DE102018127628A1 - Security element with structurally assigned structural elements in different layers - Google Patents

Abstract

A security element (11) for use in a security document (10) is described. The security element (11) comprises at least two layers (1, 2) firmly connected to one another. At least two layers (1, 2) each comprise a number of structural elements (21, 22), with at least one first structural element (21) of a first layer (2) in at least one further layer (1) being one of the first structural elements (21) there is a spatially assigned structural element (22) which has a different appearance than the first structural element (21) of the first layer (2).

Description

Subject of the invention

The present invention relates to a security element for use for a security document and a method for producing a security element for use for a security document. The invention also relates to a security document and a method for producing a security document.

Background of the Invention

In order to increase the security against forgery of security documents, in particular also value documents, different features and methods are used which make it difficult or impossible to reproduce or alienate them. A security document is usually composed of several layers, which are preferably connected to one another by lamination or lamination. The data to be introduced for personalizing the document is introduced under a preferably transparent cover layer within the material to protect against manipulation. This can be done by laser personalization in the otherwise finished data carrier. Another method provides for the data carrier to be provided with a preferably transparent cover layer after personalization.

A value or security document can be distorted by removing the cover layer and, after manipulating the underlying data, applying a new cover layer. To secure the document against manipulation, holograms can be used, such as in the publications WO 2017 109 119 A1 , DE 10 2007 042 386 A1 , EP 2 738 624 B1 described. For this purpose, a special hologram film is appropriately exposed and applied to the data carrier. Furthermore, a microstructuring of the surface of a security document can be carried out, which makes a manipulation of the cover layer recognizable. Another possibility is in the publication EP 1 970 211 A1 disclosed. The document is labeled on the narrow side surfaces with a laser to create an optical connection between the layers. In the pamphlets WO 98/19869 respectively. DE 697 23 283 T2 a security feature is presented in which information is introduced into several layers of the document by perforating the data carrier.

Most known methods each process a layer or the surface of the document with a method that generates a feature with an appearance. By separating the layers or treating the surface, it is possible to alienate or replace the one appearance. The perforation, which affects several layers of the document, is also a feature with an appearance, for example in the form of holes, which also weakens the stability of the document.

The following definitions are from the publication EP 2 738 624 B1 been taken over. As already defined there, in connection with the present invention, a security element is also understood to mean a structural unit which comprises at least one security feature. Security elements serve to secure security documents, which also include value documents, against forgery or copying. A security feature can be an independent structural unit that can be connected, for example glued, to a security document, which can also be a value document. However, it can also be an integral part of a security document. A security feature is a structure that can be produced or reproduced only with increased effort compared to simple copying or not at all without authorization.

Security documents typically have a substrate, a print layer and optionally a transparent cover layer. A substrate is a carrier structure to which the printing layer with information, images, patterns and the like is applied. Suitable materials for a substrate include, among other things, all customary materials based on paper and / or plastic. Examples of security documents are identity cards, passports, driver's licenses, ID cards, access control ID cards, visas, tax signs, tickets, motor vehicle documents, banknotes, checks, postage stamps, credit cards, any chip cards and adhesive labels.

Description of the invention

Against the background described, it is an object of the present invention to further improve the security against forgery of security elements and security documents.

This object is achieved by a security element for use for a security document according to claim 1, a security document according to claim 15, a method for producing a security element for use for a security document according to claim 16 and a method for producing a security document according to claim 20. The dependent claims contain further advantageous refinements of the invention.

The security element according to the invention is designed for use in a security document, for example as a component or as a layer arrangement in the context of a security document. It comprises at least two, preferably more than two, layers firmly connected to one another. At least two layers each comprise a number of structural elements. A structural element spatially assigned to the first structural element is present in at least one first structural element of a first layer in at least one further layer, that is to say in a layer other than the first layer. The structural element of the further layer that is spatially assigned to the first structural element has a different appearance than the first structural element of the first layer.

