DE102022001505A1 - Biodegradable valuable document substrate - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a biodegradable value document substrate, comprising a biodegradable paper substrate with sustainable fibers, the sustainable fibers being selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, bio-based plant polymer fibers, bio-based animal polymer fibers or a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned elements

Description

The invention relates to a biodegradable value document substrate, in particular a banknote.

Substrates of valuable documents, in particular banknotes, are exposed to high stress during the circulation of valuable documents, which leads to contamination and mechanical damage. With regard to increasing the circulation stability, the WO 2004/072378 A1 proposed to provide security paper with a protective layer based on a varnish. The WO 2004/028825 A2 describes the provision of a security paper that is improved against contamination and has increased mechanical strength based on a multilayer substrate that comprises at least one paper layer and a film.

The paths taken in the prior art to provide valuable document substrates with increased circulation stability have the disadvantage that the starting materials required for this are of petrochemical origin, which poses difficulties with regard to recycling, the ecological balance and sustainability.

The present invention is based on the object of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art and of providing an improved valuable document substrate. The valuable document substrate should in particular ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly disposal and at the same time have a high circulation stability.

The task is solved by the combination of features defined in the independent claim. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Summary of the invention

1. Biodegradable value document substrate, comprising a biodegradable paper substrate with sustainable fibers, the sustainable fibers being selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, bio-based plant polymer fibers, bio-based animal polymer fibers or a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned elements.

2. (Preferred embodiment) Biodegradable value document substrate according to clause 1, whereby natural fibers are selected as sustainable fibers and the natural fibers are based on a mixture comprising cotton fibers and resistant fibers, the resistant fibers preferably being from plants, selected from the group consisting of hemp, flax , linen, abaca, nettle, ramie, hops, sisal or a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned elements.

3. (Preferred embodiment) Biodegradable valuable document substrate according to clause 2, wherein the paper substrate additionally contains bio-based plant polymer fibers as sustainable fibers, the bio-based plant polymer fibers being bio-based polyamide fibers, beech wood fibers, Tencel fibers, castor fibers, polylactate fibers and/or protein fibers, wherein the protein fibers are obtained in particular from corn, peanuts, milk and/or soy.

4. (Preferred embodiment) Biodegradable value document substrate according to clause 2 or 3, wherein the paper substrate additionally contains bio-based animal polymer fibers as sustainable fibers, the bio-based animal polymer fibers being based on sheep's wool, Merino virgin wool, fine cashmere goat hair and/or alpaca wool.

5. (Preferred embodiment) Biodegradable value document substrate according to clause 2, 3 or 4, wherein the paper substrate additionally contains regenerated cellulose fibers as sustainable fibers.

6. (Preferred embodiment) Biodegradable value document substrate according to one of clauses 2 to 5, wherein the cotton fibers have an average length and the resistant fibers have an average length, the average length of the resistant fibers being increased by an amount in a range of 10 % to 50% is higher than the average length of the cotton fibers.

7. (Preferred embodiment) Biodegradable value document substrate according to one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the paper substrate is a two-layer paper substrate with a first paper layer and a second paper layer, the first paper layer being based on fibers with an average length and the second paper layer being based on fibers based on an average length, the average length of the fibers of the second paper layer being higher by a certain amount than the average length of the fibers of the first paper layer, the certain amount being in particular in a range of 10% to 50%.

8. (Preferred embodiment) Biodegradable valuable document substrate according to one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the paper substrate additionally contains biodegradable ones based on biopolymers Stabilizers, in particular chitosan, and/or biodegradable auxiliary substances are included.

9. (Preferred embodiment) Biodegradable value document substrate according to one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the value document substrate is a multilayer value document substrate with polymer layer/paper substrate/polymer layer structure or paper substrate/polymer layer/paper substrate structure, wherein the polymer layer is biodegradable and in particular from is selected from the group consisting of cellulose, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (BTA copolyester), polylactide (PLA), in particular biaxially oriented polylactide, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), or a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned elements.

10. (Preferred embodiment) Biodegradable value document substrate according to clause 9, wherein the value document substrate is a multilayer value document substrate with a polymer layer/paper substrate/polymer layer structure and the polymer layer is in each case a film.

11. (Preferred embodiment) Biodegradable value document substrate according to one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the biodegradable paper substrate is provided on its two main surfaces with a biodegradable lacquer layer, the biodegradable lacquer layer being in particular from the group consisting of polysugar, lignin, Shellac, tree resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyalcohol (PVA) or a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned elements is selected.

