EP1953002B1 - Security element for keeping valuable documents secure - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a security element for securing documents of value, for example for securing banknotes, passports, visas, tickets or securities, as well as a value document with such a security element.

Security elements are usually determined by means of a hot-melt adhesive layer on the carrier body of a value document. For example, describes WO 2006/029745 A1 a security document showing a security feature applied to the carrier body by means of a transfer film. The surface of this security feature facing away from the carrier body in this case has a microlens field. The opposite surface is provided with an adhesive layer, by means of which the security element is applied to the carrier body.

It is also known to introduce security elements in the form of security threads during papermaking into the carrier body of the value document. The security thread is in this case enclosed by the paper fiber fabric and thereby fixed in the carrier body.

Next will be from the WO 2005/0121450 A1 a security element with a Security thread described, which is equipped with a thermochromic material. The security thread has here a polyester support, a partial metal layer, the thermochromic coating and a double-sided adhesive layer.

Next describes the WO 2004/041546 A1 a security element in which an adhesive layer is provided partially between a provided with a diffractive optical structure surface of a substrate and a support. It is described that a cover film, which has a plastic substrate and a lacquer layer with a shaped diffraction structure, is adhesively bonded to the card body of a chip card via a pattern-shaped adhesive layer.

The invention is based on the object to improve the security against forgery of documents of value.

This object is achieved by a security element according to claim 1.

Investigations have shown that by the mutual arrangement of the adhesive layers and the areas not covered with an adhesive layer with the surface structures acting against air, such as microlens structures or microprism structures, on the one hand an extremely durable and strong integration of the security element into the document of value is achieved and in the following Incorporation through the interaction with the security feature provided by the surface structures (the adhesive layer would eliminate the optical effect of, for example, the microlenses) makes the imitation of this security feature considerably more difficult. Thus, by the intensive, double-sided bonding of the security element with the carrier body of the value document trigger the security element from the carrier body without destroying the security element effectively prevented. Furthermore, the long-term resistance of the value document to mechanical influences is improved, thus increasing, for example, the life of banknotes. Furthermore, the two-sided provision of an adhesive layer in conjunction with the surface structures acting against air on the one hand results in a direct influence on the optical effect and / or tactile effect by the adhesive layer and places so high demands on the manufacturing process. For example, registration inaccuracies in the application of the first adhesive layer have an effect on the optical imaging function provided by the microlenses, and the manufacture, handling and incorporation of the multilayer body provided with an adhesive layer places high technological demands on the manufacturing process, thereby furthering the security against forgery of the security feature provided by the security element is increased.

Advantageous developments of the invention are listed in the subclaims.

The incorporation of the security element into the carrier body of the value document can be further improved by covering the surface of the multilayer body in each of the two or more first regions of the second adhesive layer. For example, it is possible that the second adhesive layer covers the entire surface of the second surface of the multi-layer body.

The multilayer body is preferably a strip-shaped multilayer body with a width between 1 mm and 20 mm. The first and second regions are preferably alternately in Longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped multi-layer body arranged, resulting in a particularly strong connection between the carrier body and security element.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, first and second regions are repeated periodically in a regular, one- or two-dimensional grid. The first areas and / or the second areas have largely the same dimensions, resulting in a repetitive appearance. For example, the first regions always have the same constant length relative to the longitudinal direction of the multilayer body and occupy the entire width of the multilayer body. Furthermore, it is advantageous here if the length of the first regions is between 10% and 50% of the length of the second regions.

In this case, the security element is preferably introduced into the carrier body of the value document such that in two or more third areas of the security element the first surface of the multilayer body is covered by the carrier body in two or more fourth areas of the security element, but not the first surface of the second layer Surface of the multilayer body, is covered by the carrier body. Each of the third regions is in this case arranged in overlapping with at least one of the first regions, so that the multilayer body in each of the third regions is firmly connected to the carrier body by means of the first adhesive layer.

In this case, it is possible for the third and the first regions as well as the fourth and the second regions to be arranged in register relative to one another, whereby the security against forgery of the value document is further increased: It is the case required to insert the security element into the value document in register.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first and second regions are arranged in a periodic first sequence and the third and fourth regions are arranged in a periodic second sequence. The period of the first sequence is chosen to be smaller than the period of the second sequence, preferably less than half of the first period selected. In this way, the advantage is achieved that an adhesion of the first surface of the multi-layer body in each of the third areas can be achieved without a registered application of the security element and so the detachment of the security element of the support body of the value document without registered application of the security element and thus with less production engineering effort can be realized.

Further, it is possible that the sequence of the third and fourth areas is not periodic. In this case, the minimum distance between two consecutive first regions is preferably greater than that between two consecutive third regions.

