EP0330733B1 - Thread- or strip-like security element to be included in a security document, and a method of manufacturing same - Google Patents

Thread- or strip-like security element to be included in a security document, and a method of manufacturing same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0330733B1
EP0330733B1 EP88118460A EP88118460A EP0330733B1 EP 0330733 B1 EP0330733 B1 EP 0330733B1 EP 88118460 A EP88118460 A EP 88118460A EP 88118460 A EP88118460 A EP 88118460A EP 0330733 B1 EP0330733 B1 EP 0330733B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
characters
film
patterns
security
security element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP88118460A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0330733A1 (en
Inventor
Walter Dr. Schneider
Theo Dr. Burchard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GAO Gesellschaft fuer Automation und Organisation mbH
Original Assignee
GAO Gesellschaft fuer Automation und Organisation mbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=6348885&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0330733(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by GAO Gesellschaft fuer Automation und Organisation mbH filed Critical GAO Gesellschaft fuer Automation und Organisation mbH
Priority to AT88118460T priority Critical patent/ATE100880T1/en
Publication of EP0330733A1 publication Critical patent/EP0330733A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0330733B1 publication Critical patent/EP0330733B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21HPULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D21H21/00Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties
    • D21H21/14Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties characterised by function or properties in or on the paper
    • D21H21/40Agents facilitating proof of genuineness or preventing fraudulent alteration, e.g. for security paper
    • D21H21/42Ribbons or strips
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42DBOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/30Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
    • B42D25/355Security threads
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42DBOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D15/00Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
    • B42D15/02Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42DBOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/30Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
    • B42D25/36Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery comprising special materials
    • B42D25/373Metallic materials
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42DBOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/40Manufacture
    • B42D25/405Marking
    • B42D25/43Marking by removal of material
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21HPULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D21H21/00Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties
    • D21H21/14Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties characterised by function or properties in or on the paper
    • D21H21/40Agents facilitating proof of genuineness or preventing fraudulent alteration, e.g. for security paper
    • D21H21/44Latent security elements, i.e. detectable or becoming apparent only by use of special verification or tampering devices or methods
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07DHANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D7/00Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
    • G07D7/003Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency using security elements
    • B42D2033/08
    • B42D2033/20
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21HPULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D21H21/00Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties
    • D21H21/14Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties characterised by function or properties in or on the paper
    • D21H21/40Agents facilitating proof of genuineness or preventing fraudulent alteration, e.g. for security paper
    • D21H21/44Latent security elements, i.e. detectable or becoming apparent only by use of special verification or tampering devices or methods
    • D21H21/48Elements suited for physical verification, e.g. by irradiation

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a security element in the form of a thread or tape for embedding in security documents such as bank notes, checks, securities or the like with visually and / or machine-readable characters, patterns etc. visible in transmitted light, and to methods for producing security documents of this type.
  • security threads Papers of this type are referred to below as security papers.
  • the security threads used for this purpose consist of various materials in the form of fine ribbons, which are inserted into the paper sheet in widths of 0.4 to 2 mm during its manufacture. They are mainly made of plastic films, which are coated with metal foils, printed, colored or z. B. are provided with pigment-shaped substances.
  • microprint images have proven to be particularly advantageous, this microprint being able to contain information that is readable by the eye or only machine-readable.
  • a security thread is now known from DE-B-22 05 428, which, designed as a metal strip, has a machine-readable and / or visually readable coding introduced by means of a laser.
  • the labeling of this thread which may also contain alphanumeric characters, consists of through holes (perforations), the diameter of the holes or the “line width” should be small compared to the thickness of the metal strip in order to make it difficult to copy.
  • a security thread was also known, which is to be used for banknotes and the like and on which shiny metallic micro characters are provided on clear, transparent film material.
  • the security thread described in this patent or the micro-characters on it are not recognizable in incident light. In transmitted light, however, only the characters can be recognized as sharply contoured characters, since the security thread itself is transparent.
  • Such a security thread is produced by vapor-coating a transparent film with a thin aluminum layer over a large area, then printing this layer with the micro-characters using an acid-resistant printing ink and then etching away the unprinted areas, whereupon the characters remain on a transparent background.
  • the invention is based on the object of creating a new security element which can be found more easily in a security document, is easier to read and which shows different visual effects in reflected light and transmitted light.
  • the security thread consists of a transparent plastic film which is provided with a metal coating on one side. Characters are introduced into this reflective, opaque metal coating in transmitted light by locally removing the coating material.
  • the thread is coated with a color that can extend over the entire surface of the thread.
  • the colorants used have no covering effect and are preferably glazing printing inks in different colors and tints.
  • the plastic film can also be colored with appropriate colorants in such a way that transparency is retained in a part of the visually accessible spectrum.
  • the thread itself is easily recognizable as a dark stripe in the document and the characters and patterns stand out from their immediate surroundings, the opaque thread coating and additionally from the wider surroundings, the white paper or plastic material, as bright, colored areas.
  • the thread is in the document very easy to find and the characters are clearly recognizable due to their contrasting effect with the surroundings and can be read at any time with the appropriate font size even without tools.
  • opaque coating materials are also other non-metallic layers which contrast in color and / or in gray tone when viewed in transmitted light, such as.
  • B. titanium nitride, interference layers such as z. B. are known from US-A-3,858,977.
  • the luminescent colors can either be colorless in the non-excited state or have a body color that preferably differs from the color of the emission light.
  • the characters or patterns only appear colored in the excitation light or change their color when the thread, e.g. B. under UV light.
  • Several luminescent substances emitting in different colors increase both the design possibilities and the security against forgery, since the analysis of each individual luminescent substance is necessary for exact imitation. This analysis can be made even more difficult in a simple manner by mixing or printing the different luminescent colors.
  • diffraction structures are e.g. B. as volume or embossing holograms directly as embossments in the carrier material of the plastic thread before or in an additional layer.
  • the reflective metal layer present in the case of reflection holograms or gratings is preferably interrupted here for the generation of a lettering or pattern visible in transmitted light by one of the methods mentioned below.
  • Such a thread is preferably embedded in the document in such a way that it is directly visible at least in places or appears on the surface.
  • Methods for embedding in the security under window formation in the security thread area are e.g. B. known from DE-A-36 01 114. With a thread embedded in this way, the hologram diffraction grating or reflection pattern is predominantly visible in the reflection in the window area, while the negative writing or negative pattern incorporated into the metal coating dominates when viewed in transmitted light.
  • the means known in principle from printing technology are used for the creation of the characters and patterns, and the characters and patterns are printed onto the metal-coated side of the film using known microprinting methods.
  • a printing ink is used, the z. B. has thermoplastic properties, d. H. softens and becomes sticky at higher temperatures.
  • a film pretreated in this way is laminated against a second untreated film web using heat and pressure, the two films adhere to one another in the area of the printed characters or patterns. When the two films, which have cooled in the meantime, are separated, the areas corresponding to the characters or patterns are then released from the aluminum coating. In this way, a metal material is deposited on the foil material, in which characters or patterns in the form of translucent colored dots or lines are obtained in the otherwise opaque light-reflecting surface.
  • the film provided for the production of the security thread is first provided with a primer in the form of a printing ink and then the vapor deposition is applied to this primer.
  • the primer can be applied in the form of a colored and / or luminescent surface.
  • this colored primer can also be designed in the form of a multicolored printed image.
  • B. results in a random distribution in the coloring of the individual characters. It can be used to create threads that have a shimmering micro script that appears bright in many colors on a black background.
  • the film material can first be provided with the colorless primer, while the colored, transparent ink layer is applied to the opposite side of the film. This process offers advantages if different printing ink qualities have to be used for the primer and colored transparent layers. After subsequent metal vapor deposition of the primer, further processing can be carried out in the above form.
  • the hot stamping method known per se can also be used advantageously for the selective metal coating of colored or printed security threads.
  • This method can be used advantageously in particular in connection with "light collecting foils", so-called LISA foils, as foil material.
  • LISA foils have the property of "collecting” incident light and allowing it to emerge in a certain color and only in edge areas or at imperfections on the surface (embossing). Since the characters or patterns are to be embossed into the film for the hot embossing process and these embossed structures represent such defects, the characters appear with a luminous edge contour.
  • LISA foils with daylight fluorescent properties, colored light effects are also visible in daylight.
  • a printed image is first printed on the foils, as it will later appear as a negative image in the metal coating, and only in a second process step is the opaque coating z.
  • B. applied the metal coating For the application of the printed image, printing inks or lacquers are used which have low adhesion either to the film and / or to metal coatings, so that either the metal coating alone or together with the printing ink can only be removed mechanically in an air or liquid jet.
  • This method is used for the production of packaging materials and is known in principle from DE-A-36 10 379. Instead of the liquid jet, mechanical scrapers can also be used to remove the poorly adhering printing ink.
  • the process is to use printing inks, which can then be chemically dissolved under the metal coating.
  • the dissolving of the printing ink is generally not completely sufficient for a complete removal of the metal layer in the entire printing area.
  • an ultrasound source is introduced into the solution bath or the film is drawn through an ultrasound bath after the solution bath, the printing film is completely removed in a simple process.
  • printing inks are used which become brittle during drying. If you pull the printed and then metal-coated colors through an ultrasound bath, these colors are removed even without a chemical solution process solely by the action of the ultrasound fur, which creates the desired negative lettering in the metal coating. Suitable colors are z.
  • the ultrasonic bath is in this case a liquid container with an ultrasound generator arranged therein or thereon, the liquid taking over the role of the coupling medium and in the simplest case water can be used for this.
  • Fig. 1 shows a security thread 1, consisting of a plastic tape 2 (Fig. 2) made of a tear-resistant plastic material, such as. B. polyester, one surface of which is provided with an opaque coating 3.
  • the coating is preferably a reflective metal layer, e.g. B. aluminum layer, or a white opaque, in opaque appearing, color application that has the recesses 4 in the form of the signs and patterns to be applied to the security thread.
  • this coating is not visible in incident light after embedding the thread in security paper 5 (FIG. 2), since the light reflected from the metal surface is again diffusely scattered in the paper or the white color layer does not stand out from the white paper pulp.
  • the recesses in this opaque coating can therefore only be recognized as bright areas when viewed in transmitted light.
  • the plastic film 2 is colored with preferably organic dyes, which reduce the translucency of the film in a part of the visually accessible spectrum.
  • Films with similar properties are used e.g. B. used in optics as a filter.
  • the characters appear in a certain color when viewed in transmitted light and not only stand out from the opaque black coating, but also contrast in color with the usually white paper layer.
  • the dyes can be supplemented or also replaced by luminescent substances, so that the characters light up in color or appear in a different color only when stimulated accordingly. If the luminescence is sufficiently strong, the thread is also visible in incident light. If you look at the thread from the side of the metal coating, the characters are recognizable, while when looking from the opposite side and the arrangement of the excitation light source on the observer side, the thread is visible as a homogeneous fluorescent band. This property can be used as a further authenticity indicator.
  • a completely transparent film can also be provided with a color layer 8 which, for. B. on the the surface opposite the metal coating 3 is applied (FIG. 3) or is introduced as a primer layer between the metal layer and the film (FIG. 4).
  • This color layer 8 makes it possible to apply a multicolored printed image in any pattern, as a result of which the characters also appear in different colors and patterns.
  • Standard transparent transparent films can then be used as films.
  • the print samples can be adapted to the respective application. So it offers z. B. on security threads that are embedded in banknote paper, select the colors according to the respective national colors.
  • FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment, in which the colorants and / or luminescent substances 9 are only present in the area of the cutouts 4 of the metal coating 3. Suitable colorants are z.
  • Fig. 6 shows a security thread, consisting of a transparent plastic film 7 and a cover layer 30 in the form of an optical interference filter as z. B. is known from US-A-3,858,977.
  • This cover layer has local interruptions 31 to represent a pattern, characters, numbers, etc.
  • This interference filter has the property that the color changes when changing reflections in transmission.
  • the thread preferably being stored in such a way that it appears at least partially on the surface, the pattern or the lettering, when viewed in reflected and transmitted light, is in each case against a differently colored background visible. If the film 7 is dyed in a third color or an additional layer of color is applied, then a color interplay results from these colors and the mixed colors.
  • the security thread can also with optically varying structures such.
  • the carrier material is a tear-resistant embossable plastic film 40, and composite films can also be used to achieve these two properties.
  • This film is provided with a reflective opaque metallic coating 41, into which a negative lettering or pattern is preferably introduced by one of the methods mentioned below.
  • the optically active structures 43 such as. B. holograms, diffraction structures, reflection patterns in the form of the document plane differently inclined surfaces etc. imprinted in the metal-coated surface.
  • An additional transparent protective layer 44 protects these structures and the metal coating against external mechanical and chemical influences.
  • the thread is stored in such a way that the thread at least partially comes to the paper surface.
  • Methods for this are e.g. B. already known from the writings mentioned.
  • the ones described above other embodiments of security threads can, if necessary, be embedded in the document paper as so-called window security threads using one of these methods.
  • a z. B. colored, transparent film is first printed with the printed characters and then the film is exposed over the entire surface of a metal vapor deposition. If the printing ink is selected so that the adhesive effect between the printing ink and the plastic film is less than the adhesive effect between the metal vapor deposition and the film, the metal coating in the printed areas can be removed with the aid of an adhesive tape of suitable adhesive strength.
  • a 23 ⁇ m thick polyester film (eg Melinex from ICI) is printed using the gravure printing process using the gravure printing ink shown below.
  • the printed film is then vapor-coated with aluminum with a thickness of 1 ⁇ m.
  • the vapor-coated film is pressed against a commercially available adhesive tape, the locations of the vapor deposition corresponding to the characters being torn out at the previously printed locations due to the low adhesion of the aluminum layer there. In this way, a color-transparent lettering or symbol appears on the otherwise opaque aluminum layer.
  • the printing ink corresponds to the wording below.
  • a further method serving as a carrier film, for. B. colored, transparent plastic film 2 made of polyester first over the entire area on at least one surface with a metal coating 3, z. B. aluminum.
  • the desired characters and patterns are printed on this coating, a thermoplastic plastic ink being used as printing ink 11, which in the softened state has an adhesive effect and binds intimately to the metal coating (FIG. 8a).
  • d. H When the thermoplastic printing ink hardens again, the adhesive effect between the printing ink and the metal coating should be greater than between the metal coating and the carrier film.
  • the film 2 pretreated in this way is laminated under heat and pressure to film 12, to which the thermoplastic printing ink 11 also adheres well, and if these two films are separated after cooling, the metallic coating 3 is also removed locally with the printing ink 11 (FIG. 8b). .
  • the metal coating 3 remaining on the security thread 1 then shows the cutouts 4 corresponding to the characters and patterns (FIG. 8c).
  • Suitable printing inks and process parameters to be observed can be derived from the following description of specific examples.
  • a polyester film 23 ⁇ m thick (eg Hostaphan from Hoechst) is coated over the entire surface with the formulation given in Example 4. Subsequently an aluminum layer of 1 ⁇ m thickness is applied to this formulation by vacuum evaporation. Finally, characters or symbols are printed on the vapor-coated layer using an intaglio cylinder, using the following hot-melt printing ink. 100 g distilled water 60 g Vinnol dispersion 50/25 C (from Wacker) 1 g of Tylose MH 16000 K (Hoechst company).
  • the material can either be rolled up first and then processed later, or the next processing step can be added immediately without rolling up.
  • the printed film is pressed against an otherwise untreated hostaphane film of the same type and the press rolls are heated to a temperature of 160.degree.
  • the compressed film combination is then passed over a chill roll and then both films are separated and rolled up separately.
  • the aluminum-vapor-coated layer sticks to the additional polyester film by means of the hot-adhesive printing characters.
  • the parts of the aluminum coating corresponding to the characters are torn out and let the desired lettering or the characters appear transparently in the otherwise opaque aluminum layer.
  • a correspondingly colored plastic film can in turn be used or the film can be provided with a single or multi-colored layer of color with or without luminescent properties before or after the characters are applied.
  • a polyester film (eg Melinex from ICI) is first vacuum-coated with an approximately 1 ⁇ m thick layer of metallic nickel.
  • the vapor-coated film is then printed on the opposite side with a four-color pattern using common gravure inks.
  • the nickel-coated side is finally printed with colorless characters using the previously mentioned hot-adhesive printing ink.
  • the film printed in this way is hot pressed with the metal-vapor-coated side against a second polyester film, then cooled and then the two films are separated again.
  • the metallic nickel is torn out at the points printed with the hot-melt ink, so that the characters printed with this color appear as brightly transparent points in the otherwise opaque thread.
  • the four-color printing applied to the back can be seen, so that a multicolored pattern is created in the transmitted light, which is practically not visible in the incident light on the metallized side and is weakly recognizable as a colored band on the opposite side.
  • a 23 ⁇ m thick polyester film (eg Hostaphan from Hoechst) is vacuum coated on one side with 1 ⁇ m aluminum.
  • the opposite side of the film is printed over the entire surface in an intaglio printing process with a printing ink which is colorless in daylight but light blue under UV light.
  • the metallized side of the film is printed with a hot-melt ink according to the previous example.
  • the subsequent hot pressing, cooling and separating the foils in turn create transparent characters in one otherwise opaque web, which can be seen in transmitted light as brightly colorless fonts or patterns. If you embed such a material e.g. B. in a banknote paper, it will be practically invisible from both sides of the paper in the striking light. A dark streak appears in the transmitted light, in which the characters appear bright. If you additionally illuminate with ultraviolet light, the material introduced appears bright blue on one side, while blue illuminated signs appear in the transmitted UV light on the other side.
  • Another method which allows the creation of bright-looking fonts on otherwise less translucent and therefore dark-looking surrounding material in the simplest possible way, consists in a carrier material, for. B. a polyester film of commercial quality, first to print with the desired characters and then to provide a metal coating. The film thus produced is then passed through a solvent which can dissolve the printing ink. Appropriate solvents can easily penetrate the metal layer and penetrate into the ink layer underneath. This leads to swelling and then dissolution of the printing ink under the metallized layer. The sole action of the solvent usually does not lead to the desired success. It has now been found that the dissolving effect is effectively supported if an ultrasonic field is simultaneously irradiated into the solvent bath, which acts directly "acoustomechanically” on the color and also ensures thorough mixing and swirling of the bath.
  • printing ink only has to be used for the actual bright-looking characters appearing in the printing and the removal of the printing ink can be accomplished practically simultaneously or directly in succession using solvent and ultrasonic energy.
  • the pollution of the environment with chemicals can be kept particularly low in this way.
  • the substances contained in the printing ink can be separated off by precipitation or evaporation and, if necessary, reused.
  • the solvents can of course be reused after vapor deposition and also do not pollute the environment.
  • the quantities of substance resulting from the applied metal layer are small and can also be removed in a simple manner by filtration.
  • Another advantage is that fine lettering with very well-defined edges can be obtained while the rest of the surface remains completely intact.
  • the materials produced in this way therefore have a particularly well-defined and error-free appearance, which is particularly advantageous when used as security elements with micro-writing.
  • the printing inks used to produce the characters can be of the simplest formulation.
  • Printing inks of this type need in no case have any special properties or durability, compatibility, acid or alkali resistance, since they only are temporarily needed in the manufacturing process and their only purpose is to redissolve in the solvent. It is therefore sufficient to use an inexpensive, conventional binder for printing inks.
  • any lettering is printed on a polyester film of the type RGH 23 (manufacturer Hoechst) using the gravure printing process.
  • the film printed in this way is then vacuum-coated with aluminum with a thickness of 0.2 ⁇ m on the printed side.
  • ethyl alcohol is added to an ultrasonic bath and the ultrasonic generator is switched on.
  • the printed and vapor-coated film is immersed in the ethyl alcohol for one second and then removed and dried. It follows that the printing ink and the aluminum present above have been removed from the printed areas and only at these locations. In an otherwise opaque surface, the film has the lettering as clear, transparent areas.
  • the known hot stamping process can also be used to produce security threads according to the invention (see plastics 72 (1982), 11 "hot stamping, a modern process for decorating plastic parts" by H. Schütt and B. Seeberger, Marieth, pages 701-707) .
  • the rolls-off process is used, the characters and patterns are first embossed into the plastic films 13 (FIG. 9), so that these are present as recessed areas 14 in the film surface.
  • the metal coating 15 of a transfer belt 16 is then transferred to the raised area 17 of the plastic film surface with the aid of a heated silicone embossing roller (not shown in the figure) (FIG. 9a).
  • the lower-lying areas 14, which represent the characters, are left blank by a coating 18 (FIG. 9b).
  • the plastic film 13 can be colored again or preferably be provided with corresponding printed patterns on the back.
  • the hot stamping process also allows the use of sublimable colors, which evaporate during transfer and penetrate into the plastic film material. This significantly improves liability.
  • LISA foils can also be used in a preferred form (plastics 75 (′85) 5, “plastics that collect light”, pages 296-297, Dr. A. El Sayed).
  • LISA films are characterized in that they usually contain luminescent substances that can be activated by daylight and that the "collected" light can only emerge in the edge area or at imperfections on the surface. Such defects are e.g. B. the edge areas of the embossed characters.
  • LISA foils as carrier foil for the security thread and coats them after the hot stamping process with an opaque metal or color layer with the exception of the recessed character areas, these characters not only appear as bright characters against the opaque background, but shine brightly in the edge area on, this light phenomenon can be varied by appropriate choice of the LISA film or the luminescent substances contained therein in the color, intensity and the necessary ambient light (daylight, UV).
  • wide film webs are preferably first coated and labeled in the desired security thread pattern. Only after these process steps have been completed are the film webs cut into individual threads. Methods for register-accurate printing and cutting of these films are e.g. B. is known from EP-A 0 238 043.
  • the opaque coating 3 is in the edge area in the form of a machine-readable coding 20 z. B. interrupted in the form of a regularly repeating bar pattern.
  • This coding can be applied in addition or as a replacement for the human-readable lettering 21.
  • the information introduced via this coding can e.g. B. the banknote value or also a random information by which the thread is individualized. By linking this random information with other document- and / or user-specific data, this thread - in a form that can no longer be exchanged - is bound to the respective document and / or user.
  • the thread according to the invention has a constant thread width, since here only the thin opaque coating, but not the thread or plastic carrier, is varied in width.
  • the coding which can be printed on a transparent plastic film by one of the aforementioned methods or in a simple manner, is perfectly legible in transmitted light due to the transparency of the film material and the opacity of the coating in the same way as a cut thread.
  • the transparent (not printed) film area stands out as a negative coding pattern that runs parallel to the opaque coding.
  • luminescent colors that are only luminescent with UV light or other special light sources, this color effect only appears with special lighting.
  • this thread does not differ from the known cut version for the viewer.

