EP1986867A2

EP1986867A2 - Security element with an optically variable structure

Info

Publication number: EP1986867A2
Application number: EP07703280A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roger Adamczyk; Christof Baldus; Karlheinz Mayer; Peter Franz
Original assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient Currency Technology GmbH
Priority date: 2006-02-13
Filing date: 2007-02-05
Publication date: 2008-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-05
Also published as: DE102006006501A1; RU2417897C2; WO2007093300A2; EP1986867B1; CN101421118B; CA2642330A1; WO2007093300A3; ATE519606T1; CN101421118A; PL1986867T3; CA2642330C; RU2008136571A

Abstract

The invention relates to a security element with an optically variable structure having an embossing structure with linear embossing elements and a coating, wherein the embossing structure and the coating are arranged such that at least parts of the coating can be seen in full when viewing at right angles, but are covered when viewing at an oblique angle. The fact that substantially the entire coating is formed by non-linear base elements which are characterized by the parameters outline, size, colour and orientation and are combined with the embossing structure such that, when the viewing direction is changed, different information becomes visible, can be used to increase the security against forgery of the security element. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a security element, a data carrier having such a security element and the use of such a security element or data carrier for product security.

Description

Security element with an optically variable structure

The invention relates to a security element with an optically variable structure, which has an embossed structure with line-shaped embossing elements and a coating, wherein the embossed structure and the coating are arranged so that at least parts of the coating are completely visible when viewed perpendicularly, but concealed upon oblique viewing , The invention further relates to a method for producing such a security element, a data carrier with such a security element and the use of such a security element or data carrier for product security.

To protect against imitation, especially with color copiers or other reproduction methods, data carriers, such as

Banknotes, securities, credit or identity cards, passports, certificates and the like, labels, packaging or other elements for product security, equipped with optically variable security elements. The protection against counterfeiting is based on the fact that the visually simple and clearly recognizable optically variable effect is not or only insufficiently reproduced by the abovementioned reproduction devices.

For this purpose, for example, CA 1019012 discloses a banknote which is provided with a parallel line pressure pattern in a partial area of its surface. To generate the optically variable effect, a line structure is additionally embossed in the data carrier in the region of this line print pattern so that flanks arise that are only visible at certain viewing angles. By deliberately arranging the line pattern on flanks of the same orientation, these lines are visible if the flanks provided with the lines are viewed obliquely; the line pattern is not visible if the flanks on the back are viewed obliquely recognizable. If phase jumps are present in the line grid or in the embossing grid in subregions of the embossed surface, then information can be displayed that is recognizable either only from the first oblique viewing angle or only from the second viewing angle.

Although such an optically variable security element shows a relatively sharp tilting effect to the observer, the constant line spacing parallel line pressure patterns can now be recreated with some effort by means of modern reproduction techniques. It is also disadvantageous that the line printing patterns described in CA 1019 012 do not permit any tilting effects with detailed and elaborately designed image motifs as a coating.

The invention is therefore based on the object to propose a security element of the type mentioned, which avoids the disadvantages of the known generic security elements and offers an increased level of security against counterfeiting. In addition, a data carrier with such a security element and a method for producing such a security element should be specified.

This object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The optically variable structure of the security element according to the invention consists of a coating which is formed substantially completely from non-linear basic elements, and an embossed structure superimposed on this coating. The embossed structure has line-shaped embossing elements, which coincide with the coating of non-linear basic elements. elements are combined in such a way that different information becomes visible as the viewing direction changes. The nonlinear basic elements are characterized by the parameters outline shape, size, color and orientation and thus combined with the embossed structure that results in the shading effect according to the invention. With regard to the line-shaped embossing elements, the nonlinear basic elements are thus arranged in such a way that a certain information results for a viewer in a view of the security element, which changes when the viewing direction changes.

In the following, a line is understood to be a combination of two points, according to the definition given in Paperback of Mathematics, Bronstein, Semendjajew, 25th edition. Of course, according to this definition in addition to a straight connection and a non-linear, d. H. curved, curved or spiral connection of two points in two- or three-dimensional space.

In terms of the present invention, this means that linear embossing elements are understood to mean all three-dimensional elements whose projections form a line in the plane of the optically variable element in accordance with the above definition.

As a rule, the linear embossing elements are characterized by four flanks, wherein these flanks have dimensions which enable the shading effect according to the invention. D. h., The flanks must be dimensioned so that for the viewer who looks at such a flank, a lying behind this edge information is at least partially hidden or shadowed. Non-linear Gnind elements are understood below to mean all elements of the two-dimensional and three-dimensional space whose outline shape is chosen such that they are not linear elements in the sense of the above definition of a line. The nonlinear basic elements of the present application are therefore derived geometrically from a single planar point and not from a two-dimensional connection of two points (line). In general, the nonlinear basic elements can thus be characterized as compact, not elongated elements.

By using non-linear primitives of any desired outline shape, size, color and orientation, the coating of the optically variable structure can be so elaborate and detailed that a counterfeiting is currently practically impossible. According to the invention, the counterfeit contactor is also increased in that essentially the entire coating is formed from nonlinear basic elements. A potential counterfeiter would not only have to adjust individual areas, but the entire coating with extreme accuracy, which is currently practically impossible.

In addition to increasing the security against counterfeiting through the use of the embossed coating according to the invention, the choice with regard to the motifs and geometric patterns that are eligible for the coating and the freedom of design for the motifs and patterns are advantageously increased substantially, resulting in a suitable embossing of the coating result in much more impressive and visually appealing tilting effects for the viewer. As a result, the authenticity of a security element according to the invention is also easily detectable by the "man or the woman on the street." A forged security element can be readily recognized by the fact that the dramatic optical tilting effect inherent in the authentic optically variable structure can not or only to a very limited extent be observed for a very elaborately designed coating.

By using the nonlinear basic elements according to the invention, it is advantageously also possible, in connection with the generic security elements, to realize hitherto unknown tilting effects with image motifs or geometric patterns shown in true colors. Finally, another advantage of the invention is that the superimposition of primitives of different color allows viewing direction dependent mixed color effects.

The basic elements according to the invention are characterized on the one hand by the parameter outline shape. All outline shapes are conceivable which are not linear in the sense of the above-mentioned definition. Although the outline of the basic elements can be varied within a very wide range, such basic elements are preferred which have a round, oval or polygonal limited outline shape. Polygonal limited in the context of the present invention are all basic elements that are a polygon or polygon in the mathematical sense. Conceptually, polygons are acquired in two- or three-dimensional space. Accordingly, polygons, starting with triangles to polygons with a large number of corners, conceivable. In the polygons, various squares, such as parallelograms, squares, rectangles, diamonds and trapezoids, are particularly preferred. Of course, the non-linear basic elements may also have an outline, the z. B. round or oval, is limited in other areas polygonal. In addition to these outline shapes known from geometry, it is also preferred that the line-shaped basic elements have an outline shape that is determined by a symbol, geometric pattern and / or alphanumeric character. It can be used as symbols all non-linear primitives that are accessible to the methods used for the application of the coating. In this case, for example, mathematical symbols, such as the integral or root characters, or to think of the well-known cross or double cross symbol. In addition, characters, especially alphanumeric characters, of all known fonts may be used, although characters from the standard Latin and Greek fonts are particularly preferred. In addition, the outline of a basic element according to the invention by a geometric pattern, for. As the outline of a snowflake or a guilloche pattern be determined.

