DE102009048145A1 - Disk with window - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a data carrier, in particular a value or security document, with a window (14) which extends from an underside (16) to an upper side (18) of the data carrier andment (22) which the window (14) on the upper side (18) of the data carrier, with part of the security element (22) above the window (14) and part of the security element (22) next to the window (14). According to the invention it is provided that the part of the security element (22) lying above the window (14) has a radiation modification area (24) which is in register with the window (14) and in which the visual appearance of the security element (22) passes through Exposure to electromagnetic radiation is modified.

Description

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

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

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

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to further develop a data carrier of the type mentioned in the introduction and, in particular, to enable applied security elements with a design which is highly precisely matched to the window and thereby to combine an attractive visual appearance with a high degree of protection against counterfeiting.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In an advantageous variant of the invention, the security element has first and second subregions which interact differently with the electromagnetic radiation, with both first and second subregions partially overlying the window and partially adjacent to the window. The different interaction may be in a different strength or in a different type of interaction.

For example, a different strength of the interaction in metallized security elements can lead to a demetalization of only the first subarea, or in the case of radiation-dyeable or radiation-bleachable security elements to a color change of only the first subarea or to a strong color change of the first subarea. In the case of a different degree of interaction, both subsections react basically in the same way, but one subarea reacts more strongly than the other, which weakens or even does not react at all.

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

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

In order to achieve a different interaction strength, in a preferred embodiment at least one of the two partial regions has an interference structure, preferably a relief structure in the form of a grid pattern, which is defined by a lattice constant and an orientation of the grid lines. The second subregion can not contain a relief structure or likewise a relief structure in the form of a grid pattern which is defined by a second grid constant and a second orientation of the grid lines, the second grid constant and / or the second orientation of the grid lines of the second subregion being dependent on the first grid constant or the first orientation of the grid lines of the first sub-area. The grid pattern of the second subarea may also have the same grid constant and orientation of the grid lines as the grid pattern of the first subarea, but tilted by a certain angle against the first grid pattern, for example by arranging the grid patterns on the flanks of a sawtooth structure.

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

In particular, the second orientation of the grid lines may be substantially perpendicular to the first orientation in order to achieve a different interaction of the subareas with linearly polarized electromagnetic radiation. In a preferred embodiment, the two partial regions have a grid pattern with a lattice constant of 750 to 1050 nm, preferably of approximately 900 nm, and with different orientation of the grid lines.

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

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

Further details for the selective removal of only one of two or more subregions by radiation exposure are in the document WO 2006/079489 A1 specified, the disclosure of which is included in the present description in this regard.

• – ein Träger mit einer Prägestruktur mit Erhebungen und Vertiefungen versehen, die erste und zweite Bereiche mit unterschiedlichen ersten und zweiten Niveauhöhen bilden, wobei die zweiten Bereiche der Prägestruktur in Form eines gewünschten Musters ausgebildet werden,
• – wird die Prägestruktur mit den ersten und zweiten Bereichen vollflächig metallisiert, und
• – wird die metallisierte Prägestruktur mit Strahlung beaufschlagt, um durch die Einwirkung der Strahlung die Metallisierung selektiv in den zweiten Bereichen der Prägestruktur zu entfernen.

In a further possibility to produce differently interacting partial regions, the first and second partial regions are formed by elevations and depressions of an embossed structure. In particular, it will

• A support having an embossing structure with elevations and depressions, which form first and second regions with different first and second height levels, wherein the second regions of the embossed structure are formed in the form of a desired pattern,
• - The embossed structure is metallized with the first and second areas over the entire surface, and
• - Radiation is applied to the metallized embossing structure to selectively remove the metallization in the second regions of the embossed structure by the action of the radiation.

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

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

With particular advantage, the invention can be used in microoptical display arrangements, such as moiré micro-optical magnification arrangements, moiré-type micro-optical magnification arrangement and more general modulo magnification arrangements, particularly in international applications WO 2009/00528 A1 and WO 2006/087138 A1 are described, the disclosure of which is included in the present description in this respect. All of these micro-optical magnification arrangements contain a motif image with microstructures which, when viewed with a suitably coordinated viewing grid, reconstructs a predetermined target image.

As explained in more detail in the abovementioned publications and applications, a multiplicity of visually attractive enlargement and movement effects can be generated, which lead to a high recognition value and a high security against forgery of the generated security elements. For example, the grid parameters of the motif image and the viewing grid can be coordinated so that when tilting the representation arrangement results in an orthoparallaktischer motion effect, in which the first motif is perpendicular to the tilting direction and not parallel moves, as one would intuitively expect.

In one variant of the invention, it may be provided that the security element contains microstructures with a line thickness of between about 1 μm and about 10 μm, the visual appearance of which is changed in the radiation modification region. The microstructures advantageously form at least within or at least outside the radiation modification region a motif image which is divided into a plurality of cells, in each of which Pictured areas of a predetermined target image are arranged. The lateral dimensions of the imaged regions are preferably between about 5 μm and about 50 μm, in particular between about 10 μm and about 35 μm.

Preferably, a viewing grid of a plurality of viewing grid elements for reconstructing the predetermined target image when viewing the motif image using the viewing grid is also provided, wherein the lateral dimensions of the viewing grid elements with advantage also between about 5 microns and about 50 microns, in particular between about 10 microns and about 35 microns lie.

The modification in the radiation modification region can consist, for example, in a selective demetallization of a metal layer, which makes the microstructures of a motif image recognizable. In another variant, the microstructures are colored, wherein the color of the microstructures is changed in the radiation modification region. In this case, in particular a first color can be converted into a second color by the action of radiation. One of the two colors can also be transparent, in particular a first color can be bleached by the action of radiation and thus made transparent, or transparent areas can be colored by radiation action and thus made colored.

In advantageous configurations, the microstructures inside and outside the radiation modification region each represent a different motif, in particular different patterns, characters or codings. The change between the different patterns, characters or codings then takes place in register with the cut edges of the window.

