EP1272352B1 - Photoengraved printed data carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

Banknote paper has a printed surface (13) with print surfaces (14) within this print surface that are printed using an negative type printing process in which the paper is pushed at high pressure into engraved markings on the print plate that contain ink. Independent claims are made for a method for printing banknotes using such a negative type printing process, a print plate for use with such printing methods and a method for manufacturing the print plate using an engraving process.

Description

The invention relates to a printed with the intaglio printing Disk, its production and a suitable pressure plate and the process for their preparation.

Security and value documents, such as banknotes, shares, Bonds, certificates, vouchers and the like, the high demands have to comply with their counterfeiting security are often in the Intaglio printing process printed. This printing process provides a characteristic, even for laymen easily recognizable print image, that with others common printing method can not be adjusted.

In intaglio printing, surfaces are usually defined by a line grid reproduced, where line spacing and width the hue or gray value determine the area. The printed lines are usually some Tenths of a millimeter wide and each by unprinted areas from each other separated. During the printing process only those by etching or engraving are depressions introduced into the printing plate surface, while the actual printing plate surface is colorless. This is achieved by the printing plate surface after coloring by a Wiper cylinder or a squeegee is freed of excess ink.

During the actual printing process, the data carrier to be printed becomes from a pressure cylinder with elastic surface with high Pressure pressed against the pressure plate. The at least partially compressible data carrier, Usually made of paper, it is in the filled with color Pressed depressions of the pressure plate and thus comes with the Ink in contact. When detaching the data carrier from the printing plate this draws the ink out of the wells. One in this Art generated print image has spaced printed lines or areas depending on the depth of the printing plate engraving are covered with a different thickness of color layer.

Due to the high contact pressure, the substrate material undergoes an additional Embossing, which also appears on the back of the data carrier. at Sufficient depth of engraving in the printing plate is obtained by intaglio printing printed data carrier by embossing and inking a printed image, which forms a perceptible with the sense of touch relief. In the unprinted, non-painted surface areas of the disk The high pressures in the printing process act like calendering, which leads to a compression and smoothing of the disk surface. By these features are imprinted prints at any time of printing, which were generated by other techniques distinguishable.

The object of the present invention is in intaglio printing Create more complex print images with increased counterfeit protection.

This object is solved by the independent claims. further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The data carrier according to the invention is characterized by an intaglio printing process printed area and at least one of this area completely enclosed partial area, wherein the area and the partial area with the same printing ink are printed, but a different ink layer thickness so that they are visually contrasting. A through the Partial area displayed character can be any geometric element be with e.g. circular, triangular or quadrangular or asymmetrical outline structure, be an icon, character or other symbol, where for characters in particular alphanumeric characters preferred are.

The printed surface and the partial area enclosed by it are printed with a different thickness of paint. Since usual intaglio printing inks to some extent translucent and translucent with suitable layer thicknesses and sensible choice of the color of the substrate Color or grays of different brightness and color saturation. With sufficient difference of the ink layer thicknesses of adjacent surfaces result clearly visible to the human eye without further aids Contrasts. Normal lighting conditions and a normal viewing distance are assumed.

The printed area and the area enclosed by it are in exact Passer to each other when their position relative to each other predetermined is met exactly and reproducibly without any deviations becomes. When superimposing two printed images, the through each other The following, independent printing processes are generated, this is precise registration of the two surfaces not possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the printed area and Face not only visually due to their contrast, but also over the sense of touch, i. tactile, distinguishable. The generated by the pressure Surface relief consists of an embossing of the substrate material and the paint layer coating together. The overall height of the relief will be to the normal, i. unprinted and unembossed, data medium surface and is at least 25 microns for tactile areas. Especially Relief heights of more than 40 .mu.m are preferred because surface elements with Such relief heights are tactile particularly well perceived.

The data carriers according to the invention have an increased security against counterfeiting because they are due to the characteristic intaglio image with common Printing methods are not reproducible. Do you also have tactile perceptible surface elements, this is an additional effective Protection against imitation by color photocopying or scanning the disk.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the printed encloses Surface of the data carrier additionally unprinted partial areas, which in turn may be in the form of one or more of various characters. As a result, in addition to the two in positive representation, so with paint, reproduced information in the same area a third Information in negative representation, that is through unprinted areas in printed Environment.