The nonlinear basic elements characterized by a certain contour shape can expediently have a filling, which is preferably embodied essentially over the whole area. Of course, it is also conceivable that the filling is rasterized, z. B. in the form of a dot matrix, or that the basic element is determined only by a line defining the outline contour and thus has no filling. In this case, in the unfilled inner regions of the primitives, the color of the underlying layer or layers may be recognized.

The size of a nonlinear basic element according to the invention is understood to mean its dimension in one or more directions. Although it may be useful for certain uses in the product fuse area, primitives with a dimension in Provide the order of a few millimeters, it is particularly preferred if the non-linear base elements have a dimension of 10 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m, in particular from 20 .mu.m to 250 .mu.m. It goes without saying that the small size of the counterfeit protection of the claimed security elements with optically variable structure is increased. Accordingly, in particular provide coatings with a dimension of the basic elements of z. B. 30 microns a very large protection against counterfeiting. At the same time, of course, the dimension of the basic elements is to be provided in such a way that it enables the production of high-quality security elements according to the invention.

In contrast to the coatings with line print patterns known for example from CA 1019 012, in which the dimension of the lines in the longitudinal direction is considerably greater than the dimension of the lines in the transverse direction, the nonlinear basic elements according to the invention preferably have an outline shape in which the dimension in no Direction is more than four times the dimension in one of the other directions of the primitive.

It has been found that particularly impressive tilting effects of the optically variable structures can be achieved with simultaneously high freedom of design for the coating according to the invention if the basic elements according to the invention have a shape which is not too different from the outline of a circle, triangle or square. So a compact element is different. In these bodies, the dimension in no direction is more than about twice a dimension in one of the other directions. The coatings of the nonlinear basic elements according to the invention may be a printing layer, in particular an offset, stitch relief, screen, flexographic, xerographic, inkjet or thermographic printing layer. Each of the printed layers mentioned has certain properties, which are known per se to the person skilled in the art, depending on the method used for them. The choice of a particular print layer will therefore depend on the one hand on the intended use of color, the desired embossed structure, resolution, the intended image motif, etc.

Moreover, it is preferred if the coating of nonlinear basic elements is a layer which is introduced by a laser printer or by the action of laser radiation of a laser. Depending on the material used for the substrate of the optically variable structure, radiation sources can be CO2 lasers, Nd: Y AG lasers or other laser types in the wavelength range from ultraviolet (UV) to far infrared (IR), the lasers often also work with frequency doubling, tripling or even greater frequency multiplication. Preferably, however, laser sources are used in the near IR, since this wavelength range fits well with the absorption properties of the materials intended for the optically variable structures. Since the spot size of the laser radiation can vary from a few micrometers to a few millimeters depending on the application, the basic elements according to the invention can advantageously be generated by the use of laser radiation. The continuous power of the laser used for this purpose is usually between a few watts and a few hundred watts.

The coating according to the invention can in principle be formed from non-linear basic elements of any arrangement. Next a completely random arrangement is thus z. B. the arrangement in the form of a fractal pattern possible. However, it is particularly preferred if at least a part of the non-line-shaped basic elements is arranged in a preferably periodic grid. By means of a grid-like arrangement of the basic elements, preferred directions of the coating are defined which, when combined with a suitable embossing structure, lead to particularly impressive tilting effects. Although it is in principle possible that only a part of the non-linear base elements is arranged in the form of a grid and the other part is not grid-shaped, it is particularly expedient if all the basic elements forming the coating are arranged in the form of a grid, in particular a periodic grid are.

Regardless of whether the primitives are arranged randomly or in a grid, primitives of different colors may overlap and create a blend color in the overlap areas, and the arrangement of the blends in the overlap areas may in turn be a safety feature of the coating.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that in each case at least two non-linear basic elements of different color are arranged in the form of color primitives. The choice of the colors and the type of the basic elements of a basic color element is in principle arbitrary, but preferred are colors of a primary color system. Through the use of color basic elements, complex and detailed motifs and geometric patterns can be displayed. The arrangement of the color primitives can in turn be completely random, in the form of a fractal pattern or in a combination of these two arrangement options. However, it is particularly preferred if at least a part of the color primitives is arranged in a particularly periodic grid. Such an arrangement is particularly suitable for the representation of colored images and similar subjects. Of course, it is also conceivable that a larger number of color primitives is arranged in a grid and the coating has at the same time random or likewise grid-shaped, non-linear basic elements.

Although the basic elements or color primitives can be arranged in a grid with varying screen ruling, it is particularly expedient if the grid width of the grid is constant for a part or the entire coating. The resulting regular arrangement defines one or more preferred directions in the plane of the coating and, in combination with a correspondingly arranged embossing structure, opens up particularly striking tilting effects for the viewer.

The coating of non-linear basic elements or color basic elements formed therefrom can contain basic elements of any desired color. But especially preferred are basic elements in the colors of a basic color system. In addition, coatings are claimed that have color primitives with non-linear primitives in the colors of a primary color system. In this case, all primary color systems can be used, which enable the application of a coating for the optically variable structure with the printing techniques already described. However, the primary color systems RGB (red, green, blue), CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) and CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, key (black)) are particularly preferred. In addition, it is particularly expedient if the optically variable structure has a multiplicity of color primitives which, when viewed vertically, represent a multicolored image motif and / or geometric pattern whose visual impression varies when the viewing angle is changed. The color primitives representing the image motif or pattern may include non-linear primitives of any color or elements in the colors of a primitive color system. As already mentioned, suitable embossing of the coating according to the invention makes it possible to produce elaborate and highly detailed image motifs which are substantially completely visible in plan view but are only partially visible when the viewing angle changes due to the shadowing effect.