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

• – das Sicherheitselement mehrere flächig in einem Betrachtungselement-Muster angeordnete, reflektive erste Mikroabbildungselemente sowie flächig in dem Betrachtungselement-Muster angeordnete, transmissive zweite Mikroabbildungselemente umfasst,
• – wobei die zweiten Mikroabbildungselemente innerhalb und die ersten Mikroabbildungselemente außerhalb des Strahlungsmodifikationsbereichs liegen,
• – wobei das Sicherheitselement weiter ein Mikrostrukturobjekt umfasst, das mehrere Mikrostrukturen enthält, die in einem so an das Betrachtungselement-Muster angepassten Mikrostrukturmuster angeordnet sind, dass das Mikrostrukturobjekt mittels der ersten Mikroabbildungselemente vor die Oberseite vergrößert abgebildet wird, und
• – wobei den zweiten Mikroabbildungselementen ein außerhalb des Sicherheitselements liegender Objektebenenbereich zugeordnet ist, so dass die Mikrostrukturen des Mikrostrukturobjekts bei Betrachtung mittels der zweiten Mikroabbildungselemente von der Unterseite nicht zu erkennen sind, jedoch ein weiteres Mikrostrukturobjekt mit mehreren Mikrostrukturen zur Verifikation in dem Objektebenenbereich positionierbar ist, so dass das weitere Mikrostrukturobjekt mittels der zweiten Mikroabbildungselemente vor die Unterseite vergrößert abgebildet wird.

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

• The security element comprises a plurality of reflective first microimage elements arranged flat in a viewing element pattern and transmissive second microimage elements arranged flatly in the viewing element pattern,
• Wherein the second microimage elements are within and the first microimage elements are outside the radiation modification range,
• Wherein the security element further comprises a microstructure object containing a plurality of microstructures arranged in a microstructure pattern adapted to the viewing element pattern such that the microstructure object is enlargedly imaged by the first microimaging elements in front of the top surface, and
• Wherein the second microimage elements are assigned an object plane region lying outside the security element, so that the microstructures of the microstructure object can not be seen from the underside when viewed using the second microimage elements, but another microstructure object with a plurality of microstructures can be positioned in the object plane region for verification that the further microstructure object is enlarged by means of the second microimaging elements in front of the underside.

In particular, the first microimage elements are in the form of microflaves and / or the second microimage elements are microlenses. Further details and advantages of such a combination of microlenses and micro-mirrors can the German patent application DE 10 2009 022 612.5 are removed, the disclosure of which is included in the present description.

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

In the present description is usually a continuous opening the speech, even if, as can be seen from the examples, this opening can consist of several parts and also could be termed a group of multiple openings.

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

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the film element is applied with a laserablatierbaren adhesive layer on top of the data carrier and the laserablatierbare adhesive layer is removed in the region of the window. As a result, a particularly clear visual appearance in the window can be achieved.

• a) Bereitstellen eines Datenträgersubstrats mit einem Fenster, das sich von einer Unterseite zu einer Oberseite des Datenträgersubstrats erstreckt, und eines Folienelements mit einem Sicherheitselement,
• b) Abdecken des Fensters auf der Oberseite des Datenträgersubstrats mit dem Folienelement derart, dass ein Teil des Sicherheitselements über dem Fenster und ein Teil des Sicherheitselements neben dem Fenster zu liegen kommt, und
• c) Beaufschlagen des Sicherheitselements von der Unterseite des Datenträgersubstrats und durch das Fenster hindurch mit elektromagnetischer Strahlung, um das visuelle Erscheinungsbild des Sicherheitselements in einem über dem Fenster liegende Strahlungsmodifikationsbereich zu modifizieren.

The invention also includes a method for producing a data carrier with the method steps:

• a) providing a data carrier substrate with a window which extends from a lower side to an upper side of the data carrier substrate, and a film element with a security element,
• b) covering the window on the upper side of the data carrier substrate with the film element such that a part of the security element comes to lie above the window and a part of the security element next to the window, and
• c) applying electromagnetic radiation to the security element from the underside of the data carrier substrate and through the window to modify the visual appearance of the security element in a radiation modification area above the window.

In this case, the security element in step c) is preferably exposed to laser radiation, in particular UV radiation, visible radiation or near-infrared radiation of a wavelength of up to 1.5 μm.

In step b), the film element is advantageously applied to the top of the data carrier with a laser-ablatable adhesive, and an adhesive present in the region of the window is removed in step c) by the laser application.

If the window is formed by a continuous opening or if the window comprises a through opening, the through opening in step a) is preferably introduced by punching or laser cutting with a cutting laser into the data carrier substrate or into the data carrier layer containing the through opening, during laser cutting preferably with a wavelength of about 10.6 microns.

• – das Datenträgersubstrat oder die Datenträgerlage zumindest im Nahbereich der zu erzeugenden durchgehenden Öffnung mit einem lasermodifizierbaren Markierungsstoff versehen,
• – wird durch Einwirkung von Laserstrahlung die durchgehende Öffnung in das Datenträgersubstrat oder die Datenträgerlage eingebracht, und
• – wird der lasermodifizierbare Markierungsstoff im Nahbereich der Öffnung durch Einwirkung von Laserstrahlung modifiziert.

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

• Provide the data carrier substrate or the data carrier layer with a laser-modifiable marking substance at least in the vicinity of the through opening to be produced,
• Is introduced by the action of laser radiation, the through hole in the data carrier substrate or the data carrier layer, and
• - The laser-modifiable marker is modified in the vicinity of the opening by the action of laser radiation.

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

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

Further details and advantages of such a method, the document WO 2009/003587 A1 are removed, the disclosure of which is included in the present description.

The data carrier can be, in particular, a value document such as a Banknote, in particular a paper banknote, a polymer banknote or a film composite banknote, or an identification card, such as a credit card, bank card, cash card, authorization card, identity card or passport personalization page.

Further exemplary embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures, in the representation of which a representation true to scale and proportion has been dispensed with in order to increase the clarity. The various embodiments are not limited to use in the specific form described, but can also be combined with each other.

Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a banknote according to an embodiment of the invention,

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

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

4 in (a) a cross section through a security paper according to the invention, and in (b) and (c) in each case a plan view of the top side or bottom side of the security paper in the region of the hologram or the through opening,

5 Intermediate steps in the production of a security paper according to the invention, wherein (a) a plan view of the applied security element and (b) a view of the security paper before applying the security element and (c) and (d) the finished security paper in plan view or in cross section demonstrate,

6 in (a) and (b) intermediate steps in the production of a further security paper according to the invention,

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

8th a view of the underside of a security paper according to another embodiment of the invention,

9 a micro-optical representation arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention in cross-section,

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

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

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

The invention will now be explained using the example of banknotes. The 1 and 2 show in plan view or in cross section a schematic representation of a banknote 10 , their banknote paper 12 with a window in the form of a through opening 14 is provided, extending from the bottom 16 to the top 18 of banknote paper 12 extends. On the top 18 of banknote paper 12 is the through opening 14 with a foil strip 20 covered.