12. (Preferred embodiment) Biodegradable valuable document substrate according to one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the valuable document substrate has a security thread and/or a security strip and/or a security patch based on a biodegradable material and/or mottled fibers based on natural fibers.

13. (Preferred embodiment) Biodegradable value document substrate according to one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the value document substrate is a banknote.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The invention is based on the finding that a sustainable value document substrate can be provided based on a biodegradable paper substrate containing sustainable fibers. The valuable document substrate according to the invention preferably consists essentially of sustainable, i.e. biodegradable, components, it being particularly preferred that the valuable document substrate consists exclusively of sustainable components.

The biodegradable value document substrate according to the invention comprises a biodegradable paper substrate with sustainable fibers, the sustainable fibers being selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, bio-based plant polymer fibers, bio-based animal polymer fibers or a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned elements. In this way, the valuable document substrate according to the invention can be disposed of in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner at the end of the life cycle or recycled.

According to a preferred variant, the biodegradable paper substrate comprises natural fibers as sustainable fibers, the natural fibers being based on a mixture comprising cotton fibers and resistant fibers and the resistant fibers preferably made from plants selected from the group consisting of hemp, flax, linen, abaca, stinging nettle, Ramie, hops, sisal or a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned elements can be obtained. It is particularly preferred that the cotton fibers have an average length and the resistant fibers have an average length, the average length of the resistant fibers being higher than the average length of the cotton fibers is. In this way, a biodegradable valuable document substrate can be provided which is particularly advantageous compared to conventional valuable document substrates in terms of tear resistance and tear propagation resistance.

According to a further preferred variant, the paper substrate contains bio-based plant polymer fibers as sustainable fibers, the bio-based plant polymer fibers being bio-based polyamide fibers, beech wood fibers, Tencel fibers, castor fibers, polylactate fibers and/or protein fibers, the protein fibers being made in particular from corn, peanuts, milk and/or Soy can be obtained. As a result of the enzymatic cleavability of the bio-based plant fibers, a biodegradable value document substrate can be provided which is particularly advantageous in terms of biodegradability compared to conventional value document substrates.

According to a further preferred variant, the paper substrate contains bio-based animal polymer fibers as sustainable fibers, whereby the Bio-based animal polymer fibers based on sheep's wool, Merino virgin wool, fine cashmere goat hair and/or alpaca wool. As a result of the enzymatic cleavability of the bio-based animal fibers, a biodegradable value document substrate can be provided which is particularly advantageous in terms of biodegradability compared to conventional value document substrates.

According to a further preferred variant, the paper substrate contains regenerated cellulose fibers as sustainable fibers, the paper substrate according to a particularly preferred variant consisting essentially or exclusively of regenerated cellulose fibers with regard to the cellulose fibers contained therein. In this way, a biodegradable valuable document substrate can be provided which is particularly advantageous in terms of the ecological balance due to the use of recycled starting materials compared to conventional valuable document substrates.

According to a further preferred variant, the paper substrate is a two-layer paper substrate with a first paper layer and a second paper layer, the first paper layer being based on fibers with an average length and the second paper layer being based on fibers with an average length, the average length of the fibers being the second paper layer is higher by a certain amount than the average length of the fibers of the first paper layer, the certain amount being in particular in a range of 10% to 50%. In this way, a biodegradable value document substrate with improved mechanical resistance can be provided, which can also be provided with areas with a watermark quality in which predominantly short fibers are contained compared to the remaining areas. Providing the multi-layer paper substrate can, for example, be carried out according to the method described in the WO 2006/099971 A2 described manufacturing process. Alternatively, the production can be carried out in such a way that a paper layer based on long fibers is applied by spraying onto a paper layer based on short fibers.

According to a further preferred variant, the paper substrate additionally contains biodegradable stabilizers based on biopolymers, in particular chitosan, and/or biodegradable auxiliary substances. In this way, a biodegradable valuable document substrate with reduced environmental impact can be provided.

According to a further preferred variant, the valuable document substrate is a multilayer valuable document substrate with a polymer layer/paper substrate/polymer layer structure or paper substrate/polymer layer/paper substrate structure, the polymer layer being biodegradable and in particular from the group consisting of cellulose, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (BTA copolyester ), polylactide (PLA), in particular biaxially oriented polylactide, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), or a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned elements is selected. As a result of the presence of the biodegradable polymer layer, the valuable document substrate has both improved mechanical strength and extremely advantageous resistance to contamination as well as environmentally friendly, biodegradability. According to a particularly preferred variant, the valuable document substrate is a multilayer valuable document substrate with a polymer layer/paper substrate/polymer layer structure, wherein the polymer layer is in each case a film. A valuable document substrate with a polymer layer/paper substrate/polymer layer structure, which is also referred to as a film composite substrate, is from the WO 2004/028825 A2 known.