In a specific embodiment, the color primitives correspond to the pixels of the image motif and / or geometric pattern to which certain color components of a color system are assigned. The basic color elements have non-linear basic elements with colored areas in the colors of the color system, the size of the colored areas of the nonlinear basic elements corresponding to the respective color proportion of the picture elements. The color impression of a color primitive thus results for the viewer from the size of the areas occupied by the respective colors. The surfaces can adjoin one another directly or even maintain a certain distance from each other so that the color impression of the basic color element is ultimately also determined by the color of the light reflected from the background. Thus, according to this specific embodiment, it is possible to display image motifs and geometric patterns in true colors, wherein at the same time the number of pixels of the image motif or pattern corresponds to the number of color primitives. It should be noted that in supervision, the true color of a color primitive as a mixed color of the non-linear basic elements forming the color base element, provided that the dimensions of the colored areas are below the visual resolution of the observer.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the security element, it is provided that at least two rasters of nonlinear basic elements of one color each form an image motif and / or geometric pattern. The arrangement of the grids defines areas in which the nonlinear basic elements of different grids overlap and produce a mixed color in these areas. In order to produce a mixed color which is as defined as possible in the overlapping area, nonlinear basic elements with a well-defined outline shape and a full-area filling for forming the grid are particularly preferred. Of course, the rasters can contain primitives in the colors of a primer system, whereby the mixed colors produced in the overlap areas are again well-defined secondary colors of a subtractive color mixture. Since the screens used generally do not cover the substrate material over the entire area, a light reflection occurs in the uncovered areas of the substrate. The reflected light and the overlapping areas of subtractive color mixing ultimately result in an additive (autotypical) color mixture perceived by the observer.

It is particularly preferred if the regions of overlapping primitives correspond to the pixels of the image motif and / or geometric pattern to which certain colors of a color system are assigned, and the mixed color of the regions of overlapping primitives corresponds to the respective color of the pixels, so that when the viewing angle changes the color impression of the image motif and / or the geometric pattern varies. In this case, so a pixel of the subject or Pattern represented by a mixed color generated by means of subtractive Farbπüschung. Depending on the degree of coverage of the substrate by the overlapping regions of the raster, the viewer ultimately also to some extent obtains additive color mixing by the light reflected by the substrate.

If the non-linear base elements or color base elements are arranged in the form of a grid, at least one preferred direction in the plane of the coating is defined by such a regular arrangement of the base or color base elements. It is particularly preferred for the line-shaped embossing elements to be arranged at least in regions in the direction of the at least one preferred direction, so that the visual impression varies depending on the viewing direction when the contours of the embossed structures are viewed perpendicular to the at least one preferred direction. It has been shown that with an arrangement of the embossing elements in a preferred direction of the perceptible to the viewer tilt effect is particularly pronounced when changing the viewing angle. In addition, the tilting effect will be particularly impressive if different areas of the coating are provided with embossing elements, which are each arranged in a preferred direction. The preferred direction itself can be caused by the outline shape and / or the arrangement of the basic elements or color primitives in the grid. Accordingly, a preferred direction can be determined by the arrangement and at the same time by the outline contour of the grid forming basic elements.

The optically variable structure may have additional information that arises due to variation of the coating and / or the embossed structure. The additional information may be from one or more viewing directions be recognizable. It is also possible for the additional information to be transferred into a second, third, etc. additional information depending on the viewing angle.

The additional information can, for example, by a variation of the shape, color and / or the arrangement of non-linear primitives, such as offset, change the screen ruling, omission, reflection of individual or several non-linear primitives arise. Also, the additional information can be an optically variable element individualizing information in the coating, such. As alphanumeric characters or barcodes have.

Although the inventive optically variable structure of the security elements may include line-shaped embossing elements of any arrangement, it is particularly preferred if the embossing elements are arranged in the form of an embossing grid with a screen pitch. The grid width of the embossed structure can correspond to the grid width of the coating grid. On the other hand, if the grid widths of the coating and the embossing structure are not identical, but shifted by a certain value, interesting viewing direction-dependent beat effects result.

Advantageously, the additional information also by a variation of the shape, size, height and / or the arrangement of the line-shaped embossing elements, such as offset, change the screen width, omission of individual or several line-shaped embossing elements arise. The additional information by varying the embossed structure is reinforced by a simultaneous variation of the coating. In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the optically variable structure is subdivided into partial regions in which different partial embossing structures and / or partial coatings are arranged. If the line-shaped embossing elements of the embossed structure or the non-linear base elements are arranged in the form of a grid with a screen width, an expedient embodiment results from the fact that the subareas structures or partial coatings in at least two adjoining partial areas by a fraction, in particular one third of Grid width, staggered. In addition, for better visibility, parts of the partial embossing structures may also have an unembossed edge contour.

In connection with this matrix-like arrangement of the partial embossing structures and the generation of additional information in the area of the embossing structures or the coating, reference is expressly made to WO 97/17211 and WO 02/20280 A1.

The optically variable structure according to the invention forms a security element which is difficult to imitate and can be arranged directly on any data carriers. However, the optically variable structure can also be part of a security element which, in addition to the optically variable structure, has further security features.

The security element may have, for example in the region of the optically variable structure, a further color layer, which is preferably translucent and which is arranged congruently with the raised regions of the embossed structure. Again, various embodiments are possible. Some are already described, for example, in WO 2004/022355 A2. which are also expressly referred to in this context.

According to a further embodiment, the security element can have further layers and authenticity features, such as, for example, Example, a metallic layer, a metal effect layer, an additional translucent, optically variable layer or a film element. Such layers and elements can be superimposed or underlaid optically variable structures. Of course, the coating combined with the line-shaped embossing elements can also be such a metallic layer, a metallic effect layer or an optically variable layer.

Finally, it is also possible to equip the coating or the printing inks used for the production of the basic elements and color primitives and / or the ink layer arranged congruently with the raised regions of the embossed structure at least partially with machine-readable properties. For this come z. B. magnetic, electrically conductive, luminescent additives into consideration. Also in a certain wavelength range, preferably in the UV or IR range, absorbing additives can be used advantageously.

The optically variable structure according to the invention or the security element according to the invention is preferably applied to data carriers, such as security and value documents, such as banknotes, shares, bonds, certificates, vouchers, credit or identity cards, passports or the like. The data carriers are equipped in this way with an easily recognizable even to lay security element to increase the security against counterfeiting. However, the optically variable structure or the security element according to the invention can also be very advantageous in the field of Product protection can be used. In this case, the optically variable structure or the security element can be applied to corresponding labels or packaging or the product itself.

If paper is used as the data carrier material, in particular cotton vellum papers, paper-like materials consisting of plastic films, paper coated or laminated with plastic films or multilayer composite materials are suitable.

For the production of the security element or the optically variable structure according to the invention, an arbitrary substrate is preferably first provided with the coating of non-linear basic elements, and subsequently the embossed structure is produced in register with this coating. In principle, however, it is also possible to provide the method steps in reverse order. The coating is preferably printed or transferred to the substrate in the thermal transfer process. The coating can in any printing process, such as in planographic printing, z. B. in the offset process, in high pressure, z. B. in letterpress or flexographic printing, screen printing, gravure, z. As in the gravure printing or intaglio printing, or be generated in a Thermografieverfah- ren. In addition, the coating can preferably also be produced by a laser printer or by the action of laser radiation.

