common is that the metal layer is not part of the proof of tampering due to the layer structures described. When the label is opened, the metalized layer remains completely on the part peeled off with the carrier substrate. Optical security elements introduced into the metallized layer are thus also retained and are not destroyed. Therefore, unauthorized reuse of the security element by counterfeiters cannot be completely ruled out. It is the object of the present invention to provide a security label which provides improved proof of first opening.

In a second aspect, the object of the invention is to provide a series of security labels which all provide improved proof of first opening.

In a third aspect, the object of the invention is to provide an authentication system with a series of security labels, the security labels of which provide improved proof of first opening.

In a fourth aspect, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing an above-mentioned security label.

With regard to the security label, the object is achieved with a security label having the features of claim 1 .

The security label according to the invention has a transparent carrier layer, a metallized layer with at least one first optical security feature and a release layer arranged partially between the metallized layer and the carrier layer. According to the invention, the at least one first optical security feature is introduced into the metallized layer by laser lithography, and proof of first opening is arranged in the metallized layer. The at least one first optical security feature is part of the proof of first opening. It is preferably destroyed when it is first opened.

A thermoplastic film, in particular based on polyethylene terephthalate PET or polypropylene PP, is preferably introduced into the transparent carrier layer. The carrier layer preferably consists of the thermoplastic film. However, other materials are also conceivable for the carrier layer. The carrier layer preferably has a thickness of 10 to 50 μm, preferably 30 to 50 μm. There are others too thick conceivable. The backing layer preferably extends over the entire extent of the security label. However, it is also conceivable that individual areas of the security label are left out of the carrier layer or that the carrier view only extends over an area of the security label. Favorably, the carrier layer has a constant, preferably constant, thickness over its entire extent along a width and length.

A release layer is preferably partially arranged on an underside of the carrier layer. The release layer does not cover the entire surface of the underside of the carrier layer but leaves some areas of the underside of the carrier layer uncovered. The cut-out areas or sub-areas of the cut-out areas can form lettering such as “VOID” or “OPENED”.

Underside is to be understood here as the side that faces the product when the security label is affixed to a product. A top is the side that is glued to the product, i. H. applied status of the security label is facing away from the product. A top side and a bottom side have both the transparent carrier layer and the metallized layer and also the release layer or the lacquer layer that is arranged and mentioned later.

The release layer controls the release force. It adjusts the separating forces between the backing layer and the metallized layer and a layer of adhesive.

An adhesive layer is preferably arranged directly on an underside of the metallized layer. The adhesive layer is advantageously formed over the entire area over the entire extent of the security label, so that the security label can be glued over the entire area to a product, packaging or the like in the applied state.

The separating forces of the release layer are set in such a way that when the transparent carrier layer is pulled off, the metallized layer breaks up and parts of the The metallized layer remains on the removed part of the security label and other parts of the release layer remain on the remainder of the label sticking to the preliminary product. In the process, the at least one first optical security feature introduced into the metalized layer by laser lithography is also broken. For this purpose, the release layer has material properties and a separating force such that the separating force between the carrier layer and the release layer is smaller than the separating force between the release layer and the metallized layer and the separating force between the metallized layer and the adhesive layer is smaller than the separating force between the carrier layer and the metallized layer.

Since the release layer is only partially applied to the carrier layer and the metallized layer is preferably vapor-deposited over the entire surface on an underside of the release layer, an upper side of the metallized layer is in direct contact with the release layer in some areas and in direct contact with the release layer in other areas Backing layer, while the underside of the metallized layer is in direct contact with the adhesive layer. As a result of the setting of the separating force described above, the security label tears open within the metalized layer and destroys the at least one first optical security feature, as a result of which the metalized layer forms evidence of first opening.

The release layer is preferably transparent, so that the observer looks at the top side of the carrier layer when looking at the applied security label and looks through the transparent carrier layer and through the transparent release layer onto the metalized layer. The metallized layer is preferably made of aluminum, and in the unopened state the metallized layer extends over the entire surface over the entire or a predetermined area of the security label, and the laser-lithographic security feature is incorporated into the metallized layer, so that the viewer has a high-quality metallic impression a high-quality security feature. The laser lithographic design of the at least one first optical security feature makes it possible to design the at least one first optical security feature individually on the security label. The at least one first optical security feature can have first item-specific information, for example in the form of a serial number, a sequence of letters or something similar.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the security label according to the invention, a lacquer layer is arranged between the release layer and the metallized layer. The lacquer layer can advantageously also be made transparent. In this embodiment of the invention, the release layer has a separating force such that the separating force between the carrier layer and the release layer is smaller than the separating force between the release layer and the lacquer layer, and the separating force between the metallized layer and the adhesive layer is smaller than the separating force between the metallized layer and the lacquer layer . When the security label is opened, both the metallized layer and the lacquer layer are destroyed, so that proof of first opening is or can be arranged in the metallized layer and also additionally in the lacquer layer.