Abstract

Security element in the form of a thread (1) or a ribbon for insertion into security documents such as banknotes, cheques, securities, credit and identity cards or the like, comprising characters, patterns, etc., which can be rendered visible by transparency and/or read by a machine. Said element consists of a translucent plastic film (2) covered by an opaque coating (3) and having recesses (4) shaped like the characters or patterns to be applied. Said element also comprises colouring and/or luminescent substances, in the regions coinciding with the recesses, which make it possible under suitable lighting conditions to distinguish the characters and/or patterns from the security document and from the opaque coating by means of contrasting colours.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Sicherheitselement in Form eines Fadens oder Bandes zur Einbettung in Sicherheitsdokumente wie Banknote, Schecks, Wertpapiere oder dergleichen mit im Durchlicht sichtbaren visuell und/oder maschinell lesbaren Zeichen, Muster etc. sowie Verfahren zur Herstellung derartiger Sicherheitsdokumente.The invention relates to a security element in the form of a thread or tape for embedding in security documents such as bank notes, checks, securities or the like with visually and / or machine-readable characters, patterns etc. visible in transmitted light, and to methods for producing security documents of this type.

Es ist seit langer Zeit bekannt, Banknoten und andere geldwerte Papiere wie Schecks, Aktien, Reiseschecks, Scheck- und Kreditkarten, aber auch Pässe und Identitätskarten durch Einfügen von sogenannten Sicherheitsfäden abzusichern. Papiere dieser Art sollen im folgenden als Sicherheitspapiere bezeichnet werden. Die hierfür verwendeten Sicherheitsfäden bestehen aus verschiedensten Materialien in Form feiner Bändchen, welche in Breiten von 0,4 bis 2 mm dem Papierblatt bei seiner Herstellung eingefügt werden. Sie sind vorwiegend aus Kunststoffolien hergestellt, welche mit Metallfolien beschichtet, bedruckt, eingefärbt oder auch z. B. mit pigmentförmigen Substanzen versehen sind. Darüberhinaus ist es auch bekannt, diesen Sicherheitsfäden durch Aufbringung entsprechender Substanzen magnetische, fluoreszierende, röntgenabsorbierende und andere Eigenschaften zu verleihen.It has long been known to secure banknotes and other monetary documents such as checks, shares, travelers checks, check and credit cards, but also passports and identity cards by inserting so-called security threads. Papers of this type are referred to below as security papers. The security threads used for this purpose consist of various materials in the form of fine ribbons, which are inserted into the paper sheet in widths of 0.4 to 2 mm during its manufacture. They are mainly made of plastic films, which are coated with metal foils, printed, colored or z. B. are provided with pigment-shaped substances. In addition, it is also known to impart magnetic, fluorescent, X-ray absorbing and other properties to these security threads by applying appropriate substances.

Als besonders vorteilhaft hat sich die Verwendung von Sicherheitsfäden mit Mikrodruckbildern erwiesen, wobei dieser Mikrodruck für das Auge lesbare oder auch nur maschinenlesbare Informationen enthalten kann.The use of security threads with microprint images has proven to be particularly advantageous, this microprint being able to contain information that is readable by the eye or only machine-readable.

Bezogen auf die Fälschungssicherheit haben sich auch Sicherheitsfäden mit metallisch reflektierenden Oberflächen besonders bewährt, da derartige im Inneren des Papiers eingebrachte Fäden im auffallenden Licht nahezu unsichtbar sind, da die durch die obere Papierschicht dringenden Lichtstrahlen vollständig an der metallischen Oberfläche reflektiert werden und das Papier diffus gestreut wieder verlassen. Im Durchlicht erscheinen derartige Fäden hingegen als schwarze Streifen, die sich von ihrer Umgebung deutlich abheben. Fäden dieser Art können durch Aufdruck auf das Papier nicht imitiert werden. Andererseits zeigen sie den Nachteil, daß durch Einbringen dünner Aluminiumfolien zwischen zwei Papierschichten ein entsprechender Eindruck auch fälschlich hervorgerufen werden kann. Es wurde daher bereits vorgeschlagen, derartige aluminiumbedampfte Sicherheitsfäden mit einer Mikroschrift zu versehen (DE-A-14 46 851). Dies hat sich aber in der Praxis als wenig sinnvoll herausgestellt, da diese Schrift auf dem sonst undurchsichtigen Sicherheitsfaden im Durchlicht nicht und im Auflicht nur sehr schwer erkennbar ist. Meist ist es notwendig, das Papier zumindest für die Zeit der Prüfung mit chemischen Mitteln transparent zu machen. Die Ausführung derartiger Mikroschriften in speziellen, z. B. fluoreszierenden, Farben hat sich in gleicher Weise und aus den gleichen Gründen als wenig vorteilhaft erwiesen.With regard to the protection against counterfeiting, security threads with metallic reflecting surfaces have also proven to be particularly useful, since such threads inserted inside the paper are almost invisible in the incident light, since the light rays penetrating through the upper paper layer are completely reflected on the metallic surface and the paper is diffusely scattered leave again. In contrast, such threads appear in transmitted light as black stripes that stand out clearly from their surroundings. Threads of this type cannot be imitated by printing on the paper. On the other hand, they show the disadvantage that by inserting thin aluminum foils between two layers of paper, a corresponding impression can also be erroneously produced. It has therefore already been proposed to provide such aluminum-vapor-coated security threads with a micro script (DE-A-14 46 851). In practice, however, this has proven to be of little use, since this writing on the otherwise opaque security thread is not visible in transmitted light and is very difficult to recognize in incident light. It is usually necessary to make the paper transparent at least for the time of the test using chemical agents. The execution of such micro fonts in special, e.g. B. fluorescent, colors has proven in the same way and for the same reasons to be less advantageous.

Aus der DE-B-22 05 428 ist nun ein Sicherheitsfaden bekannt, der als Metallstreifen ausgeführt eine mittels Laser eingebrachte maschinell lesbare und/oder visuell lesbare Kodierung aufweist. Die gegebenenfalls auch alphanumerische Zeichen enthaltende Beschriftung dieses Fadens besteht aus durchgehenden Löchern (Perforationen), wobei der Durchmesser der Löcher bzw. die "Strichbreite" klein gegenüber der Dicke des Metallstreifens sein soll, um die Nachahmbarkeit zu erschweren.A security thread is now known from DE-B-22 05 428, which, designed as a metal strip, has a machine-readable and / or visually readable coding introduced by means of a laser. The labeling of this thread, which may also contain alphanumeric characters, consists of through holes (perforations), the diameter of the holes or the “line width” should be small compared to the thickness of the metal strip in order to make it difficult to copy.

Die Schriftzeichen dieses Sicherheitsfadens sind wegen der äußerst geringen Strichbreite gegenüber dem dunklen Hintergrund als nur schwach sichtbare hellere Bereiche erkennbar. Außerdem ist der Aufwand zur Herstellung derartiger Beschriftungen relativ groß, da hierfür leistungsstarke Laser benötigt werden, um die Perforationen in den Metallfaden einzubringen. Gerade die Perforation des Sicherheitsfadenmaterials ist aber derart zeitaufwendig, daß dieses Verfahren die Herstellung großer Mengen (tausende von Kilometern) allein aus Zeit- und somit auch aus Kostengründen nicht verwendbar ist.The characters of this security thread are recognizable as only faintly visible lighter areas due to the extremely small stroke width compared to the dark background. In addition, the effort to produce such inscriptions is relatively large, since powerful lasers are required to make the perforations in the metal thread. The perforation of the security thread material, however, is so time-consuming that this method of producing large quantities (thousands of kilometers) cannot be used solely for reasons of time and therefore also for reasons of cost.

Aus der US-A-4,652,015 wurde des weiteren ein Sicherheitsfaden bekannt, der für Banknoten und dergleichen Anwendung finden soll und auf dem metallisch glänzende Mikroschriftzeichen auf klarem, transparenten Folienmaterial vorgesehen sind. Der in dieser Patentschrift beschriebene Sicherheitsfaden bzw. die darauf befindlichen Mikroschriftzeichen sind im Auflicht nicht erkennbar. Im Durchlicht hingegen sind ausschließlich nur die Schriftzeichen als scharf konturierte Zeichen erkennbar, da der Sicherheitsfaden selbst transparent ausgeführt ist. Die Herstellung eines derartigen Sicherheitsfadens erfolgt durch großflächiges Bedampfen einer transparenten Folie mit einer dünnen Aluminiumschicht, anschließendes Bedrucken dieser Schicht mit den Mikroschriftzeichen unter Verwendung einer säurefesten Druckfarbe und darauffolgendes Wegätzen der nicht bedruckten Bereiche, woraufhin die Schriftzeichen auf transparentem Untergrund übrigbleiben.From US-A-4,652,015 a security thread was also known, which is to be used for banknotes and the like and on which shiny metallic micro characters are provided on clear, transparent film material. The security thread described in this patent or the micro-characters on it are not recognizable in incident light. In transmitted light, however, only the characters can be recognized as sharply contoured characters, since the security thread itself is transparent. Such a security thread is produced by vapor-coating a transparent film with a thin aluminum layer over a large area, then printing this layer with the micro-characters using an acid-resistant printing ink and then etching away the unprinted areas, whereupon the characters remain on a transparent background.

Dem Betrachter zeigt sich also im Durchlicht nur noch ein die Banknote durchziehender Schriftzug. Nachteilig ist allerdings, daß dieser wegen der Kleinheit der Schriftzeichen, seiner Einbettung in der Papiermasse und eventuell einem darüberliegenden Druckbild nur schwer auffindbar ist. Der Faden als solcher ist visuell nicht mehr erkennbar und auch wegen der hier geforderten extrem dünnen Ausführung auch nicht als Unebenheit in der Papieroberfläche taktil abgreifbar. Diese einen Sicherheitsfaden eigentlich charakterisierenden Erkennungsmerkmale sind also beim bekannten Faden nicht mehr vorhanden.In the transmitted light, the viewer only sees a lettering that runs through the banknote. The disadvantage, however, is that it is difficult to find due to the small size of the characters, its embedding in the paper mass and possibly a printed image above it. The thread as such is no longer visually recognizable and, because of the extremely thin design required here, it is also not tactile as an unevenness in the paper surface. These identification features that actually characterize a security thread are therefore no longer present in the known thread.

Aus der älteren Anmeldung EP-A-0 319 157, die für die Länder AT, BE und LU nicht relevant ist, ist ein Sicherheitsfaden bekannt, der eine opaque metallische Beschichtung aufweist. Diese Beschichtung wird in Form von Zeichen wieder teilweise entfernt. Die Randbereiche des Fadens bleiben in jedem Fall unbearbeitet, d. h. durchgehend metallisiert. Dieser metallisierte Faden kann zusätzlich ein- oder beidseitig mit farbigen lumineszierenden oder dichroitischen Schichten versehen sein. Besondere Verfahren zur Herstellung dieses Fadens werden in der genannten Anmeldung nicht beschrieben.From the earlier application EP-A-0 319 157, which is not relevant for the countries AT, BE and LU, a security thread is known which has an opaque metallic coating. This coating is partially removed again in the form of characters. The edge areas of the thread remain unprocessed in any case, i. H. metallized throughout. This metallized thread can additionally be provided on one or both sides with colored luminescent or dichroic layers. Special processes for the production of this thread are not described in the application mentioned.