Further interesting optical effects can be achieved in that the first and second regions are arranged in accordance with a first one-dimensional or two-dimensional grid, and the third and fourth regions are arranged in accordance with a second one-dimensional or two-dimensional grid. With different periods of these rasters and / or with phase shifting of regions of these rasters, interesting moiré effects arise when the security element is incorporated, which immediately makes a counterfeit recognizable.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the second regions each have a smallest dimension of more than 300 μm and thus appear optically as repetitive individual elements. The first regions in this embodiment preferably have an extension in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped multilayer body of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, and the second regions have an extension in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped multilayer body of 2 mm to 15 mm.
Experiments have shown that in this way a particularly long-term stable connection between the security element and the carrier body of the value document can be achieved.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first regions have a smallest dimension of less than 300 μm. For example, the first regions are shaped like strips in a width of less than 300 μm and have a largest dimension of more than 300 μm and a smallest dimension of less than 300 μm. With such a size dimension, the first areas at normal viewing distance are no longer resolved by the human eye as individual elements, whereby interesting optical effects can be achieved.

As a surface structure, a multiplicity of structural elements having a structure depth of 200 μm to 100 nm and a structure width of 5 μm to 500 μm are shaped into the first surface. The surface structure is preferably a non-random, mathematically describable structure which is composed repetitively of essentially identical structural elements.

As surface structures, a plurality of microlenses are molded in the first surface according to a preferred embodiment, wherein in each case one or more of these microlenses are provided in the second regions.

The microlenses are preferably formed as spherical lenses. However, they can also be formed as cylindrical lenses. The microlenses in this case preferably have a diameter of 5 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m, in particular 10 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m. The decorative layer further has in the second regions in each case one or more microimages, which are preferably arranged at approximately the distance of the focal length of the microlenses from the microlenses within the multilayer body. Subareas of the microimages are now enlarged by the microlenses, resulting in an integrating image dependent on the viewing angle, which represents an optically variable security feature.

Furthermore, it is also possible that microlenses and microimages according to WO 01/39138 A1 be used.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in this case the microimages and microlenses are arranged in the second regions in accordance with a regular microlens grid or microimage grid, wherein the grid spacings of the microimage grid and the microlens grid differ by less than 10% from one another. Furthermore, the microimages are identical microimages, so that an enlarged, optically variable representation of the microimages is generated in the second regions.

Furthermore, it is also possible that the microlenses do not cover all the second areas of the surface over the entire area, but rather that the microlenses, for example a microlens grid, are provided in a pattern area which overlaps several second areas, for example in T-shape.

In this case, it is possible for the optical effect provided by the microlenses to be recognizable only in this pattern region, so that this results in an additional optical security feature. Further, it is also possible that the lenses function as a tactile security feature and give the security element in the pattern area a different from the surrounding area, tactile detectable by the human user information.

Further advantages result from the fact that the decorative layer is configured differently in the first and second regions. Thus, for example, the decorative layer has one or more microimages in each of the second regions and an optically variable element in each case in the first regions, for example a surface relief having a diffractive effect, such as e.g. a KINEGRAM®, a thin film layer system, an oriented liquid crystal layer, a volume hologram layer, and / or a layer of optically variable pigments, or a combination thereof. To form the microimages, one or more layers of the decorative layers are patterned in the form of a multiplicity of microimages, at least in the second regions. The decorative layer thus has in the second areas, for example, a structured lacquer layer or photoresist layer or else a pattern-shaped structured metal layer. Furthermore, it is also possible that in the second regions one of the optically variable elements described above is provided, which is structured in the form of one or more microimages.

Furthermore, it is also possible for the first areas to form a first security feature and the second areas to cooperate optically to form a different second security feature.

As a surface structure, a regular arrangement consisting of a plurality of microscopic structural elements is preferably molded into the first surface. The structural elements preferably have a feature width in the range of 5 μm to 500 μm and a feature height of 0.1 μm to 200 μm, in particular of 2 μm to 50 μm. The structural elements of the arrangement preferably have a substantially similar shape. In addition to the use of microlenses as structural elements, as explained above, polyhedra, for example microprisms, can be molded into the first surface as structural elements, in particular. In the second regions, in each case one or more of the polyhedra are preferably molded in each case. The use of microprisms or other polyhedra results in similar optical effects to those already described for microlenses: a preferably periodic grid of micropolyhedrons is superposed with a microimage raster. In this case, the micro-polyhedra consist, for example, of microprisms of a structure height of 10 to 20 .mu.m, which are arranged in a one-or two-dimensional grid at a locking distance of 10 to 20 .mu.m. In the more general case, the polyhedra consist of a number of adjoining facet surfaces, each occupying, in at least one direction, an increasing angle relative to the surface normal with respect to the preceding facet surface, such as a cylindrical lens of the order of three to nine facets Approximate surfaces. Each of the facet surfaces of the micropolyeder is associated with a microimage or portion of a microimage in microimage raster, resulting in a corresponding integral image for the human observer.