The lacquer layer preferably has at least one second optical security feature. The at least one second optical security feature is preferably embossed on the lacquer layer. The second optical security feature can be embossed in a series-specific manner on an underside of the lacquer layer by means of an embossing die.

The at least one first and the at least one second security feature are advantageously arranged in register with one another. The at least one first and the at least one second security feature are favorably offset by at most 50 μm. This slight offset ensures that after the security label has been opened for the first time, it cannot be closed again without being noticed can remain, because repeated closing of the security label after first opening will practically always show an offset of more than 50 μm.

The at least one first optical security feature particularly preferably has a resolution of less than 20 μm, particularly preferably less than 5 μm, particularly preferably less than 2 μm. Resolution is to be understood here as the distance between individual demetallized points in the metallized layer that are produced by laser-lithographic demetallization.

In a further embodiment of the label according to the invention, the top side of the carrier film has printing. The printing is preferably arranged in register with the at least one first optical security feature in the security label. The printing can be additional piece-specific information, for example in the form of a QR code.

The first item-specific information of the first optical security feature and the further item-specific information of the printing of a security label are advantageously linked to one another in a clear manner

In its second aspect, the object is achieved by a series of security labels with the features of claim 13 .

The series has a number of security labels which are designed as security labels according to the invention, as described above. The item-specific first information of different first optical security features is different in pairs, and the item-specific additional information of different printing on different security labels is also different in pairs, and the first information and the additional information of a security label of the series are assigned to one another as an information pair. In addition, the series of security labels can be assigned series-specific information through the second optical security feature embossed into the lacquer layer. Preferably, the second optical security feature with the second information is not individually assigned to a security label, but to an entire series, at least part of a series.

The object is solved in its third aspect by an authentication system with the features of claim 14.

The authentication system makes it possible to check the authenticity of the security label. The authentication system has a series of security labels. The security tags have any of the above constructions, and the series of security tags consists of a plurality of security tags having any of the above constructions.

The authentication system also includes a mobile terminal device with a camera for capturing images of further piece-specific machine-readable codes that encode the further piece-specific information. The item-specific, machine-readable codes can be QR codes, in which the additional item-specific information is encoded and which is printed on the upper side of the carrier film.

The authentication system also includes a transmitter/receiver unit with which data from the additional codes detected by the camera can be transmitted to an authentication server, a reading algorithm with which the additional machine-readable codes can be evaluated and with which the additional item-specific information can be determined. The transmitter/receiver unit is arranged on the mobile terminal. The reading algorithm can be provided in the mobile terminal itself, but also on the authentication server. With the help of the reading algorithm, which can be a conventional QR code reader, the further information encoded in the code can be read be read out. The additional information can be, for example, a piece-specific serial number, sequence of numbers or something similar.

The authentication system also includes the authentication server, on which the item-specific first information and the item-specific further information are stored in pairs in a database. The authentication server includes a transmitter/receiver unit with which the item-specific first information assigned to the item-specific additional information can be transmitted to the mobile terminal and the transmitted first information can be displayed on the mobile terminal for authentication with the first information applied to the security labels.

The further piece-specific machine-readable codes can be detected with the aid of the mobile terminal device, and the further piece-specific information is read from them with the aid of the reading algorithm. On the authentication server, piece-specific first information is uniquely assigned to the further piece-specific information, and the piece-specific first information is sent to the mobile terminal device from which the machine-readable code was received. The item-specific first information is shown on a display, for example. The sent item-specific first information must correspond to the first information introduced by laser lithography in the at least one first optical security feature for authentication verification. This can be, for example, a first serial number, a first image or something similar. Instructions can also appear on the display of the mobile end device to compare the displayed information with the first information applied to the security label, which explain how the packaging must be held up to the light at what angle in order to then achieve specific color shades.

In its fourth aspect, the object is achieved by a method for producing a security label having the features of claim 15 . The method according to the invention is suitable for producing one or more of the security labels mentioned above or for producing a series of security labels. Conversely, each of the security labels mentioned above or each series of security labels can be produced by one of the methods described below.

