DE102009007778A1 - Plastic-based value or security document - Google Patents

Abstract

By using a cover film in the production of a document with a lacquer layer, it is possible to easily and inexpensively set the surface properties of the lacquer layer and at the same time to optimize the properties of the lacquer layer for use properties.

Description

Field of the invention

The The invention relates to the production of a value or security document with a lacquer layer, which has a defined surface structure, and the use of a removable cover sheet for this.

State of the art

From the DE19932517A1 a method for producing a film for smart cards is known. The film is printed with two different paints, the first paint has a certain gloss and the second paint has a different gloss. However, the process is complicated, since in separate steps different paints must be applied. Also, only areas with different gloss, but not tactile structures can be created.

From the DE 10 2007 003 955 A1 For example, a blank for a value or security document is known, which has a coating. This coating protects the blank against potential counterfeiters who come into possession of the blank. The coating may be, for example, a film. As a result, however, it is not possible to set the surface texture of the document targeted.

From the DE 10 2005 045 567 A1 a method for producing a card-shaped data carrier is known, with which a structure can be introduced into the surface of a card body. The structure is formed by means of a tool. The disadvantage, however, is that the creation of the tools is very complicated and expensive. Furthermore, the wear and especially accidental scratches require a relatively frequent replacement of the tools.

Further is known, for example, from the German card license, that paints applied to a card-shaped document to specifically modify its performance properties. Especially is the use of paints with increased abrasion resistance over diffractive structures, for example, known from the German card driver's license.

Problem of the prior art and Object of the invention

Around To apply a varnish to a document must be both the composition of the varnish as well as the application method both on the properties of the card as well as the desired surface finish the lacquer layer can be optimized. Thus, for example, the composition of the paint not exclusively on an optimization to Example of abrasion resistance and / or elasticity out be optimized because there is no optimization in terms of application technology necessary is.

One Another problem in the prior art is that it is very expensive and expensive is the surface finish of a document targeted and in particular areas with different To produce surface textures. As surface texture For example, the smoothness (glossy or matted surfaces) or the spatial structuring Understood.

It the task is to provide a method which It makes it possible, with simple and few process steps apply a coating to a document using any application method, wherein the paint layer produced has a defined surface finish having.

Description of the invention and preferred embodiments

The Task is solved by a method in which a provided document card body a lacquer layer is applied. The application of the paint can with any application method take place, since this for the later manifestation the document and in particular the surface of the lacquer layer has no influence. On the still liquid paint is a cover sheet applied. The paint is cured in a further process step. Subsequently, the cover sheet is removed. You get a document with a defined surface finish. The defined surface finish is here by the structure of the side of the cover sheet produced when curing the paint layer is applied to this, and not by the application method.

The Process has the preference that the properties of the paint and the application process practically no effect on the Surface of the paint layer to be produced have. hereby can also paint, which, for example, only in terms of have been optimized for their abrasion resistance, but one for normal application methods unsuitable wetting of the surface of the card body are used. This is a significant improvement, for example, the abrasion resistance possible. As another important property, with respect to which a paint can be optimized, is the elasticity of the produced Called varnish layer.

A document card body may be a single document card body act, which represents a finished document after application of the paint. Alternatively, the document card body may be part of a larger piece, from which the finished document is prepared by leaching, in particular by punching. Preferably, the document card body is part of a multiple use, wherein from the multiple benefits at least two documents by leaching, in particular by punching, can be produced.

in the the simplest case, the cover sheet is a smooth one Foil. By having a smooth side on the not yet hardened Paint layer is applied, becomes a smooth and thus high-gloss Surface finish of the paint layer achieved. The high-gloss Surface texture is opposite to those with conventional methods without a cover sheet accessible Coating layers significantly better, as an absolutely flat surface can be made much easier and cheaper. Especially compared to simple printing job with subsequent curing is a according to the invention Process produced varnish layer much smoother, as it is in a printing technology Plotting it may cause a color fission during printing, so that a slightly uneven surface texture (roughness, Matting) results. Also, the structure of the job tool or the wetting properties of the paint on the substrate can lead to uneven surfaces of the paint layer. By applying a cover foil to the still liquid lacquer layer However, this is smoothed. At the time of curing subsequent removal of the cover foil is the lacquer layer unable to change the surface texture and remains in the structure defined by the cover sheet.

One further advantage of the method according to the invention is in the protective effect of the cover film for the paint layer to see the environment. When curing the lacquer layer is a polymerization, polyaddition or polycondensation. These reactions are often caused by atmospheric oxygen interrupted. So leads oxygen in the radical Polymerization, for example, to chain termination and thus to a average shorter chain length. It could be established that the oxygen access to the paint layer is reduced by the application of a cover sheet and thus the Chain length is more selectively adjustable. This is a optimal setting even of conflicting requirements to a paint layer such as surface hardness and elasticity possible.