For the production of the embossed structure also come any method into consideration. Preferably, the embossed structure is produced by means of an embossing tool, which may be, for example, a gravure printing plate. In this case, the embossing is generated with the aid of a non-ink-bearing intaglio printing plate as blind embossing. According to a particular embodiment, the Embossed structure, however, also be produced in the color-guiding intaglio printing. This manufacturing variant is particularly suitable for the embodiments in which congruent to the embossed structure, a further color layer is provided.

For the production of the embossing tool, for example, a plate surface is milled with an engraving stylus or a laser. As the plate surface, any material such as copper, brass, steel, nickel or the like can be used. The engraving stylus used for the milling preferably has a flank angle of approximately 40 ° and a rounded tip which approximates a spherical segment or sector. The embossing tool can be milled as a single use or even as multiple benefits.

In principle, the order of the two process steps is freely selectable. As a rule, the coating is first applied and then embossed. Thus, the relief height and shape of the embossing of further influences, which occur for example in a subsequent printing process, spared.

However, the alternative of embossing first and then applying the coating offers the advantage of higher color brilliance and sharper contoured imprinting. This effect stems from the fact that during the embossing process the substrate is calendered at the same time and thus obtains a smoother, less absorbent surface.

In addition, the application of the coating before embossing offers the advantage that the coating is applied exclusively on the flanks of the embossing elements or only in the zeniths / amplitudes of the embossing elements. elements can be arranged. As a result, particularly impressive shading effects can be achieved. In contrast to the ink-conducting intaglio printing, in which the embossing and the application of the coating takes place simultaneously and the coating can be arranged exclusively in the region of the zenith / amplitudes of the embossing elements, the separation of the process steps embossing and application of the coating opens up a much greater degree at design latitude. In particular, a process control, in which the coating is first arranged on the substrate and then the embossing structure is produced with a high registration accuracy, allows the already mentioned, selective arrangement of the coating exclusively on the flanks of the embossing elements, while the zenith / amplitudes of the embossing elements have no coating. With regard to the exclusive arrangement of the coating in the zeniths / amplitudes or flanks of the embossing elements, the disclosure content of WO 97/17211 is incorporated into the present application. In addition, further details and advantages for the selective arrangement of the coating on the flanks or the zeniths / amplitudes can also be taken from the description of the figures of the present application.

The advantages of the invention will be explained with reference to the following examples and additional figures. The described individual features and embodiments described below are inventive in their own right, but are also inventive in combination. The examples illustrate preferred embodiments, to which, however, the invention should not be limited in any way. The proportions shown in the figures do not correspond to the conditions present in reality and serve only to improve the clarity. In detail, show schematically:

1 a data carrier according to the invention,

2 shows a section along the line A-A of FIG. 1,

3 shows a first coating according to the invention in top view,

4 shows a second coating according to the invention in top view,

5 shows a third coating according to the invention in top view,

6 shows a fourth coating according to the invention in top view,

7 shows a fifth coating according to the invention in top view,

8 shows a sixth coating according to the invention in plan view, which is a variant of the coating of FIG. 7, FIG.

FIG. 9 shows an embossed structure with line-shaped stamping elements in plan view, FIG.

10 shows a further coating according to the invention in the form of a

Grid arranged non-linear basic elements,

11 is a perspective view of an optically variable structure according to the invention, which is formed from the embossing structure or coating shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, FIG. 12 shows a further embossed structure with nichtlinienf örmigen embossing elements,

13 shows a further coating according to the invention with grid-shaped nonlinear basic elements,

14 shows a perspective view of a further optically variable structure according to the invention, which is formed from the embossing structure or coating illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13,

15 shows a further coating according to the invention with three different types of non-linear basic elements, which are arranged in the form of a grid,

FIG. 16 shows the coating according to the invention from FIG. 15 with three. FIG

Areas of the coating marked preferred

17a shows a further coating according to the invention with grid-shaped, nonlinear basic elements,

17b shows the coating from FIG. 17a with three preferred directions drawn in and corresponding embossed structures corresponding thereto, FIG.

18a shows a further coating according to the invention with grid-shaped, nonlinear basic elements, 18b shows three preferred directions resulting from the grid-shaped arrangement according to FIG. 18a, FIG.

18c shows a further coating according to the invention with grid-shaped color basic elements,

FIG. 18d three preferred directions resulting from the grid-shaped arrangement according to FIG. 18c, FIG.

19 shows a further coating according to the invention with grid-shaped color basic elements, wherein the coating has additional information,

FIG. 20 shows a detail of a picture motif shown in FIG. 1 in black and white representation, FIG.

21 shows the detail according to FIG. 20 in the form of a coating according to the invention with grid-shaped, nonlinear basic elements, FIG.

22 shows the detail from FIG. 20 in the form of a further coating according to the invention, FIG.

FIG. 23 shows a further coating according to the invention with color primitives arranged in the form of a grid, FIG.

FIG. 24 shows the coating of FIG. 23 with two preferred directions resulting from the grid and embossing elements arranged along these preferred directions, FIG. Fig. 25 shows a detail of Fig. 20 with a preferred direction for the

Arrangement of the line-shaped embossing elements,

FIG. 26 shows another image motif with several preferred directions for the arrangement of the line-shaped embossing elements, FIG.

27 shows a further embossed structure with line-shaped embossing elements,

FIG. 28 shows a further coating according to the invention with nonlinear basic elements arranged in the form of a grid, with nonlinear basic elements of different rasters overlapping in regions, FIG.

29a shows a further coating according to the invention with overlapping basic elements of different colors and three preferred directions of the coating,

29b shows the coating according to the invention from FIG. 29a with additional information arranged in the coating,

29c shows the coating according to the invention from FIG. 29a with further additional information arranged in the coating,

FIG. 30 shows a further coating according to the invention with a drawn-in direction which does not correspond to a preferred direction of the coating, FIG.

31 shows a cross section through an embossed structure with additional information, 32 shows a further embossing structure in cross section with another

Extra information,

33 shows a further embossed structure in cross section with embossing elements, which are arranged in a grid of large screen ruling,

34a-34p cross sections through different line-shaped embossing elements,

35a shows a data carrier according to the invention in cross-section before embossing,

35b shows a data carrier according to the invention in cross-section after embossing,

FIG. 36a shows a further data carrier according to the invention in cross-section before embossing, FIG.

FIG. 36b shows the further data carriers according to the invention after the stamping executed. FIG.

Fig. 1 shows a data carrier 1 according to the invention in the form of a banknote with an optically variable structure 3, which is placed in the print image area 2 of the data carrier 1 and in the pressure-free area. The optically variable structure 3 is used according to the invention as a so-called human feature, ie as a testable by humans without aids feature, in addition to optionally further features for determining the authenticity of the data carrier. The provision of such features is particularly useful for banknotes, but also for other monetary documents, such as stocks, checks and the like. Come as a data carrier in the context of the invention also labels, passports or cards into consideration, as they are today z. B. for the identification of persons or goods or to carry out transactions or services.