According to a further preferred variant, the valuable document substrate according to the invention is designed in such a way that the biodegradable paper substrate is provided with a biodegradable lacquer layer on its two main surfaces, the biodegradable lacquer layer being in particular from the group consisting of polysugar, lignin, shellac, tree resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyalcohol (PVA) or a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned elements. In this way, a valuable document substrate can be provided which has both a particularly advantageous resistance to contamination and an environmentally friendly, biodegradability.

According to a further preferred variant, the value document substrate according to the invention is designed such that it has a security thread and/or a security strip and/or a security patch based on a biodegradable material and/or mottled fibers based on natural fibers. In this way, a valuable document substrate that is particularly advantageous in terms of recyclability can be provided.

The valuable document substrate according to the invention is in particular a banknote or a security paper suitable for the production of banknotes.

Further exemplary embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures, which are not reproduced to scale and proportions in order to increase clarity.

• 1 ein Wertdokumentsubstrat gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel in Draufsicht;
• 2 ein Wertdokumentsubstrat gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel in Draufsicht;
• 3 einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-B des in der 2 gezeigten Wertdokumentsubstrats;
• 4 ein Wertdokumentsubstrat gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel in Draufsicht;
• 5 einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-B des in der 4 gezeigten Wertdokumentsubstrats;
• 6 ein Wertdokumentsubstrat gemäß einem vierten Ausführungsbeispiel in Draufsicht;
• 7 einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-B des in der 6 gezeigten Wertdokumentsubstrats;
• 8 ein Wertdokumentsubstrat gemäß einem fünften Ausführungsbeispiel in Draufsicht;
• 9 einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-B des in der 8 gezeigten Wertdokumentsubstrats;
• 10 ein Wertdokumentsubstrat gemäß einem sechsten Ausführungsbeispiel in Draufsicht;
• 11 eine Seitenansicht des in der 10 gezeigten Wertdokumentsubstrats; und
• 12 einen Querschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Wertdokumentsubstrat.

Show it:

• 1 a value document substrate according to a first exemplary embodiment in a top view;
• 2 a value document substrate according to a second exemplary embodiment in plan view;
• 3 a cut along the line AB of the in the 2 value document substrate shown;
• 4 a value document substrate according to a third exemplary embodiment in plan view;
• 5 a cut along the line AB of the in the 4 value document substrate shown;
• 6 a value document substrate according to a fourth exemplary embodiment in plan view;
• 7 a cut along the line AB of the in the 6 value document substrate shown;
• 8th a value document substrate according to a fifth exemplary embodiment in plan view;
• 9 a cut along the line AB of the in the 8th value document substrate shown;
• 10 a value document substrate according to a sixth exemplary embodiment in plan view;
• 11 a side view of the in the 10 value document substrate shown; and
• 12 a cross section through a value document substrate according to the invention.

The 1 illustrates a biodegradable value document substrate 0 according to the invention, in the example a banknote with the denomination 20, according to a first exemplary embodiment in a top view. Banknote 0 contains a biodegradable paper substrate based on natural fibers as sustainable fibers. The sustainable fibers are a mixture comprising cotton fibers and resistant fibers, namely abaca fibers, with the average length of the abaca fibers being 20% higher than the average length of the cotton fibers. Banknote 0 also includes a polylactide (PLA)-based, metallized security thread (indicated by a black, solid line in the figure) and a polylactide (PLA)-based security patch (indicated by a gray area in the figure).

The 2 shows a document of value 1 according to the invention, in the example a banknote, according to a second exemplary embodiment in a top view. The paper layer consists of a mixture based on cotton fibers and fibers from the hemp plant as resistant fibers. During the production of the paper layer, individual security elements are already embedded in the paper, namely a portrait watermark 2 and a window security thread 3. The polylactide (PLA)-based, metallized security thread 3 is, so to speak, woven into the paper so that it is directly in the areas 3a comes to the surface of the paper, while it is completely embedded in the paper mass in the areas shown in dashed lines. The paper layer is covered on both sides with a polylactide (PLA)-based film, with a polylactide (PLA)-based hologram strip 8 being applied to one side, namely on the inner side of the film. A series of numbers commonly used in banknote printing was printed on the outer side of the film using steel intaglio printing.

