CA2677278A1

CA2677278A1 - Security element for a document of value

Info

Publication number: CA2677278A1
Application number: CA002677278A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Christof Baldus; Peter Schiffmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Priority date: 2007-02-13
Filing date: 2008-02-12
Publication date: 2008-08-21
Also published as: CN101641223B; WO2008098739A3; RU2009134221A; EP2121348B1; DE102007030219A1; CN101641223A; WO2008098739A2; EP2121348A2; RU2481961C2; MY163900A; HK1135358A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a security element for a valuable document, such as a bank note, identification card or similar, comprising a transparent substrate. At least one first security feature is disposed on the first surface of said substrate and at least one second security feature is disposed on the second opposite surface of the substrate. According to the invention, the first security feature comprises opaque pattern base elements that are arranged at a distance from each other in the form of a grid. On at least one part of the pattern base element, on the side opposite the transparent substrate, first information elements are arranged, said information elements being a different colour to that of the pattern base elements. The second security feature comprises second information elements that overlap the pattern base elements and that protrude over at least one side of the respective pattern base elements. The colour second information elements also differ from the pattern base elements. Overall, the first and the second information elements produce, for an observer, at least one alphanumeric characteristic, a logo and/or at least one graphic representation.

Description

Security element for a document of value [0001 ] The invention relates to a security element for a document of value, such as bank notes, identification cards or the like, with a light-transmissive substrate on the first surface of which at least one first security feature and on the second, opposite surface of which at least one second security feature is arranged.

[0002] In this regard for example from WO 03/ 053713 Al a security element for security papers and documents of value is known that consists of a substrate in the forin of a plastic foil on the opposite surfaces of which one security element is arranged in each case.

Between the security features a full-surface opaque intermediate layer is disposed, so that when the security element is viewed from one side respectively only one of the security features is recognizable.

[0003] It is the object of the invention to further develop a generic security element in such a fashion that the protection against falsification is further increased.

[0004] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims.
Further developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] The invention herein comprises both a security element and a data carrier with a security element. The data carrier here is in particular a document of value, such as for example a bank note, a paper of value, a credit card, a debit card or an identification card, a passport, a certificate and the like, a label, a package or another element for securing products.

[0006] According to the invention the first security feature has spaced-apart opaque basic pattern elements which are arranged in the form of a grid on a light-transmissive substrate as carrier, in particular a transparent or translucent plastic foil or a transparent or translucent paper. The transparent or translucent plastic foil here can consist of a single foil, a laminate of a plurality of single interconnected foils or a foil coated all over on one or both sides with clear lacquer or glue.

[0007] For the purposes of this invention a grid is a uniform or non-uniform distribution of the basic pattern elements at least in one area of the surface of the substrate, the basic pattern elements being spaced apart from each other.

[0008] A light-transmissive substrate for the purposes of this invention is a substrate which passes a certain portion of impinging light. When light impinges on one side of the substrate a certain portion of the light passes to the other side of the substrate and exits there again. The greater the portion of passed light is in relation to the impinging light, the more light-transmissive the substrate is. If the substrate passes the impinging light almost unattenuated, the substrate is referred to as transparent. If a smaller portion passes the substrate, the substrate is referred to as translucent. In contrast, a substrate which does not pass any light any more, i. e. in which the portion of passing light in relation to the impinging light equals zero, is referred to as opaque and is not light-transmissive for the purposes of this invention.

[0009] On at least a part of the basic pattern elements on the side facing away from the light-transmissive substrate first information elements are arranged that contrast in color with the basic pattern elements.

[0010] The second security feature has second information elements that are arranged so that they overlap with the basic pattern elements and extend beyond at least one side of the respective basic pattern element, wherein also the second information elements contrast in color with the basic pattern elements. Collectively the first and second information elements for a viewer result in respectively at least one alphanumeric character, a logo and/ or at least one graphic representation.

[0011 ] An inventive security element consequently has a layered structure:
Two information elements are arranged on opposite sides of a light-transmissive substrate, wherein opaque, i. e. non-transparent basic pattern elements arranged below the first information elements partly optically separate the information elements of the two sides from each other.

[0012] The first information elements are arranged on the basic pattern elements, being arranged completely within the surface of the basic pattern elements.
Accordingly the first information elements cover the basic pattern elements to a certain extent or also completely, but do not extend beyond the edge of the basic pattern elements.
In contrast thereto the second information elements applied on the opposite side of the security element extend beyond at least one side of the respective basic pattern element. The outer edge of a basic pattern element and the outer edge of a second information element herein are offset from each other by at least 5 micrometers, preferably by at least 10 micrometers.
[0013] A viewer viewing the security element in transmitted light will consequently recognize the basic pattern elements and the second information elements on the one side of the security element. The first information elements are covered completely by the basic pattern elements and are not recognizable from this side. On the other, opposite side the basic pattern elements, the first information elements and those parts of the second information elements are recognizable which extend beyond the edge of the basic pattern elements. In addition to the first information elements thus through the light-transmissive substrate also the outer parts of the second information elements are recognizable.