The optically variable structure 3 can be of different construction, combined with the resulting different effects from different viewing directions. According to a preferred embodiment, the optically variable structure 3 consists of a contrasting to the surface of the data carrier single or multi-colored coating, such as a pattern, image or alphanumeric information, the printing or other means, such as by a transfer process or by the action of laser radiation , is produced. Depending on the design of the coating and embossing structure and their assignment to one another, the effects according to the invention which can be used for checking the authenticity are produced by the embossing structure cooperating with the coating.

All the optically variable structures according to the invention have in common that they and the effects resulting therefrom can not be imitated by the reproduction techniques known today, in particular copiers, since the copiers can reproduce the optically variable structure only from one viewing direction, so that the optically variable Effect is lost. In addition, as a rule, the imitation will also fail because of the too low resolution of the reproductive devices.

In the following, examples of various preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the figures. The illustrations in The figures are highly schematized for better understanding and do not reflect the realities.

The embodiments described in the following examples are reduced to the essential core information for ease of understanding. In practice, much more complex patterns or images in single or multi-color printing can be used as a coating. The same applies to the embossed structures. The information presented in the following examples can also be replaced by arbitrarily complex image or text information. The generation of the coating z. B. as a print usually uses the possibilities of printing technology. Typical dimensions of non-linear basic elements from approx. 10 μm are used. The linear embossing elements which form the embossed structure generally have an embossing height in the range from 10 μm to 250 μm, preferably from 50 μm to 120 μm. The various embodiments are not limited to use in the form described, but can be combined to increase the effects with each other.

Furthermore, in the following examples, only the design and mutual association of the embossed structure and the coating are shown in order to illustrate the optical effects of the optically variable structure according to the invention.

Example 1 (FIGS. 2 to 14 and FIG. 34)

2 shows a schematic sectional view along the line AA (see FIG. 1) and, in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4, an optically variable structure in which the embossing structure 4 is arranged by regularly arranged, identical Formed, linear-shaped embossed elements 5 is formed, that is formed as a periodic line grid. The line-shaped embossing elements 5 are provided with a coating 7 which is designed as a multicolored arrangement of non-linear basic elements. The individual color surfaces of the nonlinear basic elements lie on the flanks of the line-shaped embossing elements. The formation of the line-shaped embossing elements 5 as elevations, which are preferably produced by embossing of the data carrier, can be clearly seen in the sectional view on the upper side of the data carrier. If the media is mechanically deformed with an embossing tool, the bottom of the media will show the negative deformation. The deformation is shown here only schematically. As a rule, the back of the data carrier will not have such a pronounced embossing pattern. In the following, only the upper or front side of the data carrier essential for the understanding of the invention will be described, as it is perceived by the observer during a view from the viewing direction AU. The deformation of the lower or back is not essential to the invention, but only a by-product of special embossing techniques, such. B. the intaglio printing. However, it can serve as another authenticity feature.

The coating 7 according to the invention is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. According to FIG. 3, the coating 7 is formed from regularly arranged in the form of a grid, non-linear basic elements 8 and 13. The elements 8 and 13 have different colors, which is due to the different filling of the basic elements 8 and 13 forming

Circles is symbolized. In addition to the basic elements shown in FIG. 3 with a round outline, two further outline shapes of the basic elements are shown in FIG. 4. The outline of the basic elements 13 is that of a symmetrical cross, whereas the outline of the elements 8 is a star. speaks, which can also be taken as a special toe. The basic elements 8 and 13 of Figure 4 are arranged in a grid. In this case, the elements 13 in FIGS. 3 and 4 are shifted relative to the elements 8 by half the screen width in a direction 17 extending from bottom to top in FIG. Even in a direction not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which is perpendicular to the direction 17, the nonlinear basic elements 13 are offset relative to the base elements 8.

The oriented in Fig. 3 from bottom to top preferred direction 17 is determined by the grid-shaped arrangement of the basic elements 8 and 13. Along this preferred direction 17, a line-shaped embossing element of the embossed structure can be arranged so that, as a result, the structure of coating 7 and embossed structure 4 shown in FIG. 2 results, provided that the basic elements 8, 13 are embossed with the embossing element 5 they come to lie approximately symmetrically to the center of the embossing element. In order to get to the structure of Fig. 2, further, a line-shaped embossing element 5 having an approximately semicircular cross-section, as shown in Fig. 34d, must be formed in the substrate.

In order to obtain a sharper tilting effect, a cross-section according to FIGS. 34c or 34h can be selected for the embossing elements. An even greater amplification of the tilting effect results from the selection of a profile according to FIGS. 34a, 34b or 34f. In addition, other cross-sections of the embossing elements shown in FIG. 34 can also advantageously be combined with the coating 7.

As can be easily seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, in the case of a substantially vertical plan view, the invention is optically variable Structure visible all the coating formed from the basic elements 8 and 13 visible. On the other hand, when the viewing direction is changed from the top view (AU) to an oblique view from the direction B, the basic elements 8 arranged on one flank of the line-shaped embossing elements 5 dominate the visual image, while the base elements 13 arranged on the other flank of the line-shaped embossing elements 5 partially or completely covered by the embossing elements 5 (shaded). When viewed obliquely from the optically variable structure from the direction C, the basic elements 13 dominate the visual impression and the basic elements 8 are completely or partially shaded. This basic principle inherent in the optically variable structures 3 according to the invention is realized in an analogous manner when the linear embossing elements 5 are not rectilinear, as in FIG. 3, but have the shape of a curved or curved line. The line 6 shown to illustrate such an embossment in FIG. 4 is only for illustration. Of course, a much more complicated pattern, z. B. a spiral pattern to be embossed into the ground.

In the following, further coatings according to the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. 5 has base elements 8, 9 of different color, the outline shape of which corresponds to a symmetrical "L." In this case, the basic elements 8 and 9 are arranged in a regular grid such that in each case a base element 8 is combined with a base element 9 The basic elements 8 and 9 thus form pairwise one color base element 52, which will be discussed in greater detail.

Another variant of the coating 7 is shown in FIG. 6. The coating 7 consists of regularly arranged, non-linear basic elements 8, 9 and 13, which each have the outline shape of an arch element. The basic elements assume the positions of a grid with a constant screen ruling.

However, it is also possible for the basic elements, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, to have an outline shape that is complementary to the outline shape of an adjacently arranged base element in such a way that a substantially full-surface coating 7 results. In this case, the elements can also be arranged in the same outline shape that results in additional information in the coating, as shown in Fig. 8.

Reference is made in detail to further optically variable structures according to the invention with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14. In Fig. 9, an embossed structure 4 is shown, which consists of three line-shaped embossing elements 5 with triangular cross-section. Each embossing element 5 has four flanks which rise above the plane formed by the substrate. The flanks extending in the longitudinal direction of the linear embossing element 5 are designated in FIG. 9 by reference numerals 5a and 5b, while the two flanks present at the ends of the embossing element 5 are designated by reference numerals 5c and 5d. The grid width of the arrangement of the line-shaped embossing elements 5 underlying grid is denoted by x.