While the invention is explained below using the example of continuous openings in banknotes, the invention is not limited to such designs. Rather, the window of a data carrier may also be formed by a transparent region of the data carrier that allows visual inspection, such as a see-through window of polymer banknotes. In the case of multi-layered data carriers, a window can also be formed by a combination of transparent areas in first data carrier layers and through openings in second data carrier layers, for example the paper layer and the incompletely transparent print acceptance layer of a composite banknote.

The foil strip 20 of the 1 and 2 contains a security element in the form of a metallized hologram 22 partially over and partially adjacent to the through opening 14 lies. Typically, the hologram exhibits 22 to a larger area than the continuous opening 14 on and the foil strip 20 is so on the banknote paper 12 that applied the hologram 22 the opening 14 completely covers and also one to the opening 14 adjacent area covered as in the 1 and 2 shown.

The over the through opening 14 lying part of the hologram 22 forms in the embodiment a laser modification area 24 in which the visual appearance of the hologram 22 is modified by the action of laser radiation and according to the invention in the perfect register to the through hole 14 stands.

This allows one of the holograms 22 . 24 Pictured motif without Passerschwankung on the shape or the outline of the through hole 14 align and so a visual or substantive interaction between the opening 14 and the hologram motif 22 . 24 as illustrated below with reference to some concrete embodiments. This will both the attention and recognition value of the hologram 22 . 24 , as well as its counterfeit security increased, since the perfect alignment of the two elements opening 14 and laser modification area 24 represents a high hurdle for a potential counterfeiter.

The production process and a first example of a visual and content-related interaction between opening and hologram are now based on the supervision of the 3 illustrated.

In the manufacture of a security paper according to the invention is described with reference to 3 (a) first a foil strip 30 with a metallized hologram, for example a true color hologram 32 provided, for example, a in the figure only schematically illustrated motif with a mountain range 34 and heaven 36 contains. Continue by laser cutting into the security paper 40 a multipart through opening 42 introduced as a motif, a sun with concentric rays, as in 3 (b) shown. Simpler shapes can also be introduced well into the security paper by punching instead of laser cutting.

The foil element 30 with the hologram 32 is now so on the top 47 of the security paper 40 applied that to the opening 42 in the field of the sky 36 of the hologram 32 are located. Then the foil element becomes 30 from the bottom of the security paper 40 through the opening 42 is exposed to laser radiation, for example, the radiation of a pulsed Nd: YAG laser at 1.064 microns, and thereby the metal layer of the hologram 32 in the over the opening 42 demetallisiert lying areas.

The demetallized areas of the hologram then form a laser modification area 38 in which the visual appearance of the hologram 32 is modified as in 3 (c) shown. Because the opening 42 when demetallizing the hologram 32 serving as a mask is the laser modification area 38 perfect for the cut edges of the opening 42 gepassert.

The in the application of the film element 30 on the security paper 40 unavoidable tolerances are - not recognizable to the viewer - of the subject sky 36 of the hologram 32 However, they do not cause any tolerances between the aperture 42 and the laser modification area 38 , In this way, the laser modification area 38 and the opening 42 be matched in design without regard to tolerances. In the embodiment of 3 is the laser modification area 38 for example, visually and in terms of content on the opening 42 adjusted so that both areas without offset represent the same subject (sun with rays). In the context of the invention, of course, more complex interactions can be generated, as described in more detail below.

In a development, the environment of the expected laser modification area 38 be provided with color or feature substances to the visual impression of the laser modification area 38 to vary as desired. For example, the surrounding area of the expected laser modification area 38 of the hologram 22 be provided with an optically variable layer, such as a Farbkippenden liquid crystal layer. After application on the security paper and demetallization in the area 38 the opening appears 42 then bright in translucent while laying the security paper 40 on a dark background the optically variable effect of the liquid crystal layer clearly stands out. The desired color impression of the liquid crystal layer can be adjusted, for example, by the choice of the liquid crystal material and the thickness of the optically variable layer.

4 shows another embodiment of the embodiment of 3 in which the through opening 42 through passport effects not only on one but on both sides of the security paper 40 is integrated. It shows 4 (a) a cross section through the security paper 40 and the 4 (b) and (C) in each case a view of the top or bottom of the security paper 40 in the area of the hologram or the continuous opening.

To provide the security paper with two-sided passport effects, the security paper became 40 before cutting the through hole 42 in a surrounding area 44 the opening to be generated provided with a laser-modifiable marker, which changes its color by the action of the radiation of a CO ₂ laser at 10.6 microns, for example from transparent to red, which is not changed by laser radiation at 1.064 microns or 532 nm.

Will now be the opening 42 with a CO ₂ cutting laser from the bottom 46 into the security paper 40 cut, so due to the Gaussian beam profile, the laser beam in a border area 48 the opening 42 the threshold energy for the conversion of the marker from transparent to red still exceeded. The opening 42 This will make it on the bottom 46 of the security paper 40 thus with a circumferential red border 48 generated.

To the design 50 the bottom 46 can complete the security paper 40 Optionally, additional CO ₂ laser radiation of less laser energy are applied, in which only the threshold for the color conversion, but not the energy threshold required for cutting is exceeded, so that on the underside 46 additional colored areas 52 arise. Because the cutting of the opening 42 , the coloring of the border areas 48 and the coloring of the uncut areas 52 done with the same cutting laser beam in the same step or in the same operation, are the colored areas 48 . 52 and the opening 42 in perfect passer to each other, as in 4 (c) shown. Further details on the laser-modifiable markers which can be used for this development and on further variants of the coloring of the peripheral or surrounding area of the through-opening can be found in the document WO 2009/003587 A1 are removed, the disclosure of which is included in the present description.

After application of the film element 30 of the 3 (a) on the security paper 40 of the 4 (a) and demetallizing the hologram in the laser modification area 38 arises on the top of the security paper 40 this in 4 (b) visual appearance that reflects the appearance of the 3 (c) equivalent. The design 50 the bottom 46 is not changed during demetallization, as the marker of the areas 44 the radiation of the Nd: YAG laser used for demetallization does not react or the energy, more precisely the irradiation (energy per area), is insufficient for a reaction. The latter applies in particular when a heat-reactive dye is used.

Overall, the finished security paper from above or from below respectively in 4 (b) respectively. 4 (c) illustrated visual appearance, with the opening 42 on both sides by pass effects in an overall picture (landscape with sun or wheel with spokes) is involved.