According to a further embodiment, the printed surface can also enclose several faces that are either all the same or different Have color layer thicknesses. It is also possible in the subareas provide unprinted areas.

The shape of the faces can be chosen arbitrarily according to the invention, for example in the form of geometric patterns, logos or alphanumeric Character.

The different partial areas, unprinted areas as well as the outline shape The printed surface can also be in a context of meaning. So It is conceivable, for example, the printed area in the form of an alphanumeric Signs execute and the faces and possibly in the printed area and / or the partial areas existing unprinted areas in the form of the same character. Are several printed Areas on the disk, which together provide readable information, like a multi-digit number or a word, so can the Subareas and / or unprinted areas within a printed area Area can also be executed in the form of this overall information. But any other contexts of meaning are conceivable.

The arrangement of the sub-areas within the printed area is arbitrary and is subject only to the restriction that the partial surface or partial surfaces are largely enclosed by the printed area. Is inside the printed surface only a partial area available, this can for example represent the same information as the printed area and parallel to the outer contour within the printed area. Preferably, however, a plurality of partial surfaces are arranged in the printed surface. The smaller the partial surfaces, the larger the course can be Number of these faces. These can be in any pattern in the printed surface are arranged. This pattern can also be be readable information or just a regular column and / or row arrangement. Are additionally unprinted areas in provided the printed area, they can be alternately with the Partial surfaces are arranged.

In the data carriers according to the invention border unprinted areas and areas with different color layer thickness directly and in any Sequence to each other. This makes it possible, very complex Reproduce printed images and multiple information on the same surface, also in positive representation, to superimpose. The freedom of design the creation and reproduction of the intaglio printing process Print images will be increased enormously.

The inventive method for producing corresponding printed Disk also has significant economic benefits, since those intended for printing with different ink layer thicknesses Areas produced in a print run with the same ink become. For printing with the method according to the invention are suitable all substrate materials suitable for intaglio printing, such as paper, Plastic films, paper laminated or varnished with plastic films, as well as multilayer composite materials.

The intaglio printing plates according to the invention are preferably by Engraving made with a fast rotating, tapered stylus. According to the outline shape of the surface to be printed by the engraving tool corresponding wells with targeted variation the engraving depth is introduced into the surface of the printing plate and for the Printing process filled with color. When printing, the ink from the Recesses of the plate transferred to the surface of a substrate. From the untreated, i. not engraved surface areas of the printing plate no color is transmitted. A deep engraving of the printing plate produced on the printed substrate a high embossing relief with a thick Color coat, while of shallow engravings only a small embossing relief with a thin layer of paint is produced. Be translucent colors used, visually obtained by different color layer thicknesses contrasting printed areas that are distinguishable even when they are immediately adjacent.

To prevent directly adjacent layers of paint, after being transferred to a disk, along its boundary line flow into each other before the ink is dried, in the Pressure plate between surfaces with different engraving depth a so-called Integrated "separating edge". This separating edge has a pointed, wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile. The tip of the wedge is preferably located at the level of the printing plate surface or slightly below.

The tip of the separating edge profile forms a large extent along the separating edge one-dimensional line, similar to a knife edge. It separates though the printing plate areas of different engraving depth from each other, generated but no visible interruption of the printed color areas. With Support of integrated in the pressure plate separating edge remains the Intaglio printing ink, which is of pasty consistency, after its carry on a substrate also "stable", even if with different Layer thickness printed surfaces abut each other directly. To this Way can in the intaglio finest, superimposed structures with different color layer thickness and high edge sharpness can be printed.

When engraving the printing plate, the engraving tool is guided so that between the adjoining surfaces, which is a different one Have engraving depth, a tapered separating edge stops. Becomes on the substrate a printed part of a likewise printed Surrounding area completely enclosed, must correspond to the partial area Deepening or engraving the printing plate from a separating edge be largely enclosed. Ideally, the partial area of the Fully enclosed separating edge.

Will not the engraving of the printing plate before printing or at least partially not colored, that is not filled with printing ink, the uncoloured area of the printing plate acts only as a stamping plate, with during so-called intaglio printing on a substrate Blind embossing can be generated. The embossed elements point except for the visual impression created by the ink similar proportions and tactile properties to those previously described printed areas and partial areas.