To produce the security label, a release layer is partially applied to a transparent carrier layer and a metalized layer is applied to the release layer, preferably over the entire surface.

A first optical security feature is introduced into the metalized layer by laser lithography, and the metalized layer is provided with proof of first opening.

In particular, the release force of the release layer is chosen as described above. When the carrier layer is pulled off, the security label breaks open along the metallized layer and destroys the laser-lithographically introduced optical security feature. The optical security feature introduced by laser lithography preferably has a resolution of 20 μm, preferably below 5 μm, particularly preferably below 2 μm.

An adhesive layer is preferably applied to an underside of the metallized layer, preferably over the entire surface. The metallized layer is thus surrounded by the carrier layer and release layer on one side and the adhesive layer on the other side. On the one hand it is conceivable that after the production of the layer structure of the security label, the at least one first security feature is introduced into the metallized layer by the demetallization by laser lithography. However, it is also conceivable for the at least one security feature to be introduced into the metalized layer by laser lithography before the adhesive layer is applied. The distances between the individual demetallization points, the generated by the laser light has the above-mentioned distances that determine the resolution.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a lacquer layer is arranged between the release layer and the metallized layer.

The release force of the release layer is then adjusted as described above. When the security label is opened, the security label tears open along the metalized layer and the lacquer layer. A second optical security feature, for example a hologram, can favorably be embossed on an underside of the lacquer layer which faces away from the carrier layer. For reasons of cost, the second optical security feature is not designed individually for each piece, but rather is designed individually for a series. It is a security feature that is also destroyed when the security label is opened for the first time and thus also proves that it was opened for the first time.

Printing can particularly preferably be carried out in a flexographic or digital printing process. The printing is advantageously applied to an upper side of the carrier layer, advantageously using a digital printing process that allows cost-effective, piece-specific printing. In principle, it is also conceivable for the printing to take place in a flexographic printing process, with the flexographic printing process preferably being used to apply a series-specific design to the upper side of the carrier layer instead of piece-specific information.

The printing can preferably form a QR code, which encodes additional piece-specific information. The first optical security feature encodes a first piece of individual information.

Advantageously, before the first optical security feature is introduced into the metalized layer and the carrier layer is printed with a QR code or the like, the further piece-specific information encoded in the printing and the item-specific first information encoded in the first optical security feature is assigned to one another and preferably stored in a database on an authentication server. The assignment of the two item-specific information is an essential part of an authentication method and the authentication system.

The invention is described using three exemplary embodiments in five figures. show:

1a A first embodiment of the security label according to the invention in an open state,

1b shows the security label in FIG. 1a in an open state,

2a shows the security label according to the invention in a second embodiment in an unopened state,

FIG. 2b shows the security label in FIG. 2a in an open state,

3 shows a security label according to the invention in a third embodiment in a closed state.

A security label 10 according to the invention is shown in a first embodiment in FIGS. 1a and 1b. It has a carrier layer 1 . the

Carrier layer 1 can be designed as a carrier film, which has a significantly greater extent in a length L and width B than along a thickness D. Width B and length L can be 100 times, 1,000 times, or a significantly multiple longer than thickness D. FIG. 1a shows the cross section along thickness D of security label 10 preferably 30-50 microns. Of course, other thicknesses D are also conceivable. The thickness D of the carrier layer 1 is preferably constant along the entire length L and width B of the security label 10 . The carrier layer 1 preferably also extends over the entire width B and length L of the security label 10. The carrier layer 1 preferably extends over the entire surface of the security label 10, i.e. it preferably extends over the entire extent along the length and width of the security label and has no holes and/or cutouts.

The carrier layer 1 is, for example, a thermoplastic film, in particular based on polyethylene terephthalate PET or polypropylene PP. The carrier layer 1 is preferably constructed homogeneously from the material. The carrier layer 1 is preferably transparent to visible light. It is also conceivable here for individual areas of the security label 10 to have no backing layer 1 .

An adhesion-controlling release layer 2 with an upper side 22 is applied directly to an underside 11 of the carrier layer 1, the underside 11 in the applied state of the security label 10 facing a product to which the security label 10 is stuck. The release layer 2 controls separation forces between adjacent layers. The release layer 2 is also preferably transparent to visible light. The release layer 2 preferably partially covers the underside 11 of the carrier film 1 . The release layer 2 preferably does not cover the entire surface of the underside 11 of the carrier layer 1 , rather individual areas of the underside 11 of the carrier film 1 are not touched by the upper side 22 of the release layer 2 . And there is preferably also no release layer 2 along the entire thickness D of the security label 10 in these areas.