Der Erfindung liegt nun die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein neues Sicherheitselement zu schaffen, das sich in einem Sicherheitsdokument leichter auffinden läßt, sich leichter lesen läßt, und das im Auflicht und Durchlicht unterschiedliche visuelle Effekte zeigt.The invention is based on the object of creating a new security element which can be found more easily in a security document, is easier to read and which shows different visual effects in reflected light and transmitted light.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die im Kennzeichen der Ansprüche 1, 10, 12 und 16 genannten Merkmale gelöst. Weiterbildungen der Erfindung, die auf ein Folienmaterial, ein Sicherheitsdokument und ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Sicherheitselements bzw. einer Folienbahn gerichtet sind, sind Gegenstand von unter- und nebengeordneten Ansprüchen.This object is achieved by the features mentioned in the characterizing part of claims 1, 10, 12 and 16. Further developments of the invention, which are directed to a film material, a security document and a method for producing a security element or a film web, are the subject of subordinate and secondary claims.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform besteht der Sicherheitsfaden aus einer transparenten Kunststoffolie, die aus einer Seite mit einer Metallbeschichtung versehen ist. In diese reflektierende, im Durchlicht opake Metallbeschichtung sind Schriftzeichen durch lokale Entfernung des Beschichtungsmaterials eingebracht. Zusätzlich zu dieser Metallbeschichtung ist der Faden mit einem Farbüberzug versehen, der sich über die gesamte Fadenfläche erstrecken kann. Die dabei verwendeten Farbmittel haben keine deckende Wirkung und sind vorzugsweise lasierende Druckfarben in verschiedenen Farben und Tönungen. Die Kunststoffolie kann jedoch auch mit entsprechenden Farbmitteln so eingefärbt werden, daß in einem Teilbereich des visuell zugänglichen Spektrums die Transparenz erhalten bleibt.In a preferred embodiment, the security thread consists of a transparent plastic film which is provided with a metal coating on one side. Characters are introduced into this reflective, opaque metal coating in transmitted light by locally removing the coating material. In addition to this metal coating, the thread is coated with a color that can extend over the entire surface of the thread. The colorants used have no covering effect and are preferably glazing printing inks in different colors and tints. However, the plastic film can also be colored with appropriate colorants in such a way that transparency is retained in a part of the visually accessible spectrum.

Betrachtet man einen derartigen Faden nach dessen Einbettung in Papier oder nur weißem, durchscheinenden Kunststoffmaterial, wie es zum Teil zur Ausweiskarten- oder Kreditkartenherstellung verwendet wird, im Durchlicht, so ist der Faden an sich leicht als dunkler Streifen im Dokument erkennbar und die Schriftzeichen und Muster heben sich gegenüber ihrer direkten Umgebung, der opaken Fadenbeschichtung und zusätzlich gegenüber der weiteren Umgebung, dem weißen Papier- oder Kunststoffmaterial, als helle, farbige Flächen ab. Der Faden ist damit im Dokument sehr gut auffindbar und die Zeichen durch ihre kontrastiernde Wirkung zur Umgebung klar erkennbar und bei entsprechender Schriftgröße jederzeit auch ohne Hilfsmittel lesbar.If you look at such a thread after it has been embedded in paper or only white, translucent plastic material, such as is used in part for the production of ID cards or credit cards, the thread itself is easily recognizable as a dark stripe in the document and the characters and patterns stand out from their immediate surroundings, the opaque thread coating and additionally from the wider surroundings, the white paper or plastic material, as bright, colored areas. The thread is in the document very easy to find and the characters are clearly recognizable due to their contrasting effect with the surroundings and can be read at any time with the appropriate font size even without tools.

Während die Schriftzeichen also im Durchlicht als farbige Zeichen gegenüber dem dunklen bzw. weißen Hintergrund erscheinen, ist der Faden im Auflicht wegen der stark reflektierenden Metallbeschichtung und der Verwendung von lasierenden bzw. nichtdeckenden Farbmitteln nicht oder zumindest nur sehr schwach sichtbar. Er kann damit durch einen äußeren Aufdruck nicht nachgeahmt werden, der zwangsläufig immer sowohl im Auf- als auch im Durchlicht klar sichtbar ist.While the characters appear in transmitted light as colored characters against the dark or white background, the thread in reflected light is not, or at least only very slightly, visible due to the highly reflective metal coating and the use of glazing or non-opaque colorants. This means that it cannot be imitated by an external print, which is inevitably always clearly visible in both reflected and transmitted light.

Als opake Beschichtungsmaterialien eignen sich neben Metallschichten auch andere bei Betrachtung im Durchlicht zur Umgebung farblich und/oder im Grauton kontrastierende nichtmetallische Schichten wie z. B. deckende, vorzugsweise weiße Farbschichten, metallisch glänzende Schichten wie z. B. Titannitrid, Interferenzschichten wie sie z. B. aus der US-A-3,858,977 bekannt sind.In addition to metal layers, other opaque coating materials are also other non-metallic layers which contrast in color and / or in gray tone when viewed in transmitted light, such as. B. opaque, preferably white layers of paint, shiny metallic layers such. B. titanium nitride, interference layers such as z. B. are known from US-A-3,858,977.

Durch Verwendung lumineszierender Farben kann der visuelle Eindruck dieses Fadens noch weiter verbessert und effektvoller ausgeführt werden. Die Lumineszenzfarben können entweder im nicht angeregten Zustand farblos sein oder eine Körperfarbe besitzen, die sich vorzugsweise von der Farbe des Emissionslichts unterscheidet. Die Schriftzeichen oder Muster erscheinen dann erst im Anregungslicht farbig bzw. wechseln ihre Farbe, wenn der Faden, z. B. unter UV-Licht, betrachtet wird. Mehrere in unterschiedlichen Farben emittierende Lumineszenzstoffe erhöhen sowohl die gestalterischen Möglichkeiten als auch die Fälschungssicherheit, da zur exakten Nachahmung die Analyse jedes einzelnen Lumineszenzstoffes notwendig ist. Diese Analyse kann in einfacher Weise noch weiter erschwert werden, indem die verschiedenen Lumineszenzfarben gemischt oder überlappend aufgedruckt werden.By using luminescent colors, the visual impression of this thread can be further improved and carried out more effectively. The luminescent colors can either be colorless in the non-excited state or have a body color that preferably differs from the color of the emission light. The characters or patterns only appear colored in the excitation light or change their color when the thread, e.g. B. under UV light. Several luminescent substances emitting in different colors increase both the design possibilities and the security against forgery, since the analysis of each individual luminescent substance is necessary for exact imitation. This analysis can be made even more difficult in a simple manner by mixing or printing the different luminescent colors.

Auch mittels Beugungsgitter oder Hologrammen lassen sich verschiedenste Farbeffekte erzielen. Die Beugungsstrukturen liegen z. B. als Volumen- oder Prägehologramme direkt als Prägungen im Trägermaterial des Kunststofffadens vor oder in einer zusätzlichen Schicht.Various color effects can also be achieved using diffraction gratings or holograms. The diffraction structures are e.g. B. as volume or embossing holograms directly as embossments in the carrier material of the plastic thread before or in an additional layer.

Die bei Reflexionshologrammen oder Gittern vorhandene reflektierende Metallschicht wird hier für die Erzeugung eines im Durchlicht sichtbaren Schriftzuges oder Musters vorzugsweise nach einem der nachgenannten Verfahren unterbrochen.The reflective metal layer present in the case of reflection holograms or gratings is preferably interrupted here for the generation of a lettering or pattern visible in transmitted light by one of the methods mentioned below.

Vorzugsweise wird ein derartiger Faden so in das Dokument eingelagert, daß er zumindest stellenweise direkt sichtbar ist bzw. an der Oberfläche erscheint. Verfahren zur Einbettung im Wertpapier unter Fensterbildung im Sicherheitsfadenbereich sind z. B. aus der DE-A-36 01 114 bekannt. Bei einem derart eingelagerten Faden ist also in der Reflexion im Fensterbereich vorwiegend das Hologrammbeugungsgitter oder Reflexionsmuster sichtbar, während bei Betrachtung im Durchlicht die in der Metallbeschichtung eingearbeitete Negativschrift bzw. Negativmuster dominiert.Such a thread is preferably embedded in the document in such a way that it is directly visible at least in places or appears on the surface. Methods for embedding in the security under window formation in the security thread area are e.g. B. known from DE-A-36 01 114. With a thread embedded in this way, the hologram diffraction grating or reflection pattern is predominantly visible in the reflection in the window area, while the negative writing or negative pattern incorporated into the metal coating dominates when viewed in transmitted light.

Zur Herstellung der Sicherheitsfäden werden z. B. eingefärbte, bedruckte und/oder lumineszierende, aber in einem Teilbereich des visuell zugänglichen Spektrums transparente Kunststoffolien zunächst vollflächig mit einer dünnen Aluminiumschicht bedampft. Anschließend werden in diese Metallschicht nach bekannten Verfahren (Ätzen, Funkenerosion etc.) die Aussparungen in Form der gewünschten Schriftzeichen und Muster eingebracht. Der so gefertigte Faden zeigt dann die gewünschten Eigenschaften. Bei Anwendung der Funkenerosion (auch Elektroerosion genannt) ist es vorteilhaft, wenn die Elektroden bereits die Form der aufzubringenden Zeichen und Muster aufweisen. Auf diese Weise können extrem feine Mikroschriftzeichen in guter Qualität erzeugt werden.For the production of security threads z. B. dyed, printed and / or luminescent, but in a part of the visually accessible spectrum transparent plastic films are initially vapor-coated with a thin aluminum layer. The cutouts in the form of the desired characters and patterns are then introduced into this metal layer using known methods (etching, spark erosion, etc.). The thread produced in this way then shows the desired properties. When using spark erosion (also electrical erosion It is advantageous if the electrodes already have the shape of the characters and patterns to be applied. In this way, extremely fine micro characters can be produced in good quality.

Gemäß einem bevorzugten Herstellverfahren wird für die Erstellung der Zeichen und Muster auf die im Prinzip aus der Drucktechnik bekannten Mittel zurückgegriffen und die Schriftzeichen und Muster nach bekannten Mikrodruckverfahren auf die metallbeschichtete Seite der Folie aufgedruckt. Dabei wird allerdings eine Druckfarbe verwendet, die z. B. thermoplastische Eigenschaften besitzt, d. h. bei höheren Temperaturen erweicht und klebrig wird. Kaschiert man eine so vorbehandelte Folie unter Anwendung von Wärme und Druck gegen eine zweite unbehandelte Folienbahn, so haften die beiden Folien im Bereich der aufgedruckten Schriftzeichen oder Muster aneinander. Beim Trennen der beiden zwischenzeitlich abgekühlten Folien werden dann aus der Aluminiumbeschichtung die den Zeichen oder Muster entsprechenden Bereiche ausgelöst. Auf diese Weise enthält man ein mit Metallen bedampftes Folienmaterial, in welchem Schriftzeichen oder Muster in Form von lichtdurchlässigen farbigen Punkten oder Linien in der sonst undurchsichtigen lichtreflektierenden Fläche erhalten sind.According to a preferred production method, the means known in principle from printing technology are used for the creation of the characters and patterns, and the characters and patterns are printed onto the metal-coated side of the film using known microprinting methods. However, a printing ink is used, the z. B. has thermoplastic properties, d. H. softens and becomes sticky at higher temperatures. If a film pretreated in this way is laminated against a second untreated film web using heat and pressure, the two films adhere to one another in the area of the printed characters or patterns. When the two films, which have cooled in the meantime, are separated, the areas corresponding to the characters or patterns are then released from the aluminum coating. In this way, a metal material is deposited on the foil material, in which characters or patterns in the form of translucent colored dots or lines are obtained in the otherwise opaque light-reflecting surface.

Vorteilhaft es es, wenn vor Durchführung des vorstehend bezeichneten Verfahrens zunächst die für die Erstellung des Sicherheitsfadens vorgesehen Folie mit einer Grundierung in Form einer Druckfarbe versehen wird und anschließend die Bedampfung auf diese Grundierung aufgebracht wird. In diesem Falle kann, anstatt eingefärbte Folien zu verwenden, die Grundierung in Form einer farbigen und/oder lumineszierenden Fläche aufgebracht werden.It is advantageous if, before carrying out the method described above, the film provided for the production of the security thread is first provided with a primer in the form of a printing ink and then the vapor deposition is applied to this primer. In this case, instead of using colored foils, the primer can be applied in the form of a colored and / or luminescent surface.

In einer weiteren Ausführungsform kann diese farbige Grundierung auch in Form eines mehrfarbigen Druckbilds ausgeführt sein, wobei sich z. B. eine zufällige Verteilung in der Farbgebung der einzelnen Schriftzeichen ergibt. Damit lassen sich Fäden erstellen, die eine in vielen Farben schillernde, hell auf schwarzem Grund erscheinende Mikroschrift aufweisen.In a further embodiment, this colored primer can also be designed in the form of a multicolored printed image. B. results in a random distribution in the coloring of the individual characters. It can be used to create threads that have a shimmering micro script that appears bright in many colors on a black background.

In einer weiteren Ausführungsform kann das Folienmaterial zunächst mit der farblosen Grundierung versehen werden, während auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite der Folie die farbig transparente Druckfarbenschicht aufgebracht wird. Dieses Verfahren bietet Vorteile, wenn für Grundierung und farbig transparente Schichten unterschiedliche Druckfarbenqualitäten verwendet werden müssen. Nach anschließender Metallbedampfung der Grundierung kann in der obengenannten Form weiterverfahren werden.In a further embodiment, the film material can first be provided with the colorless primer, while the colored, transparent ink layer is applied to the opposite side of the film. This process offers advantages if different printing ink qualities have to be used for the primer and colored transparent layers. After subsequent metal vapor deposition of the primer, further processing can be carried out in the above form.

Auch das an sich bekannte Heißprägeverfahren kann zur selektiven Metallbeschichtung eingefärbter oder bedruckter Sicherheitsfäden in vorteilhafter Weise genutzt werden. Dieses Verfahren kann insbesondere im Zusammenhang mit "Lichtsammelfolien", sogenannten LISA-Folien, als Folienmaterial vorteilhaft genutzt werden. Diese Folien haben die Eigenschaft, auftreffendes Licht "zu sammeln" und es in einer bestimmten Farbe und nur in Kantenbereichen oder an Störstellen der Oberfläche (Prägungen) austreten zu lassen. Da für das Heißprägeverfahren die Zeichen oder Muster in die Folie einzuprägen sind und diese Prägestrukturen derartige Störstellen darstellen, erscheinen die Zeichen mit einer leuchtenden Randkontur. Bei LISA-Folien mit Tageslicht-Fluoreszenzeigenschaften sind auch bei Tageslicht entsprechend farbige Leuchteffekte sichtbar.The hot stamping method known per se can also be used advantageously for the selective metal coating of colored or printed security threads. This method can be used advantageously in particular in connection with "light collecting foils", so-called LISA foils, as foil material. These foils have the property of "collecting" incident light and allowing it to emerge in a certain color and only in edge areas or at imperfections on the surface (embossing). Since the characters or patterns are to be embossed into the film for the hot embossing process and these embossed structures represent such defects, the characters appear with a luminous edge contour. With LISA foils with daylight fluorescent properties, colored light effects are also visible in daylight.

Gemäß einem weiteren Verfahren wird zunächst auf die Folien ein Druckbild aufgedruckt, wie es später in der Metallbeschichtung als Negativbild erscheinen soll und erst in einem zweiten Verfahrensschritt wird die opake Beschichtung z. B. die Metallbeschichtung aufgebracht. Für die Aufbringung des Druckbildes werden dabei Druckfarben oder Lacke verwendet, die entweder zur Folie und/oder zu Metallbeschichtungen eine geringe Haftung aufweisen, so daß entweder die Metallbeschichtung alleine oder zusammen mit der Druckfarbe ausschließlich mechanisch im Luft- oder Flüssigkeitsstrahl entfernt werden kann. Dieses Verfahren wird zur Herstellung von Verpackungsmaterialien verwendet und ist im Prinzip aus der DE-A-36 10 379 bekannt. Anstatt des Flüssigkeitsstrahls kann aber auch über mechanische Schabeinrichtungen eine Entfernung der schlecht haftenden Druckfarbe erreicht werden. Vorteilhafter gegenüber dem o.g. Verfahren ist es aber Druckfarben zu verwenden, die sich anschließend unter der Metallbeschichtung wieder chemisch lösen lassen. Allerdings zeigt sich, daß das Anlösen der Druckfarbe für eine vollständige Entfernung der Metallschicht im gesamten Druckbereich in der Regel nicht vollständig ausreichend ist. Bringt man aber in das Lösungsbad eine Ultraschallquelle ein oder zieht die Folie nach dem Lösungsbad durch ein Ultraschallbad, so wird die Druckfolie in einfacher Weise in einem Verfahrensgang vollständig entfernt.According to a further method, a printed image is first printed on the foils, as it will later appear as a negative image in the metal coating, and only in a second process step is the opaque coating z. B. applied the metal coating. For the application of the printed image, printing inks or lacquers are used which have low adhesion either to the film and / or to metal coatings, so that either the metal coating alone or together with the printing ink can only be removed mechanically in an air or liquid jet. This method is used for the production of packaging materials and is known in principle from DE-A-36 10 379. Instead of the liquid jet, mechanical scrapers can also be used to remove the poorly adhering printing ink. More advantageous than the above The process is to use printing inks, which can then be chemically dissolved under the metal coating. However, it turns out that the dissolving of the printing ink is generally not completely sufficient for a complete removal of the metal layer in the entire printing area. However, if an ultrasound source is introduced into the solution bath or the film is drawn through an ultrasound bath after the solution bath, the printing film is completely removed in a simple process.