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention will become apparent below explained with reference to the figures. Those described in the embodiments Variants relate primarily to very small partial areas. Of course, the invention printed area and the faces also larger, d. H. running a few millimeters to centimeters become.

Fig.1

eine Banknote in Aufsicht,

Fig. 2, 3a, 3b und 4

Ausschnitte bedruckter Datenträger im Querschnitt,

Fig. 5

einen Stichtiefdruck in Aufsicht mit zwei überlagerten Informationen,

Fig. 6

einen weiteren Stichtiefdruck in Aufsicht mit drei überlagerten Informationen,

Fig. 7a, 7b und 8

Stichtiefdrucke in Aufsicht mit überlagerten Informationen und Flächen unterschiedlicher Farbschichtdicke,

Fig. 9

einen weiteren Stichtiefdruck in Aufsicht mit überlagerten Informationen in Positivdarstellung.

Show it:

Fig.1

a banknote in supervision,

2, 3a, 3b and 4

Cutouts of printed media in cross section,

Fig. 5

an intaglio printing in supervision with two overlaid information,

Fig. 6

another intaglio printing in supervision with three overlaid information,

FIGS. 7a, 7b and 8

Intaglio printing with superimposed information and areas of different color layer thickness,

Fig. 9

another intaglio printing in supervision with overlaid information in positive representation.

In Fig. 1 as a disk 1 sketchy a bill is shown. A Banknote usually has different types of imprints. The banknote shown, for example, a printed image 5, through which a Portrait picture is hinted. This print image 5 is in conventional Intaglio printing technology implemented, which means that different shades or brightness through line grid with varying line spacing or varying line width. Furthermore, an im Offset printing generated background pattern 7 fine lines and one in the book applied serial number 8 available.

The imprint according to the invention is only in one example in the example shown here Part of the banknote provided and consists of a complete with Color printed area 2, which also has a closed color layer completely encloses printed partial surface 3. The areas 2 and 3 were printed in intaglio printing with differently thick layers of paint, whereby they are visually distinguishable, since between the surface 2 and the partial surface 3 is a brightness or color contrast. additionally encloses the printed area 2 unprinted parts 4, by at corresponding design of the unprinted areas 4 further information can be taught.

In contrast, according to the prior art information only as printed areas against unprinted background, i. in positive representation, or as an unprinted area in front of a printed background shown. Fig. 2 shows a printed according to the prior art volume area in cross section, in which a substrate 9 in spaced from each other Surfaces 10 printed with ink. In positive presentation the actual information is represented by the printed areas 10, contrasting with the unprinted environment 11 and 12 take off. In the case of negative presentation, the information is represented by the unprinted Surface areas 11 reproduced while the printed areas 10 form the environment and the information-conveying unprinted areas 11 enclose. The ink-bearing surfaces 10 are conventional Intaglio printing usually involves lines with a width of significantly less than 1 mm.

Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate the principle of the invention, information in a continuously printed area by selective variation of the Color layer thickness between two layer thickness levels represent. The Fig. 3a and 3b show a data carrier area printed according to the invention in cross section. In the sub-areas 14, which - not in cross-section recognizable - are completely enclosed by the surrounding pressure surface 13 changes the color layer thickness so clearly that between the surfaces 13 and 14 creates a visually perceptible color or brightness contrast. In Fig. 3a, the partial surfaces 14 have a compared to their environment greater ink layer thickness, while in Fig. 3b shows the opposite case is, i. the surrounding area 13 is printed with a thicker color layer than the faces 14. Is used for the generation of the surfaces 13 and 14 When using a translucent printing ink, the areas appear with the lesser Dye layer thickness in a lighter shade. In this case, the In Fig. 3a illustrated partial surfaces 14 as darker areas in front of a lighter Background, while the partial surfaces 14 shown in Fig. 3b appear in a lighter shade than the surrounding printed area 13th

This information can be printed through, so color-bearing faces 14 before also color-bearing environment 13 are shown. Will through Shape and outline of the printed surface 13 also information mediated, two superimposed information can be on the same area in a positive representation.

Fig. 4 also shows a section of a data carrier according to the invention in cross section. Here are also unprinted in the printed area Subareas 15 integrated, which - again not visible on average - Be completely enclosed by the printed areas 13 and 14. With appropriate design of the unprinted areas 15 can by these areas another, additional information in negative representation be reproduced.