The 3 shows a section through the banknote 1 according to the invention along the in the 2 shown dash-dotted line AB. The banknote 1 according to the invention consists of biodegradable paper 4 and biodegradable films 6, which, according to the embodiment shown, were laminated over the entire surface of the surface of the paper 4 using wet adhesive 5. Alternatively, only a film 6 can be applied to one side of the paper 4. The upper film 6 was equipped with a holgram strip 8 before being laminated. The upper film 6 was laminated onto the paper 4 in such a way that the strip 8 comes to rest inside the substrate composite. In a final step, the imprint 7 was printed onto the film/paper/film composite substrate obtained using the intaglio printing process.

The 4 and 5 show a value document substrate 9 according to the invention, in the example a banknote, according to a third exemplary embodiment. In the 5 is a section through the banknote 9 along the in the 4 shown with a dash-dotted line AB.

Like in the 5 shown, the banknote 9 consists of a divided, biodegradable paper web 10, the edges 12 of which are preferably designed as deckle edges. Biodegradable films 13 were applied to both sides of the paper web using cold lamination and water-crosslinking adhesive. In area 11 there is no paper layer, but only the adhesive 5 and the foils 13. A foil layer is equipped with a highly reflective metal strip 14 on one side. In addition, there is a feature substance 15 in the volume of the paper, which can be checked visually but also mechanically. The feature substance can be, for example, a luminescent substance that is transparent under normal lighting and which, when irradiated with UV light, emits in the visual spectral range and thus shows an intense color.

However, several feature substances can also be provided that can be detected individually. Additional coding can be generated via the mixing ratio of the feature substances.

The 6 and 7 show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a banknote 16 according to the invention 7 is a section through the banknote 16 according to the invention along the in the 6 shown with a dash-dotted line AB.

The 6 shows a top view of three wide strips 17, 18, 19, each of which has a different visual appearance and is incorporated in different layers of the film/paper/film composite substrate.

The 7 shows the cross section of the banknote 16. The biodegradable paper layer 21 is conventionally printed with steel intaglio printing in the form of the strip 17. A transparent adhesive layer 20 was applied over this. In area 18, a second, colored layer of adhesive was applied, which results in strip 18. The adhesive layers 18, 20 are in turn covered with a biodegradable film 22, on the inside of which there is a hologram strip 19. Another biodegradable film 23 was laminated on the back using the transparent adhesive 20.

The 8th shows a section of the banknote 24 according to the invention, with different security features being arranged in register in different layers and resulting in the overall information “PATTERN” in combination with a two-color metallic circular ring. The circular ring is divided into four segments, with segments 25a being gold-colored and segments 25b being silver-colored. The gold and silver color is achieved, for example, by vacuum vapor deposition with copper and aluminum. In addition, recesses were incorporated into the metal layer in the segments 25b, namely the letter “U” and the letter “E” on the other. The letters “M”, “S”, “T” and “R” were applied using intaglio printing, with “S” and “T” printed on the paper surface and “M” and “R” on the external film surface. Im Area 26 contains a luminescent substance that is introduced into the paper volume and can be stimulated with UV light and fluoresces in visible light.

The 9 shows the one in the 8th shown section of the banknote 24 according to the invention in cross section. The banknote is composed of a biodegradable paper layer 28 and two biodegradable film layers 27a, 27b, each of which is laminated on one side of the paper layer. A luminescent substance 29 has been introduced into the paper layer 28 in the circular area 26.

The letters “S” and “T” were printed on the paper layer using intaglio printing, and these are located above area 26. The film 27b is also equipped with security features. On the side that lies inside the layer structure, the foil was designed with gold and silver-colored metallization, for example made of aluminum and copper, in the form of a segmented circular ring. Cutouts in the shape of the letters “U” and “E” were incorporated into the silver-colored area 25b. The letters “M” and “R” were printed on the outer surfaces of the film 27b using intaglio printing.

The 10 shows a banknote 30 according to the invention in a top view. The banknote is composed of a biodegradable paper layer 31 and two biodegradable film layers 32a, 32b, each of which is laminated on one side of the paper layer.

The 11 shows the one in the 10 Banknote 30 shown in cross section.

The foils 32a and 32b are designed to be transparent over the entire surface.

The paper layer 31 has two recesses 33,34 in the form of circles. Of course, any other form is also conceivable. Furthermore, the film 32a is printed with the letters “A”, “L” and “V”, which are shown in supervision 10 appear mirror image. The letters “I” and “D” are printed on the paper layer 31 approximately in the middle of the banknote.