FIG. 10 shows a coating 7 which, in combination with the embossed structure of FIG. 9, gives the optically variable structure shown in FIG. The coating 7 consists of two types of non-linear basic elements with different outline and different color. The basic elements 8 have a polygonal outline shape in the form of a rectangle. On the other hand, each basic element 9 has the outline shape a square and about half the area of the surface of a base element 8. The basic elements 8 and 9 are arranged at regular intervals on the positions of a grid. In each case a basic element 8 and 9 together form a basic color element 52, which is arranged in a grid cell 12. The grid width x of the coating 7 corresponds to the grid width x of the embossed structure 4 of FIG. 9.

If a substrate provided with the coating 7 is provided in the exact register with the embossing structure 4 of FIG. 9, the combined structure of FIG. 11 results. While the entire coating 7 can be visually detected in a vertical plan view of the structure shown in FIG is, in an oblique view from direction B basically only the grid-shaped arrangement of the non-linear base elements 9 on the flanks 5b of the embossing elements 5 can be perceived. Conversely, only the basic elements 8 on the flanks 5a of the linear embossing elements 5 can be seen from the viewing direction C. In the arrangement of the basic elements 9 at the base of each flank 5b shown in FIG. 11, the basic elements 9 arranged between a plurality of line-shaped embossing elements 5 are shaded very rapidly by the flanks 5b of adjacent embossing elements 5 if the angle of view is substantially vertical (AU in Fig. 2) is changed to a view from direction B. On the other hand, since the base elements 8 are arranged to be close to the amplitude 20 on the flanks 5a of the embossing elements 5, they may be substantially perpendicular when the observation changes from being substantially less shading by the embossing elements Top view towards the oblique view from direction C over a wide angular range on the flanks 5a are seen. FIG. 12 shows an embossed structure 4 which is varied with respect to the structure shown in FIG. 9. It comprises a line-shaped embossing element 5 which extends along a first preferred direction 16. Perpendicular to this, three further line-shaped embossing elements 15 are arranged along a second preferred direction 17. The grid width of the embossing element 5 is x, the grid width of the stamping elements 15 is y. In the present case, the screen widths x and y are the same size.

In Fig. 13, a coating 7 according to the invention is shown, which is formed by a rasterf örmige arrangement of non-linear base elements 8 and 9, wherein both basic elements have a rectangular outline shape and different colors. The basic elements 8 and 9 in turn form a basic color element 52, which is arranged in a grid cell 12. The combination of the embossed structure 4 from FIG. 12 and the coating 7 from FIG. 13 results in the combined structure shown in perspective in FIG. 14. The observation from the directions B and C this time provides a completely different image as in Figure 11, since the line-shaped embossing elements 5 and 15 are arranged along two preferred directions. From the direction C, only the base elements 8 arranged on the flanks 5a can be seen, and the basic elements 9 arranged on the flanks 5b can be seen from the direction B, provided that they are not shadowed by respectively adjacent embossing elements.

On the other hand, from the direction D the elements 8, from the direction E the elements 9 can be seen. The arrangement of the basic elements on the respective flanks of the embossing elements has an influence on the Farbkippef- effect of this structure. Example 2 (FIGS. 15 and 16 ')

The coating 7 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 comprises three types of differently colored and non-linear basic elements 8, 13 and 39, each of which is arranged in the form of a grid with a constant screen ruling. In addition, in each case a base element 8, 13 and 39 are printed on the substrate, not shown further, that they form a color base 52. Corresponding to the regular arrangement of the individual elements, the color base elements 52 are also arranged in the form of a regular grid with a constant screen ruling. In each case, a color base element 52 lies in a grid cell 12 of the grid. The resulting array of color primitives 52 is divided into three subregions A, B and C in the illustrated preferred embodiment. Each subarea is provided with an embossed structure 4, not shown, of linear embossing elements 5. The orientation of the embossed structure 4 takes place in each subarea parallel to the preferred directions of the grid, wherein in Fig. 16 for each region A, B and C, only one preferred direction is drawn and used to align the embossed structure. As with the optically variable structures described above, the embossing of the coating 7 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 results in a viewing direction-dependent optically variable effect. While the entire coating 7 can be perceived by a viewer in supervision, interesting tilting effects arise for any other oblique viewing directions, which are different for the individual areas A, B and C, since the embossing structures each have different orientations in these areas. Example 3 (Figures 17a, 17b, 18a and 18b)

The coating 7 shown in FIGS. 17a and 17b is formed from three round basic elements 8, 9 and 13 of different color, which in turn define a basic color element 52 in a grid cell 12 of a regular grid. Again, by the arrangement of the basic elements 8, 9 and 13, preferred directions are determined along which embossing takes place. The preferred directions 16, 18 and 19 are shown in FIG. 17b and the embossed structures 64 along the preferred directions are shown schematically. The cross section of the line-shaped embossing elements is triangular and corresponds to the cross section shown in Fig. 34a. The embossing structure 64 has amplitudes or zeniths 20 and intermediate valleys 21. Accordingly, the non-linear base elements 8 and 9 come to lie on a flank of the non-linear embossing element at a stamping of the coating 7 along the preferred direction 16, while the elements 13 come to rest on the other edge of the element.

If the dimensions of the basic elements 8, 9 and 13 are chosen such that they are no longer perceived as separate elements by the human eye, a mixed color element which can be seen in supervision results for a basic color element 52 defined by the basic elements 8, 9 and 13. The viewer perceives a mixed color resulting from the mixed color of the color base 52 and the color of the substrate surface on which the coating is placed, depending on the area coverage of the color base 52 in the grid cell 12. When viewed from a direction different from the perpendicular view (AU in FIG. 2), a mixed color resulting from the colors of the base elements 8, 9 and the color of the substrate surface is observed in the region of the linear embossment along the direction 16 on a flank of the embossing element , On the other flank of the embossing element, however, the mixed color of the color of the base elements 13 and the color of the background is perceived from a direction opposite to this viewing direction. It can be seen from FIG. 17b that, in the case of an embossing along the preferred direction 19, the mixed color resulting for the individual flanks of the embossing element changes. In this case, when considering an edge, a mixed color results from the colors of the primitives 8, 9 and 13 and the color of the background. The perceived mixed color of the opposite flank, on the other hand, is defined by the color of the differently spaced elements 8, 9 and 13 and the color of the background.