[0014] Accordingly, it is an advantage of the invention that the security element e. g. when viewed from one side shows two pieces of information, whereas, when viewed from the opposite side, only one piece of information is visible.

[0015] Additionally also the second infonnation elements can be arranged on second basic pattern elements, wherein these second basic pattern elements can fundamentally have the same properties and embodiments as the first basic pattern elements. The second basic pattern elements are advantageously arranged in each case at the places on the substrate located opposite the basic pattern elements of the first security feature, so that the opacity and consequently the color contrast between the individual elements is heightened.
[0016] When the second basic pattern elements overlap the first basic pattern elements or extend beyond at least one side of the respective first basic pattern element, advantageously an additional piece of information results, which can be different when viewed from different sides of the security element.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment the first and second information elements constitute the same readable or recognizable information. Therein the information elements are arranged in such a fashion that the recognizable information can be read in a true-to-side fashion on both sides of the security element. When for example the first and the second information elements in their totality constitute respectively the denomination and consequently the value of a bank note as an alphanumeric character, e. g. the number "50", a viewer will, due to the partial separation of the information elements of the two opposite sides by the basic pattern elements, recognize only one of the two inforination elements completely and consequently only one of the two printed numbers "50".

[0018] The inventive information elements are preferably printed and constitute a printed image. For these printed images any desired printing inks can be used. These printing inks can have machine-verifiable properties such as luminescence, magnetism or electric conductivity, or can be mixed with optically variable pigments, such as e. g.
Iriodin , liquid-crystal pigments or thin-film pigments. It is of course also possible to use transparent inks as are employed in intaglio printing inks.

[0019] Likewise the basic pattern elements can be formed advantageously from an opaque chromatic color and/ or opaque white, the individual basic pattern elements being represented in particular by lines, dots or squares. For the purposes of this invention dots are circle-shaped structures such as circles or ellipses. The term "square"
encompasses rectangular and right-angled or obliquely angled structures. The term "line"
refers to all such structures whose length is considerably greater than their width.

[0020] The printing of the basic pattern elements and of the information elements onto the substrate of the security element is preferably carried out in super-simultaneous printing. In one printing process here the front side and the back side of the substrate are simultaneously printed with up to eight colors, whereby a greater exactness of register of the applied printed image is achieved. In contrast, if the front side and the back side of the security element and the individual colors were printed one after another or in several subsequent printing processes or by different printing machines, the position of the printed elements relative to each other could differ from one security element to the other security element and an exactness of register could not be guaranteed.

[0021 ] However, it is possible not only to print the information elements and the basic pattern elements, but to apply them to the light-transmissive substrate also employing other techniques. These comprise for example a vapor-depositing of metal layers or markings produced by a laser, which can be respectively colored or black or also colorless. The different information elements and basic pattern elements can also be produced respectively employing different techniques, for example the basic pattern elements by vapor-depositing a metal layer and the information elements by printing.

[0022] An additional piece of information results when also a part of the basic pattern elements constitutes at least one alphanumeric character and/ or logo and/ or at least one graphic representation. Herein on the one hand a certain number of individual basic pattern elements are arranged closer to each other or spaced further apart from each other than the surrounding basic pattern elements, so that the totality of these basic pattern elements for a viewer results in the character, the logo or the representation. Alternatively the individual basic pattern elements in partial areas can also flow into each other at least for the viewer, so that the borders between the individual basic pattern elements are blurred or appear as a large-surface print to the viewer. As a further alternative individual basic pattern elements as well as the corresponding information elements can be left out partly or completely or can be removed afterwards e. g. by a laser, by mechanical scraping off or by washing off.

[0023] An inventive security element is preferably placed on a data carrier that has at least one opening as an additional security element. The security element therein closes at least one of these openings at least partly. The openings in the data carrier can already be formed in the material of the data carrier during the production of the data carrier, or subsequently be formed therein by punching, laser cutting or any other methods. During the production of security papers for example an opening can be produced that has a deckle edge as an additional feature.