The radiation modification region of the security element can, as in the embodiments described so far, cover the entire area of the through opening. However, the radiation modification region may also be present only in a part of the area of the through opening and thus form a substructure within the area of the through opening. In order to produce such a radiation modification region with a substructure that has been perfectly adapted for opening, it is possible, for example, to proceed as follows:
In the embodiment of the 5 becomes first a foil element 60 with a security element 62 provided, the first and second sections 64 respectively. 66 which interacts with different levels of interaction with the electromagnetic radiation used for modification. These can be the subareas 64 . 66 For example, be filled with metallized lattice patterns whose grid lines are arranged rotated by 90 ° to each other, as in 5 (a) due to the different hatching of the subregions 64 . 66 indicated. The shape of the sections 64 . 66 forms a desired motif, for example the in 5 (a) illustrated letter sequence "PL".

The foil element 60 will then be on a security paper 70 with a through opening 72 ( 5 (b) ), and from the bottom of the security paper 70 through the opening 72 Through applied with linearly polarized laser radiation of a Nd: YAG laser.

With a suitable orientation of the plane of polarization of the laser radiation, this is the subregions 64 absorbed much more strongly than the subregions 66 , so that the energy or power of the laser radiation for demetallization of the subregions 64 sufficient while in the weaker absorbing subregions 66 no demetallization causes. This way, in the area of the opening 72 selectively only the subareas 64 demetallized.

Because the through hole 72 serves as a mask for the demetallization in regions, is the laser modification area formed by the demetallized areas 74 of the security element 62 Perfect on the cut edges of the opening 72 gepassert. The areas not demetallised by the laser radiation 66 sit down without any offset from outside the opening 72 in the area of the opening 72 as in the supervision of the 5 (c) and in cross-section of 5 (d) shown.

In advantageous configurations, the different interaction of the subregions 64 . 66 be achieved by laterally different pronounced gratings, wherein one portion has a high absorption, and another portion which is not to be demetallized, has a low absorption. This corresponds to the in 5 shown design. A particularly high absorption contrast between these subregions is achieved when surface plasmon polaritons (SPs) are excited in one lattice subregion and the other Subarea does not allow such resonant excitation. As a beam source is preferably linearly polarized laser radiation of a predefined wavelength at a certain angle of incidence. SPs can result in total absorption of incident TM polarized light (E vector is perpendicular to the grid lines). For highly conductive metallic lattices, on the other hand, the TE polarized light (E-vector parallel to the grid lines) is hardly absorbed. As a result, absorption contrasts can be achieved by gratings with sub-regions of greater than 10 differently oriented by 90 °, and even> 100 in the infrared region. For the metallization are particularly well the precious metals Au, Ag, Pt, but also Al, Cr and Ni.

For example, a rectangular reflection grating with a period of 1 μm and a trench width of 0.6 μm with incident radiation of a wavelength of 1064 nm, an angle of incidence of 1 ° and TM polarization as a function of the trench depth for the metals Au, Al, Ag and Cu pronounced absorption maxima, which, for example, reach a maximum absorption of 100% for Ag and Cu at a trench depth of about 110 nm.

Since the position of the SPs in the wavelength spectrum depends not only on the grating period but also on the grating profile and on the optical constants, an absorption difference can also be achieved in subregions in which these parameters of the grating vary. Further, it is possible to achieve a high absorption of TE polarized light and a lower absorption of TM polarized light by a corresponding design of a grating profile. This absorption of the TE polarized light is based on a resonance effect, which is particularly pronounced in deep grating structures (trench depth> period / 2).

The different interaction of the subregions 64 . 66 can also be achieved in other ways, for example, by different, Oberflächenvergrößerende relief structures. In this case, the selectivity is based on the fact that, when a metal layer is vapor-deposited on differently sized relief structures, the thinner the metal layer, the coarser the relief is formed. In addition, incident laser radiation is generally more often reflected in a coarser patterning and therefore gives more energy to the metallization, so that overall coarser relief structures can be demetallized already with less laser energy. Decisive is the aspect ratio. The larger the aspect ratio, the better demetallised.

The subareas 64 . 66 can therefore also with a rough relief structure (partial area 64 ) and a fine relief structure (partial area 66 ) to selectively demetallize only the subregions 64 to enable. Further details for the selective removal of only one of two or more subregions are in the document WO 2006/079489 A1 described, the disclosure of which is included in the present description.

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

In the Präglackschicht 94 is an embossed structure with elevations 96 and depressions 98 imprinted. The terms elevation and depression refer to the surface of the carrier film 92 so that the in 6 (a) down-facing elements represent elevations, as they extend from the surface of the carrier film 92 seen from the wells 98 rise.

In the exemplary embodiment, the surveys 96 additionally a microrelief structure in the form of a desired hologram. The entire embossed structure with elevations 96 and depressions 98 is with a metal layer 100 For example, made of aluminum, which also provides a hologram metallization for the microrelief structure of the surveys 96 forms.

The metallized embossed structure is further full surface with a laser beam absorbing and / or laser-reflecting paint 102 coated the wells 98 the embossed structure fills. In the paint 102 it may, for example, be a high-temperature-resistant UV varnish in which an infrared absorber having a maximum absorption in the near infrared is dispersed. The applied paint is doctored off after application of the surface of the embossed structure, rolled or wiped, which usually a technically unavoidable, thin Tonungsfilm on the surveys 96 the embossed structure remains. Overall, this results in a metallized embossed structure with a coating order 102 that the depressions 98 completely complies with the embossed structure and that on the surveys 96 is present in a thin Tonungsfilm, as in 6 (a) shown.

After application to the security paper 80 becomes the foil element 90 from the bottom of the security paper 80 through the through opening 82 through laser radiation, for example, the radiation of a Nd: YAG laser applied, as shown by the arrows 86 in 6 (a) indicated.

By the action of the laser radiation 86 on the lacquer-coated metallization 100 become the sublime areas 96 demetallized while the metallization in the recessed areas 98 preserved. By the laser-absorbing and / or laser-reflecting additive in the paint 102 gets namely in the wells 98 not enough laser power until metallization 100 to trigger a demetallization there. In contrast, the metallization of the only covered by the thin Tonungsfilm surveys 96 a high energy input and is demetalized. The thin toning film can even promote demetalization, since its absorption is often greater than the absorption of the metal layer 100 even.