The present invention enables a document of value and / or security to be secured by a security element which, in the various layers, the surface also being viewed as a layer, of the document has structural elements which are spatially assigned to one another in different manifestations. The manipulation of a layer or the surface is clearly recognizable due to the disagreement of the appearance of the structural elements of one layer with the structural elements spatially assigned to them of at least one other layer in the other layers. Manipulation or replacement of a layer eliminates the location-specific coupling of the manifestations of the structural elements assigned to one another and is therefore easily recognizable.

The security element can comprise a surface. The at least one first structural element of the first layer and the structural element of the further layer spatially assigned to the first structural element are advantageously arranged offset from one another at a certain angle with respect to a surface normal of the surface. In other words, the structural elements are arranged offset from one another in a direction which includes a certain angle with the surface normal. The structural elements can, for example, be arranged offset from one another along a direction which includes an angle between 0 degrees and 45 degrees with the surface normal. Moving the structural elements in one direction at an angle of more than 0 degrees to the surface normal improves the security against forgery in that the various structural elements are visible in a top view of the security element and manipulation is therefore clearly recognizable.

In an exemplary variant, the at least one first structural element of the first layer and the structural element of the further layer spatially assigned to the first structural element have an identical position with respect to their x-coordinates and their y-coordinates of a reference system from a z-axis running parallel to a surface normal of the surface. Axis, an x-axis running perpendicular to the z-axis and a y-axis running perpendicular to the z-axis and perpendicular to the x-axis. Spatially assigned in this variant means that the mutually assigned structural elements, displaced in relation to one another in the direction of the z-axis, are arranged in different layers, that is to say preferably one above the other in a plan view of the surface.

In an advantageous variant, a number of layers are designed to be optically at least partially transparent, so that the structural elements of different layers spatially assigned to one another are visually perceptible. For example, a cover layer and at least one layer below it can be made transparent. As a result, structural elements that are spatially assigned to one another in these layers can be perceived visually separately when viewed at certain angles, and it can be checked in a simple manner whether the structural elements of the different layers correspond to one another.

The structural elements can be arranged on the surface and / or in the surface and / or inside a layer. At least one structural element preferably comprises a number of structural components, which can be configured, for example, as depressions, for example in the form of bores and / or elevations and / or cavities and / or pixels, for example colored pixels. Further configurations of the structural elements or structural components can be achieved by changing the material of at least one layer, for example in the form of blackening by carbonization. The at least one structural element can have a periodic structure. A number of structural components of the structural element can form a periodic structure. The use of periodic structures makes it easier to identify tampering and thus enables the authenticity of a security document to be checked quickly.

In addition, the structural elements of different layers spatially assigned to one another can differ from one another in terms of their size and / or their shape and / or their color and / or their transparency and / or their material and / or their material structure. The differing appearance of the spatially assigned structural elements makes manipulation significantly more difficult and thus increases the security against forgery.

The structural element of a layer advantageously differs from the starting material of the layer with regard to at least one material property, for example with regard to its color and / or its transparency and / or its material structure. This improves the visual perceptibility of the structural element and simplifies checking the authenticity of the security element or of a security document.

The security element preferably comprises at least one layer which comprises laser-sensitive material, that is to say material suitable for processing by means of a laser, or which consists of laser-sensitive material. At least two layers advantageously comprise laser-sensitive material. Laser-sensitive material enables simple and inexpensive production of the structural elements, in particular the production of structural elements with very small dimensions.

The structural element can, for example, have structural components with dimensions of less than 100 micrometers (100 μm), in particular less than 10 micrometers (10 μm), preferably less than 1 micrometer (1 μm). The smaller the dimensions, the more difficult it is to forge or manipulate the security element.

In a particularly advantageous variant, the security element is designed for a certain security document or for a certain type of security document with certain security information and a structure of the structural elements contains security information and / or personalized data, i.e. Information that can be assigned to the holder of the security document for the particular security document. This increases the security against counterfeiting.

The security element can in particular comprise a transparent cover layer with a surface, the cover layer comprising structural elements and the structure elements being designed such that when viewed perpendicular to the surface the structural elements of the cover layer are not visible and when viewed at an acute angle, the structure elements are formed Structures are visible as matt surfaces and the structure elements show the effect of an optical grating in the case of oblique light incidence, in that the spectral colors of the incident light become visible.