Furthermore, it is also possible for one or more tactile detectable structural elements to be molded into the first surface as surface structures in the second regions. Such tactile detectable structural elements are characterized by the fact that they have a relatively large structural height, for example a structural height of 10 to 20 μm with a spacing of the structural elements of 10 μm to 100 μm.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, provision is made for the first adhesive layer to be provided in a region surrounding a local maximum of the structural height of each of two or more of the structural elements, these regions forming the first regions in which the first adhesive layer is provided and in the areas surrounding these areas, the first adhesive layer is not provided, so that these areas form the second areas. For example, such a microlens field is provided, wherein in each case the first adhesive layer is provided only in a small area around the respective optical axis of the microlenses. The area of the structural elements in which the first adhesive layer is applied to the structural element preferably occupies less than 50% of the total area occupied by the respective structural element. Surprisingly, it has been shown that in such a register-accurate arrangement of regions of the first adhesive layer and the structural elements, the optical and / or tactile effects provided by the structural elements are only slightly suppressed. This preserves the optical effect of the surface structure despite the possibility of an unregistered, secure anchoring of the security element in a document of value.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine Schnittdarstellung eines erfindungsgemässen Sicherheitselements.

Fig. 2

zeigt eine Darstellung eines erfindungsgemässen Sicherheitselements gemäss einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

Fig. 3a und Fig. 3b

zeigen Darstellungen, welche einen Teilschritt bei der Herstellung eines erfindungsgemässen Sicherheitselements verdeutlichen.

Fig. 4a

zeigt eine Draufsicht eines erfindungsgemässen Wertdokuments.

Fig. 4b

zeigt eine Schnittdarstellung des Wertdokuments nach Fig. 4a.

Fig. 5a

zeigt eine Draufsicht eines erfindungsgemässen Wertdokuments gemäss einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

Fig. 5b

zeigt eine Schnittdarstellung des Wertdokuments nach Fig. 5a.

Fig. 6a

zeigt eine schematisierte Darstellung eines Teilbereichs eines erfindungsgemässen Sicherheitselements gemäss einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

Fig. 6b

zeigt eine Schnittdarstellung des Sicherheitselements nach Fig. 6a.

Furthermore, the invention will be explained by way of example with reference to several embodiments with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

shows a sectional view of a security element according to the invention.

Fig. 2

shows a representation of a security element according to the invention according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b

show representations which illustrate a partial step in the production of a security element according to the invention.

Fig. 4a

shows a plan view of a novel value document.

Fig. 4b

shows a sectional view of the value document Fig. 4a ,

Fig. 5a

shows a plan view of a novel value document according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5b

shows a sectional view of the value document Fig. 5a ,

Fig. 6a

shows a schematic representation of a portion of a security element according to the invention according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6b

shows a sectional view of the security element after Fig. 6a ,

Fig. 1 shows a security element 1 with a multi-layer body 10, a first adhesive layer 14 and a second adhesive layer 15. As in Fig. 1 As shown, the first adhesive layer 14 is partially provided on a first surface of the multi-layer body 10 and the adhesive layer 15 is provided on an opposite second surface of the multi-layer body 10. The multilayer body 10 consists of a carrier film 11 and a decorative layer 12, which is preferably a multilayer coating system.

The carrier film 11 consists of a transparent plastic material. The carrier film 11 thus consists for example of a 6 μm to 50 μm thick, biaxially stretched polyester film. In regions 22, a field of microlenses 13 is molded into the surface of the carrier film 11. The regions 22 alternate with regions 21 in that the surface of the carrier film 11 is shaped as a largely flat "mirror-shaped" surface. For this purpose, for example, by means of an embossing tool using heat and pressure or by means of UV replication in the areas 22, the microlenses 13 are formed and created in the adjacent areas 21 by means of the embossing tool, the flat surfaces. For this purpose, for example, a heated embossing roll is used, which is the in Fig. 1 shown surface structure in the carrier film 11 is formed.

Furthermore, it is also possible for a thermoplastic lacquer to be applied to the carrier foil 11 and for the surface structure described above to be shaped by means of the embossing tool into this thermoplastic lacquer layer.

The microlenses 13 are preferably spherical microlenses with a microlens diameter of 10 μm to 50 μm and a structure depth of 2 μm to 30 μm. The focal length of the microlenses 13 is preferably selected such that the focal length corresponds approximately to the thickness of the carrier film 11.