The areas of the underside 11 of the carrier film 1 that are exempt from the release layer 2 can form lettering such as “VOID” or “OPENED”, geometric shapes, customer logos or the like. A metal layer 3 is applied, preferably over the entire surface, to an underside 21 of the release layer 2 . The metal layer 3 preferably extends over the entire underside 21 of the release layer 2 and the areas of the underside 11 of the carrier layer 1 that are not covered by the release layer 2 . The metal layer 3 is preferably an aluminum layer which is vapour-deposited thinly onto the underside 21 of the release layer 2 with an upper side 32 .

According to the invention, first optical security features 6 are introduced into the metal layer 3 . According to the invention, the first optical security features 6 are introduced into the metal layer 3 by laser lithography. This means that individual areas of the metal layer 3 are demetallized. This means that the metallization is locally removed at individual points of the metal layer 3 by means of high-resolution laser lithography, so that the metal layer 3 appears transparent to visible light at these points. Holes are created which extend over the entire thickness D of the metal layer 3 . The thickness D of the security feature 6 can therefore vary, since the thickness D of the metal layer 3 also varies and the thickness D of the first optical security feature 6 corresponds to the thickness D of the metal layer 3 at the respective demetallized point.

The first security feature 6 is shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b as white vertical bars extending along the thickness D of the metal layer 3. FIG. The demetallized areas extend over the entire thickness D of the metal layer 3. The metal layer 3 is preferably applied directly to the full surface of the release layer 2, which means that the metal layer 3 also extends over the entire length L and width B of the security label 10. Of course, other extensions are also conceivable. Preferably, only the points at which the first security feature 6 is introduced into the metal layer 3 are not metallized.

An adhesive layer 4 is applied to an underside 31 of the metal layer 3, with which the security label 10 can be glued to packaging, a product, etc. Of the Adhesive of the adhesive layer 4 is preferably colored black and is therefore impermeable to visible light.

Fig. 1a shows the unopened security label 10. When the viewer looks at the security label 10 from an upper side 12 of the carrier film 1, the viewer sees the metal layer 3 through the transparent carrier film 1 and the transparent release layer 2. Since the metal layer 3 is preferably made of aluminum is formed, a high-quality metallic shine appears to the viewer. The first security feature is introduced into the metal layer 3 by laser lithography. The viewer can see the first security feature from the outside through the carrier layer 1 and the release layer 2 . The first optical security feature 6 can be a hologram introduced into the metal layer 3 by laser lithography, a color veil or something similar. The first optical security feature 6 becomes visible through the juxtaposition of demetallized areas and metallized areas. The first security feature 6 can be a serial number or another, preferably item-specific, identification in terms of its external shape.

The security labels 10 according to FIG. 1a, but also according to FIG. 2a or FIG. H. a large number of several thousands, tens of thousands or even more security labels 10 are produced. The structure of the carrier layer 1, the release layer 2 and the metal layer 3 as well as the adhesive layer 4 is identical for the security labels 10 of the series.

The form of the release layer 2 is also identical for all security labels 10 of the series. The areas of the underside 11 of the carrier layer 1 that are not covered by the release layer 2 form, for example, the lettering “VOID”, “OPENED” or the like for all security labels 10 of the series.

A piece-specific first security feature 6 is preferably introduced into the metal layer 3 for each security label 10 . The process of The first security feature 6 is preferably introduced by laser lithography. As a result, individual points of the metal layer 3 are demetallized. When viewing the security label 10 from above through the upper side 12 of the carrier layer 1, the black adhesive layer 4 lying under the metal layer 3 appears to the observer in the demetallized areas. The outer peripheral shape of the demetallization can have, for example, a piece-specific serial number, a code or the like.

The release layer 2 applied to the underside 11 of the carrier layer 1 controls the separating forces between the carrier film 1 and the metal layer 3 in such a way that when the carrier film 1 is removed from the security label 10, a residue 102 of the security label 10 according to FIG. 1b remains on the product. The security label 10 separates and part 101 is peeled off and part remains as remainder 102 on the product.

For this purpose, the release layer 2 is selected with regard to its material properties and its release force compared to other materials so that the release force between the carrier layer 1 and the release layer 2 is smaller than the release force between the release layer 2 and the metal layer 3 and the release force between the release layer 2 and the adhesive layer 4 is smaller than that Separation force between carrier layer 1 and release layer 2.