FIG. 18 a shows a further coating 7 according to the invention, in which triangular basic elements 8, 9 and 13 are arranged in the form of a larger regular triangle. The arrangement of the primitives 8, 9, and 13 in turn defines a primitive in each grid cell

12 of a grid. In contrast to the color primitives 52 shown in FIG. 17a, the color primitives of FIG. 18a are characterized by a larger area coverage of the background. Consequently, the color impression, which can be perceived by the viewer in a top view of a grid cell, to a greater extent by the intrinsic color of the triangular

Basic elements 8, 9 and 13 and the color primitive determined. In addition, these basic elements in the plane of the coating 7 again define preferred directions, which are represented by the reference numerals 16, 18 and 19 in FIG. 18b. If an embossing takes place along these preferential directions with an embossed structure with a pointed profile, z. B. the profile of Fig. 34a, 34b or 34f, there are color shift effects with extremely pronounced viewing direction dependence. If for the basic elements 8, 9 and

For example, if the colors of the primary color system CMY are used, the result for the coating 7 in supervision is essentially one gray mixed color for the color primitives 52, which by a z. B. white color of the substrate is brightened a bit more.

Example 4 (Figures 18c and 18dl

FIGS. 18c and 18d show a further variant of the coating 7 according to the invention. The non-linear basic elements 8, 9 and 13 in turn form a basic color element 52 in a grid cell 12 of a regular grid. The triangular basic elements 8, 9 and 13 have the colors of a primary color system, for example those of the primary color system CMY. In the example shown, the triangles 8 have the color cyan, the triangles 9 the color magenta and the triangles 13 the color yellow.

In contrast to the coating grid of FIG. 18 a, the coating 7 from FIG. 18 c comprises two rasters which are offset in the horizontal direction (direction 16 in FIG. 18 d). As can be seen in Fig. 18c, the color primitives 52 of the first and third lines of the illustrated coating belong to a grid, while the color primitives 52 of the second line are arranged in the grid cells 62 of the second grid. In this case, the grid cells 62 are offset from the grid cells 12 of the first grid by half the grid width in the horizontal direction 16.

Again, there are three preferred directions 16, 18 and 19 for the arrangement of the line-shaped embossing elements (see schematic embossed structure 64). For example, if an embossing element of the second line of the coating 7 is superimposed in direction 16, come on a flank of the embossing element with z. B. triangular cross-section exclusively yellow triangles 13 for lying. When viewing this flank, the viewer therefore sees finally yellow triangles 13 and the color of the ground, z. B. white, so that the result is a brightened yellow color. Conversely, on the other flank of the embossing element arranged in the direction 16, it can perceive a mixed color recognizable from the colors magenta and cyan of the basic elements 9 and 8 and the white background areas.

In an analogous manner, the arrangement of a line-shaped embossing element along the preferred direction 18 results in a viewing direction-dependent perception, wherein one flank of the embossing element perceives a magenta color lightened by the color of the substrate due to the magenta triangles arranged exclusively there. When looking at the other flank of the embossing element, however, results in a mixed color of the color of the substrate and the colors yellow and cyan of the basic elements 13 and 8 respectively.

Finally, the arrangement of an embossing structure along the preferential direction 19 for one flank will give the pure lightened color cyan, and the other flank a mixed color of the color of the substrate and the color magenta and yellow of the basic elements 9 and 13, respectively.

In a plan view of the coating 7 of FIGS. 18c and 18d, a gray mixed color of the color of the base elements 8, 9 and 13 is again obtained for each color base element. The overall impression of the coating is therefore a slightly brightened shade of gray due to the white hue of the background. In the above discussion of the mixed colors results in a mixed color of the color primitives whenever the dimensions of the color areas of the individual primitives are below the resolution of the human eye. Example 5 (Fig. 191

FIG. 19 shows a coating 7 similar to the coating shown in FIGS. 18a and 18b. However, in some raster cells of the coating 7, the arrangement of the basic elements 8, 9 and 13 of a color base element 52 is different than in the other raster cells 12. The raster cells with a changed arrangement of the elements are provided with the reference 22 and ultimately form one within the coating Extra information. Depending on the orientation of the embossed structure with respect to the grid-shaped arranged color primitives, this additional information can be perceived in supervision and from certain directions. It represents an additional security feature inherent in the coating 7 according to the invention.

Example 6 (Figs. 20 to 26)

In the following, the generation of mixed color effects by the optically variable structure according to the invention will be discussed in more detail. FIG. 20 shows a detail of the image motif reproduced in the printing area 2 of the data carrier 1 of FIG. 1. It can be with nicht linienf örmigen basic elements of a color, eg. B. black, arrange on a substrate. In addition, an embossed structure is provided, which runs in certain areas of the coating in a certain direction. An example of this is shown for the eye area of the image motif in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 21, the image section can also be effected by grid-shaped, non-linear basic elements that have one or more outline shapes and one or different colors. In the present case, the coating of the image motif is formed with a round outline shape, wherein the basic elements 39 for generating a color range associated with a certain area of the image subject have a different thickness filling. For example, the basic elements 39 are substantially completely filled in the region of the hair of the person depicted, whereas the basic elements 39 in the region of the forehead are circular rings, in the center of which the color of the substrate, e.g. B. white, can be perceived. In addition, the color of the primitives can be varied for each image area.

Furthermore, FIG. 22 shows the image section from FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 with a coarser grid of basic elements 13. In each case two arcuate or circular segment-like basic elements 13 are arranged in a regular grid. By varying the area filling of the individual basic elements 13, the image detail can be reproduced with sufficient contrast. Of course, it is also possible that in each case two basic elements 13 of different color are arranged to a color base element and for a particular color basic elements in supervision a mixed color results, which is derived from the color of the basic element pair and recognizable in a grid cell from the ground color. The coatings according to the invention shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 are also provided with suitable embossing structures, with different orientations of the embossing elements being provided in individual image areas. Although a picture motif with rectilinear subareas defines a plurality of preferred directions (see FIG. 26 with the preferred directions 16 to 19), striking preferred directions can also be found for the image areas of FIGS. 21 and 22, as shown by way of example with reference to FIG is. The interaction of basic color elements and linear embossed structure to achieve impressive color shift effects with mixed colors will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24. The coating 7 according to the invention shown in FIG. 23 may be a greatly enlarged section of the image motif of FIG. 21. Non-linear basic elements 8, 9 and 13, each of a different color, are arranged in the form of a grid with constant screen rulings x and y. In each case one basic element 8, 9 and 13 form a basic color element 52, which is arranged in a grid cell 12 of the grid. Each color primitive 52 corresponds to exactly one pixel of a colored image motif, e.g. B. the in

Fig. 21 illustrated motif. Each pixel of the image motif is assigned a specific color component of a color system. In the present case, the basic color system CMY is used. Accordingly, the primitives 8, 9 and 13 of each color base 52 of the coating 7 have the colors cyan, magenta and yellow. The color component of a pixel is determined by the size of the colored areas of the primitives 8, 9 and 13. The human eye, because of its limited resolution, can not perceive the basic elements separately from one another and thus, when viewing the coating 7, only recognizes the mixed color of each color base element 52 defined by the color areas of the basic elements full coverage of the substrate due to the color of the substrate results in an additional color component, which, however, only leads to a whitening of the visually perceived mixed color of the color base element 52 when a white background is selected. On the other hand, a color primitive 52 can also be readily designed to substantially completely cover the surface of a halftone cell 12, whereby only the mixed color of the color primitive 52 determines the color of a pixel of the image motif. As shown in Fig. 23, the size of the colored area of a primitive is varied so that the color proportion of each primer 52 is accurately determined. Thus, in supervision of the coating 7, an image motif to be displayed results in a color that is precisely defined for each individual pixel.