Overall, the laser irradiation creates the in 6 (b) shown security document 110 in which the demetallized surveys 96 in the area above the opening 82 a laser modification area 112 with a modified visual appearance that fits perfectly on the cut edges of the opening 82 is passed. The one from the wells 98 formed area is from outside the opening coming without any offset in the area of the opening 82 continued. The appearance of the security document 110 corresponds thus in principle to the representation of 5 (c) , For example, the depressions 98 form the letter sequence "PL" and thus the subarea 66 of the 5 (c) correspond while in the microstructure of the surveys 96 a background hologram may be encoded, that is the subregion 64 of the 5 (c) equivalent.

Further details and variants of the structuring method on the basis of a metallized embossed structure with elevations and depressions are in the application PCT / EP2009 / 00882 described, the disclosure of which is included in the present description.

The designs of 5 and 6 allow numerous variants and modifications, resulting from those in the cited documents WO 2006/079489 A1 respectively. PCT / EP2009 / 00882 described design options. For example, unlike in 6 shown, even the non-demetallized wells have microrelief structures or it may be provided only the wells, but not the surveys with microrelief structures. The structures in the embossing lacquer are generally also recognizable without metallization. However, the paint indicates 102 of the 6 a similar refractive index as the embossing lacquer 94 , the structures can not be formed recognizable.

In other variants, no structures in the metal area are provided. For example, in the document WO2006 / 079489 described structures ( 5 ) are chosen so that they are difficult to see with the eye, or the surveys and depressions used for demetallization ( 6 ) are not provided with further structures. In both cases, the demetallization results in a visual appearance, as in the security element 120 of the 7 shown in which the differently interacting sections 122 . 124 outside the through opening 126 provide the same appearance to the naked eye. The subareas 122 . 124 leave only inside the opening 126 visually distinguish where the first subareas 122 are modified by the laser radiation and a radiation modification region 128 form with a changed visual appearance. For illustration are in 7 in one area 125 outside the opening some of the non-distinguishable there partial areas 122 . 124 dashed lines.

In the designs after 6 can be used as a layer that absorbs the laser radiation and prevents demetallization, also a printing ink. As in the view of the underside of a security paper according to the invention 8th is shown on the underside of a colored pattern 130 in the form of the radiation modification region 112 to see, in exact Passerung for demetallization and the continuous opening 82 stands.

For the layer structure here come into question designs in which the metallization on the film and this is above the ink, or in which the metallization between film and ink is, or designs in which the metallization on the ink and this is above the film , The visual appearance corresponds in all three design to that of 8th ,

Will the laser-absorbing paint the 6 color selected and a structure introduced into the paint, a two-color negative motif adapted to hologram or matt structure can be introduced. If the variant is chosen in which the lacquer protects the metallization from the laser radiation, then when viewed from the top, a visual impression as in 5 (c) and when viewed from the bottom a visual impression as in 8th ,

Alternatively, a variant can be selected in which the demetallization by the paint 102 is supported, as in the application PCT / EP2009 / 00882 described in more detail. The paint used is preferably applied rather thin, so that can easily adjust a transparent appearance. With a nontransparent varnish, the see through effect of the through opening would be lost.

The in connection with the 5 and 6 described features can also be combined. An additional design element can then appear and / or disappear from the surrounding area in the through opening.

The designs according to the invention can be used to particular advantage in a micro-optical representation arrangement which can be designed, in particular, as a moiré magnification arrangement, as a moiré-type microoptical magnification arrangement or as a modulo magnification arrangement. The basic principle of such representations is in the document WO 2009/000528 A1 , the disclosure of which is incorporated into the present description.

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

On the underside of the carrier film 142 is a motif layer 146 arranged, which is a divided into a plurality of cells motif image with micromotif elements 148 contains. The arrangement of the grid cells also forms a two-dimensional grid with a preselected symmetry. The grating period and the diameter of the grid cells of the motif image are of the same order of magnitude as those of the microlenses 144 , that is preferably in the range of 5 microns to 50 microns and in particular in the range of 10 .mu.m to 35 .mu.m, so that the micromotif elements 148 like the microlenses 144 , even with the naked eye are not recognizable.

In the case of a moire magnification arrangement, the grid of the grid cells differs slightly in its symmetry and / or in the size of its grid parameters from the grid of the microlenses 144 in which, depending on the nature and size of the offset when viewing the motif image, a moiré-magnified image of the micromotif elements 148 arises. A generalization is modulo magnification arrangements in which the motif image does not have to be composed of a grid of periodically repeated individual motifs. For the principle of operation of the modulo magnification arrangements and further details will be to the above-mentioned document WO 2009/000528 A1 directed.

In the embodiment of the 9 contains the motif layer 146 an embossing lacquer layer 150 with elevations 152 and depressions 154 , which is initially full surface with a metal layer 156 were coated, as in connection with 6 basically already described. In the embodiment of 9 are the micromotif elements 148 straight through the depressions 154 the embossing lacquer layer 150 educated.

As in 6 became the metallized embossed structure 150 . 156 with a laser-absorbing paint 158 coated the wells 154 fills and on the elevations 152 forms a thin toning film. The foil element 140 was then on the security paper 160 applied and then through the through opening 162 through which applied from the bottom with laser radiation. This resulted in the surveys 152 in the area above the opening 162 accurately demetallized while the metal layer 156 in the wells 154 was preserved. Outside the opening 162 the metal layer is unchanged on both the elevations 152 as well as in the depressions 154 completely before.

In the finished security paper are the moire magnified micromotif elements 148 (wells 154 ) when viewing then only within the opening 162 against the background of demetallized surveys 152 recognizable while being outside the opening 162 due to the lack of contrast between metallized wells 154 and metallized surveys 152 are not recognizable.

Overall, results for the embodiment of 9 thus a visual appearance as in 7 shown, but the stars 124 as moire magnified micromotif elements 148 migrate according to the selected magnifier effect when tilting the security paper, for example orthoparallaktisch to tilt direction. Because the opening 162 as a mask for the demetallization of the surveys 152 served, finds the change of appearance of the stars 124 to the uniformly appearing metal layer regardless of the tilting of the security paper each exactly at the cutting edge of the opening 162 instead of.

Will the embossing lacquer layer 150 For example, provided on the surveys with additional microrelief structures, also one of 5 (c) corresponding appearance can be generated with a magnifier effect. The letters "PL" then move through the magnifier effect, the demetallization appears exactly at the border of the through opening. Inside the opening 162 the moire magnified micromotif elements (depressions) are then visible against the background of the demetallized protrusions, outside the opening 162 they are recognizable against the background of the microrelief structures of the elevations, which form, for example, a background hologram.

Will the laser-absorbing paint the 9 chosen in color, which may already be in connection with the 5 and 6 described designs are also realized in micro-optical representation arrangements. If the back side of the carrier foil is laminated with lenses, the backsides can also be implemented with a micro-optical magnifier effect.