[0024] When the inventive security element closes an opening of the data carrier, authenticity features that are applied on the data carrier in the vicinity of the opening can border on the security element, can be continued in an overlapping fashion onto the security element above the opening or can be adapted in design to the security features of the security element. Thus for example individual letters of a word or individual digits of a number can be arranged on the security element above the opening and have a different appearance than the characters or digits applied on the data carrier.
Furthermore a part of a graphic representation such as e. g. a portrait can be printed in the vicinity of the opening and the rest of the portrait on the security element above the opening, so that the two parts complement each other to form a complete image.

[0025] Furthermore it is also possible that one of the two security features or also both security features are executed up to the edge of the opening and border thereon or pass beyond the opening onto the data carrier. In this case the basic pattern elements and/ or the information elements are not only disposed within the opening of the data carrier, but at least also on a part of the remaining surface of the data carrier. In particular this has the advantage that the area of the security features that is disposed above the opening shows two pieces of information when viewed from one side, and only one piece of information when viewed from the opposite side, whereas the area of the security features that is disposed on the remaining surface of the data carrier shows only one piece of information in each case when viewed from both sides.

[0026] Particularly preferably the opening results in a completion between the security features on the opening and those that are arranged around the opening. Thus for example in plan view a viewer will recognize only the part of the security features that are arranged around the opening, whereas the security features above the opening are invisible. In transmission the viewer will recognize both security features, i. e. both the security features that are arranged around the opening and the security features above the opening. When the two security features together form an alphanumeric character, a logo or a graphic representation, the viewer will recognize in plan view only that part that is arranged around the opening, while in transmission the alphanumeric character, the logo or the graphic representation is completed so as to form its complete information.

[0027] However, the inventive security element can be arranged not only above an opening of a data carrier, but also above a light-transmissive area of the data carrier. In transmission, i. e. when the security element is illuminated from the side opposite the viewer, the same appearance results as in an inventive security element above an opening.
However, in incident light, i. e. when the security element is illuminated from the side of the viewer, the viewer will recognize only the security element facing him.
The security element arranged on the opposite side is concealed by the data carrier. Such a light-transmissive area of the data carrier can be constituted for example [sic] a reduction of the layer thickness of an light-nontransmissive substrate or by a light-transmissive substrate, such as for example bank-note paper.

[0028] Likewise the inventive security element can be combined with any desired other security element of the state of the art, such as e. g. a diffractive structure, a security thread or a watermark.

[0029] Particularly advantageously on one or both surfaces of the substrate of the security element at least one further security feature is applied. This at least one further security feature can have a light-transmissive, optically variable thin-film element or a light-transmissive ink with optically variable pigments that have at least a multilayer structure capable of interference. Additionally the light-transmissive, optically variable thin-film element or the optically variable pigments can be changed irreversibly in at least a partial area so that in said partial area the interference effect is changed in a fashion that is clearly recognizable visually and/ or by machine. As a result, a viewer will see in incident light on the side of the surface having the changed partial area both the optically variable effect of the thin-film element or of the optically variable pigments and, distinguishable therefrom, the changed partial area. In contrast in transmitted light the viewer will see only a surface in an almost uniform hue, e. g. a uniformly grey surface.

[0030] Furthermore the at least one further security feature can be a light-transmissive matt color, an intaglio-printing blind embossing, a light-transmissive, diffractive structure or a light-transmissive structure with a moire effect. However, the at least one further security feature is not limited to the embodiments listed here.

[0031] Likewise as a further security feature also a light-transmissive ink with liquid-crystal pigments can be applied on the substrate. For the viewer this results in a varying appearance of the security feature in dependence on the color of the background behind the security element. In case the background has a dark or black color, the ink with liquid-crystal pigments is visible, whereas it is almost invisible against a light or white background.

[0032] The side of the security element on which the first security feature is arranged is advantageously the front side of a document of value and the opposite side the back side of the document of value. Likewise also the opposite case is possible however, in which the side of the security element on which the second security feature is arranged is the front side of a document of value and the opposite side is the back side of the document of value.

[0033] The advantages of the invention and different preferred embodiments of the invention are explained on the basis of the following examples and complementary figures.
In the Figures the following is schematically shown:

[0034] Fig. I a document of value in the form of a bank note with an opening, [0035] Fig. 2 an inventive security element on a foil on an opening in a lateral view, and herein in Fig. 2a with first basic pattern elements, Fig. 2b with first and second basic pattern elements, [0036] Fig. 3 an inventive security element with basic pattern elements in the form of dots in plan view and herein in Fig. 3a from the front side, Fig. 3b from the back side, [0037] Fig. 4 an inventive security element in plan view with a part of the basic pattern elements in the form of a digit, [0038] Fig. 5 an inventive security element in plan view with a laser ablation in the form of a letter, [0039] Fig. 6 an inventive security element in accordance with Fig. 2a, the first security feature of which extends beyond the opening, and which has a second security feature.