Gemäß einer weiteren Verfahrensvariante werden Druckfarben verwendet, die beim Trocknen spröde werden. Zieht man die damit bedruckten und anschließend metallbeschichteten Farben durch ein Ultraschallbad, so werden diese Farben auch ohne chemischen Lösungsprozeß alleine durch die Einwirkung des Ultraschallfells entfernt, wodurch der gewünschte Negativschriftzug in der Metallbeschichtung erzeugt wird. Geeignete Farben sind hier z. B. Farben auf der Basis eines Novolackbinders. Das Ultraschallbad ist in diesem Fall ein Flüssigkeitsbehälter mit einem darin oder daran angeordnetem Ultraschallgenerator, wobei die Flüssigkeit die Rolle des Kopplungsmediums übernimmt und im einfachsten Fall hierzu Wasser verwendet werden kann.According to a further process variant, printing inks are used which become brittle during drying. If you pull the printed and then metal-coated colors through an ultrasound bath, these colors are removed even without a chemical solution process solely by the action of the ultrasound fur, which creates the desired negative lettering in the metal coating. Suitable colors are z. B. Colors based on a Novolack binder. The ultrasonic bath is in this case a liquid container with an ultrasound generator arranged therein or thereon, the liquid taking over the role of the coupling medium and in the simplest case water can be used for this.

Weitere Vorteile, vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen sowie Verfahren zur Herstellung erfindungsgemäßer Sicherheitsfäden sind Gegenstand der Beschreibung des Erfindungsgegenstandes anhand von Figuren. Zur besseren Anschaulichkeit des eigentlichen Sachverhalts wird in den Figuren auf eine maßstabs- und proportionsgetreue Darstellung verzichtet.Further advantages, advantageous developments and methods for producing security threads according to the invention are the subject of the description of the subject matter of the invention with reference to figures. For the sake of clarity of the actual facts, the figures are not drawn to scale and proportion.

Die Figuren zeigen:

Fig. 1
einen erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitsfaden in der Aufsicht,
Fig. 2
den Sicherheitsfaden in einer Schnittdarstellung nach Einbettung in einen Papierträger,
Fig. 3 - 7
verschiedene Ausführungsformen eines erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitsfadens,
Fig. 8 - 10
verschiedene Verfahren zur Herstellung derartiger Sicherheitsfäden, dargestellt in den verschiedenen Verfahrensstadien.
The figures show:
Fig. 1
a security thread according to the invention in supervision,
Fig. 2
the security thread in a sectional view after embedding in a paper carrier,
3 - 7
different embodiments of a security thread according to the invention,
8-10
different processes for the production of such security threads, shown in the different process stages.

Die Fig. 1 zeigt einen Sicherheitsfaden 1, bestehend aus einem Kunststoffband 2 (Fig. 2) aus einem reißfesten Kunststoffmaterial, wie z. B. Polyester, dessen eine Oberfläche mit einer opaken Beschichtung 3 versehen ist. Die Beschichtung ist vorzugsweise eine reflektierende Metallschicht, z. B. Aluminiumschicht, oder ein weißer deckender, im Durchlicht opak erscheinender, Farbauftrag, der die Aussparungen 4 in Form der auf den Sicherheitsfaden aufzubringen Zeichen und Muster aufweist. In beiden Fällen ist diese Beschichtung nach Einbettung des Fadens in Sicherheitspapier 5 (Fig. 2) im Auflicht nicht sichtbar, da das von der Metallfläche reflektierte Licht wieder diffus im Papier gestreut wird bzw. sich die weiße Farbschicht von der weißen Papiermasse nicht abhebt. Die Aussparungen in dieser opaken Beschichtung sind somit nur bei Betrachtung im Durchlicht als helle Flächen erkennbar.Fig. 1 shows a security thread 1, consisting of a plastic tape 2 (Fig. 2) made of a tear-resistant plastic material, such as. B. polyester, one surface of which is provided with an opaque coating 3. The coating is preferably a reflective metal layer, e.g. B. aluminum layer, or a white opaque, in opaque appearing, color application that has the recesses 4 in the form of the signs and patterns to be applied to the security thread. In both In some cases, this coating is not visible in incident light after embedding the thread in security paper 5 (FIG. 2), since the light reflected from the metal surface is again diffusely scattered in the paper or the white color layer does not stand out from the white paper pulp. The recesses in this opaque coating can therefore only be recognized as bright areas when viewed in transmitted light.

Die Kunststoffolie 2 ist in dem in Fig. 1 und 2 gezeigten Beispiel mit vorzugsweise organischen Farbstoffen eingefärbt, die die Lichtdurchlässigkeit der Folie in einem Teilbereich des visuell zugänglichen Spektrums reduzieren. Folien mit ähnlichen Eigenschaften werden z. B. in der Optik als Filter verwendet. Je nach Einfärbung der Folie erscheinen die Schriftzeichen bei Betrachtung im Durchlicht in einer bestimmten Farbe und heben sich damit nicht nur gegenüber der opaken schwarz erscheinenden Beschichtung ab, sondern stehen auch im farblichen Kontrast zu der üblicherweise weißen Papierschicht.In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plastic film 2 is colored with preferably organic dyes, which reduce the translucency of the film in a part of the visually accessible spectrum. Films with similar properties are used e.g. B. used in optics as a filter. Depending on the coloring of the film, the characters appear in a certain color when viewed in transmitted light and not only stand out from the opaque black coating, but also contrast in color with the usually white paper layer.

Die Farbstoffe können durch lumineszierende Substanzen ergänzt oder auch ersetzt werden, so daß die Schriftzeichen erst bei entsprechender Anregung farblich aufleuchten bzw. in einer anderen Farbe erscheinen. Bei ausreichend starker Lumineszenz ist der Faden auch im Auflicht sichtbar. Betrachtet man den Faden von der Seite der Metallbeschichtung her, sind die Schriftzeichen erkennbar, während bei Betrachtung von der gegenüberliegenden Seite und Anordnung der Anregungslichtquelle auf der Betrachterseite der Faden als homogenes fluoreszierendes Band sichtbar ist. Diese Eigenschaft kann als weiteres Echtheitskennzeichen gezielt genutzt werden.The dyes can be supplemented or also replaced by luminescent substances, so that the characters light up in color or appear in a different color only when stimulated accordingly. If the luminescence is sufficiently strong, the thread is also visible in incident light. If you look at the thread from the side of the metal coating, the characters are recognizable, while when looking from the opposite side and the arrangement of the excitation light source on the observer side, the thread is visible as a homogeneous fluorescent band. This property can be used as a further authenticity indicator.

Statt der in Fig. 2 gezeigten Einfärbung der Kunststofffolie kann auch eine vollständig transparente Folie mit einer Farbschicht 8 versehen werden, die z. B. auf der der Metallbeschichtung 3 gegenüberliegenden Oberfläche aufgebracht (Fig. 3) oder zwischen der Metallschicht und der Folie als Grundierschicht eingebracht wird (Fig. 4). Die separate Aufbringung dieser Farbschicht 8 gestattet es, hier ein mehrfarbiges Druckbild in beliebigem Muster aufzubringen, wodurch auch die Schriftzeichen in verschiedenen Farben und Muster erscheinen. Als Folien können dann handelsübliche glasklare Transparentfolien verwendet werden. Die Druckmuster sind dem jeweiligen Anwendungsfall anpaßbar. So bietet es sich z. B. an, bei Sicherheitsfäden, die in Banknotenpapier eingebettet werden, die Farben entsprechend den jeweiligen Landesfarben auszuwählen.Instead of the coloring of the plastic film shown in FIG. 2, a completely transparent film can also be provided with a color layer 8 which, for. B. on the the surface opposite the metal coating 3 is applied (FIG. 3) or is introduced as a primer layer between the metal layer and the film (FIG. 4). The separate application of this color layer 8 makes it possible to apply a multicolored printed image in any pattern, as a result of which the characters also appear in different colors and patterns. Standard transparent transparent films can then be used as films. The print samples can be adapted to the respective application. So it offers z. B. on security threads that are embedded in banknote paper, select the colors according to the respective national colors.

Die Fig. 5 zeigt eine weitere Ausführungsform, bei der die Farbmittel und/oder lumineszierenden Substanzen 9 lediglich im Bereich der Aussparungen 4 der Metallbeschichtung 3 vorliegen. Geeignete Farbmittel sind hier z. B. lasierende Druckfarben, die in die Aussparungen einer opaken weißen Farbschicht oder einer Metallbeschichtung eingedruckt wurden.FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment, in which the colorants and / or luminescent substances 9 are only present in the area of the cutouts 4 of the metal coating 3. Suitable colorants are z. B. glazing printing inks, which were printed in the recesses of an opaque white color layer or a metal coating.

Die Fig. 6 zeigt einen Sicherheitsfaden, bestehend aus einer transparenten Kunststoffolie 7 und einer Deckschicht 30 in Form eines optischen Interferenzfilters wie er z. B. aus der US-A-3,858,977 bekannt ist. Diese Deckschicht weist lokal Unterbrechungen 31 auf zur Darstellung eines Musters, Zeichen, Ziffern etc. Dieses Interferenzfilter hat die Eigenschaft, daß sich bei einem Betrachtungswechsel von Reflexionen in Transmission die Farbe verändert.Fig. 6 shows a security thread, consisting of a transparent plastic film 7 and a cover layer 30 in the form of an optical interference filter as z. B. is known from US-A-3,858,977. This cover layer has local interruptions 31 to represent a pattern, characters, numbers, etc. This interference filter has the property that the color changes when changing reflections in transmission.

Arbeitet man diese Fäden im Wertpapier ein, wobei der Faden vorzugsweise so eingelagert wird, so daß er zumindest teilweise an der Oberfläche erscheint, so ist das Muster oder der Schriftzug bei Betrachtung im Auf- und Durchlicht jeweils gegenüber eines andersfarbigen Hintergrund sichtbar. Färbt man die Folie 7 in einer dritten Farbe oder bringt eine zusätzliche Farbschicht auf, so ergibt sich ein Farbwechselspiel aus diesen Farben und den Mischfarben.If these threads are incorporated into the security, the thread preferably being stored in such a way that it appears at least partially on the surface, the pattern or the lettering, when viewed in reflected and transmitted light, is in each case against a differently colored background visible. If the film 7 is dyed in a third color or an additional layer of color is applied, then a color interplay results from these colors and the mixed colors.

Der Sicherheitsfaden kann aber zusätzlich auch mit optisch variierenden Strukturen wie z. B. Hologrammen, Beugungsgittern, dreidimensionalen reflektierenden Strukturen ausgestattet sein, wobei der zumindest in Durchsicht sichtbare Negativschriftzug in die bei Reflexionshologrammen z. B. ohnehin vorhandene reflektierende Metallschicht bzw. in die bei Volumenhologrammen vorhandene opake Beschichtung oder Schicht eingebracht wird.The security thread can also with optically varying structures such. B. holograms, diffraction gratings, three-dimensional reflective structures, the at least visible through negative lettering in the reflection hologram z. B. already existing reflective metal layer or in the existing in volume holograms opaque coating or layer.

Die Fig. 7 zeigt eine einfache Ausführungsform eines derartigen Sicherheitsfadens. Das Trägermaterial ist eine reißfeste prägbare Kunststoffolie 40, wobei zur Erreichung dieser beiden Eigenschaften auch Verbundfolien verwendet werden können. Diese Folie ist mit einer reflektierenden opaken metallischen Beschichtung 41 versehen, in die vorzugsweise nach einem der nachgenannten Verfahren ein Negativschriftzug oder -muster eingebracht wird. Anschließend werden die optisch wirksamen Strukturen 43, wie z. B. Hologramme, Beugungsstrukturen, Reflexionsmuster in Form zur Dokumentenebene unterschiedlich geneigten Flächen etc. in die metallbeschichtete Oberfläche eingeprägt. Eine zusätzliche transparente Schutzschicht 44 schützt diese Strukturen und die Metallbeschichtung gegen äußere mechanische und chemische Einflüsse.7 shows a simple embodiment of such a security thread. The carrier material is a tear-resistant embossable plastic film 40, and composite films can also be used to achieve these two properties. This film is provided with a reflective opaque metallic coating 41, into which a negative lettering or pattern is preferably introduced by one of the methods mentioned below. Then the optically active structures 43, such as. B. holograms, diffraction structures, reflection patterns in the form of the document plane differently inclined surfaces etc. imprinted in the metal-coated surface. An additional transparent protective layer 44 protects these structures and the metal coating against external mechanical and chemical influences.

Damit die optisch wirksamen Strukturen auch bei einem in Papier eingebetteten Sicherheitsfaden zumindest lokal gut sichtbar sind, wird der Faden so eingelagert, daß der Faden zumindest teilweise an die Papieroberfläche tritt. Verfahren hierzu sind z. B. aus den eingangs genannten Schriften bereits bekannt. Auch die oben beschriebenen anderen Ausführungsformen von Sicherheitsfäden können, falls erforderlich, nach einem dieser Verfahren als sogenannte Fenstersicherheitsfäden in das Dokumentenpapier eingelagert werden.So that the optically effective structures are at least locally well visible even in the case of a security thread embedded in paper, the thread is stored in such a way that the thread at least partially comes to the paper surface. Methods for this are e.g. B. already known from the writings mentioned. Also the ones described above other embodiments of security threads can, if necessary, be embedded in the document paper as so-called window security threads using one of these methods.

Verfahren zur Herstellung von Sicherheitsfäden mit Schriftzügen oder Mustern als Negativ in einer opaken Beschichtung werden im folgenden näher beschrieben:
Gemäß einem bevorzugten Verfahren wird eine z. B. eingefärbte, transparente Folie zuerst mit den Druckzeichen bedruckt und anschließend die Folie über den Druckzeichen vollflächig einer Metallbedampfung ausgesetzt. Wählt man die Druckfarbe so, daß die Haftwirkung zwischen der Druckfarbe und der Kunststoffolie geringer ist als die Haftwirkung zwischen der Metallbedampfung und der Folie, so kann mit Hilfe eines Klebebandes geeigneter Adhäsionsstärke die Metallbeschichtung in den bedruckten Bereichen entfernt werden. Hierzu folgendes Beispiel:
Methods for producing security threads with lettering or patterns as a negative in an opaque coating are described in more detail below:
According to a preferred method, a z. B. colored, transparent film is first printed with the printed characters and then the film is exposed over the entire surface of a metal vapor deposition. If the printing ink is selected so that the adhesive effect between the printing ink and the plastic film is less than the adhesive effect between the metal vapor deposition and the film, the metal coating in the printed areas can be removed with the aid of an adhesive tape of suitable adhesive strength. The following example:

Beispiel 1example 1

Eine Polyesterfolie von 23 µm Stärke (z. B. Melinex der Firma ICI) wird im Tiefdruckverfahren unter Verwendung der nachstehenden Tiefdruckfarbe mit Zeichen bedruckt. Anschließend wird die bedruckte Folie über dem Druck mit Aluminium von 1 µm Stärke bedampft. Schließlich wird die bedampfte Folie gegen ein handelsübliches Klebeband gepreßt, wobei an den vorher bedruckten Stellen wegen der dort geringen Haftung der Aluminiumschicht die den Schriftzeichen entsprechenden Stellen der Bedampfung herausgerissen werden. Auf diese Weise entsteht also - auf der sonst undurchsichtigen Aluminiumschicht - ein farbig transparent erscheinender Schriftzug oder Zeichen. Die Druckfarbe entspricht nachstehender Formulierung.
100 g Ethylalkohol
20 g Movital B20H (Firma Hoechst)
0,3 g eines alkohollöslichen Farbstoffs (z. B. Neozaponblau der Firma BASF).
A 23 µm thick polyester film (eg Melinex from ICI) is printed using the gravure printing process using the gravure printing ink shown below. The printed film is then vapor-coated with aluminum with a thickness of 1 µm. Finally, the vapor-coated film is pressed against a commercially available adhesive tape, the locations of the vapor deposition corresponding to the characters being torn out at the previously printed locations due to the low adhesion of the aluminum layer there. In this way, a color-transparent lettering or symbol appears on the otherwise opaque aluminum layer. The printing ink corresponds to the wording below.
100 g ethyl alcohol
20 g Movital B20H (Hoechst company)
0.3 g of an alcohol-soluble dye (e.g. neozapone blue from BASF).