The Structuring of the lacquer layer can in particular during application the cover sheet on the uncured coating layer done. This can, for example, by rolling or pressing the cover sheet be achieved on the paint layer. The application of the cover sheet is particularly preferably in a form in which between the cover film and the paint layer is no longer air. In a Another embodiment, first, the cover sheet without Force applied to the paint layer, so that no Structuring of the lacquer layer takes place. In a subsequent For example, step becomes simultaneous with application of pressure and temperature simultaneously generates the structuring of the lacquer layer and the lacquer layer cured. Particularly preferred In this case, a negative pressure applied to air pockets between to prevent the paint layer and the cover sheet.

In A preferred embodiment of the invention will be initially applied to the card body an overlay film. at the overlay foil may be, for example, a volume or Embossed hologram or a foil of an optically variable Act material. An overlay film with a volume or embossed hologram contains diffractive structures through which the hologram is reconstructed under suitable lighting conditions. On the overlay film will be the varnish layer and the varnish layer applied a cover sheet. After hardening of the lacquer layer the cover sheet is removed. It is particularly preferred that the surface finish to make the lacquer layer such that their surface at points which are arranged over diffractive structures are, is shiny. This will be the reconstruction the hologram supports, since the necessary lighting conditions can be optimally adjusted. In this way results a visually more brilliant impression of the hologram Holograms with a lacquer layer according to the prior art.

Of the Card body can itself a structured surface exhibit. The structuring may be in particular sublime and / or embossed structures. This particular can be beneficial when applied to a textured surface an overlay foil is applied to a card body, which contains diffractive structures. Because diffractive structures have angle-dependent reconstruction properties, Such structuring can be visually perceived inside the card become.

In Another preferred embodiment comprises the lacquer layer at least a first area and at least a second area on. Here, the at least one first region has a first surface finish and the at least one second region has a second surface finish, wherein the second surface finish of the first is different.

each The surface textures can, for example, high gloss be. This is especially for documents with diffractive Structures advantageous. Each of the surface textures can also be a frosted surface. A frosted surface has the advantage that reflections are avoided, which is a control underlying picture elements in a room with many light sources, For example, in an airport building, relieved. at any of the surface textures may continue to act a sublime structure. Sublime structures are off the surface outstanding structures, which haptic are very easily perceptible. Next it can be with each of the Surface textures also around an embossed Act structure. Under an embossed structure becomes a Structure understood, which is opposite to the surface is deepened. The advantage of embossed structures is the less wear on raised structures a still good haptic perceptibility.

By different surface qualities of the lacquer layer in the at least one first and the at least one second Area information can be displayed. For example, can it is the shape of the at least one first area, for example to trade a coat of arms or the contours for example of a country which visible due to the different surface finish takes off from the environment. Next, this can be written represented, for example, country or company names. This can be a security feature.

There to produce a structure in the lacquer layer, the generating structure must be mirror-inverted in the cover sheet, you need to create embossed structures in the lacquer layer raised structures in the cover sheet. provides one varnish layers with embossed structures according to the state The technology ago, so you need laminating, which have raised structures. These are in contrast to the relatively favorable laminating sheets with embossed structures However, very expensive to manufacture, since the embossed Structures in the laminating sheets by subtractive methods are easy to produce. For the method described here are used for the production of embossed structures cover films needed with raised structures. The cover sheets with raised Structures can be easily and inexpensively by means of Laminating be produced with embossed structures.

The Structuring can, for example, by embossing, deep drawing or pouring into the cover sheet. It can also all other methods known to those skilled in the art are used.

In In a preferred embodiment, the cover sheet is again usable, so after removing it again for the Method of producing a document can be used.

The Material of the cover film is matched to the lacquer layer, that there is no intimate connection between the cover sheet and the lacquer layer comes so that the cover sheet is removed after curing can be. Example of a suitable material for a cover sheet is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Further examples are polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), Polyimide (PI), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polystyrene (PS), polyvinylphenol (PVP), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and glass-polymer composite films. The film thickness is preferably between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm.

For example the lacquer can be based on acrylate. The hardening of the Lacquer can be done by UV and / or thermally.

Usually do not extend diffractive structures over the entire Area of a document or the overlay foil. Much more are there areas in which there are diffractive structures, and areas where there are none. That's why It may be desirable to have at least a first area to create in a document which is a high gloss Has surface and over the diffractive Structures is arranged. At least one more preferred is further preferred created a second area, which, for example, a frosted Surface has. This can provide the benefits the best recognizability of the hologram as well as the other in the document is provided information.

In a further preferred embodiment, the lacquer layer is scratch-resistant and / or abrasion-resistant, for example to protect an underlying overlay film. The abrasion-resistant properties are preferably produced by the addition of ZnO and / or SiO ₂ in the paint formulation.

The Removing the cover sheet can be done by peeling. The removal can be done immediately after curing. alternative The cover sheet can only be issued by the user to whom the document or the issuing body will be removed. This can the cover sheet a protective function for the unissued Take over the document.