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

10 shows another embodiment of a moiré magnification arrangement 170 , which in parts like the micro-optical magnification arrangement of 9 is constructed, with corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numerals. Looking at the moiré magnification arrangement 170 of the 10 are inside and outside the opening 162 Moire magnified micromotif elements 174 . 176 to recognize, however, the color impression differs from each other.

In this design, the motif image of the magnification arrangement consists of a colored motif layer 172 with micromotif elements 174 , where the color of the motif layer 172 is changeable by the action of the laser radiation. The motif layer 172 For example, it may contain laser-modifiable pigments which are available to the person skilled in the art with different properties, in particular with regard to their body color, the color change under laser action, the threshold energy and the required laser wavelength.

After applying the film element with the motif layer 172 on the security paper 160 have the micromotif elements 174 initially all the same starting color. By laser exposure from the bottom of the security paper 160 through the opening 162 through is in the motif layer 172 then precisely in the area of the opening 162 induces a color change, so that the micromotif elements lying there 176 change their color. When looking at the magnification arrangement 170 Therefore, a combination of moire-enlarged micromotif elements is shown 174 a first color outside the aperture and moire magnified micromotif elements 176 a second color within the opening.

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

For the coloration or bleaching of a lacquer, the use of laser radiation is not necessarily necessary, but a color change can also be induced by UV or IR radiation. So that the paint in these variants does not already fade by daylight, the carrier film 142 and / or the lacquer of the microlenses 144 preferably equipped with appropriate UV or IR absorbers.

11 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, in which the micro-optical representation arrangement 180 exactly at the cutting edges of the continuous opening 162 of the security paper 160 shows a change of the displayed motif image.

Outside the through hole 162 is a first motif image visible, the first moire magnified micromotif elements 182 in the form of the number sequence "50" exists, as in the supervision of the 11 (b) shown. The first micromotif elements 182 take with it the information of the continuous opening 162 on, which is also in the form of the number sequence "50" is formed.

besteht. Die ersten und zweiten Mikromotivelemente 182, 184 bzw. die Öffnung 162 und die zweiten Mikromotivelemente 184 ergänzen sich damit jeweils zu der Denomination der Banknote

Der Wechsel zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Motivbild findet genau gepassert an der Schnittkante der durchgehenden Öffnung 162 statt.Inside the through opening 162 a second motif image is visible, consisting of second moire magnified micromotif elements 184 in the shape of the euro symbol

consists. The first and second micromotif elements 182 . 184 or the opening 162 and the second micromotif elements 184 complement each other to the denomination of the banknote

The change between the first and the second motif image is precisely matched at the cutting edge of the through opening 162 instead of.

To create the perfect registration of the image change, a film element is created 190 used as in 11 (a) shown at the bottom of a carrier film 196 a two-layer paint system with two layers of paint arranged one above the other 192 . 194 same calculation index is arranged. The first micromotif elements 182 lie as embossed structures in, from the carrier film 196 seen from upper lacquer layer 192 before, the second micromotif elements 184 as embossed structures in the, of the carrier film 196 seen from lower lacquer layer 194 , The opposite side of the carrier film 196 is with one on the grid of micromotif elements 182 . 184 coordinated grid of microlenses 144 provided, as already described above.

zu sehen (11(b)).In the area of the opening 162 became the upper lacquer layer 192 of the paint system now by laser exposure of the film element 190 from the bottom of the security paper 160 and through the opening 162 eroded accurately. Looking at the surroundings of the opening 162 through the microlenses 144 are therefore within the opening only those in the lower lacquer layer 194 present second micromotif elements 184 in the form of the symbol

to see ( 11 (b) ).

Outside the opening 162 lie the two paint layers 192 . 194 immediately above each other. Since they have the same refractive index, the transmitted light from the embossed structures 184 at the interface of the paint layers 192 . 194 not affected, leaving the second micromotif elements 184 outside the opening 162 are not recognizable. Instead, only the first micromotif elements appear there 182 in the form of the numerical sequence "50", due to the refractive index difference at the interface between the upper lacquer layer 192 and the adjacent layer 198 , For example, a heat sealing lacquer layer are recognizable. Is the layer 198 colored, the first micromotif elements appear 182 outside the opening 162 colored and the second micromotif elements 184 inside the opening 162 transparent.

The upper lacquer layer 192 It is made thin to ensure that both the first 182 as well as the second micromotif elements 184 essentially in the focal plane of the microlenses 144 lie and look sharp when viewed.

The first micromotif elements 182 and the second micromotif elements 184 are in 11 (a) However, in practice they are generally not superimposed on each other for the sake of simplicity.

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

With reference to the schematic sectional view of 12 includes such, for example, applied to a banknote security element 201 a carrier 203 on his top 204 embossed microstructures 205 and on its underside 207 in sections several micro-cavities 208 and several microlenses 209 having. The micro hollow mirror 208 and the microlenses 209 are in a plane perpendicular to the drawing plane of 12 in a grid with a fixed geometry, for example in a hexagonal grid, and thus arranged flat in a viewing element pattern.

The carrier 203 includes a PET film 210 on which a first layer 211 made of radiation-curing lacquer that covers the microstructures 205 having. On the bottom of the PET film 210 is a second layer 212 formed of radiation-curing paint, in the negative mold of the micro-hollow mirror 208 as well as the shape of the microlenses 209 is characterized.

The microstructures 205 , which form a microstructure object or micromotiv M1, are also in a plane perpendicular to the plane of 12 in a grid with a fixed geometry, here for example likewise a hexagonal grid, and thus arranged flat in a microstructure pattern, wherein the microstructure pattern adapted to the viewing element pattern and both patterns are aligned so that when looking at the security element 201 from the top (direction of arrow P1) the microstructures 205 together with the micro hollow mirrors 208 form a modulo magnification arrangement or a moire magnification arrangement, as in the above-mentioned references WO 2009/000528 A1 and WO 2006/087138 A1 described in more detail. The present microstructure object M1 corresponds to the motif image according to the teaching of WO 2009/000528 A1 , When viewing the top side (direction of arrow P1), the microstructure object M1 is enlarged for a viewer as a security feature (target image in the sense of FIG WO 2009/000528 A1 ) perceptible.