Gemäß einem weiteren Verfahren (Fig. 8) wird die als Trägerfolie dienende, z. B. eingefärbte, transparente Kunststoffolie 2 aus Polyester zunächst nach herkömmlichen Verfahren vollflächig auf mindestens einer Oberfläche mit einer Metallbeschichtung 3, z. B. Aluminium, versehen. Auf diese Beschichtung werden die gewünschten Zeichen und Muster aufgedruckt, wobei als Druckfarbe 11 eine thermoplastische Kunststoffarbe verwendet wird, die im erweichten Zustand Haftwirkung zeigt und sich innig mit der Metallbeschichtung verbindet (Fig. 8a). Nach Abkühlung, d. h. wieder Erhärtung der thermoplastischen Druckfarbe sollte die Haftwirkung zwischen der Druckfarbe und der Metallbeschichtung größer sein als zwischen der Metallbeschichtung und der Trägerfolie. Kaschiert man diese so vorbehandelte Folie 2 unter Wärme und Druck auf Folie 12, an der die thermoplastische Druckfarbe 11 ebenfalls gut haftet und trennt diese beiden Folien nach Abkühlung, so wird mit der Druckfarbe 11 auch die metallische Beschichtung 3 lokal entfernt (Fig. 8b). Die auf dem Sicherheitsfaden 1 verbleibende Metallbeschichtung 3 zeigt dann die den Zeichen und Mustern entsprechenden Aussparungen 4 (Fig. 8c).According to a further method (Fig. 8) serving as a carrier film, for. B. colored, transparent plastic film 2 made of polyester first over the entire area on at least one surface with a metal coating 3, z. B. aluminum. The desired characters and patterns are printed on this coating, a thermoplastic plastic ink being used as printing ink 11, which in the softened state has an adhesive effect and binds intimately to the metal coating (FIG. 8a). After cooling, d. H. When the thermoplastic printing ink hardens again, the adhesive effect between the printing ink and the metal coating should be greater than between the metal coating and the carrier film. If the film 2 pretreated in this way is laminated under heat and pressure to film 12, to which the thermoplastic printing ink 11 also adheres well, and if these two films are separated after cooling, the metallic coating 3 is also removed locally with the printing ink 11 (FIG. 8b). . The metal coating 3 remaining on the security thread 1 then shows the cutouts 4 corresponding to the characters and patterns (FIG. 8c).

Geeignete Druckfarben und dabei einzuhaltende Verfahrensparameter sind aus der folgenden Beschreibung konkreter Beispiele ableitbar.Suitable printing inks and process parameters to be observed can be derived from the following description of specific examples.

Beispiel 2Example 2

Eine Polyesterfolie von 23 µm Stärke (z. B. Hostaphan der Firma Hoechst) wird vollflächig mit der unter Beispiel 4 angegebenen Formulierung beschichtet. Anschließend wird auf diese Formulierung durch Bedampfen in Vakuum eine Aluminiumschicht von 1 µm Stärke aufgebracht. Schließlich werden auf die bedampfte Schicht mit Hilfe eines Tiefdruckzylinders Schriftzeichen oder Symbole aufgedruckt, wobei die nachstehende heißklebende Druckfarbe verwendet wird.
100 g destilliertes Wasser
60 g Vinnol-Dispersion 50/25 C (Firma Wacker)
1 g Tylose MH 16000 K (Firma Hoechst).
A polyester film 23 µm thick (eg Hostaphan from Hoechst) is coated over the entire surface with the formulation given in Example 4. Subsequently an aluminum layer of 1 µm thickness is applied to this formulation by vacuum evaporation. Finally, characters or symbols are printed on the vapor-coated layer using an intaglio cylinder, using the following hot-melt printing ink.
100 g distilled water
60 g Vinnol dispersion 50/25 C (from Wacker)
1 g of Tylose MH 16000 K (Hoechst company).

Nach dem Drucken kann das Material entweder zunächst aufgerollt werden und wird dann später weiter verarbeitet oder man fügt den nächsten Bearbeitungsschritt ohne vorheriges Aufrollen unmittelbar an. Die bedruckte Folie wird in diesem anschließenden Arbeitsschritt gegen eine ansonsten unbehandelte Hostaphanfolie gleicher Art gepreßt und die Preßwalzen auf eine Temperatur von 160° C erhitzt. Dabei erweichen die mit heißklebendem Lack aufgebrachten Zeichen. Anschließend wird die zusammengepreßte Folienkombination über eine Kühlwalze geleitet und danach beide Folien getrennt und separat aufgerollt. Während des Heißpreßvorganges verklebt die aluminiumbedampfte Schicht unter Vermittlung der heißklebenden Druckzeichen mit der zusätzlichen Polyesterfolie. Beim nachfolgenden Kühlen und Trennen werden daher die den Zeichen entsprechenden Stellen der Aluminiumbeschichtung herausgerissen und lassen den erwünschten Schriftzug oder die Zeichen transparent in der sonst undurchsichtigen Aluminiumschicht erscheinen.After printing, the material can either be rolled up first and then processed later, or the next processing step can be added immediately without rolling up. In this subsequent work step, the printed film is pressed against an otherwise untreated hostaphane film of the same type and the press rolls are heated to a temperature of 160.degree. The characters applied with hot-melt lacquer soften. The compressed film combination is then passed over a chill roll and then both films are separated and rolled up separately. During the hot-pressing process, the aluminum-vapor-coated layer sticks to the additional polyester film by means of the hot-adhesive printing characters. During the subsequent cooling and separating, the parts of the aluminum coating corresponding to the characters are torn out and let the desired lettering or the characters appear transparently in the otherwise opaque aluminum layer.

Zur farblichen Gestaltung der Schriftzeichen kann wiederum eine entsprechend eingefärbte Kunststoffolie verwendet werden oder die Folie vor oder nach Aufbringung der Schriftzeichen mit einer ein- oder mehrfarbigen Farbschicht mit gegebenenfalls wiederum lumineszierenden Eigenschaften versehen werden.For the color design of the characters, a correspondingly colored plastic film can in turn be used or the film can be provided with a single or multi-colored layer of color with or without luminescent properties before or after the characters are applied.

Beispiel 3Example 3

Eine Polyesterfolie (z. B. Melinex der Firma ICI) wird zunächst im Vakuum mit einer ca. 1 µm dicken Schicht aus metallischem Nickel bedampft. Anschließend wird die bedampfte Folie auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite unter Verwendung gängiger Tiefdruckfarben mit einem vierfarbigen Muster bedruckt. Im gleichen Druckgang oder in einem später angehängten zweiten Druckgang wird schließlich die nickelbedampfte Seite unter Verwendung der zuvor genannten heißklebenden Druckfarbe mit farblosen Zeichen bedruckt. Die so bedruckte Folie wird mit der metallbedampften Seite gegen eine zweite Polyesterfolie heiß verpreßt, anschließend gekühlt und dann die beiden Folien wieder getrennt. Dabei wird das metallische Nickel an den mit der heißklebenden Farbe bedruckten Stellen herausgerissen, so daß die mit dieser Farbe aufgedruckten Zeichen als hell transparente Stellen in dem sonst opaken Faden erscheinen. An diesen Stellen ist dann die auf die Rückseite aufgebrachte vierfarbige Bedruckung zu sehen, so daß im durchfallenden Licht ein vielfarbiges Muster entsteht, welches im auffallenden Licht auf der metallisierten Seite praktisch gar nicht, auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite schwach als farbiges Band zu erkennen ist.A polyester film (eg Melinex from ICI) is first vacuum-coated with an approximately 1 µm thick layer of metallic nickel. The vapor-coated film is then printed on the opposite side with a four-color pattern using common gravure inks. In the same print run or in a second print run attached later, the nickel-coated side is finally printed with colorless characters using the previously mentioned hot-adhesive printing ink. The film printed in this way is hot pressed with the metal-vapor-coated side against a second polyester film, then cooled and then the two films are separated again. The metallic nickel is torn out at the points printed with the hot-melt ink, so that the characters printed with this color appear as brightly transparent points in the otherwise opaque thread. At these points, the four-color printing applied to the back can be seen, so that a multicolored pattern is created in the transmitted light, which is practically not visible in the incident light on the metallized side and is weakly recognizable as a colored band on the opposite side.

Beispiel 4Example 4

Eine Polyesterfolie von 23 µm Stärke (z. B. Hostaphan der Firma Hoechst) wird einseitig mit 1 µm Aluminium im Vakuum bedampft. Die gegenüberliegende Seite der Folie wird im Tiefdruckverfahren vollflächig mit einer Druckfarbe bedruckt, welche im Tageslicht farblos, unter UV-Licht jedoch hellblau aufleuchtet. Anschließend wird die metallisierte Seite der Folie mit einer heißklebenden Farbe gemäß vorhergehendem Beispiel bedruckt. Beim anschließenden Heißpressen, Kühlen und Trennen der Folien entstehen wiederum transparente Schriftzeichen in einer sonst opaken Bahn, welche im Durchlicht als hell farblos wirkende Schriften oder Muster erkennbar sind. Bettet man ein solches Material z. B. in ein Banknotenpapier ein, so wird es im auffallenden Licht von beiden Seiten des Papiers her praktisch nicht zu sehen sein. Im durchfallenden Licht erscheint ein dunkler Streifen, in welchem hell die eingebrachten Zeichen erscheinen. Beleuchtet man zusätzlich mit ultraviolettem Licht, so erscheint das eingebrachte Material auf einer Seite hellblau leuchtend, während auf der anderen Seite im durchfallenden UV-Licht blau-leuchtende Druckzeichen erscheinen.A 23 µm thick polyester film (eg Hostaphan from Hoechst) is vacuum coated on one side with 1 µm aluminum. The opposite side of the film is printed over the entire surface in an intaglio printing process with a printing ink which is colorless in daylight but light blue under UV light. Then the metallized side of the film is printed with a hot-melt ink according to the previous example. The subsequent hot pressing, cooling and separating the foils in turn create transparent characters in one otherwise opaque web, which can be seen in transmitted light as brightly colorless fonts or patterns. If you embed such a material e.g. B. in a banknote paper, it will be practically invisible from both sides of the paper in the striking light. A dark streak appears in the transmitted light, in which the characters appear bright. If you additionally illuminate with ultraviolet light, the material introduced appears bright blue on one side, while blue illuminated signs appear in the transmitted UV light on the other side.

Ein weiteres Verfahren, welches auf möglichst einfache Weise die Erzeugung hellwirkender Schriften auf sonst wenig lichtdurchlässigen und daher dunkelwirkenden Umgebungsmaterial erlaubt, besteht darin, ein Trägermaterial, z. B. eine Polyesterfolie handelsüblicher Qualität, zunächst mit den erwünschten Zeichen zu bedrucken und anschließend mit einer Metallbeschichtung zu versehen. Im Anschluß daran wird die so hergestellte Folie durch ein Lösungsmittel geleitet, welches die Druckfarbe lösen kann. Entsprechende Lösungsmittel können ohne entsprechende Schwierigkeiten die Metallschicht durchdringen und in die darunter befindliche Druckfarbenschicht eindringen. Dies führt zu einem Aufquellen und anschließend Anlösen der Druckfarbe unter der metallisierten Schicht. Die alleinige Einwirkung des Lösungsmittels führt aber in der Regel nicht zum gewünschten Erfolg. Es wurde nun gefunden, daß die lösende Wirkung wirksam unterstützt wird, wenn in das Lösungsmittelbad gleichzeitig ein Ultraschallfeld eingestrahlt wird, welches direkt "akustomechanisch" auf die Farbe einwirkt und zudem für eine Durchmischung und Durchwirbelung des Bades sorgt.Another method, which allows the creation of bright-looking fonts on otherwise less translucent and therefore dark-looking surrounding material in the simplest possible way, consists in a carrier material, for. B. a polyester film of commercial quality, first to print with the desired characters and then to provide a metal coating. The film thus produced is then passed through a solvent which can dissolve the printing ink. Appropriate solvents can easily penetrate the metal layer and penetrate into the ink layer underneath. This leads to swelling and then dissolution of the printing ink under the metallized layer. The sole action of the solvent usually does not lead to the desired success. It has now been found that the dissolving effect is effectively supported if an ultrasonic field is simultaneously irradiated into the solvent bath, which acts directly "acoustomechanically" on the color and also ensures thorough mixing and swirling of the bath.

Unter Mitwirkung dieses Ultraschallfeldes kann dann die Farbschicht zusammen mit der darauf befindlichen Metallisierung vollständig abgelöst werden. Dieses Verfahren eignet sich auch für die lokale Abtragung anderer Beschichtungen. Damit können z. B. auch in Säuren oder Alkalien löslichen Beschichtungen wie z. B. das säurefeste metallisch glänzende Titannitrid TINX für die Herstellung von Schriftzeichen in einer opaken Beschichtung verwendet werden.With the help of this ultrasound field, the color layer together with the metallization on it can then be completely removed. This method is also suitable for the local removal of other coatings. So z. B. coatings soluble in acids or alkalis such. B. the acid-resistant metallic shiny titanium nitride TINX can be used for the production of characters in an opaque coating.

Dieses, wie auch die vorgenannten Verfahren bieten ferner den Vorteil, daß nur für die tatsächliche im Druck erscheinenden hell wirkenden Schriftzeichen Druckfarbe verwendet werden muß und sich die Entfernung der Druckfarbe praktisch in einem Arbeitsgang gleichzeitig oder direkt aufeinanderfolgende Anwendung von Lösungsmittel und Ultraschallenergie bewerkstelligen läßt. Die Belastung der Umwelt mit Chemikalien kann auf die genannte Weise besonders gering gehaltung werden. Die in der Druckfarbe enthaltende Substanzen lassen sich durch Fällen bzw. Eindampfen abtrennen und gegebenenfalls wieder verwenden. Die Lösungsmittel sind selbstverständlich nach dem Aufdampfen wieder verwendbar und belasten die Umwelt ebenfalls nicht. Die von der aufgebrachten Metallschicht herrührenden Substanzmengen sind gering und lassen sich durch Filtrieren ebenfalls in einfacher Weise beseitigen.This, as well as the aforementioned methods, also offer the advantage that printing ink only has to be used for the actual bright-looking characters appearing in the printing and the removal of the printing ink can be accomplished practically simultaneously or directly in succession using solvent and ultrasonic energy. The pollution of the environment with chemicals can be kept particularly low in this way. The substances contained in the printing ink can be separated off by precipitation or evaporation and, if necessary, reused. The solvents can of course be reused after vapor deposition and also do not pollute the environment. The quantities of substance resulting from the applied metal layer are small and can also be removed in a simple manner by filtration.

Ein weiterer Vorteil besteht darin, daß feine Schriftzüge mit sehr gut definierten Kanten erhalten werden können, während die restliche Fläche vollständig intakt bleibt. Die auf dieser Weise erzeugten Materialien haben daher ein besonders gut definiertes und fehlerfreies Aussehen, was bei ihrer Verwendung als Sicherheitselemente mit Mikroschrift besonders vorteilhaft ist.Another advantage is that fine lettering with very well-defined edges can be obtained while the rest of the surface remains completely intact. The materials produced in this way therefore have a particularly well-defined and error-free appearance, which is particularly advantageous when used as security elements with micro-writing.

Die zur Herstellung der Schriftzeichen verwendeten Druckfarben können von einfachster Formulierung sein. Druckfarben dieser Art brauchen in keinem Fall irgendwelche besondere Eigenschaften bzw. Haltbarkeit, Verträglichkeit, Säure- oder Alkalifestigkeit aufweisen, da sie nur temporär im Herstellungsprozeß benötigt werden und ihre einzige Bestimmung darin besteht, sich im Lösungsmittel wieder aufzulösen. Es genügt daher die Verwendung eines billigen üblichen Bindemittels für Druckfarben.The printing inks used to produce the characters can be of the simplest formulation. Printing inks of this type need in no case have any special properties or durability, compatibility, acid or alkali resistance, since they only are temporarily needed in the manufacturing process and their only purpose is to redissolve in the solvent. It is therefore sufficient to use an inexpensive, conventional binder for printing inks.

Beispiel 5Example 5

Aus einer Nitrozellulose des Typs 30A und Ethylalkohol wird eine 8 %ige Lösung hergestellt. Diese Lösung wird unter Verwendung eines beliebigen Farbstoffs, z. B. Neozaponblau nach Belieben eingefärbt.An 8% solution is made from a 30A nitrocellulose and ethyl alcohol. This solution is made using any dye, e.g. B. Neozapon blue colored at will.

Unter Verwendung der vorstehenden Druckfarbe wird im Tiefdruckverfahren auf eine Polyesterfolie des Typs RGH 23 (Hersteller Hoechst) ein beliebiger Schriftzug aufgedruckt. Anschließend wird die so bedruckte Folie auf der bedruckten Seite im Vakuum mit Aluminium in einer Stärke von 0,2 µm bedampft.Using the above printing ink, any lettering is printed on a polyester film of the type RGH 23 (manufacturer Hoechst) using the gravure printing process. The film printed in this way is then vacuum-coated with aluminum with a thickness of 0.2 µm on the printed side.