If you fold the banknote along the dotted lines C, C and EE so that the left and right thirds of the banknote are folded up and on top of each other, the printed letters complement each other to form the typeface “VALID”. For the sake of simplicity, the fields to be placed on top of each other are in 10 marked with circles (solid line or dashed line). Of course, the complementary prints can also be more complex in nature or, with appropriate design, create moire effects and the like.

The 12 shows a banknote 40 according to the invention in cross section.

The banknote consists of a biodegradable paper layer 41 and a biodegradable one degradable film 42, which are laminated together with three different adhesives 43, 44, 45. The adhesives may be of different colors or of different types. In the present variant, the adhesives 43, 44, 45 have different adhesion properties to one another, so that predetermined breaking points can be specifically incorporated into the composite and manipulations due to irreversible changes can be easily recognized.

It is also conceivable to use adhesives with different refractive indices so that, for example, individual contours in the area of a watermark can be specifically emphasized or weakened.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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 2004072378 A1 [0002]
• WO 2004028825 A2 [0002, 0027]
• WO 2006099971 A2 [0025]

Claims (13)

Biodegradable value document substrate, comprising a biodegradable paper substrate with sustainable fibers, the sustainable fibers being selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, bio-based plant polymer fibers, bio-based animal polymer fibers or a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned elements. Biodegradable valuable document substrate Claim 1 , whereby natural fibers are chosen as sustainable fibers and the natural fibers are based on a mixture comprising cotton fibers and resistant fibers, the resistant fibers preferably being made from plants, selected from the group consisting of hemp, flax, linen, abaca, stinging nettle, ramie, hops, sisal or a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned elements. Biodegradable valuable document substrate Claim 2 , wherein the paper substrate additionally contains bio-based plant polymer fibers as sustainable fibers, wherein the bio-based plant polymer fibers are bio-based polyamide fibers, beech wood fibers, Tencel fibers, castor fibers, polylactate fibers and / or protein fibers, the protein fibers being obtained in particular from corn, peanut, milk and / or soy become. Biodegradable valuable document substrate Claim 2 or 3 , whereby the paper substrate additionally contains bio-based animal polymer fibers as sustainable fibers, the bio-based animal polymer fibers being based on sheep's wool, Merino virgin wool, fine cashmere goat hair and/or alpaca wool. Biodegradable valuable document substrate Claim 2 , 3 or 4 , whereby the paper substrate also contains regenerated cellulose fibers as sustainable fibers. Biodegradable valuable document substrate according to one of the Claims 2 until 5 , wherein the cotton fibers have an average length and the resilient fibers have an average length, the average length of the resilient fibers being higher than the average length of the cotton fibers by an amount ranging from 10% to 50%. Biodegradable valuable document substrate according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the paper substrate is a two-layer paper substrate having a first paper layer and a second paper layer, the first paper layer being based on fibers of an average length and the second paper layer being based on fibers of an average length, the average length of the fibers of the second paper layer being around is a certain amount higher than the average length of the fibers of the first paper layer, the certain amount being in particular in a range of 10% to 50%. Biodegradable valuable document substrate according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , whereby the paper substrate additionally contains biodegradable stabilizers based on biopolymers, in particular chitosan, and/or biodegradable auxiliary substances. Biodegradable valuable document substrate according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the value document substrate is a multilayer value document substrate with a polymer layer/paper substrate/polymer layer structure or paper substrate/polymer layer/paper substrate structure, the polymer layer being biodegradable and in particular from the group consisting of cellulose, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (BTA copolyester), polylactide (PLA), in particular biaxially oriented polylactide, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), or a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned elements is selected. Biodegradable valuable document substrate Claim 9 , wherein the valuable document substrate is a multilayer valuable document substrate with a polymer layer/paper substrate/polymer layer structure and the polymer layer is in each case a film. Biodegradable valuable document substrate according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the biodegradable paper substrate is provided on its two main surfaces with a biodegradable lacquer layer, the biodegradable lacquer layer being in particular from the group consisting of polysugar, lignin, shellac, tree resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyalcohol (PVA) or a mixture two or more of the above-mentioned elements is selected. Biodegradable valuable document substrate according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 , wherein the valuable document substrate has a security thread and/or a security strip and/or a security patch based on a biodegradable material and/or mottled fibers based on natural fibers. Biodegradable valuable document substrate according to one of the Claims 1 until 12 , where the value document substrate is a banknote.

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