In a further embodiment, the cover sheet is formed of a material which is soluble in a solvent in which the document is not soluble. The deckfoil is removed by immersion in a suitable solvent. For example, the cover sheet is made of a suitable cellulosic material which is soluble in dilute acids or bases.

In In another embodiment, the cover sheet is made of a Material formed, which is soluble in a solvent Material can be converted, the document in the solvent is not is soluble. Such materials are known as photoresist materials known from the prior art. These photoresist materials become, for example, by UV irradiation in a soluble Material converted.

embodiments The invention will now be described with reference to the attached Figures described. The individual figures show:

1 : Schematic representation of the procedure for producing a document;

2 : Schematic representation of the procedure for the production of another document with tactile structures;

3 : Schematic representation of a document with two sections.

According to 1 is used to make a document 1 first a card body 10 provided. On this is in the optional process step A an overlay film 11 applied with a diffractive structure. In method step B, a varnish layer is applied to the overlay film 12 applied, in particular printed. The surface of the paint layer 12 has a surface condition which depends on the manufacturing process and has a certain roughness. On the paint layer 12 becomes in process step C a cover sheet 13 applied. As a result, the paint layer takes 12 the structure of the voltage applied to the paint layer side of the cover sheet 13 at. In process step D, the lacquer layer 12 hardened and in process step E, the cover sheet 13 away. It will be the finished document 1 get the card body 10 , the overlay slide 11 and a hardened lacquer layer 12 ' with a defined surface finish.

In 2 the production of another document is shown schematically. On a card body 30 becomes a varnish layer 31 applied, on which in a further process step, a cover sheet 32 is applied. The cover sheet 32 has surveys 33 on which form in the liquid paint. After hardening and removal of the cover sheet 32 becomes a hardened lacquer layer 31 ' get which wells 34 having.

As in 2 As shown, it is possible that the tactile surface finish extends only to a part of the document, in the example shown only on the right half. For example, the left half can be glossy.

In 3 is a document prepared according to the invention 1 shown schematically. The document has on the outside of a lacquer layer, which a first area 20 and a second area 21 Has. The first area 20 is, for example, high gloss, the second area 21 frosted. Under the first area 20 There is a diffractive structure, which, for example, a holographic image of a photo 22 , for example, the document holder. Due to the high-gloss surface texture of the area 20 is the reconstruction of the hologram 22 possible under optimal conditions. Furthermore, the document may contain further information, for example personal data 23 , a machine-readable zone 24 and a photo of the document holder 25 , These are located under the second area 21 which is dull. As a result, these data are easy to read even in the case of possibly disturbing reflections.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 19932517 A1 [0002]
• DE 102007003955 A1 [0003]
• DE 102005045567 A1 [0004]

Claims (14)

A method for producing a document, wherein the document comprises a card body and a lacquer layer, wherein the lacquer layer has a defined surface finish, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing the card body, b) applying the lacquer layer to the card body and c) curing the Lacquer layer, characterized in that the following additional process steps are additionally encompassed: d) application of a cover film to the lacquer layer prior to hardening of the lacquer layer and e) removal of the cover foil after curing of the lacquer layer. A method of producing a document according to claim 1, characterized in that initially an overlay film is applied to the card body and then the paint layer is applied to the overlay film. A method of producing a document according to claim 2, characterized in that the overlay foil diffractive structures contains. Method for producing a document according to of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lacquer layer has at least a first area and at least a second region, wherein the at least one first Area has a first surface finish and the at least one second area a second, of the surface texture the at least one first area different surface texture having. Method for producing a document according to of the preceding claims, characterized that each of the surface textures is selected is from the group comprising high-gloss surface, frosted surface, raised structures and embossed Structures. A method of producing a document according to claim 5, characterized in that the raised structures or the embossed structures are haptically perceptible. Method for producing a document according to of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the diffractive structure in the overlay film under at least one Part of the at least one first region is located in the paint layer. A method of producing a document according to claim 7, characterized in that the surface texture the paint layer over the diffractive structure in the overlay film a high gloss surface is. A method of producing a document according to claim 8, characterized in that the surface texture the lacquer layer in at least a second area, which does not over the diffractive structure is located, a frosted surface is. Method for producing a document according to of the preceding claims, characterized that the cover sheet is reusable. Method for producing a document according to of the preceding claims, characterized that the cover sheet of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and glass-polymer composite films consists. Method for producing a document according to of the preceding claims, characterized that the cover sheet is a structuring for the production of the defined Surface texture of the lacquer layer, wherein the Structuring the cover sheet by means of embossing or deep drawing is made. Method for producing a document according to of the preceding claims, characterized that the lacquer layer is scratch-resistant and / or abrasion-resistant. Use of a removable cover sheet for manufacturing a document comprising a card body and a Lacquer layer, for producing a defined surface texture the paint layer.