Anschließend wird in einem Ultraschallbad Ethylalkohol eingetragen und der Ultraschallgenerator eingeschaltet. Die bedruckte und bedampfte Folie wird eine Sekunde in den Ethylalkohol eingetaucht und dann herausgenommen und getrocknet. Es ergibt sich, daß an den bedruckten Stellen und nur an diesen Stellen die Druckfarbe samt dem darüber vorhanden gewesenen Aluminium entfernt worden ist. Die Folie weist in einer sonst undurchsichtigen Fläche die Schriftzüge als klare transparente Stellen auf.Then ethyl alcohol is added to an ultrasonic bath and the ultrasonic generator is switched on. The printed and vapor-coated film is immersed in the ethyl alcohol for one second and then removed and dried. It follows that the printing ink and the aluminum present above have been removed from the printed areas and only at these locations. In an otherwise opaque surface, the film has the lettering as clear, transparent areas.

Auch das an sich bekannte Heißprägeverfahren kann zur Herstellung erfindungsgemäßer Sicherheitsfäden angewandt werden (siehe Kunststoffe 72 (1982), 11 "Heißprägen, ein modernes Verfahren für das Dekorieren von Kunststoffteilen" von H. Schütt und B. Seeberger, Fürth, Seite 701 - 707). Wendet man dabei das Abrollverfahren an, so werden in die Kunststoffolien 13 (Fig. 9) zunächst die Schriftzeichen und Muster eingeprägt, so daß diese als vertiefte Bereiche 14 in der Folienoberfläche vorliegen. Anschließend wird mit Hilfe einer beheizten Silikonprägewalze (in der Fig. nicht gezeigt) die Metallbeschichtung 15 eines Transferbandes 16 auf die erhöhten Bereich 17 der Kunststoffolienoberfläche übertragen (Fig. 9a). Die tieferliegenden Bereiche 14, die die Schriftzeichen darstellen, bleiben dabei von einer Beschichtung 18 ausgespart (Fig. 9b). Wie in den vorgenannten Beispielen gezeigt, kann die Kunststoffolie 13 wieder eingefärbt oder vorzugsweise auf der Rückseite mit entsprechenden Druckmustern versehen sein. Das Heißprägeverfahren gestattet neben der Übertragung metallischer Farbschichten auch die Anwendung sublimierbarer Farben, die bei der Übertragung verdampfen und in das Kunststoffolienmaterial eindringen. Die Haftung ist dadurch wesentlich verbessert.The known hot stamping process can also be used to produce security threads according to the invention (see plastics 72 (1982), 11 "hot stamping, a modern process for decorating plastic parts" by H. Schütt and B. Seeberger, Fürth, pages 701-707) . If the roll-off process is used, the characters and patterns are first embossed into the plastic films 13 (FIG. 9), so that these are present as recessed areas 14 in the film surface. The metal coating 15 of a transfer belt 16 is then transferred to the raised area 17 of the plastic film surface with the aid of a heated silicone embossing roller (not shown in the figure) (FIG. 9a). The lower-lying areas 14, which represent the characters, are left blank by a coating 18 (FIG. 9b). As shown in the aforementioned examples, the plastic film 13 can be colored again or preferably be provided with corresponding printed patterns on the back. In addition to the transfer of metallic color layers, the hot stamping process also allows the use of sublimable colors, which evaporate during transfer and penetrate into the plastic film material. This significantly improves liability.

Insbesondere im Zusammenhang mit dem Heißprägeverfahren können auch Lichtsammelfolien, sogenannte LISA-Folien, in bevorzugter Form genutzt werden (Kunststoffe 75(′85)5, "Kunststoffe, die Licht sammeln", Seite 296 - 297, Dr. A. El Sayed). Diese LISA-Folien sind dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie meist durch Tageslicht aktivierbare lumineszierende Substanzen enthalten und das "gesammelte" Licht nur im Kantenbereich oder an Störstellen der Oberfläche austreten lassen. Derartige Störstellen sind z. B. die Randbereiche der eingeprägten Zeichen. Verwendet man also derartige LISA-Folien als Trägerfolie für den Sicherheitsfaden und beschichtet sie nach dem Heißprägeverfahren mit einer opaken Metall- oder Farbschicht unter Aussparung der vertieften Zeichenbereiche, so erscheinen diese Zeichen nicht nur als helle Zeichen gegenüber dem opaken Untergrund, sondern leuchten im Randbereich hell auf, wobei diese Leuchterscheinung durch entsprechende Wahl der LISA-Folie bzw. der darin enthaltenen Lumineszenzstoffe in der Farbe, Intensität und dem notwendigen Umgebungslicht (Tageslicht, UV) variiert werden kann.Particularly in connection with the hot stamping process, light-collecting foils, so-called LISA foils, can also be used in a preferred form (plastics 75 (′85) 5, “plastics that collect light”, pages 296-297, Dr. A. El Sayed). These LISA films are characterized in that they usually contain luminescent substances that can be activated by daylight and that the "collected" light can only emerge in the edge area or at imperfections on the surface. Such defects are e.g. B. the edge areas of the embossed characters. If one uses such LISA foils as carrier foil for the security thread and coats them after the hot stamping process with an opaque metal or color layer with the exception of the recessed character areas, these characters not only appear as bright characters against the opaque background, but shine brightly in the edge area on, this light phenomenon can be varied by appropriate choice of the LISA film or the luminescent substances contained therein in the color, intensity and the necessary ambient light (daylight, UV).

Bei Herstellung der Fäden werden, insbesondere wenn eines der obengenannten Verfahren zur Anwendung kommt, vorzugsweise breite Folienbahnen zunächst beschichtet und im gewünschten Sicherheitsfadenmuster beschriftet. Erst nach Abschluß dieser Verfahrensschritte werden die Folienbahnen dann in einzelne Fäden geschnitten. Verfahren zum registergenauen Bedrucken und Schneiden dieser Folien sind z. B. aus der EP-A 0 238 043 bekannt.When the threads are produced, in particular if one of the above-mentioned methods is used, wide film webs are preferably first coated and labeled in the desired security thread pattern. Only after these process steps have been completed are the film webs cut into individual threads. Methods for register-accurate printing and cutting of these films are e.g. B. is known from EP-A 0 238 043.

Bei dem in Fig. 10 gezeigten Sicherheitsfaden 1 ist die opake Beschichtung 3 im Randbereich in Form einer maschinenlesbaren Kodierung 20 z. B. in Form eines sich regelmäßig wiederholenden Balkenmusters unterbrochen. Diese Kodierung kann zusätzlich oder als Ersatz für den humanlesbaren Schriftzug 21 aufgebracht werden. Die über diese Kodierung eingebrachte Information kann z. B. den Banknotenwert oder aber auch eine Zufallsinformation sein, durch die der Faden individualisiert wird. Durch Verknüpfung dieser Zufallsinformation mit anderen dokumenten- und/oder benutzerspezifischen Daten wird dieser Faden - in nicht mehr austauschbarer Form - an das jeweilige Dokument und/oder Benutzer gebunden.In the security thread 1 shown in FIG. 10, the opaque coating 3 is in the edge area in the form of a machine-readable coding 20 z. B. interrupted in the form of a regularly repeating bar pattern. This coding can be applied in addition or as a replacement for the human-readable lettering 21. The information introduced via this coding can e.g. B. the banknote value or also a random information by which the thread is individualized. By linking this random information with other document- and / or user-specific data, this thread - in a form that can no longer be exchanged - is bound to the respective document and / or user.

Sicherheitsfäden, die im Randbereich eine maschinenlesbare Kodierung aufweisen, sind im Prinzip aus der DE-A-28 08 552 bekannt, wobei hier aber der gesamte Faden längs einer Kante in der gewünschten Form geschnitten wird. Dieses Schneiden der Fäden ist ziemlich aufwendig und auch deren Einbettung in das Papier problembeladen, da sich die Fäden aufgrund der ständig wechselnden Bandbreite leicht verdrillen (Girlandeneffekt) und auch unter der unvermeidbaren Zugspannung sehr häufig reißen, die während der Einlagerung des Fadens in der Papiermasse anliegt. Da die Papierabschnitte, in denen der Faden nicht plan oder nicht in der richtigen Lage im Papier vorliegt oder die Fadeneinlagerung gar unterbrochen ist, ausgesondert werden müssen, ist die Einlagerung derartiger Fäden mit einer hohen Ausschußrate belastet. Diese Nachteile werden bei der erfindungsgemäßen Lösung behoben. Der erfindungsgemäße Faden besitzt eine konstante Fadenbreite, da hier nur die dünne opake Beschichtung, nicht aber der Faden bzw. Kunststoffträger in der Breite variiert ist. Die Kodierung, die nach einem der vorgenannten Verfahren oder auch in einfacher Weise auf eine transparente Kunststoffolie aufgedruckt werden kann, ist im Durchlicht wegen der Transparenz des Folienmaterials und der Opazität der Beschichtung einwandfrei in gleicher Weise wie ein geschnittener Faden lesbar.Security threads which have a machine-readable coding in the edge region are known in principle from DE-A-28 08 552, but here the entire thread is cut along an edge in the desired shape. This cutting of the threads is quite complex and also their embedding in the paper is problematic, since the threads twist easily due to the constantly changing bandwidth (garland effect) and also very often tear under the inevitable tensile stress that is present in the paper mass during storage of the thread . Since the paper sections in which the thread is not flat or not in the correct position in the paper or the thread storage is even interrupted, the storage of such threads must be discarded burdened with a high reject rate. These disadvantages are eliminated in the solution according to the invention. The thread according to the invention has a constant thread width, since here only the thin opaque coating, but not the thread or plastic carrier, is varied in width. The coding, which can be printed on a transparent plastic film by one of the aforementioned methods or in a simple manner, is perfectly legible in transmitted light due to the transparency of the film material and the opacity of the coating in the same way as a cut thread.

Verwendet man eingefärbte oder farbig grundierte Trägerfolien, hebt sich der transparent bleibende (nicht bedruckte) Folienbereich sozusagen als Negativ-Kodierungsmuster ab, das parallel zur opak erscheinenden Kodierung verläuft. Bei Verwendung von nur bei UV-Licht oder anderer spezieller Lichtquellen lumineszierenden Farben erscheint dieser Farbeffekt nur bei der speziellen Beleuchtung, bei Betrachtung im Tageslicht unterscheidet sich dieser Faden für den Betrachter nicht von der bekannten geschnittenen Version.If you use colored or color-primed carrier films, the transparent (not printed) film area stands out as a negative coding pattern that runs parallel to the opaque coding. When using only luminescent colors that are only luminescent with UV light or other special light sources, this color effect only appears with special lighting. When viewed in daylight, this thread does not differ from the known cut version for the viewer.

Wird die opake Beschichtung aufgedruckt, so bietet es sich wieder an, zunächst breitere Folienbahnen entsprechend zu bedrucken und aus diesen bedruckten Folienbahnen dann die Fäden zu schneiden. Für die Einbringung einer Zufallsinformation können spezielle zufallsgesteuerte Druckwerke Verwendung finden. In besonders einfacher Form sind derartige Effekte aber auch mit Hilfe von z. B. zwei Druckwerken möglich, die ein Muster mit unterschiedlicher Periodizität in sich überlagernder Form aufdrucken.

1
Sicherheitsfaden
2
Kunststoffolie eingefärbt
3
opake Beschichtung
4
Aussparungen
5
Sicherheitspapier
6
Farbschicht
7
klare Folie
8
Farbschicht
9
Farbmittel
10
ätzende Farben
11
klebende Farbe
12
Abziehfolie
13
Prägefolie
14
vertiefter Bereich
15
Metallbeschichtung
16
Transferband
17
erhöhter Bereich
18
Beschichtung
20
Randkodierung
21
humanauslesbare Zeichen
30
Interferenzbeschichtung
31
Aussparung in Interferenzbeschichtung
40
transparente Folie
41
Metallbeschichtung
42
Aussparung in Metallbeschichtung
43
Reliefstruktur
44
Schutzschicht
If the opaque coating is printed on, it is again appropriate to first print wider film webs accordingly and then cut the threads from these printed film webs. Special randomly controlled printing units can be used to introduce random information. In a particularly simple form, such effects are also possible with the help of e.g. B. two printing units possible that print a pattern with different periodicity in overlapping form.
1
Security thread
2nd
Colored plastic film
3rd
opaque coating
4th
Recesses
5
Security paper
6
Layer of paint
7
clear film
8th
Layer of paint
9
Colorant
10th
caustic colors
11
sticky paint
12th
Peel-off film
13
Stamping foil
14
deepened area
15
Metal coating
16
Transfer belt
17th
raised area
18th
Coating
20th
Edge coding
21
human readable characters
30th
Interference coating
31
Recess in interference coating
40
transparent film
41
Metal coating
42
Cutout in metal coating
43
Relief structure
44
Protective layer

Claims (42)