The security document according to the invention is made up of a number of layers, preferably two or more layers. It comprises a previously described security element according to the invention. The security document according to the invention has the features and advantages mentioned above in connection with the security element according to the invention. In particular, it can comprise laminated layers. The security document can be, for example, an identity card, a passport, a driver's license, a company ID card or another security document.

The method according to the invention for producing a security element according to the invention described above for use for a security document comprises the following steps: At least two layers, which advantageously comprise materials that differ from one another, are firmly connected to one another, for example by lamination or lamination. Structural elements that are spatially assigned to one another are produced in different layers by means of laser radiation. The structural elements of different layers which are spatially assigned to one another can be arranged offset with respect to one another in a direction which encloses a certain angle, for example between 0 degrees and 45 degrees, with a surface normal of a surface of the security document.

The structural elements can be produced in different layers in the direction of a z-axis one above the other. In particular, a periodic structure can be created. The z-axis is advantageously, but not necessarily, perpendicular to the surface of the security document, for example to the card surface.

The structural elements and / or structural components of the structural elements are preferably produced in several layers at the same time. For this purpose, in particular the step of generating the structural elements can be carried out following the step of connecting the layers to one another.

The structural elements and / or structural components of the structural elements can be generated by means of ultrashort laser pulses, for example with a pulse duration of less than 10 picoseconds (10 ps), in particular less than 1 picosecond (1 ps) or less than 500 femtoseconds (500 fs). In particular, micro or nano laser structures can be manufactured comparatively easily with ultra-short laser pulses. The use of ultra-short laser pulses enables precise manufacture and efficient generation of the structural elements. In particular, ultrashort laser pulses minimize or avoid thermal or mechanical damage to the structural elements during processing. With a suitable choice of processing parameters, almost melt-free processing with high precision is possible. Caused by the short interaction time of the ultrashort laser pulses with the material the material removal does not change the color of the material. On the other hand, a specific appearance, for example a change in the color of the structural elements, can also be generated by a targeted choice of the processing parameters.

When generating the structural elements, the interconnected layers can be moved relative to a focused laser beam and / or scanned by a focused laser beam. The movement of the interconnected layers relative to a focused laser beam is preferably carried out in an x-y plane. The scanning can be done by means of movable mirrors.

By means of laser pulses of a suitable wavelength, it is possible, for example, to provide the surface or the preferably transparent cover layer above a laser-sensitive layer with a, preferably periodic structure, and at the same time to provide at least one laser-sensitive layer underneath with a laser marking which is precisely positioned relative to the structural elements preferably under the structural elements of the other layers. For this purpose, the material is moved relative to the focused laser beam and / or scanned by the focused laser beam using movable mirrors. Portions of the laser radiation penetrating into the material of the document are absorbed by the different layers, which then, depending on the nature of the layer, react differently to the absorbed laser energy. A security feature is thus generated in one work step, which has different interlinked structural elements with different appearances in the different layers of the document.

In the context of the method according to the invention for producing a security document according to the invention, at least one security element according to the invention or one security element produced according to the invention is connected to a number of further layers.

Description of exemplary embodiments

Further features, properties and advantages of the present invention are described in more detail below on the basis of embodiment variants with reference to the attached figures. All the features described so far and below are advantageous both individually and in any combination with one another. The design variants described below merely represent examples, which, however, do not limit the subject matter of the invention.

The figures are not necessarily true to detail and to scale, and may be enlarged or reduced in order to provide a better overview. The functional details disclosed here are therefore not to be understood in a restrictive sense, but merely as an illustrative basis, which provides the person skilled in the art with instructions for using the present invention in a variety of ways.

• 1 zeigt schematisch einen Ausschnitt einer Variante eines erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitsdokuments in einer teilweise geschnittenen und perspektivischen Ansicht.
• 2 zeigt schematisch den in der 1 gezeigten Ausschnitt eines erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitsdokuments in einer geschnittenen Seitenansicht während seiner Herstellung.