The following FIGS. 5 to 9 show enlarged representations of various preferred embodiments of the invention in supervision. For reasons the clarity is only the invention in intaglio generated print image shown. The size ratios of the areas and partial areas to each other are reproduced realistically.

In Fig. 5, the number 2000 is reproduced, each individual digit by a printed according to the invention surface 13 is shown, which is a closed Has color layer of certain layer thickness. Each one digit illustrative printed surface 13 contains enclosed on all sides Sections 14, which were printed with a thicker ink layer and therefore appear darker. The outline shape of the partial surfaces 14 is in this example chosen so that each digit also represented by a number becomes. In Fig. 5, the number sequence of the faces 14 is the same Number reproduced as indicated by the succession of each Printing surfaces 13 is reproduced. Of course, any are other characters, patterns or symbols usable. Will the surfaces 13 printed with a printing plate, for example, in the appropriate areas an engraving depth of z. B. 15 microns, while the Partial surfaces 14 corresponding portions of the printing plate, for example with an engraving depth of z. B. 100 microns are produced results between The surfaces 13 and 14 of the disk not only a visually good noticeable contrast, but also a tactile level difference. Because printed by deep engraving faces 14 produce on the Disk a raised relief made by keys with the fingertips can be clearly perceived.

In FIG. 6, the outline 20 of the printed areas 13 is the number 20 played. Each of the two surfaces 13 represents a digit and contains each faces 14, which are printed with greater ink layer thickness and therefore be perceived darker. Due to the shape of the partial surfaces 14th the number 20 is also displayed. In addition, they enclose with the thin ink layer printed surfaces 13 unprinted faces 15, which are designed so that they also represent the number 20. This will be on the same area three information is presented, their contents are in the present example. Two information will be in positive representation while the third information is in negative representation is reproduced. The unprinted areas 15 are within the printed surface 13 arranged like a net and frame each Partial surface 14.

In preferred embodiments according to the representations in FIGS. 5 and 6 have the characters represented by the printed areas 13 a height or size of about 1 cm. Characters of this size are even with large viewing distance still legible. By the enclosed Sections 14 are preferably characters with a size of approx. 1 mm reproduced. Characters of this size are at normal viewing distance from about 20 to 50 cm with the naked eye still readable. Provided additional characters are integrated by unprinted patches this preferably carried out as a micro-font. The preferred character size is only a few tenths of a millimeter. Such micro-characters are effortlessly only with the help of magnifying aids, such as a magnifying glass readable and provide an additional security feature because of such fine structures of commercially available photocopiers and scanners are not resolved with sufficient accuracy become.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show two printed images according to the invention, in which the printed areas 13 both characters (the numerals 2 and 0) as well as a geometric element (a square). The Printed partial surfaces 14 of this embodiment by a Embossing and paint layer application particularly strong surface relief and are therefore tactile perceptible. The through the faces The information shown here corresponds to a simple geometric one Element in the form of a circle.

As tactile particularly well perceptible elements are particularly suitable Structures with a geometrically simple contour. The size of the palpable Elements is preferably a few millimeters and they face each other preferably at a distance of at least about 0.5 mm. The in the printed Surface integrated unprinted faces 15 give in Fig. 7a the Number 20 again. Another preferred, but not reproduced in the figure Variant consists in that represented by the printed surface 13 Paragraph 2 by unprinted faces 15 exclusively the same 2 and correspondingly in the area represented by the surface 13 Numeral 0, the unprinted faces 15 also form as a digit 0.

In Fig. 7b, the unprinted areas 15 are in the form of characters, which follow one another in a row and form a micro-typeface. Your information content differs from the information content provided by the printed surfaces 13 and partial surfaces 14 is reproduced. On an in Negative representation reproduced micro-font follows a line in which the circles represented by partial areas 14 with a thick color layer follow one another. In Fig. 7a are the characters through the unprinted Areas 15 and the printed partial areas 14 are reproduced, contrast, arranged so that they are both vertical and horizontal Direction follow each other alternately.