Furthermore, it is also possible that cylindrical lenses are used instead of spherical microlenses. The axis of symmetry of the cylinder blinds is in this case preferably arranged at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the security element. Instead of refractive lenses, diffractive lenses may be further molded into the surface of the multilayer body 10 for the microlenses 13.

Furthermore, it is also possible that, instead of microlenses, an arrangement consisting of polyhedron-shaped structural elements or tactile detectable structural elements is molded in the regions 22, as has already been explained above.

On the microlens fields opposite surface of the carrier film 11, the single or multi-layer decorative layer 12 is now applied. In the simplest case, the decorative layer 12 consists of a lacquer layer which is applied to the carrier foil 11 in pattern form, for example by gravure printing. In the in Fig. 1 In the case shown, the decorative layer 11 consists of a layer consisting of a (dyed) photopolymer, which is patterned in the regions 22 in the form of a plurality of microimages 17 by means of a photolithographic process.

However, it is also possible for the decorative layer 12 to consist of a plurality of varnish layers colored in different colors, which are structured in such a way that they form multicolored microimages in the regions 22. Furthermore, the decorative layer 12 may also comprise one or more metal layers, replication lacquer layers, a thin film layer system forming layers, liquid crystal layers and / or layers with optically variable pigments.

In the regions 22, these layers are structured such that the microimages 13 are shown in these regions. In a replicating lacquer layer of the decorative layer 12, optically effective surface reliefs, for example diffractive optical, hologram or Kinegram®-generating surface reliefs, are preferably molded in the regions 21. Furthermore, it is also possible for the surface relief to have refractive surface reliefs, blazed gratings or matt structures. The one or more metal layer (s) of the decorative layer 12 are preferably demetallized in the regions 22 in a pattern, so that only the image regions of the microimages or the background regions of the microimages are underlaid with a metal layer.

Thin-film layer systems are understood to mean single-layer, two-layer or multi-layer coating systems which have one or more spacer layers which fulfill the λ / 2 or λ / 4 condition in the visible light range and show a color shift effect dependent on the viewing angle due to interference. For example, such systems may consist of an even or odd number of multiple refractive index dielectric HRI and LRI layers (eg SiO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , ZnS, MgF ₂ , HRI = High Refraction Index, LRI = Low Refraction Index ) or a sequence of metallic (Al, Ag, Ni, Cr, Fe) and dielectric layers.

As liquid crystal layers, it is preferred to use cross-linked cholesteric liquid crystal layers which also exhibit a color shift effect dependent on the viewing angle. Furthermore, the use of differently oriented, crosslinked nematic liquid crystal layers is possible, which can provide recognizable security features in the areas 21, but also in the areas 22 by means of a polarization filter.

Subsequently, the adhesive layers 14 and 15 are applied to the multi-layer body 10.

The adhesive layers 14 and 15 are preferably hot-melt adhesive layers, which are applied to the multilayer body 10 by means of a printing process. The adhesive layer 15 in this case preferably has a thickness of 1 μm to 5 μm and the adhesive layer 14 has a thickness of 1 μm to 20 μm, so that the microlenses are completely embedded in the adhesive layer. The adhesive used for the adhesive layers 14 and 15 in this case has, for example, the following composition.

To anchor the security thread in carrier bodies made of cotton and / or cellulose fibers, the use of adhesives based on aqueous dispersions is advantageous. Preferably, adhesives 14 and 15 are based on combinations of aqueous polyacrylic acid ester, polyvinyl acetate and polyurethane dispersions. The printing and finishing properties are adjusted as required by suitable additives such as coalescing and thawing agents, defoamers, fillers, pigments and rheology, surface, wetting and dispersing additives.

For the incorporation of the thread during papermaking, it is advantageous for the adhesive 14 to be as transparent as possible and for the adhesive 15 to be white (with pigments such as TiO ₂ ) in order to better detect reversal of the thread between the film unwinder and the round screen and be able to correct it in situ. The transparency of the adhesive 14 is also for the visibility of the areas 21 and 23 of advantage, if they come to lie in the areas 52 and 62 of the support body, where they are not covered by paper fibers.

On the multi-layer body 10, the adhesive layer 15 is thus applied over the entire surface, for example, first by means of a gravure printing process. The adhesive layer 15 is then dried and then optionally provided with a protective film. Subsequently, the adhesive layer 13 is applied in the regions 21 by means of a gravure printing method or by means of an ink-jet printing process and then dried in the drying channel. In this case, the adhesive layer 14 is printed on the carrier film 11 in register with the decorative layer 12 and in register with the surface relief molded on the surface of the carrier film 11. Thus, both the production of the decorative layer 12, the impression of the surface relief in the carrier film 11, as well as the printing of the adhesive layer 14 on the carrier film 11 by processes registered to each other.