The release layer 2 and the metal layer 3 with the first optical security feature 6 are selected in such a way that areas of the first optical security feature 6 are in contact with an underside 21 of the release layer 2 and other areas of the first security feature 6 are in direct contact with the underside 11 of the carrier layer 1, see above that they are peeled off together with the carrier film 1 when the peeled-off part 101 is peeled off the security label 10, while the other areas of the security label 10, which are arranged between the release layer 2 and the adhesive layer 4, are attached to the adhesive layer 4 and thus to the product Remaining remainder 102 of the security label 10 stick. Of the open state is described in Fig. 1b. 1b shows that the first security feature is destroyed by opening.

This means that there is evidence of first opening in the metal layer 3 due to the first security feature 6 .

Even closing the security label 10 again by placing the removed part 101 on the remainder 102 cannot restore the original, unopened state, since air pockets remain between the removed part 101 and the remainder 102, or a small offset occurs that remains visible from the outside.

The first laser-lithographic security feature 6 preferably has a resolution of less than 20 micrometers, preferably less than 5 micrometers, preferably less than 2 micrometers. This means that the demetallized points introduced into the metal layer 3 by the laser are at a distance of at most 20 micrometers, preferably at most 5 micrometers, preferably at most 2 micrometers. These distances are so small that they cannot be restored with this level of accuracy after the opened security label 10 has been closed again.

A method for introducing a first optical security feature 6 into a metal layer 3 by laser lithography is described in EP 2 005251 B1. In particular, it is possible to subsequently introduce the first optical security feature 6 by laser lithography into the security label 10, which is finished in terms of the layer structure, if the metal layer 3 is already enclosed between the carrier layer 1 and the release layer 2 on the one side and the adhesive layer 4 on the other side, preferably over the entire surface is.

A second embodiment of the security label 10 according to the invention is described in FIGS. 2a and 2b. What was said about the first embodiment also applies regarding the second embodiment. The same reference symbols mean the same features.

The second embodiment of the security label 10 according to the invention differs from the first embodiment of the security label 10 according to the invention by a lacquer layer 5, preferably exactly one lacquer layer 5, which preferably covers the entire surface between the carrier layer 1 and release layer 2 on the one side and the metal layer 3 on the other side along the length L and along the width B of the security label 10 is arranged. It is also conceivable here that the lacquer layer 5 does not extend over the entire length L and width B of the security label 10 .

An upper side 52 of the lacquer layer 5 directly touches the underside 21 of the release layer 2 and in the recessed areas the underside 11 of the carrier layer 1.

The lacquer layer 5 is also preferably transparent. A second optical security feature 7 is preferably introduced into the lacquer layer 5, which can favorably be an embossed hologram that is applied during the production process of the security label 10 to an underside 51 of the lacquer layer 5, which is preferably applied over the entire surface to the carrier film 1 and release layer 2, by means of a Stamp or the like is impressed. The second security feature 7 is preferably designed as a hologram embossing. The first security feature 6 is designed as a laser-lithographic security feature 6 .

The metal layer 3 is then vapour-deposited onto the embossed hologram, and the adhesive layer is applied to the underside 31 of the metal layer 3 . The lacquer layer 5 has a thickness D of a few micrometers, while the metal layer 3 has a thickness D of only 10 nanometers, for example. When viewing the security label 10 from the top, appears for the On the one hand, the viewer sees the reflective metal layer 3. The first optical security feature 6 is introduced into the metal layer 3 by laser lithography and individually, so that the viewer also sees this first optical security feature 6 as already described in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the viewer also recognizes the embossed hologram that is embossed on the underside 51 of the lacquer layer 5 and that can certainly overlap with the first optical security feature 6 or can also be arranged next to the first optical security feature 6, or the security feature can 6 partially overlap with the embossed hologram 7 . The second security feature 7 is preferably not designed individually for each piece, but is only designed individually for a series, i.e. security labels 1 of the series each have the same second security feature 7, but each security label 10 of the series has a first optical security feature 6 that is unique to each piece.

FIG. 2a shows the security label 10 of the second embodiment in a closed state, while FIG. 2b shows the security label 10 opened. In the second embodiment, the release layer 2 is also designed to control the release force. It is designed in such a way that the separating force between carrier layer 1 and release layer 2 is smaller than the separating force between release layer 2 and lacquer layer 5 and the separating force between metal layer 3 and adhesive layer 4 is smaller than the separating force between metal layer 3 and lacquer layer 5.