[0040] For the sake of greater clarity the embodiments described in the following examples are reduced to the essential core information, and the representations in the figures are strongly schematized and do not represent the real conditions. In particular, the proportions shown in the figures do not correspond to the dimensions present in reality and exclusively serve for the improvement of clarity. In practical application substantially more complex patterns or images in single-color or multicolor printing can be used.
The information represented in the following examples can also be replaced by image information or text information that is as elaborate as desired.

[0041] The examples represent preferred embodiments, to which the invention, however, shall be in no way be restricted. The various embodiments are in particular not restricted to being used in the described form, but can also be combined with one another to enhance the effects.

[0042] Fig. 1 shows an inventive data carrier in the form of a document of value 1, e. g. a bank note, that has an opening 2 in a certain area. A security element 3 in the form of a foil strip is stuck on the document of value 1 in such a fashion that it covers the opening 2 completely.

[0043] The security element 3 has a layer structure in accordance with Fig.
2a, wherein firstly on a light-transmissive substrate in the form of a transparent or translucent plastic foi14 several opaque first basic pattern elements 5.1 are printed so that they are spaced apart from each other and arranged on the plastic foil 4 in the fashion of a grid. On the first basic pattern elements 5.1 first information elements 6 are printed, which cover the front side of the first basic pattern elements 5.1 partly or completely or also extend beyond them laterally. For a viewer viewing from the perspective A the first information elements 6 in accordance with Fig. 3 a in their totality result in an alphanumeric character in the form of the digit "5".

[0044] On the opposite side of the security element 3 second information elements 7 are printed on the plastic foi14 that cover the back side of the first basic pattern elements 5.1 partly or completely and additionally extend beyond the back side of the first basic pattern elements 5.1 by a certain distance 8. For a viewer viewing from the perspective B the second information elements 7 in accordance with Fig. 3b in their totality result in an alphanumeric character in the form of the letter "B".

[0045] Since the second information elements 7 extend beyond the back side of the first basic pattern elements 5.1, from the perspective A a viewer can recognize the protruding portion of the second information elements 7 through the transparent plastic foi14. In accordance with Fig. 3a from the perspective A a viewer will consequently recognize not only the digit "5 ", but also the letter "B" that protrudes laterally from underneath the first basic pattern elements 5.1.

[0046] Fig. 2b shows a further embodiment in which in addition to the first basic pattern elements 5.1 on the opposite side of the substrate second basic pattern elements 5.2 are applied. The second basic pattern elements 5.2 are either arranged congruently with the first basic pattern elements 5.1, extend beyond these or occupy a smaller surface.

[0047] An additional piece of information results if in accordance with Fig. 4 a part of the basic pattern elements 5 are connected with each other in such a fashion that they result in a further piece of information in the form of the digit "4". Alternatively a certain number of individual basic pattern elements can also be arranged so close to each other or at such a distance from each other that for a viewer the totality of these basic pattern elements results in the further information.

[0048] Alternatively in accordance with Fig. 5 the basic pattern elements 5, the first information elements 6 and the second information elements 7 can for example be removed by a laser, whereby for a viewer the removed areas result in the letter "A".
[0049] Fig. 6 shows the security element 3 from Fig. 2a with the first security feature additionally extending beyond the opening 2. A part of the first basic pattern elements 5.1 and of the first information elements 6 is not disposed above the opening 2, but is placed directly on the document of value 1. Viewed from the perspective A the first security feature consequently extends beyond the opening 2 and continues on the document of value 1. Viewed from the perspective B, however, the same appearance results as in Fig.
2b, since the second information elements are arranged only within the opening 2.

[0050] In addition on the plastic foi14 an additional security feature 11 is applied between the individual basic pattern elements 5.1. This further security feature 11 is for example an optically variable thin-film element or an ink with optically variable pigments that have at least a multilayer structure capable of interference. Likewise the further security feature 11 can be a matt color, an intaglio-printing blind embossing, a diffractive structure, a structure with a moire effect or an ink with liquid-crystal pigments. All of these further security features 11 are implemented in a light-transmissive fashion, so that from the perspective A
in transmitted light a viewer can recognize both the overlapping second information elements 7 on the back side of the plastic foi14 and the first information elements 6 on the front side.