Instead of thermally activatable adhesives can be used for the adhesive layers 14 and 15 also activatable by UV or pressure adhesive layers, but also water-soluble adhesive. For the adhesive layers 14 and 15 different adhesives can also be used here. When using such adhesives, a protective film provided with a release layer is preferably applied both to the adhesive layer 14 and to the adhesive layer 15 in order to be able to carry out the winding of the film strip in the manufacturing process without activation of the adhesive layers 14 and 15.

Preferably, the microimages 17 are also arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional microimage grid which overlaps the individual regions 22, and the microlenses 13 are likewise arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional microlens structure overlapping the regions 22. A different arrangement, for example in the manner of a moire generating pattern, is possible. The micro-image grid and the microlens grid preferably differ slightly in their grid spacing or in their angular position to each other. Furthermore, it is also possible that the microimage grid and the microlens grid are not aligned with one another in the register, for example, with a deviation of +/- 0.5 mm from each other. The microimages are preferably identical microimages which, for example, represent a symbol, for example a star or a currency symbol. However, it is also possible that different microimages are preferably provided in a repetitive pattern in the regions 22. Furthermore, it is also possible for the focal length of the microlenses to differ in certain regions. For example, in a first area of the security element encompassing several areas 22, the microlenses 13 are provided according to a first grid and with a first focal length. In a second, likewise a plurality of regions 22 or partial regions of several regions 22 overlapping region, the microlenses 13 are provided according to a second microlens grid with a second focal length or a second lens diameter, wherein the first and second grid in the rest intervals and the first and second focal lengths or lens diameter differ.

Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a security element according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows the security element 3, which consists of a multi-layer body 30 and the adhesive layers 14 and 15, which are arranged on the top or bottom of the multi-layer body 30.

The multilayer body 30 is produced here from two semi-finished products:
On the one hand, a transparent polyester support 32 is coated with a UV replication lacquer and then, in regions 24, one field of microlenses 37 is respectively molded into the lacquer layer 31 formed by the replication lacquer by means of UV replication. The areas 24 alternate with areas 23, in where no microlenses are molded into the lacquer layer 31. Subsequently, the lacquer layer 31 is printed in a registered printing process in the regions 23 with the adhesive layer 14. After drying of the adhesive layer 14, an adhesive layer 33 is applied over the full area of the surface of the polyester support 32 opposite the lacquer layer 31. In the production of this multilayer body, the multilayer body 41, the impression of the microlens fields in the replication lacquer layer 31 and the printing of the partial adhesive layer 14 in mutually registered processes take place.

In a method performed in parallel therewith, a replication lacquer layer 35 is applied to a polyester carrier 34 and then a first surface structure is formed in the regions 24 and a second surface structure 38 is formed in the regions 23. The first and second surface structures may, for example, be different diffractive optical structures. Furthermore, the surface structure formed in the regions 24 can be used in a further production process for structuring one or more further layers, which in the regions 24 form one or more microimages 39 in each case. The lacquer layer 35 is, for example, a thermoplastic lacquer or a UV lacquer into which the first and second surface structures in the areas 23 and 24 are shaped by means of a correspondingly shaped replicating tool. Subsequently, a metal layer 36 is applied over the entire surface of the lacquer layer 35 and then partially demetallized in the areas 24, so that the metal layer 36 is structured in the areas 24 in the form of micro images 39. For this purpose, the metal layer 36 can be removed either in the background areas or in the image areas of the microimages 39 by means of a demetallization process. The partial demetallization of the metal layer 36 can, for example, under Use of a photolithographic process or by printing a positive / negative resist, by means of partial printing of an etchant and / or by ablation, for example laser ablation done. The demetallization of the metal layer 36 in this case has to be effected in register with the impression of the surface relief in the replication lacquer layer 35.

Subsequently, the adhesive layer 15 is applied over the entire surface of the metal layer 36 and dried. This results in the multi-layer body 47.

In a further production step, the multilayer body 41 is then laminated to the multilayer body 47. For this purpose, the adhesive layer 33 of the multilayer body 41 is brought into contact with the carrier film 34 of the multilayer body 47 and then the adhesive of the adhesive layer 33, for example by heat, pressure or UV irradiation, depending on the type of adhesive used. The lamination of the multilayer body 41 to the multilayer body 47 has to be accurate in register, so that the areas 24 and 23 of the multilayer body 47 and the identical areas of the multilayer body 41 overlap.