The term "and / or" used here when used in a series of two or more elements means that each of the listed elements can be used alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements can be used. If, for example, a composition is described that contains components A, B and / or C, composition A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

• 1 shows schematically a section of a variant of a security document according to the invention in a partially cut and perspective view.
• 2nd shows schematically the in the 1 shown section of a security document according to the invention in a sectional side view during its manufacture.

In 1 is, by way of example and not to scale, a section of a document body of a security document according to the invention 10th with a security element according to the invention 11 shown. The security document 10th is made up of several layers 1 including a preferably transparent cover layer 2nd built up. Individual layers 1 can also be designed as foils. The layers 1 are connected to one another, for example by lamination, to form a document body. Under the preferably transparent cover layer 2nd the information characteristic of the document can be located, such as, for example, personal text elements and / or graphic representations and / or images, for example portraits.

The security element 11 has a surface 3rd on. An example is parallel to a surface normal 4th the surface 3rd defines a z-axis of a reference system. An x-axis is perpendicular to the z-axis. A y-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis and the z-axis.

A first layer, in the variant shown the top layer 2nd , comprises a number of structural elements 21 . Another layer 1 or several more layers 1 include the structural elements 21 the first layer spatially assigned structural elements 22 . In the variant shown, these are the structural elements 21 structural elements spatially assigned to the first layer 22 in a second below the first layer 2nd arranged layer 1 arranged. The structural elements 21 spatially assigned structural elements 22 can also be in another or in several other layers 1 be arranged. Each structural element is preferred 21 the first layer 2nd at least one structural element displaced in the direction of the z-axis 22 with preferably the same x and y coordinates in a further layer 1 or in several other layers 1 assigned.

The 2nd shows an example and not to scale a cross section through a document body 10th with the different layers or foils 1 . Using pulsed laser radiation 100 becomes the security element 11 manufactured, which are in at least two different layers in different forms of structural elements 21 and 22 having. The structural elements 21 and 22 are coupled with each other precisely due to the manufacturing process.

For example, they form the structural elements 21 a periodic structure on the surface 3rd which, when viewed perpendicular to the surface 3rd is not visible and therefore the underlying structural elements 22 and related information remains clearly recognizable. When viewed at an acute angle, the structure of the structural elements 21 visible as matt surface areas and shows the effect of an optical grating when the light falls at an angle, so that the spectral colors of the incident light become visible and an impression similar to that of a rainbow hologram is created.

The different manifestations of the structural elements 21 and 22 are visible differently when changing the view. For example, the manifestations of the structural elements 22 when viewed perpendicular to the surface 3rd visible and the manifestations of the structural elements 21 are not recognizable. When viewed at an acute angle, the structural elements 21 and their manifestations recognizable. The precise coupling of the structural elements 21 and 22 can be seen, for example, when viewed under a microscope.

The structural elements 21 , 22 can have dimensions of less than 100 micrometers (100 μm), in particular less than 10 micrometers (10 μm), for example less than 1 micrometer (1 μm). Structural elements assigned to each other 21 and 22 have different forms of appearance. A structural element 21 differs, for example, from a structural element spatially assigned to it 22 with regard to its size and / or its shape and / or its color and / or its transparency and / or its material and / or its material structure. The different layers 1 differ preferably in their material. Advantageously comprise at least two layers 1 laser sensitive material.

Reference list

1

layer

2nd

Top layer

3rd

surface

4th

Surface normal

10th

Security document

11

Security element

21

Structural element

22

Structural element

100

laser beam

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for better information for 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.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2017109119 A1 [0003]
• DE 102007042386 A1 [0003]
• EP 2738624 B1 [0003,0005]
• EP 1970211 A1 [0003]
• WO 9819869 [0003]
• DE 69723283 T2 [0003]

Claims (20)