In principle, what was said about the first embodiment applies to the second embodiment with regard to the layers and their properties.

3 shows the closed state of a security feature in a third embodiment. The third embodiment builds on the second embodiment of the security feature described above. In addition, an imprint 8 is applied to the upper side 12 of the carrier layer 1 . The printing 8 is favorably piece-specific, ie again that in a series of produced security labels 10 on each individual security label 10 a piece-specific imprint 8 is printed on the upper side 12 of the carrier layer 1. The printing 8 is preferably carried out using conventional printing methods, for example digital printing, which allows individual printing to be carried out on each piece. However, it can also be carried out using the flexographic printing process, in which case it is advantageous to provide printing 8 that is not individual to the piece, but is preferably individual to the series.

The imprint 8 can be a QR code or the like, for example.

Reference List

1 backing layer

2 release layer 3 metal layer

4 adhesive layer

5 coat of varnish

6 first optical security feature

7 second optical security feature 8 printing

10 security label

11 bottom

12 top

21 bottom 22 top

31 bottom

32 top

51 bottom

52 top 101 stripped part

102 remainder

B width

L length

D thickness

Claims

patent claims

1. Security label with a transparent carrier layer (1), a metallized layer (3) with at least one first optical security feature (6), a release layer (2) partially arranged between the metallized layer (3) and the carrier layer (1), characterized by a proof of first opening arranged in the metallized layer (3) and in that the at least one first optical security feature (6) is introduced into the metallized layer (3) by laser lithography.

2. Security label according to claim 1, characterized in that an adhesive layer (4) is arranged on an underside (31) of the metallized layer (3) facing away from the carrier layer (1).

3. Security label according to claim 2, characterized in that a separating force between carrier layer (1) and release layer (2) is smaller than the separating force between release layer (2) and metallized layer (3) and the separating force between metallized layer (3) and adhesive layer (4) is smaller than the separating force between the carrier layer (1) and the metallized layer (3).

4. Security label according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the release layer (2) is transparent.

5. Security label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lacquer layer (5) is arranged between the release layer (2) and the metallized layer (3).

6. Security label according to claim 5, characterized in that a separating force between carrier layer (1) and release layer (2) is smaller than the separating force between release layer (2) and lacquer layer (5) and the separating force between metallized layer (3) and adhesive layer ( 4) is smaller than the separating force between the metallized layer (3) and the lacquer layer (5).

7. Security label according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lacquer layer (5) has at least one second optical security feature (7).

8. Security label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first and the at least one second security feature (6, 7) are arranged in register with one another.

9. Security label according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one first and the at least one second security feature (6, 7) have an offset of at most ±50 μm.

10. Security label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first optical security feature (6) has a resolution of less than 20 μm, preferably less than 5 μm, particularly preferably less than 2 μm.

11. Security label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an upper side (12) of the carrier layer (1) has a print (8).

12. Security label according to claim 11, characterized in that the first optical security feature (6) encodes a first piece of individual information and the imprint (8) encodes further piece of individual information and the first and the further piece of individual information are clearly linked to one another.

13. Series of security labels (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the item-specific first information of different first optical security features (6) is different in pairs and the item-specific further information of different printing (8) of different security labels (10) is different in pairs and the first information and the further information of a security label (10) are associated with one another as an information pair.

14. Authentication system with a series of security labels (10) according to claim 10, a mobile terminal device with a camera for capturing images of further piece-specific machine-readable codes that encode the further piece-specific information, a transceiver unit with which the data of the further codes captured by the camera can be transmitted to an authentication server, a reading algorithm with which the further machine-readable codes can be evaluated and by means of which the further piece-specific information can be determined, the authentication server on which the piece-specific first information and the piece-specific further information are stored in pairs assigned to one another, a transceiver unit with which the item-specific first information assigned to the item-specific further information can be transmitted to the mobile terminal and the transmitted first information can be displayed on the mobile terminal for authentication with the first information applied to the security labels (10).

15. Method for producing a security label (10), in which a release layer (2) is partially applied to a transparent carrier layer (1), a metalized layer (3) is applied to the release layer (2), at least one first optical security feature (6 ) is introduced into the metallized layer (3) by laser lithography and the metallized layer (3) is equipped with a first-opening verification.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that a lacquer layer (5) is arranged between the release layer (2) and the metallized layer (3).

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that at least one second optical security feature (7) is embossed into the lacquer layer (5).

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that a printing (8) of the top (12) of the carrier layer (1) is carried out in a flexographic or digital printing process.