Based on the figures Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b An alternative manufacturing method for the production of the multilayer body 41 will now be described:
In a first step, a UV-curable replication lacquer layer 43 is applied to a carrier film 44, for example a biaxially-conforming PET or BOPP film having a thickness of 27 μm. Subsequently, a surface structure in the form of a continuous microlens field is molded into the replication lacquer layer 43 over the entire area using a replication tool. Here, for example, a continuous for UV light replication roller used, so that in addition to the mechanical impression, the surface structure in the still soft Replizierlack also takes place at the same time hardening and thus fixation of the surface structure by the replication roller. Subsequently, an adhesive layer 45 is applied over the entire surface of the carrier film 44 and the adhesive layer 14 is printed on the surface of the replication lacquer layer 43 in a predetermined, repetitive pattern so that the adhesive layer 14 covers the replication lacquer layer 43 in the regions 23 and the replication lacquer layer 43 in the regions 24 not covered. The adhesive of the adhesive layer 14 fills the surface structure molded into the surface of the replication lacquer 43 in the regions 23 and thus extinguishes or considerably attenuates its optical effect, so that the regions 23 of the multilayer body 42 largely act optically as a mirror surface.

Subsequently, the multi-layer body 42 is laminated on the multi-layer body 47 instead of the multi-layer body 41.

The figures Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b clarify and a first way of incorporating a security element according to the figures Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a value document.

Fig. 4a shows a plan view of a value document 5 and Fig. 4b a sectional view of the value document 5 with respect to a section line A-A '. The value document 5 is preferably a banknote. However, it is also possible that the value document 5 is any other value document or part of any other value document, for example a passport, an access document, a ticket, a visa, etc. The value document 5 has a carrier body 50. The carrier body 50 preferably consists of a sheet-shaped paper material, which is provided on both sides with one or more print layers. Further it is also possible that one or more further security features are applied to the carrier body 50 or further security features have been introduced into the carrier body 50 during papermaking, for example one or more watermarks are provided in the carrier body 50. In the area of the section line AA ', the security element 1 is now introduced into the carrier body 50. This is preferably done during papermaking. The security element 1 is here in the still wet pulp in the in Fig. 4b illustrated manner introduced, ie the security element 1 is disposed in the region 52 of the carrier body 50 on the surface of the carrier body 50 and in the region 51 of the carrier body 50 on both sides surrounded by paper layers.

For this purpose, the security element 1 is preferably in the in Fig. 4b preformed shape, then the (optional) protective layers of the adhesive layer 14 and / or 15 withdrawn and then introduced the security element 1 through a nozzle at the appropriate location in the still wet pulp. After drying the paper pulp, the adhesive layers 14 and 15 are activated by heat, pressure or UV irradiation, depending on the adhesive used, and thus the multilayer body 10 is fixed in the carrier body 50.

Further, it is also possible that the security element 1 is not the in Fig. 4b clarified, has three-dimensional shape, but that in the areas 52, the thickness of the carrier body is reduced, for example by means of a correspondingly shaped watermark and so in the areas 52, the surface of the plan shot into the paper mass security element 1 is open and in the areas 51 of paper pulp on both sides is covered. Further, it is also possible that the security element 1 is not introduced during papermaking but in a subsequent manufacturing process, for example by ablative methods or punching corresponding openings are made in the paper body in order to introduce the security element into the carrier body 50 such that in the areas 52 the surface with the microlenses 13 is not covered by paper material, and in the areas 51 this surface of the multilayer body 10 is covered by paper material.

Furthermore, it is also possible for the security thread to be introduced between two prefabricated paper layers or else layers made of another carrier material, for example a dyed and / or printed plastic film or a combination of plastic film and paper layers, which are then connected to one another by means of a laminating process. Thus, for example, it is possible for the security element to be applied to a first carrier layer and then to be laminated to the first carrier layer for a second carrier layer which has corresponding recesses in the regions 52, through which the surface of the multilayer body 10 is visible.

In the process described above, the security element 1 is placed in register with the regions 51 and 52 of the carrier body 50 in the carrier body 50, i. the security element 1 is aligned with the areas 51 and 52 such that the areas 22 overlap the areas 52 and the areas 21 overlap the areas 51. For this purpose, it is necessary that the security element 1 registered in the carrier body 50 is introduced.

Based on the figures Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b Now another way is clarified to be able to bring the security element in an unregistered method in the carrier body of the value document.

Fig. 5a shows a plan view of a document of value 6, which consists of a carrier body 60 and the introduced into the carrier body 60 security element 3. Fig. 5b shows a sectional view of the value document 6 at the section AA 'of Fig. 5a ,

In the areas 61 of the carrier body 60 is - as already with reference to the figures Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b illustrates - the security element 3 surrounded on both sides by the material of the carrier body 60. In the regions 62, the security element 3 lies on the surface of the carrier body 60, ie only one side of the security element 3 is covered by the carrier body 60 in these areas.