8, the unprinted areas are arranged in the printed area, that there are both first unprinted areas 16, that of a printed one Surface are enclosed with low ink layer thickness, in this Case of the printed area 13, as well as second unprinted areas 17, which are enclosed by a color surface with a large ink layer thickness, here the partial surfaces 14. In Fig. 8 represent the first unprinted partial surfaces 16, the digits 5 and 0 represent the second unprinted faces 17 are executed as well as the printed, dark sub-areas 14 as a square.

In Fig. 9, the printed dark areas 13 represent the numerals of the number 50 where the visual dark impression is mediated by a thick layer of paint becomes. The enclosed by the printed surface 13 partial surfaces 14th have the form of letters that together repeating Word "EURO", followed by a "$" sign. They are lighter, there they are produced by a color layer with a small thickness. The information, formed within the printed surface 13 of the partial surfaces 14 It also extends into the environment of the printed area 13. Im shown For example, the characters that extend within the printed area extend 13 are formed by the printed partial surfaces 14, even in the unprinted Environment of the area 13. This variant can also be used for the others Embodiments are used.

Claims (21)

1. A data carrier, in particular bank note, paper of value or the like, having at least one printed surface (13) and at least one partial surface (14) largely enclosed by said surface, wherein the surface (13) and the partial surface (14) are printed by intaglio printing, the two surfaces having different ink layer thicknesses and being distinguishable from each other.
2. A data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the partial surface (14) is enclosed completely.
3. A data carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the printed surface (13) and the partial surface (14) are distinguishable visually.
4. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the printed surface (13) and partial surface (14) are in exact register.
5. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the surface (13) has a smaller ink layer thickness than the partial surface (14) and is executed so that the background shines through.
6. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the partial surface (14) has a smaller ink layer thickness than the surface (13) and is executed so that the background shows through.
7. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the printed surface (13) and/or the printed partial surface (14) additionally have at least one unprinted area (15, 16, 17) completely enclosed by the printed surface (13) or the printed partial surface (14).
8. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the printed partial surface (14) and/or the unprinted area (15, 16, 17) has the form of a character, in particular an alphanumeric character.
9. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the printed partial surface (14) and/or the unprinted area (15, 16, 17) has the form of a geometrical element, a pictograph or a symbol.
10. A data carrier according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a plurality of partial surfaces (14) and/or unprinted areas (15, 16, 17) are provided in the surface (13).
11. A data carrier according to claim 10, characterized in that the partial surfaces (14) and/or unprinted areas (15, 16, 17) are executed differently and the information rendered thereby is semantically related.
12. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the contour form of the printed surface (13) renders information.
13. A data carrier according to claim 12, characterized in that the partial surfaces (14) and/or the unprinted areas (15, 16, 17) render the same information as the contour form of the printed surface (13).
14. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the surface (13) or the partial surface (14) is tactile.
15. A data carrier according to claim 14, characterized in that the tactile surface (13) or partial surface (14) has a height of at least 25 microns, in particular 40 microns, relative to the data carrier surface.
16. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that at least two partial surfaces (14) have different ink layer thicknesses.
17. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a plurality of surfaces (13) are provided that preferably have different contour forms.
18. A data carrier according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that printed surfaces corresponding to the partial surfaces (14) are repeated outside the surface (13) so that the information rendered by the partial surfaces (14) also extends into the surroundings of the surface (13).
19. A method for producing a printed data carrier, in particular bank note, paper of value or the like, wherein a substrate is printed by intaglio printing, ink being applied in varying ink layer thickness in one printing operation to a surface and at least one partial surface enclosed thereby so that surface and partial surface are distinguishable visually from each other.
20. An intaglio printing plate with depressions provided for receiving ink in the surface thereof, characterized in that the surface (13) occupied by a depression completely encloses at least one partial surface (14), and the partial surface (14) has an engraving depth that differs from the engraving depth of the surface (13), and the partial surface (14) is at least partly enclosed by a tapered separation edge.
21. A method for producing an intaglio printing plate wherein depressions provided for receiving ink and forming a surface are engraved into the surface of the plate, characterized in that at least one partial surface completely enclosed by said surface is produced, and the engraving of the partial surface is effected with a different engraving depth from that of the enclosing surface, and the material of the printing plate is removed by the engraving such that a tapered separation edge at least partly enclosing the partial surface is left standing in the depression.

Images