  1. A security element (1) in the form of a thread or strip to be embedded in security documents (5) such as bank notes, checks, bonds, identity cards, credit cards or the like, having characters, patterns or the like that are visible in transmitted light and readable to the naked eye and/or by machine, the security element (1) having a transparent plastic film (2, 7, 13, 40), characterized in that the plastic film (2, 7, 13) has a nonmetallic opaque coating (3) extending over the element (1) with recesses (4) in the form of the characters and patterns, and the security element (1) contains, at least in areas congruent with the recesses (4), coloring and/or luminescent substances (8, 9) which cause the characters and/or patterns to differ from the security document (5) and from the opaque coating (3) by color contrast under suitable light conditions.
  2. The security element (1) of claim 1, characterized in that the coloring and/or luminescent substances (8, 9) are contained in the plastic film (2, 7, 13).
  3. The security element (1) of claim 1, characterized in that the coloring and/or luminescent substances (8, 9) are printed on.
  4. The security element (1) of claim 3, characterized in that the coloring and/or luminescent substances (8, 9) are printed onto the side of the film (2, 7, 13) opposite the coating.
  5. The security element (1) of claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the coloring and/or luminescent substances (8, 9) are present in the form of a multicolored printed pattern and/or in the form of a luminescent pattern appearing in several colors.
  6. The security element (1) of any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the luminescent substances (8, 9) are colorless in the unexcited state.
  7. The security element (1) of any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the characters are embossed into the film (13) and are thus present in the form of depressed areas (14).
  8. The security element (1) of claim 7, characterized in that the film (13) has light-collecting properties and preferably contains substances that are luminescent in daylight.
  9. The security element (1) of claim 1, characterized in that the pattern is a machine-readable coding (20) extending in the longitudinal direction of the element (1) and preferably provided in the edge area of the element (1).
  10. A security element (1) in the form of a thread or strip to be embedded in security documents (5) such as bank notes, checks, bonds, identity cards, credit cards or the like, having characters, patterns or the like that are visible in transmitted light and readable to the naked eye and/or by machine, the security element (1) having a transparent plastic film (2, 7, 13, 40), characterized in that the plastic film (2, 7, 13, 40) has an opaque coating (3, 15, 30, 41) extending over the element with recesses (4, 31) in the form of the characters and/or patterns to be introduced, whereby at least some of these recesses are present in the edge area of the element (1) and constitute a coding (20) that is machine-readable in transmission.
  11. The security element (1) of claim 9 or 10, characterized in that this machine-readable coding (20) is a random piece of information.
  12. A security element (1) in the form of a thread or strip to be embedded in security documents (5) such as bank notes, checks, bonds, identity cards, credit cards or the like, having characters, patterns or the like that are visible in transmitted light and readable to the naked eye and/or by machine, the security element (1) having a transparent plastic film (2, 7, 13, 40), characterized in that the plastic film (20) has an opaque coating (41) extending over the element with recesses (42) in the form of the characters and/or patterns to be introduced, whereby optically effective structures (43) such as holograms, diffraction grids or reflection patterns are present so as to overlap at least partially with these recesses (42).
  13. The security element (1) of claim 12, characterized in that the opaque coating (41) has reflecting properties and the optically effective structures (43) are embossed holograms.
  14. The security element (1) of claim 12, characterized in that the optically effective structures (43) are volume holograms.
  15. The security element (1) of claim 12, characterized in that the opaque coating (41) has reflecting properties and the optically effective structures (43) are reflection patterns in the form of surfaces inclined at different angles to the document plane.
  16. A security element (1) in the form of a thread or strip to be embedded in security documents (5) such as bank notes, checks, bonds, identity cards, credit cards or the like, having characters, patterns or the like that are visible in transmitted light and readable to the naked eye and/or by machine, the security element (1) having a transparent plastic film (2, 7, 13, 40), characterized in that the plastic film (7) has a coating (30) extending over the element with recesses (31) in the form of the characters and/or patterns to be introduced, whereby this coating (30) has dichroic properties and the security element (1) shows a change of color when the manner of viewing changes from incident light to transmitted light.
  17. Film material for security elements (1) in the form of threads or strips to be embedded in security documents (5) such as bank notes, checks, bonds, identity cards, credit cards or the like, having characters, patterns or the like that are visible in transmitted light and readable to the naked eye and/or by machine, characterized in that the film material is transparent and has a nonmetallic opaque coating (3, 15, 30, 41) with recesses (4, 31, 42) in the form of the characters and patterns to be introduced.
  18. The film material of claim 17, characterized in that the film material contains coloring and/or luminescent substances (8, 9) at least in areas congruent with the recesses (4).
  19. The film material of claim 17, characterized in that the film material has optically effective structures (43) such as holograms, diffraction grids or reflection patterns at least partly overlapping the recesses (4).
  20. The film material of claim 17, characterized in that the coating (30) has dichroic properties.
  21. The security element or film material of one or more of the above claims, characterized in that the coating (3, 15, 30, 41) is applied only in certain areas of the plastic film (2, 7, 13, 40).
  22. The security element or film material of one or more of the above claims, characterized in that the opaque coating is printed on.
  23. The security element or film material of one or more of the above claims, characterized in that the opaque coating reflects and/or contrasts with the surroundings in color and/or in a gray shade in transmitted light.
  24. A security element (5) such as a bank note, identity card or the like, characterized in that the security element of one or more of the above claims is embedded in the security document.
  25. A method for producing a security element in the form of a thread or strip to be embedded in a security document, having characters, patterns or the like that are visible in transmitted light and readable to the naked eye and/or by machine, characterized in that a transparent plastic film is provided with an opaque coating, characters and/or patterns are printed over this coating with thermoplastic inks, the film pretreated in this way is brought in close contact with a second film so that the two films adhere in the area of the printed characters, and the two films are then separated, whereby the opaque coating is removed from the first film in the area of the printed characters and the film produced in this way is then cut into safeguarding threads.
  26. The method of claim 25, characterized in that the printed characters are applied to the transparent film in a first method step, and the opaque coating in a second step.
  27. A method for producing a security element in the form of a thread or strip to be embedded in a security document, having characters, patterns, or the like that are visible in transmitted light and readable to the naked eye and/or by machine, characterized in that characters or patterns are embossed in a transparent plastic film so that the areas representing the characters or patterns are depressed compared to the film surface, the film surface is provided in the non-depressed areas with an opaque coating by the hot embossing method known as such, and the film produced in this way is then cut into safeguarding threads.
  28. The method of claim 27, characterized in that a metallic coating is used as the opaque coating.
  29. The method of either of claims 27 and 27, characterized in that a transparent plastic film with light-collecting properties is used.
  30. A method for producing a security element in the form of a thread or strip to be embedded in a security document, having characters, patterns, or the like that are visible in transmitted light and readable to the naked eye and/or by machine, characterized in that a transparent plastic film is provided with a metallic coating and recesses in the form of the desired characters, patterns or the like are provided in this coating by the electroerosion method known as such, and the film produced in this way is then cut into safeguarding threads.
  31. The method of claim 30, characterized in that electrodes in the form of the characters or patterns to be provided are used in the electroerosion method.
  32. A method for producing film material for security elements in the form of a thread or strip having writing or patterns that appear light in transmitted light on an opaque or only slightly translucent background, the writing or patterns being printed on a transparent film material using a soluble printing ink, and the film thus printed then being provided with an opaque coating, the printing ink being solubilized using solvents in a solution bath, and the film being subjected to an ultrasonic field in a liquid bath to completely remove the printing ink.
  33. The method of claim 32, characterized in that the ultrasonic field is radiated into the solution bath for the printing ink.
  34. The method of claim 32, characterized in that the ultrasonic field is radiated into a separate liquid bath following the solvent bath.
  35. The method of any of claims 25 to 34, characterized in that a plastic film with coloring and/or luminescent substances is used.
  36. The method of any of claims 25 to 35, characterized in that a plastic film is used that is additionally printed in one or more colors.
  37. The method of claim 35, characterized in that luminescent printing inks are used.
  38. The method of any of claims 25 to 37, characterized in that the coating is applied only partly.
  39. The method of any of claims 25 to 38, characterized in that the coating is printed on.
  40. The method of any of claims 25 to 39, characterized in that nonmetallic materials that reflect and/or contrast with the surroundings in color and/or in a gray shade in transmitted light are used for the opaque coating.
  41. A method for producing a security document such as a bank note, identity card or the like, characterized in that a security element produced by the method of any of claims 25 to 31 or 35 to 40 is embedded in the security document.
EP88118460A 1988-03-04 1988-11-04 Thread- or strip-like security element to be included in a security document, and a method of manufacturing same Expired - Lifetime EP0330733B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT88118460T ATE100880T1 (en) 1988-03-04 1988-11-04 SECURITY ELEMENT IN THE FORM OF A THREAD OR TAPE FOR EMBEDDING IN SECURITY DOCUMENTS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3807126 1988-03-04
DE3807126 1988-03-04

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0330733A1 EP0330733A1 (en) 1989-09-06
EP0330733B1 true EP0330733B1 (en) 1994-01-26

Family

ID=6348885

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88118460A Expired - Lifetime EP0330733B1 (en) 1988-03-04 1988-11-04 Thread- or strip-like security element to be included in a security document, and a method of manufacturing same

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US6474695B1 (en)
EP (1) EP0330733B1 (en)
KR (1) KR930003329B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE100880T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3887497D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2048186T3 (en)
FI (1) FI95736C (en)
WO (1) WO1989008166A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6761378B2 (en) 2000-05-03 2004-07-13 Hologram Industries (S.A.) Apparatus for maintaining the security of a substrate
WO2005075215A2 (en) 2004-02-05 2005-08-18 Hueck Folien Ges.M.B.H. Security element with coloured and/or luminescent and/or opaque imprint
EP2055501A2 (en) 2007-11-02 2009-05-06 Klöckner Pentaplast GmbH & Co. KG Method of manufacturing a security medium and security medium
EP2196556A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2010-06-16 Giesecke & Devrient GmbH Security element and method for production thereof
CN1652945B (en) * 2002-04-26 2010-09-29 德国捷德有限公司 Security element and method for producing the same

Families Citing this family (155)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3915638B4 (en) * 1989-05-12 2006-06-08 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security document with embedded security element with visually and machine-checkable tags and security element for a security document
DE3932505C2 (en) * 1989-09-28 2001-03-15 Gao Ges Automation Org Data carrier with an optically variable element
FR2654445B1 (en) * 1989-11-14 1995-04-28 Arjomari Prioux SECURITY PAPER COMPRISING A NEW FALSIFICATION RESPONSIVE THREAD.
DE4041025C2 (en) * 1990-12-20 2003-04-17 Gao Ges Automation Org Magnetic, metallic security thread with negative writing
DE4101301A1 (en) * 1991-01-17 1992-07-23 Gao Ges Automation Org SECURITY DOCUMENT AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
GB9106128D0 (en) 1991-03-22 1991-05-08 Amblehurst Ltd Article
IT1263970B (en) * 1993-02-11 1996-09-05 Mantegazza A Arti Grafici ANTI-FALSIFICATION SAFETY DEVICE FOR DOCUMENTS IN GENERAL
US5583631A (en) * 1993-02-11 1996-12-10 Mantegazza Antonio Arti Grafiche S.R.L. Anticounterfeit security device . . . including two security elements
DE4344298A1 (en) * 1993-12-23 1995-06-29 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security paper with a thread-like or ribbon-shaped security element
DE4344553A1 (en) * 1993-12-24 1995-06-29 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security paper with a thread-like or ribbon-shaped security element and method for producing the same
ES2149611T3 (en) * 1996-11-07 2000-11-01 Bank Of England IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO THE SECURITY OF DOCUMENTS.
DE19650759A1 (en) * 1996-12-06 1998-06-10 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security element
GB9702064D0 (en) * 1997-01-31 1997-03-19 De La Rue Holographics Ltd Manufacture of security tapes and security threads
GB9709263D0 (en) 1997-05-07 1997-06-25 Astor Universal Limited Laminate structure
DE19735293C2 (en) 1997-08-14 2003-06-12 Bundesdruckerei Gmbh Value and security product with luminescent element
DE19739193B4 (en) * 1997-09-08 2006-08-03 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Method for producing security films for securities
UA52804C2 (en) * 1997-12-02 2003-01-15 Текнікал Графікс Сек'Юріті Продактс, Ллс Device for protecting documents by using magnetic and metallic protective elements (variants); method for producing the protection device (variants); method for identifying documents
DE19819571A1 (en) * 1998-04-30 1999-11-04 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security document with security element
NL1011860C2 (en) 1999-04-22 2000-10-24 Vhp Ugchelen Bv Safety device and applications thereof.
CA2386792A1 (en) * 1999-10-07 2001-04-12 Gerald J. Gartner Security device with foil camouflaged magnetic regions and methods of making same
DE10007916A1 (en) * 2000-02-21 2001-08-23 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Multilayer laminated card with interposed security element having relief structures
DE50114859D1 (en) 2000-10-09 2009-06-04 Hueck Folien Gmbh METALLIZED FILM AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF AND ITS APPLICATION
DE10131153A1 (en) * 2001-06-28 2003-01-16 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh security element
US7063264B2 (en) 2001-12-24 2006-06-20 Digimarc Corporation Covert variable information on identification documents and methods of making same
DE10143523B4 (en) * 2001-09-05 2008-08-21 Hueck Folien Gesellschaft M.B.H. Process for the preparation of a selectively metallised film
US6827277B2 (en) * 2001-10-02 2004-12-07 Digimarc Corporation Use of pearlescent and other pigments to create a security document
US7143950B2 (en) * 2001-10-02 2006-12-05 Digimarc Corporation Ink with cohesive failure and identification document including same
JP2005512860A (en) 2001-12-21 2005-05-12 ギーゼッケ ウント デフリエント ゲーエムベーハー Security element and method for producing the same
DE10163381A1 (en) 2001-12-21 2003-07-03 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security paper and method and device for its production
DE10226114A1 (en) * 2001-12-21 2003-07-03 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security element for security papers and documents of value
DE10226116A1 (en) * 2001-12-21 2003-07-03 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security element and process for its manufacture
US7207494B2 (en) 2001-12-24 2007-04-24 Digimarc Corporation Laser etched security features for identification documents and methods of making same
EP1485867A4 (en) * 2001-12-24 2012-02-22 L 1 Secure Credentialing Inc Contact smart cards having a document core contactless smart cards including multi-layered structure pet-based identification document and methods of making same
WO2003056507A1 (en) 2001-12-24 2003-07-10 Digimarc Id Systems, Llc Systems, compositions, and methods for full color laser engraving of id documents
US7694887B2 (en) 2001-12-24 2010-04-13 L-1 Secure Credentialing, Inc. Optically variable personalized indicia for identification documents
WO2003088144A2 (en) 2002-04-09 2003-10-23 Digimarc Id Systems, Llc Image processing techniques for printing identification cards and documents
GB0209564D0 (en) * 2002-04-25 2002-06-05 Rue De Int Ltd Improvements in substrates
US7824029B2 (en) 2002-05-10 2010-11-02 L-1 Secure Credentialing, Inc. Identification card printer-assembler for over the counter card issuing
ITMI20021575A1 (en) 2002-07-17 2004-01-19 Elmiva S A S Di Walter Mantega SECURITY ELEMENT FOR BANKNOTE DOCUMENTS SECURITY CARDS AND SIMILAR
DE10248868A1 (en) * 2002-10-18 2004-07-08 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh value document
WO2004049242A2 (en) 2002-11-26 2004-06-10 Digimarc Id Systems Systems and methods for managing and detecting fraud in image databases used with identification documents
DE10255639A1 (en) 2002-11-28 2004-06-17 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security element and method of manufacturing the same
DE50310260D1 (en) 2002-11-28 2008-09-11 Hueck Folien Gmbh SAFETY ELEMENTS WITH ENERGY ENABLED ACTIVATED FEATURES
DE10256832A1 (en) * 2002-12-04 2004-06-24 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security film and method of making the same
GB0305606D0 (en) * 2003-03-12 2003-04-16 Univ The Glasgow Security labelling
CA2522551C (en) 2003-04-16 2009-12-22 Digimarc Corporation Three dimensional data storage
DE10319232A1 (en) 2003-04-28 2004-11-18 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Flat security element and manufacturing method for the same
ITMI20030929A1 (en) 2003-05-08 2004-11-09 Mantegazza A Arti Grafici SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE WIRE TYPE, TAPE AND SIMILAR, FOR SECURITY DOCUMENTS IN GENERAL
ITMI20030946A1 (en) * 2003-05-12 2004-11-13 Mantegazza A Arti Grafici SECURITY ELEMENT APPLICABLE TO DOCUMENTS IN GENERAL AND IN PARTICULAR BANKNOTES, IDENTITY DOCUMENTS AND SIMILAR
AT500871B1 (en) * 2003-06-17 2007-03-15 Hueck Folien Gmbh SAFETY ELEMENTS WITH VISUALLY RECOGNIZABLE AND MACHINE READABLE FEATURES
AT501356A1 (en) * 2003-06-18 2006-08-15 Hueck Folien Gmbh SAFETY ELEMENTS AND SAFETY FEATURES WITH COLOR EFFECTS
US8211338B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2012-07-03 Transitions Optical, Inc Photochromic compounds
US8698117B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2014-04-15 Transitions Optical, Inc. Indeno-fused ring compounds
US7342112B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2008-03-11 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Photochromic compounds
US8582192B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2013-11-12 Transitions Optical, Inc. Polarizing photochromic articles
US7632540B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2009-12-15 Transitions Optical, Inc. Alignment facilities for optical dyes
US8545984B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2013-10-01 Transitions Optical, Inc. Photochromic compounds and compositions
US8545015B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2013-10-01 Transitions Optical, Inc. Polarizing photochromic articles
US9096014B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2015-08-04 Transitions Optical, Inc. Oriented polymeric sheets exhibiting dichroism and articles containing the same
US8518546B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2013-08-27 Transitions Optical, Inc. Photochromic compounds and compositions
US7256921B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2007-08-14 Transitions Optical, Inc. Polarizing, photochromic devices and methods of making the same
US8089678B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2012-01-03 Transitions Optical, Inc Clear to circular polarizing photochromic devices and methods of making the same
US7978391B2 (en) 2004-05-17 2011-07-12 Transitions Optical, Inc. Polarizing, photochromic devices and methods of making the same
CN101817269B (en) * 2003-07-14 2012-01-18 Jds尤尼费斯公司 Optically variable device
US20080019003A1 (en) * 2003-07-14 2008-01-24 Jds Uniphase Corporation Vacuum Roll Coated Security Thin Film Interference Products With Overt And/Or Covert Patterned Layers
DE10333468A1 (en) * 2003-07-22 2005-02-10 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Preparation of security film comprising translucent carrier film with partially coated top layer, used for preparation of security films, e.g. for security paper carrying letters, numbers, signs, dots, or patterns
DE10334310A1 (en) 2003-07-28 2005-02-24 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security paper for the production of value documents
US7243951B2 (en) * 2003-08-19 2007-07-17 Technical Graphics, Inc. Durable security devices and security articles employing such devices
AT504750B1 (en) * 2003-09-17 2009-01-15 Hueck Folien Gmbh METHOD FOR PRODUCING A SECURITY ELEMENT WITH NEGATIVE COLOR CODINGS, IF APPLICABLE
AT501320B1 (en) * 2003-09-17 2008-10-15 Hueck Folien Gmbh PASSIVE ACTIVE SAFETY FEATURE
EP1516957A1 (en) * 2003-09-17 2005-03-23 Hueck Folien Ges.m.b.H Security element with colored indicia
US7389939B2 (en) * 2003-09-26 2008-06-24 Digimarc Corporation Optically variable security features having covert forensic features
US20050269819A1 (en) * 2003-10-07 2005-12-08 Chambers James D Packaging with embedded security measures
WO2005035258A2 (en) * 2003-10-07 2005-04-21 Rock-Tenn Company Packaging material with embedded security mechanisms
ES2707783T3 (en) * 2003-11-21 2019-04-05 Visual Physics Llc Micro-optical image and security presentation system
AT501566B1 (en) * 2003-12-29 2008-06-15 Hueck Folien Gmbh SECURITY ELEMENT WITH SEVERAL FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
US7744002B2 (en) 2004-03-11 2010-06-29 L-1 Secure Credentialing, Inc. Tamper evident adhesive and identification document including same
AT504631B1 (en) * 2004-03-26 2012-02-15 Hueck Folien Gmbh FOIL MATERIALS, ESPECIALLY FOR SAFETY ELEMENTS
US20050247794A1 (en) * 2004-03-26 2005-11-10 Jones Robert L Identification document having intrusion resistance
ES2318297T5 (en) * 2004-06-30 2015-03-05 Kxo Ag Anti-counterfeit security object and methods for its production and verification
AT500915B8 (en) * 2004-07-13 2007-02-15 Oebs Gmbh METHOD FOR CHECKING A SECURITY DOCUMENT
US20060075249A1 (en) * 2004-10-04 2006-04-06 Hayes Ralph E Electromagnetic security device
US7383999B2 (en) * 2004-12-28 2008-06-10 Digimarc Corporation ID document structure with pattern coating providing variable security features
DE102005003839A1 (en) * 2005-01-27 2006-08-03 Koenig & Bauer Ag security marking
DE102005028162A1 (en) 2005-02-18 2006-12-28 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security element for protecting valuable objects, e.g. documents, includes focusing components for enlarging views of microscopic structures as one of two authenication features
US7833937B2 (en) 2005-03-30 2010-11-16 L-1 Secure Credentialing, Inc. Image destruct feature used with image receiving layers in secure documents
US7939465B2 (en) * 2005-03-30 2011-05-10 L-1 Secure Credentialing Image destruct feature used with image receiving layers in secure documents
DE102005021514B4 (en) * 2005-05-10 2020-10-29 Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology Gmbh Security element and process for its production
EP1746208A1 (en) * 2005-07-19 2007-01-24 Hueck Folien GmbH & Co. KG Process for preparing a partially metallized substrate.
AT502213A1 (en) * 2005-07-28 2007-02-15 Kosasih Thomas Dewonoto FILM WITH SAFETY PRESSURE AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
GB2429187B (en) * 2005-08-15 2007-08-08 Rue De Int Ltd Security devices for security substrates
US20070075125A1 (en) * 2005-09-30 2007-04-05 Muscat Robert G Packaging and process of authenticating packaging
US20080022098A1 (en) * 2005-09-30 2008-01-24 Muscat Robert G Authentication process
DE102005061749A1 (en) 2005-12-21 2007-07-05 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Optically variable security element for making valuable objects safe has an achromatic reflecting micro-structure taking the form of a mosaic made from achromatic reflecting mosaic elements
DE102005062132A1 (en) 2005-12-23 2007-07-05 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security unit e.g. seal, for e.g. valuable document, has motive image with planar periodic arrangement of micro motive units, and periodic arrangement of lens for moire magnified observation of motive units
DE102006015023A1 (en) 2006-03-31 2007-10-04 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security element for security papers, value documents, has relief structure, which is formed on basis of cholesteric, liquid crystalline polymer material and top layer contains reflecting or high-refracting layer
DE102006023866A1 (en) 2006-05-19 2007-11-22 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh security element
DE102006029850A1 (en) 2006-06-27 2008-01-03 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh security element
DE102006029852A1 (en) 2006-06-27 2008-01-03 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Method of applying a microstructure, mold and microstructured article
CA2598007A1 (en) * 2006-08-29 2008-02-29 Jds Uniphase Corporation Printed article with special effect coating
DE102007055112A1 (en) 2007-01-05 2008-07-10 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Producing safety foil for valuable document e.g. check, comprises printing a side of substrate with a printing ink in the form of characters to be produced, applying a coating on the printed side and removing the printing ink
DE102007007914A1 (en) 2007-02-14 2008-08-21 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Embossing lacquer for micro-optical safety elements
AT505089A1 (en) 2007-03-23 2008-10-15 Hueck Folien Gmbh SECURITY ELEMENT WITH LUMINESCENT PROPERTIES
DE102007024298B3 (en) * 2007-05-23 2008-10-16 Zahedi Fariborz Martin Loessl Film element for authentication, security paper, security document, security document, coin, token, commodity, design element and method for producing a film element for authentication and method for producing a security paper, a security document and a value document such as a banknote
WO2008149051A1 (en) 2007-06-06 2008-12-11 De La Rue International Limited Apparatus for analysing a security document
US8464875B2 (en) * 2007-06-06 2013-06-18 De La Rue International Limited Apparatus for analysing a security document
US20100206779A1 (en) * 2007-06-06 2010-08-19 De La Rue International Limited Apparatus and method for analysing a security document
EP2014479A1 (en) * 2007-06-18 2009-01-14 Constantia Hueck Folien GmbH & Co. KG Safety elements with machine readable, visually imperceptible characteristics
DE102007029203A1 (en) 2007-06-25 2009-01-08 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh security element
DE102007029204A1 (en) 2007-06-25 2009-01-08 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh security element
GB2456500B (en) 2007-10-23 2011-12-28 Rue De Int Ltd Improvements in security elements
EP2085948A1 (en) 2007-11-26 2009-08-05 Hueck Folien Ges.m.b.H. Security elements with integral matt structure
DE102007061980A1 (en) 2007-12-21 2009-06-25 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Method for creating a microstructure
DE102007062089A1 (en) 2007-12-21 2009-07-02 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Method for creating a microstructure
DE102008016795A1 (en) 2008-04-02 2009-10-08 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Method for producing a micro-optical moiré magnification arrangement
EP2112274A1 (en) 2008-04-22 2009-10-28 Hueck Folien Ges.m.b.H. Locking elements with fluorescent characteristics
DE102008029638A1 (en) 2008-06-23 2009-12-24 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh security element
KR101147912B1 (en) * 2008-07-21 2012-05-29 설진영 Security paper
DE102008046511A1 (en) 2008-09-10 2010-03-11 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh representation arrangement
US8139208B2 (en) * 2008-09-11 2012-03-20 Toshiba International Corporation Ultrasonic detection system and method for the detection of transparent window security features in bank notes
EP2165849A1 (en) * 2008-09-18 2010-03-24 Gemalto Oy Identification document comprising a security pattern
DE102008062475A1 (en) 2008-12-16 2010-06-17 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security element and security paper
EP2251207B1 (en) 2009-05-11 2021-12-01 Hueck Folien Gesellschaft m.b.H. Method for the manufacture of a safety marker
DE102009032697C5 (en) * 2009-07-09 2020-03-05 Ovd Kinegram Ag Multilayer body
DE102009056934A1 (en) 2009-12-04 2011-06-09 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security element, value document with such a security element and manufacturing method of a security element
DE102009060191A1 (en) 2009-12-23 2011-06-30 Giesecke & Devrient GmbH, 81677 Method for producing a micro-optical representation arrangement
DE102010019194A1 (en) * 2010-05-04 2011-11-10 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Value document with recess
DE102010019766A1 (en) 2010-05-07 2011-11-10 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Method for producing a microstructure on a support
AT509928A2 (en) 2010-05-26 2011-12-15 Hueck Folien Gmbh SECURITY ELEMENT WITH LIGHTING STRUCTURES
WO2011162732A1 (en) * 2010-06-21 2011-12-29 Общество С Ограниченной Ответственностью " Специализированное Предприятие "Голография" Security element for securities (variants) and method for manufacturing same (variants)
US20120018994A1 (en) * 2010-07-23 2012-01-26 Scott Thomas Stalker Lottery ticket with holographic appearance
US8608988B2 (en) 2010-11-23 2013-12-17 Transitions Optical, Inc. Curable photochromic compositions and optical articles prepared therefrom
DE102010053679B4 (en) 2010-12-07 2013-03-28 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security element for card-shaped data carriers and method for its production
ES2441352T3 (en) * 2011-10-04 2014-02-04 Hueck Folien Ges.M.B.H. Security element with color change effect, method for its manufacture and use
DE102011120063A1 (en) 2011-12-02 2013-06-06 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security paper and value document available therefrom
DE102011120850A1 (en) 2011-12-09 2013-06-13 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Security paper, value document obtainable therefrom and method for producing the same
GB2500571A (en) * 2012-03-01 2013-10-02 Cheetah Security Ticket Solutions Ltd Counterfeit preventing event ticket
DE102013002137A1 (en) 2013-02-07 2014-08-07 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Optically variable surface pattern
FR3004471B1 (en) 2013-04-11 2015-10-23 Arjowiggins Security SECURITY ELEMENT COMPRISING A MASKING STRUCTURE CONTAINING A MIXTURE OF NANOMETER CHARGES.
FR3004470B1 (en) * 2013-04-11 2015-05-22 Arjowiggins Security SECURITY ELEMENT COMPRISING AN INTERFERENTIAL PIGMENT AND A NANOMETRIC LOAD.
DE102013019585A1 (en) 2013-11-21 2015-05-21 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Method for producing a value document and a security element, value document obtainable therefrom and security element and device for carrying out the method
DE102014106340B4 (en) 2014-05-07 2021-05-12 Ovd Kinegram Ag Multi-layer body and process for its production and security document
CA2995567C (en) 2015-08-17 2022-10-25 Transitions Optical, Inc. Curable photochromic compositions
CN107924116B (en) 2015-09-03 2021-06-15 光学转变公司 Multilayer photochromic articles
CN105374283A (en) * 2015-09-06 2016-03-02 深圳市天兴诚科技有限公司 Anti-counterfeit material and preparation method thereof
KR101682015B1 (en) * 2015-12-24 2016-12-02 한국조폐공사 Security film with viewing angle characteristics
DE102016004513A1 (en) 2016-04-13 2017-10-19 Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology Gmbh Value and security paper with back side information
DE102016009024A1 (en) 2016-07-25 2018-01-25 Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology Gmbh Security paper, security element and value document
US10369832B2 (en) 2016-10-14 2019-08-06 Lumenco, Llc Optical security elements with opaque masks for enhanced lens-to-printed pixel alignment
WO2018071638A1 (en) * 2016-10-14 2018-04-19 Lumenco, Llc Lens-based security dedicated to individual colors for currency and brand authentication
US10866455B2 (en) 2017-10-19 2020-12-15 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Display devices including photochromic-dichroic compounds and dichroic compounds
DE102018005872A1 (en) 2018-07-25 2020-01-30 Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology Gmbh Use of a radiation-curable lacquer composition, method for producing micro-optical structures, micro-optical structure and data carrier
EP3954544A1 (en) * 2020-08-14 2022-02-16 Hueck Folien Gesellschaft m.b.H. Flat security element with optical security features
DE102021002764A1 (en) * 2021-05-27 2022-12-01 Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology Gmbh Method of making a luminescent ink
CN113947174B (en) * 2021-09-08 2023-09-05 中钞特种防伪科技有限公司 Anti-counterfeiting element and anti-counterfeiting product using same