The areas 23 and 24 of the security element 3 are arranged in a periodic sequence. The areas 23 and 24 each occupy the entire width of the security element 3, which is in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm. The extent of the regions 23 and 24 in the longitudinal direction of the security element 3 is between 300 μm and 10 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 5 mm. The extent of the regions 23 and 24 can be chosen equal to ensure a secure anchoring of the security element 3.

In this case, it is further advantageous if the extent of the regions 23 in the longitudinal direction of the security element 3 is less than 50% of the extent of the regions 24 in the longitudinal direction of the security element 3.

The areas 61 and 62 have approximately a width which corresponds to the width of the security element 3. Preferably, the regions 61 and 62 have the same extent in the longitudinal direction of the section line A-A ', which is preferably in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm. However, it is also possible that the extent of the regions 61 and 62 is different, for example, the longitudinal extent of the regions 62 is 50% of the longitudinal extent of the regions 61.

In the case of the figures Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b illustrated embodiment of the invention, the areas 61 and 62 are also arranged in a periodic sequence, wherein the period of the sequence of the areas 24 and 23 of the security element 3 is smaller than the period of the sequence of the areas 61 and 62. This ensures that in each of the regions 61 at least one (sub-) region 23 overlaps and thus the security element 3 in each of the regions 61 is glued to the carrier body 60 by means of the adhesive layer 14. Further, in a non-periodic sequence of the regions 24 and 23 and / or 61 and 62, it is possible to ensure this also if the minimum of the distances of successive regions 24 is smaller than that of the intervals of successive regions 61.

Preferably, in this case, the period of the sequence of the regions 23 and 24 is chosen to be significantly smaller than the period of the sequence of the regions 61 and 62, for example, the period of the sequence of the regions 23 and 24 is less than 50% of the period of the sequence of the regions 61 and 62 As a result, on the one hand, a particularly secure bonding of the security element 3 to the carrier body 60 is achieved. Furthermore, a sequence of two security elements, namely a sequence of the security element represented by the areas 22 and a sequence of the security element represented by the areas 21, are thus visible in the areas 62, resulting in interesting optically variable effects.

As already in the embodiment according to Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b , in which the period of the two sequences is only slightly varied, results interesting, optically variable effects: As in the figures Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b indicated areas 23 and 24 are in different regions and lengths in the regions 62 in front of each other so that different security features already appear optically in these areas.

Based on the figures Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b Now another embodiment of the invention will be explained:
Fig. 6b shows a cross section of a security element 7, which consists of a multi-layer body 70 and on the top of the multi-layer body 70 applied partial adhesive layer 75 and on the underside of the multi-layer body 70 over the entire surface applied second adhesive layer 76. The multilayer body 70 consists of a replication lacquer layer 71 into which a microlens field is fully holed by means of the UV replication method described above. The replication lacquer layer 71 is followed by a carrier foil 72, for example a polyester foil having a thickness of 6 μm to 50 μm. This is followed by an approx. 0.5 μm to 2 μm thick replication lacquer layer 73 into which a diffraction-optical surface relief is molded. This is followed by a partial metal layer 74, which is structured in the form of a multiplicity of microimages.

It is also possible that instead of the layers 73 and 74 one or more of the basis of Fig. 1 explained decor layers are provided. In the areas 81, the multilayer body 70 in the in Fig. 6a schematically illustrated manner with the adhesive layer 75 printed. In the intermediate regions 82, the adhesive layer 75 is not provided. The regions 61 are in this case formed by strip-shaped, partially overlapping regions whose width is less than 300 μm is. The width of the regions 81 is thus below the resolution of the human eye, so that - if the width of the regions 82 is chosen sufficiently large - caused by the adhesive layer 75 in the areas 81 deactivation of microlenses does not significantly change the overall impression. The width of the regions 82 is preferably several mm at the respectively widest points. Instead of in Fig. 6a Of course, it is also possible to choose a different arrangement, for example an arrangement with strip-shaped areas lying parallel to one another, a two-dimensional point grid or a two-dimensional grid with logos.

Also in the embodiment of the figures Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b it is possible to provide different optical elements in the areas 81 and 82 in the decorative layer so that, for example, if the adhesive layer 75 is not applied in register, this becomes immediately obvious and counterfeits are very easily recognizable.