For generating the micro-hollow mirror 208 is the PET film 210 opposite side of the second layer 212 in area A with a mirror coating 213 , in particular provided a metallization, so that the micro-hollow mirror 208 are formed as rear surface mirrors. In the exemplary embodiment, the inside of the mirror coating 213 each Micro concave mirror 208 or the embossed shape for the micro-hollow mirror 208 the shape of a spherical cap with a radius of curvature of 38 microns and a height of about 3 microns. The layer thicknesses of the second layer 212 , the pet film 210 and the first layer 211 are chosen so that the microstructures 205 just 19 microns from the micro hollow mirrors 208 are spaced and thus in the plane of the foci of the micro-cavity 208 , so that the desired magnifying picture of the microstructures 205 is caused to generate a security feature.

In a region B of the security element 201 is the metal layer 213 removed by demetallization, so that the embossed forms there are not micro-cavities, but microlenses 209 form. The radius of curvature of the convex side 214 the microlenses 209 is the same as with the micro hollow mirrors 208 and in the exemplary embodiment is thus 38 μm, resulting in a focal length of the microlenses 209 of about 115 microns leads. The plane E of the focal points of the microlenses 209 is thus outside the security element 201 so that the microstructures 205 in area B when viewed from the bottom 207 of the security element 201 (Direction of arrow P2) are not visible.

The microlenses 209 do not serve to image the microstructures 205 but rather the verification of another banknote or the self-authentication of the banknote of the security element 201 , For self-verification, a further microstructure object not shown in the figure, which is the banknote at one of the security element 201 Contains laterally spaced location, by bending, buckling or folding the banknote in front of the top 204 of the carrier 203 of the security element 201 positioned in the plane E, so that the further microstructure object by means of the microlenses 209 looking towards the underside 207 enlarged.

For verification of another banknote, the further microstructure image of another banknote is in front of the upper side 204 of the security element 201 arranged in the plane E to an enlarged image by means of the microlenses 209 through the bottom 207 through, so that a verification of the other banknotes can be performed.

According to the demetallization of the metal layer takes place 213 after applying the security element 201 on a security paper with a continuous opening and by radiation exposure of the metal layer 213 from the bottom 207 of the security element 201 through the through opening of the security paper, as already shown in detail above. This will ensure that the transition from micromirrors 208 to microlenses 209 (Boundary of areas A and B in 12 ) takes place in register with the cut edge of the through opening.

The micro hollow mirror 208 and the microlenses 209 can also be formed in different planes, as in the sectional view of 13 shown. The structure of the layers 210 to 212 corresponds to the structure of 12 , where in 13 those with a continuous metallization 213 provided, mirrored sides of the micro hollow mirror 208 are drawn with solid lines (area A). In area B is the metallization 213 partially removed by exposure to radiation, so that there semitransparent microcavities 208 ' arise in 13 dashed lines are shown. In this case, the metallization is superimposed in particular with a substructure, for example a dot or line grid, and completely removed in accordance with the substructure in partial regions, so that overall a semitransparent metallization is formed.

On the shift 212 is by means of a laminating adhesive 221 a second PET film 222 with a UV varnish layer formed thereon 223 glued, being in the UV varnish layer 223 the convex sides 214 the microlenses 209 are impressed. The convex sides 214 have the shape of a spherical cap with a radius of curvature of 18 microns. Due to the radius of curvature of the convex sides 214 the microlenses 209 of 18 microns have the microlenses 209 a focal length of 54 microns, at the selected layer thicknesses just the distance between the apex of the convex sides 214 and the microstructures 205 equivalent.

Also in this embodiment, the demetallization of the metal layer takes place 213 after applying the security element 201 on a security paper with a continuous opening and by radiation exposure of the metal layer 213 from the bottom 207 of the security element 201 through the continuous opening of the security paper and the second PET film 222 therethrough. This results in a transition perfectly matched to the cut edges of the through hole from the fully metallized micromirrors 208 to the semitransparent micro hollow mirrors 208 ' (Boundary of areas A and B in 13 ) generated.

Outside the opening (area A) are then for the viewer from above (viewing direction P1) through the reflective, fully metallized micromirrors 208 the microstructures 205 to see. Within the opening (area B) are the microstructures 205 seen from both above and below, namely once (viewing direction P1) via reflection on the semitransparent Micro concave mirror 208 and once (viewing direction P2) through the microlenses 209 and the semitransparent microvoid 208 ' therethrough.

Further details and advantages of the combination of microlenses and hollow micromirrors can be found in the German patent application DE 10 2009 022 612.5 are removed, the disclosure of which is included in the present description.

If the film element is applied to the security paper by means of a heat seal adhesive or another adhesive, the heat seal adhesive can 84 because of the tolerances tolerances something in the area of the opening 82 protrude, such as 6 illustrated. This can lead to a somewhat dull appearance in the edge area of the through opening. The adhesive can therefore be laserablatierbar in all embodiments, so that it is applied over the entire surface and in the region of the opening 82 can be removed during the modification by the laser. The adhesive layer is then also perfectly adapted to the cut edges of the opening, such as in 11 (a) for the heat seal adhesive layer 198 illustrated. For this purpose, the adhesive is preferably provided with corresponding absorbers for the laser radiation.

Instead of a simple metallization, as has been described and shown in the exemplary embodiments for illustration, multilayer coating systems can also be used. With appropriate choice of the laser parameters, individual layers in the region of the opening can be removed from such layer systems. For example, in the case of a thin-film element with color-shift effect, which typically consists of a reflection layer, a dielectric spacer layer and an absorber layer, only the reflection layer or just the absorber layer can be removed by laser application.

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

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

bill

12

Banknote paper

14

through opening

16

bottom

18

top

20

film strips

22

hologram

24

Laser modification area

30

film strips

32

True color hologram

34

mountain chain

36

sky

38

Laser modification area

40

security paper

42

through opening

44

surrounding area

46

bottom

47

top

48

border area

50

design

52

colored areas

60

film element

62

security element

64, 66

subregions

70

security paper

72

through opening

74

Laser modification area

80

security paper

82

through opening

90

film element

92

support film

94

Präglackschicht

96

surveys

98

wells

100

metal layer

102

laser-absorbing paint

110

The security document

112

Laser modification area

120

security element

122, 124

subregions

125

Area outside the opening

126

through opening

128

Radiation modification area

130

colored pattern

140

film element

142

support film

144

microlenses

146

motif layer

148

Micromotif elements

150

Präglackschicht

152

surveys

154

wells

156

metal layer

158

laser-absorbing paint

160

security paper

162

through opening

162

linear polarizing layer

164

Heat seal adhesive

170

Moire magnification arrangement

172

motif layer

174, 176

Micromotif elements

180

Micro-optical representation arrangement

182, 184

Micromotif elements

190

film element

192, 194

paint layers

196

support film

198

adjacent layer

201

security element

203

carrier

204

top

205

microstructures

207

bottom

208

Micro concave mirror

208 '

semitransparent microvoided mirrors

209

microlenses

210

PET film

211

radiation-curing paint

212

radiation-curing paint

213

metal layer

214

convex side of the microlenses

221

laminating adhesive

222

PET film

223

UV varnish layer

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2006/079489 A1 [0021, 0086, 0095]
• EP 2009/00882 [0024, 0094, 0095, 0100]
• WO 2009/00528 A1 [0025]
• WO 2006/087138 A1 [0025, 0129]
• DE 102009022612 [0033, 0139]
• DE 102009011424 [0034]
• WO 2009/003587 A1 [0045, 0075]
• WO 2006/079489 [0096]
• WO 2009/000528 A1 [0102, 0105, 0129, 0129, 0129]