Claims

1. A security element for a document of value, such as bank notes, identification cards or the like, with a light-transmissive substrate on the first surface of which at least one first security feature and on the second, opposite surface of which at least one second security feature is arranged, characterized in that the first security feature has spaced-apart, opaque basic pattern elements which are arranged in the fashion of a grid, wherein on at least a part of the basic pattern elements on the side facing away from the light-transmissive substrate first information elements are arranged that contrast in color with the basic pattern elements, and in that the second security feature has second information elements that are arranged so that they overlap with the basic pattern elements and extend beyond at least one side of the respective basic pattern element and contrast in color with the basic pattern elements.

2. The security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the first information elements are arranged within the basic pattern elements and cover these at least partially.

3. The security element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second information elements consist of printing ink with optically variable pigments, preferably liquid-crystal pigments and/ or Iriodin® .

4. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second information elements consist of transparent inks, such as intaglio printing inks.

5. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the totality of the first information elements for a viewer results in at least one alphanumeric character and/ or logo and/ or at least one graphic representation.

6. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the totality of the second information elements for a viewer results in at least one alphanumeric character and/ or logo and/ or at least one graphic representation.

7. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic pattern elements optically partly separate the first and second information elements from each other.

8. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic pattern elements are executed so as to form a printed image.

9. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic pattern elements form a backing matrix.

10. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic pattern elements consist of an opaque chromatic color and/ or opaque white.

11. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic pattern elements are lines, dots or squares.

12. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of the basic pattern elements for a viewer results in at least one alphanumeric character and/ or logo and/ or at least one graphic representation.

13. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printed images formed by the first and second information elements represent different pieces of information which are in particular true to side in each case.

14. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second information elements extend by at least 5 micrometers, preferably by at least 10 micrometers, beyond at least one side of the respective basic pattern element.

15. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light-transmissive substrate consists of a light-transmissive paper and/ or a light-transmissive plastic foil or a laminate of at least one light-transmissive paper and/ or at least one light-transmissive plastic foil.

16. The security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second security feature has spaced-apart, opaque second basic pattern elements which are arranged in the fashion of a grid, wherein on at least a part of the second basic pattern elements on the side facing away from the light-transmissive substrate the second information elements are arranged that contrast in color with the second basic pattern elements.

17. The security element according to claim 16, characterized in that the second basic pattern elements are arranged in each case at the places of the substrate located opposite the basic pattern elements of the first security feature.

18. The security element according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the second basic pattern elements overlap with the first basic pattern elements and extend beyond at least one side of the respective first basic pattern element.

19. The security element according to at least one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that at least a part of the second basic pattern elements for a viewer results in at least one alphanumeric character and/ or logo and/ or at least one graphic representation.

20. The security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on one or both surfaces of the substrate of the security element at least one further security feature is applied.

21. The security element according to claim 20, characterized in that the at least one further security feature is a. a light-transmissive, optically variable thin-film element or b. a light-transmissive ink with optically variable pigments that have at least an interference-capable multilayer structure or c. a light-transmissive matt color or d. an intaglio-printing blind embossing or e. a light-transmissive, diffractive structure or f. a light-transmissive structure with a moiré effect or g. a light-transmissive ink with liquid-crystal pigments.

22. The security element according to claim 21, characterized in that the light-transmissive, optically variable thin-film element or the optically variable pigments are changed irreversibly in at least one partial area so that in this partial area the interference effect is changed in a fashion that is clearly recognizable visually and/ or by machine.

23. The security element according to at least one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the at least one further security feature for a viewer results in at least one alphanumeric character and/ or logo and/ or at least one graphic representation.

24. A data carrier with at least one security element according to at least one of claims l to 23.

25. The data carrier according to claim 24, characterized in that the data carrier has at least one light-transmissive place and that at least one security element closes at least one of these light-transmissive places at least partially.

26. The data carrier according to claim 25, characterized in that on the data carrier at least one authenticity feature is applied that borders on the light-transmissive place and/ or passes onto the security element above the light-transmissive place.

27. The data carrier according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the first and/ or second security feature borders on the edge of the light-transmissive place and/ or passes onto the data carrier beyond the light-transmissive place.

28. The data carrier according to at least one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the at least one light-transmissive place is an opening.

29. The data carrier according to one of claims 24 to 28, characterized in that the data carrier is a document of value, a security paper, a bank note, an identification card, credit card, a debit card or a passport.

30. Use of a security element according to one of claims 1 to 23 or of a data carrier according to one of claims 24 to 29 for product securing.

31. A method for producing a security element according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the basic pattern elements and/ or the first and/ or second information elements are printed on the light-transmissive substrate in super-simultaneous printing.

32. A method for producing a security element according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the basic pattern elements and/ or the first and/ or second information elements are applied on the light-transmissive substrate by vapor-depositing metal layers on the light-transmissive substrate and/ or by markings produced by a laser.