Claims (24)

1. Security element (1, 3, 7) for safeguarding documents of value, wherein the security element (1, 3, 7) comprises a strip-like multi-layer body (10, 30, 70) having a carrier film (11, 32, 34, 72) and at least one decorative layer (12, 35, 36, 73, 74) and a first and a second adhesive layer (14,15, 75, 76), wherein the first adhesive layer (14, 75) is provided on a first surface of the multi-layer body, and the second adhesive layer (15, 76) is provided on an opposite, second surface of the multi-layer body,
   characterised in that
   the security element has two or more first regions (21, 23, 81) in which the first adhesive layer (14, 75) respectively covers the first surface of the multi-layer body, and has two or more second regions (22, 24, 82) in which the second but not the first surface of the multi-layer body is respectively covered by the second or the first adhesive layer and in which a surface structure is respectively moulded into the first surface, and wherein first and second regions (21, 22; 23, 24; 81, 82) of the first and second regions are adjacently arranged alternatingly one alongside the other, and wherein one or more micro-lenses (13, 37, 75) are respectively moulded into the first surface as the surface structure in the second regions (22, 24, 82), or one or more polyhedrons, in particular one or more micro-prisms, are respectively moulded into the first surface as the surface structure in the second regions, or one or more tactilely detectable structural elements are moulded into the first surface as the surface structure in the second region.
2. Security element according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the second adhesive layer (15, 76) respectively covers the second surface of the security element in the two or more first regions (21, 23, 81).
3. Security element (1, 3) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the first and the second regions (21, 22; 23, 24) are arranged alternatingly one alongside the other in the longitudinal direction of the strip-like multi-layer body (10, 30).
4. Security element (1, 3) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the first and the second regions (21, 22; 23, 24) are arranged periodically repetitively one alongside the other in a regular one or two-dimensional grid.
5. Security element (1, 3) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the second regions (22, 24) each have a smallest dimension of more than 300 µm.
6. Security element (1, 3) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the first regions (21, 23) have a constant width and occupy the entire width of the multi-layer body.
7. Security element (1, 3) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the first regions (21, 23) have an extension in the longitudinal direction of the strip-like multi-layer body of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, and the second regions (22, 24) have an extension in the longitudinal direction of the strip-like multi-layer body of 2 mm to 15 mm.
8. Security element (7) according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that
   the first regions (21, 23) each have a largest measurement of more than 300 µm and a smallest measurement of less than 300 µm.
9. Security element (7) according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that
   the first regions (81) are shaped strip-like having a width of less than 300 µm.
10. Security element (1, 3, 7) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the micro-lenses have a diameter of 10 µm to 150 µm, preferably 10 µm to 50 µm.
11. Security element (1, 3, 7) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the decorative layer (12, 36, 74) in the second regions (22, 24, 82) respectively has one or more micro-images (17, 39, 78).
12. Security element (1, 3, 7) according to claim 11,
    characterised in that
    the micro-images and the micro-lenses in the second regions (22, 24, 82) are arranged according to a regular micro-lens grid or micro-image grid, wherein the grid spacings of the micro-image grid and the micro-lens grid differ from one another by less than 10%.
13. Security element (1, 3, 7) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the decorative layer has a metallic reflection layer (12, 36, 74).
14. Security element (1, 3, 7) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the decorative layer has a diffractive surface relief.
15. Security element according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the decorative layer has a thin film layer system, an oriented liquid crystal layer and/or a layer having optically variable pigments.
16. Security element (1, 3, 7) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the decorative layer in the second regions (22, 24, 82) is structured in a pattern-like manner in the form of a plurality of micro-images (17, 39, 78).
17. Security element (1, 3) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the decorative layer (12, 36) is formed differently in the first and second regions (21, 22, 23, 24) and, in the second regions (22, 24), respectively has one or more micro-images (17, 39) and, in the first regions (21, 23) respectively has an optically variable element, in particular a Kinegram®.
18. Security element according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the first regions form a first security feature and the second regions form a second security feature that is different therefrom.
19. Security element according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the width of the multi-layer body is between 2 mm and 10 mm.
20. Document of value (5, 6) having a carrier body (50, 60) and a security element (1,3) according to claim 1,
    wherein the multi-layer body is connected to the carrier body (50, 60) by means of the first and the second adhesive layer (14, 15).
21. Document of value (5, 6) according to claim 20,
    characterised in that,
    in two or more third regions (51, 61) of the security element, the first surface of the multi-layer body is covered by the carrier body (50, 60) and, in two or more fourth regions (52, 62) of the security element, the second surface of the multi-layer body, but not the first surface of the multi-layer body, is covered by the carrier body.
22. Document of value (5, 6) according to claim 21,
    characterised in that
    each third region (51, 61) is arranged to overlap with at least one first region (21, 23).
23. Document of value (5) according to claim 22,
    characterised in that
    the third and the first regions (51; 21) and the fourth and the second regions (52; 22) are arranged in register with one another.
24. Document of value (6) according to one of claims 21 or 22,
    characterised in that
    the first and second regions (23, 24) are arranged in a periodic first sequence, the third and fourth regions (61, 62) are arranged in a periodic second sequence, and the period of the first sequence is smaller than the period of the second sequence, preferably smaller than half of the first period.

Images