Security element (11) for use for a security document (10), characterized in that the security element (11) comprises at least two layers (1, 2) firmly connected to one another and at least two layers (1, 2) each have a number of structural elements (21 , 22), wherein for at least one first structural element (21) of a first layer (2) in at least one further layer (1) there is a structural element (22) spatially assigned to the first structural element (21), which has a different appearance than that comprises first structural element (21) of the first layer (2). Security element (11) after Claim 1 characterized in that the security element (11) has a surface (3) and the at least one first structural element (21) of the first layer (2) and the structural element (22) of the further layer (1) spatially assigned to the first structural element (21) ) are arranged offset from each other at a certain angle with respect to a surface normal (4) of the surface (3). Security element (11) after Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized in that the security element (11) has a surface (3) and the at least one first structural element (21) of the first layer (2) and the structural element (22) of the further layer (1) spatially assigned to the first structural element (21) ) an identical position with respect to their x and y coordinates of a reference system consisting of a z-axis running parallel to a surface normal (4) of the surface (3), an x-axis running perpendicular to the z-axis and one perpendicular to the z -Axis and have y-axis perpendicular to the x-axis. Security element (11) according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd , characterized in that a number of layers (1, 2) are optically at least partially transparent, so that the structural elements (21, 22) of different layers (1, 2) spatially assigned to one another are visually perceptible. Security element (11) according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th characterized in that the security element (11) has a surface (3) and at least one structural element (21, 22) on the surface (3) and / or in the surface (3) and / or in the interior of a layer (1, 2) is arranged. Security element (11) after Claim 5 , characterized in that the structural element (21, 22) comprises a number of structural components in the form of depressions and / or elevations and / or cavities and / or pixels. Security element (11) according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the structural element (21, 22) has a periodic structure and / or a number of structural components of the structural element (21, 22) form a periodic structure. Security element (11) according to one of the Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the spatially assigned structural elements (21, 22) of different layers (1, 2) differ in terms of their size and / or their shape and / or their color and / or their transparency and / or their material and / or their Differentiate material structure from each other. Security element (11) according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the structural element (21, 22) of a layer (1, 2) differs from the starting material of the layer with respect to at least one material property. Security element (11) after Claim 9 , characterized in that the structural element (21, 22) of a layer (1, 2) differs from the starting material of the layer in terms of its color and / or its transparency and / or its material structure. Security element (11) according to one of the Claims 1 to 10th , characterized in that the security element (11) comprises at least one layer (1, 2) which comprises laser-sensitive material. Security element (11) according to one of the Claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that the security element (11) is designed for a specific security document (10) or for a specific type of security document (10) with specific security information and a structure of the structural elements (21, 22) security information for the specific security document (10) contains. Security element (11) according to one of the Claims 1 to 12th , characterized in that the structural element (21, 22) has structural components with dimensions of less than 100 micrometers (100 µm). Security element (11) according to one of the Claims 1 to 13 , characterized in that the security element (11) comprises a transparent cover layer (2) with a surface (3), the cover layer (2) comprising at least one structural element (21), and the structural element (21) are designed such that at Viewing perpendicular to the surface (3) the structural element (21) of the cover layer (2) are not visible and when viewed below at an acute angle, the structural element is visible as a matt surface and, when the light falls at an angle, the structural element (21) shows the effect of an optical grating in that the spectral colors of the incident light become visible. Security document (10), which is composed of a number of layers (1, 2), characterized in that it is a security element (11) according to one of the Claims 1 to 14 includes. Method for producing a security element (11) for use for a security document (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 14 , characterized in that - at least two layers (1, 2) are firmly connected to one another, - by means of laser radiation (100) spatially assigned structural elements (21, 22) are generated in different layers (1, 2). Procedure according to Claim 16 , characterized in that the structural elements (21, 22) are produced in several layers simultaneously. Procedure according to Claim 16 or Claim 17 , characterized in that the structural elements (21, 22) are generated by means of ultra-short laser pulses (100). Procedure according to one of the Claims 16 to 18th , characterized in that when the structural elements (21, 22) are produced, the interconnected layers (1, 2) are moved relative to a focused laser beam (100) and / or are scanned by a focused laser beam (100). Method for producing a security document (10) according to Claim 15 , characterized in that at least one security element (11) according to one of the Claims 1 to 14 or one according to one of the Claims 16 to 19th produced security element (11) is connected to a number of further layers (1, 2).

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