Family Cites Families (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1095286A (en) * 1963-07-08 1967-12-13 Portals Ltd Security device for use in security papers
CH529395A (en) 1971-03-23 1972-10-15 Landis & Gyr Ag Process for producing a stamp
US3858977A (en) 1972-01-18 1975-01-07 Canadian Patents Dev Optical interference authenticating means
US4019437A (en) 1973-04-13 1977-04-26 Xerox Corporation Planographic printing master
NL7515010A (en) * 1975-01-16 1976-07-20 Siemens Ag PROTECTED AGAINST COUNTERFEIT CARD.
GB1580951A (en) 1977-03-01 1980-12-10 Bank Of England Security devices
DE2858685C2 (en) * 1978-07-06 1989-06-29 Gao Gesellschaft Fuer Automation Und Organisation Mbh, 8000 Muenchen, De
US4166144A (en) * 1978-10-06 1979-08-28 Dennison Manufacturing Company Electrosensitive metalized label stock
US4242378A (en) 1979-03-29 1980-12-30 Reiko Co., Ltd. Method of making a decorated film with a metal layer in the form of a given pattern
DE3018485C2 (en) * 1980-05-14 1982-02-11 GAO Gesellschaft für Automation und Organisation mbH, 8000 München ID card with authenticity features that can be checked in incident and transmitted light
IN157644B (en) * 1981-02-19 1986-05-10 Portals Ltd
CA1141273A (en) 1981-09-11 1983-02-15 Donald E. Beckett Formation of packaging material
US4816322A (en) * 1981-11-02 1989-03-28 Dennison Manufacturing Company Anticounterfeit metallized labels
US4552617A (en) * 1984-06-13 1985-11-12 Crane & Co. Security features in paper
US4708436A (en) * 1985-07-12 1987-11-24 Rca Corporation Optical imager with diffractive lenticular array
US4708920A (en) * 1985-09-16 1987-11-24 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Microlens sheet containing directional half-tone images and method for making the same
US4652015A (en) * 1985-12-05 1987-03-24 Crane Company Security paper for currency and banknotes
DE3601114A1 (en) 1986-01-16 1987-07-23 Gao Ges Automation Org METHOD FOR PRODUCING SECURITY PAPER WITH STORED SECURITY THREAD
DE3609090A1 (en) * 1986-03-18 1987-09-24 Gao Ges Automation Org SECURITY PAPER WITH SECURED THREAD STORED IN IT AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
DE3610379A1 (en) 1986-03-27 1987-10-01 Helmuth Schmoock Foil having at least one surface covered by a metal layer, and method and apparatus for its production
MY102798A (en) 1987-12-04 1992-10-31 Portals Ltd Security paper for bank notes and the like
GB2250474B (en) 1990-12-04 1994-04-20 Portals Ltd Security articles
DE69422246T2 (en) 1993-08-31 2000-05-11 Control Module Inc Secure optical identification process and the necessary means

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6761378B2 (en) 2000-05-03 2004-07-13 Hologram Industries (S.A.) Apparatus for maintaining the security of a substrate
EP2196556A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2010-06-16 Giesecke & Devrient GmbH Security element and method for production thereof
CN1652945B (en) * 2002-04-26 2010-09-29 德国捷德有限公司 Security element and method for producing the same
WO2005075215A2 (en) 2004-02-05 2005-08-18 Hueck Folien Ges.M.B.H. Security element with coloured and/or luminescent and/or opaque imprint
EP2055501A2 (en) 2007-11-02 2009-05-06 Klöckner Pentaplast GmbH & Co. KG Method of manufacturing a security medium and security medium
DE102007052477A1 (en) 2007-11-02 2009-05-20 Klöckner Pentaplast GmbH & Co. KG Process for producing a safety medium and safety medium

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6474695B1 (en) 2002-11-05
WO1989008166A1 (en) 1989-09-08
KR930003329B1 (en) 1993-04-26
ATE100880T1 (en) 1994-02-15
EP0330733A1 (en) 1989-09-06
FI95736B (en) 1995-11-30
ES2048186T3 (en) 1994-03-16
KR900700692A (en) 1990-08-16
DE3887497D1 (en) 1994-03-10
FI95736C (en) 1996-03-11
FI894957A0 (en) 1989-10-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0330733B1 (en) Thread- or strip-like security element to be included in a security document, and a method of manufacturing same
EP0659587B1 (en) Security paper with a formed thread or band security element
EP1458577B1 (en) Security element and method for producing the same
EP1575785B1 (en) Security element and method for producing the same
EP1458575B1 (en) Security element for security papers and valuable documents
EP1630751B1 (en) Security element
EP2310211B1 (en) Security element and method for the production thereof
EP0659936B1 (en) Security paper with thread- or tape-like security element
DE19781815B3 (en) safety device
DE60003641T2 (en) SAFETY ELEMENTS
EP0863815B1 (en) Data carrier with optically variable colour
EP2121348B1 (en) Security element for a valuable document
EP1609619B1 (en) Security element with inserted patterns
DE10218897A1 (en) Security element and process for its manufacture
DE10226116A1 (en) Security element and process for its manufacture
DE3906695C2 (en)
EP2678170A2 (en) Individualized see-through register
DE102018005697A1 (en) Security element with lenticular image
DE3314244C2 (en) Identity card and method of making the same
EP3486092B1 (en) Method for production of a security element
DE2801015A1 (en) Forgery resistant cheque or identity card - has pattern printed in ink only visible in UV light below conventional layer
DE102016009437A1 (en) Security element and method for producing a security element

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19900219

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19911011

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 100880

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19940215

Kind code of ref document: T

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 19940202

ET Fr: translation filed
REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3887497

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19940310

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2048186

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: STUDIO ING. ALFREDO RAIMONDI

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: ARJO WIGGINS S.A.

Effective date: 19941024

EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 88118460.0

NLR1 Nl: opposition has been filed with the epo

Opponent name: ARJO WIGGINS S.A.

PLBQ Unpublished change to opponent data

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OPPO

PLAB Opposition data, opponent's data or that of the opponent's representative modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009299OPPO

R26 Opposition filed (corrected)

Opponent name: ARJO WIGGINS S.A.

Effective date: 19941024

PLBO Opposition rejected

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS REJO

NLR1 Nl: opposition has been filed with the epo

Opponent name: ARJO WIGGINS S.A.

APAC Appeal dossier modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS NOAPO

APAE Appeal reference modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS REFNO

APAC Appeal dossier modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS NOAPO

PLBN Opposition rejected

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009273

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: OPPOSITION REJECTED

27O Opposition rejected

Effective date: 19960925

NLR2 Nl: decision of opposition
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

APAH Appeal reference modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCREFNO

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20071121

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20071127

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: LU

Payment date: 20071126

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20071123

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20071126

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20071127

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20071126

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20071126

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20071123

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20071120

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20080130

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20081103

BE20 Be: patent expired

Owner name: G.- FUR AUTOMATION UND ORGANISATION M.B.H. *GAO

Effective date: 20081104

NLV7 Nl: ceased due to reaching the maximum lifetime of a patent

Effective date: 20081104

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20081104

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20081105

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20081105

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20081103