Claims (29)

Data carrier, in particular value or security document, having - a window which extends from a lower side to a top side of the data carrier, - a film element with a security element which covers the window on the upper side of the data carrier, a part of the security element being above the window and a part of the security element is located next to the window, characterized in that - the part of the security element lying above the window has a radiation modification area which is in register with the window and in which the visual appearance of the security element is modified by the action of electromagnetic radiation. A data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the security element has a metal layer which is demetallized in the radiation modification region. A data carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that the security element contains a metallized diffractive diffraction structure, a metallized blazed diffraction structure, a metallized matt structure or a thin-film element with a color-shift effect. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the security element has first and second subregions which interact differently with the electromagnetic radiation, both first and second subregions lying partially above the window and partially adjacent to the window. A data carrier according to claim 4, characterized in that the radiation modification region comprises only first, but not second partial regions, so that the second partial regions above and next to the window show the same visual appearance. A data carrier according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at least one of the two subregions has an interference structure, preferably a relief structure in the form of a grid pattern, which is defined by a lattice constant and an orientation of the grid lines. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the two subregions has a surface-enlarging relief structure. A data carrier according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the first and second portions are formed by elevations and depressions of an embossed structure. A data carrier according to claim 8, characterized in that the recesses are filled with a radiation-reflecting and / or radiation-absorbing cover layer. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the security element contains microstructures with a line thickness of between about 1 μm and about 10 μm, the visual appearance of which is changed in the radiation modification region. A data carrier according to claim 10, characterized in that the microstructures form a motif image at least in the radiation modification region, which is divided into a plurality of cells, in each of which imaged regions of a predetermined target image are arranged, wherein the lateral dimensions of the imaged regions are preferably between about 5 μm and about 50 microns, in particular between about 10 microns and about 35 microns. A data carrier according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a viewing grid of a plurality of viewing grid elements is provided for reconstruction of the predetermined target image when viewing the motif image using the viewing grid, wherein the lateral dimensions of the viewing grid elements preferably between about 5 microns and about 50 microns, in particular between about 10 microns and about 35 microns. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the color of the microstructures in the radiation modification region is changed. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the microstructures within and outside the radiation modification region each represent a different motif, in particular different patterns, characters or codes. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the microstructures are present in a two-layer paint system with two superimposed paint layers having substantially the same calculation index, wherein a second motif image in the lower paint layer and a first motif image in the above the lower paint layer arranged upper lacquer layer is embossed and wherein the upper lacquer layer is removed in the radiation modification region, so that within the radiation modification region, the second motif of the lower lacquer layer and outside of the radiation modification region, the first motif of the upper lacquer layer is visually recognizable. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The security element comprises a plurality of reflective first microimage elements arranged flat in a viewing element pattern and transmissive second microimage elements arranged flatly in the viewing element pattern, The first microimage elements within and the second microimage elements lie outside the radiation modification region, Wherein the security element further comprises a microstructure object containing a plurality of microstructures arranged in a microstructure pattern adapted to the viewing element pattern such that the microstructure object is enlargedly enlarged by the first microimaging elements in front of the top surface, and Wherein the second microimage elements are assigned an object plane region lying outside the security element, so that the microstructures of the microstructure object can not be seen from the underside when viewed using the second microimage elements, but a further microstructure object having a plurality of microstructures can be positioned in the object plane region for verification that the further microstructure object is enlarged by means of the second microimaging elements in front of the underside. A data carrier according to claim 16, characterized in that the first microimage elements are designed as micro-concave mirrors and / or the second micro-imaging elements as microlenses. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the window is in the form of a pattern, of characters or codes. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the window is formed by a through opening which extends from the bottom to the top of the data carrier. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the window is formed by a transparent region of the data carrier, which extends from the bottom to the top of the data carrier. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the data carrier is multi-layered and the window comprises a continuous opening in at least one data carrier layer. A data carrier according to claim 19 or 21, characterized in that the continuous opening is formed by a line grid of a plurality of parallel cut lines. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the radiation modification region is in the form of a pattern, of characters or codings. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the film element is applied with a laserablatierbaren adhesive layer on top of the data carrier and the laserablatierbare adhesive layer is removed in the region of the window. Method for producing a data carrier with the method steps: a) providing a data carrier substrate with a window which extends from a lower side to an upper side of the data carrier substrate, and a film element with a security element, b) covering the window on the upper side of the data carrier substrate with the film element such that a part of the security element comes to lie above the window and a part of the security element next to the window, and c) applying electromagnetic radiation to the security element from the underside of the data carrier substrate and through the window to modify the visual appearance of the security element in a radiation modification area above the window. A method according to claim 25, characterized in that the security element in step c) with laser radiation, in particular with UV radiation, visible radiation or near-infrared radiation of a wavelength up to 1.5 microns is applied. A method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the film element is applied in step b) with a laserablatierbaren adhesive on top of the data carrier, and in the region of the window existing laserablatierbarer adhesive in step c) is removed. Method according to at least one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the window is formed by a continuous opening, or that the data carrier is multi-layered and the window comprises a through opening in at least one data carrier layer, and that the through opening in step a) by punching or by laser cutting with a cutting laser in the data carrier substrate or the through opening containing data carrier layer is introduced, preferably at a wavelength of about 10.6 microns. A method according to claim 28, characterized in that The data carrier substrate or the data carrier layer is provided with a laser-modifiable marking substance at least in the vicinity of the through opening to be produced, - By the action of laser radiation, the through opening is introduced into the data carrier substrate or the data carrier layer, and - The laser-modifiable marker is modified in the vicinity of the opening by the action of laser radiation.

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