The interaction of such a coating with line-shaped embossing elements leads to an optically variable structure according to the invention, as shown in FIG. The embossed structure 4 comprises line-shaped embossing elements 5 and 15, the former being arranged along the preferred direction 16, the latter along the preferred direction 17. The grid width x and y of the line-shaped embossing masters 5 and 15 correspond exactly to the grid widths x and y of the coating 7. FIG. 24 shows that the arrangement of the embossing elements in the area of the coating 7 practically does not change the visual impression in plan view. That is, due to the limited resolution of the human eye, only the mixed color associated with a color primitive 52 is perceived in the region of a halftone cell 12 of the coating. When viewing from a different angle from the angle, z. For example, from the direction 17, a completely different image is perceived by the viewer. For example, lies on the flank 5a of the embossing element 5, only the color surface of the base member 8, while on the flank 5b, the color surfaces of the basic elements 9 and 13 come to rest. Accordingly, results for the flank 5b within the grid cell 12 of the embossing element 5 defined by the color surfaces of the basic elements 9 and 13 and the color of the substrate mixed color, while for the flank 5a within the same grid cell 12, the perceptible color of the intrinsic color of the primitive 8 and the color of the substrate. The same applies to each grid cell 12 of the coating 7, which is provided with an embossed structure is. In this way it is possible to depict motifs in true colors and at the same time provide the motifs with an impressive color-shifting effect.

Example 7 (Fig. 27 to 29 ^{^)}

FIGS. 27 to 29 show a further variant of an optically variable structure according to the invention, in which tilting effects and mixed-color effects produced by the overlapping of basic elements are combined with one another. FIG. 27 shows an embossed structure 4 with line-shaped embossing elements 15. In contrast to the embossing structure shown in FIG. 12, the embossing elements 5 and 15 of FIG. 27 have the cross section shown in FIGS. 34g and 34f, respectively.

FIG. 28 shows a coating 7 according to the invention, which is combined with the embossed structure 4 from FIG. 27 to form an optically variable structure. The coating 7 is formed from three types of non-linear base elements 8, 9 and 13, which are each arranged in the form of a regular grid. Corresponding to the grids formed by the basic elements 8 and 9, basic elements with a filling and thus a large area coverage of the grid are particularly well suited for this coating variant. In addition, in principle, other basic elements, such as the alphanumeric characters 13, are used. It can be seen from FIG. 28 that the arrangement of the basic elements and thus of the grid defines the preferred directions 16 and 17. The coating grid 7 also has a grid width x in the direction 17 and a screen width y in the direction 16 which corresponds to the screen widths of the embossed pattern 4 from FIG. 27. The basic elements of a grid have a certain color, z. For example, the colors red, green, and blue of the RGB primary color system. In the areas defined by the arrangement of the grid overlap the basic elements of the differently colored grid and form a defined mixed color in these areas. The coating 7 thus appears in plan view as an overlay of differently colored rasters which have a mixed color in the overlapping areas. The arrangement of the overlapping areas corresponds to the picture elements of an image motif or of a geometric pattern, so that the image motif or pattern can be seen in a grid of basic colors corresponding to the mixed colors when viewed from above. In combination with the embossing structure from FIG. 27, an optically variable structure results, which shows the coating described above in a plan view and the color structures dependent on the embossed structure 4 from other viewing directions.

FIGS. 29a to 29c show further coating grids 7 according to the invention. For reasons of clarity, the nonlinear basic elements which form a grid are not shown individually, although they are arranged in a manner similar to that in FIG. 28 at a distance from one another in a grid. As can be seen from FIG. 29a, the grids formed from the basic elements do not intersect at right angles, so that three preferred directions 17, 37 and 47 result for a possible arrangement of the embossed structure. The arrangement of the raster in turn results in overlapping areas of the basic elements of different rasters, so that the coating 7 produces a complicated structure of pixels with mixed colors and the pure colors of the basic elements in plan view. The arrangement of the grids is so precise on the ground that the arrangement of the mixed color areas constitutes a safety feature per se, which is combined with the tilting effect caused by the embossed structure. FIG. 29b shows the coating grid 7 from FIG. 29a in a variant. In this case, a colorless area 39 was inserted around the grid formed by the basic elements 9. This results in a dependence of the arrangement of the basic elements 13 of the white areas 39 and the basic elements 9. The resulting spatial dependence of the basic elements 9 of basic elements of other grid and the inserted areas 39 provides an additional security feature of the coating. 7

FIG. 29 c shows a further variant of a coating grid 7 with mixed-color effects. In this case, an area 38 has been added around the grid formed by the primitives 8, resulting in a division of the grids formed from the primitives 9 and 13. The spatial dependence of the basic elements on the basic elements of other rasters is an additional security feature that is currently difficult to follow. In addition, overlapping areas with mixed colors result from coating 7 of FIG. 29c, which lead to viewing direction-dependent tilting effects by arranging an embossing structure.

Example 8 (FIGS. 30 to 34)

The coating 7 according to the invention shown in FIG. 30 consists of ellipsoidal basic elements 8, 9 and 13 of different color. In contrast to the previously described coatings 7, a direction 47 is shown which does not correspond to a preferred direction of the coating grid. If the arrangement of the line-shaped embossing elements along this direction, a tilting effect results from viewing directions that do not coincide with the preferred directions of the coating grid. Is the coating 7 arranged in the direction of 47 embossing structure in a integrated further coating 7, wherein the embossing is carried out along one of the preferred directions of the coating 7, the imaged region of Fig. 30 is an additional information within the entire coating.

In the figures 31, 32 are cross sections of embossed structures shown, in which additional information 40 is included. In the case of the structure shown in FIG. 31, the additional information 40 is generated by changing the screen pitch of the embossing frame. By contrast, the additional information in the embossed structure of FIG. 32 results from a change in the cross section of the linear embossed elements from circular to triangular.

However, the additional information of the coating can also be easily arranged in a stamping structure designed for this purpose, as can be seen by the example of the structure of FIG. 33. The embossed structure of a triangular cross-section has amplitudes 20 and a relatively large grid width, so that base regions 31 remain between the individual line-shaped embossing elements, which can be provided with the additional information of the coating. The additional information introduced there is visible in plan view and from certain viewing directions and shows a tilting effect inherent to the optically variable structure according to the invention.

FIG. 34 shows various cross sections of line-shaped embossing elements. It should be noted that also cross sections are possible, which represent a combination of the cross sections shown. Also, the flanks of the cross section, z. As that of Fig. 34m, be concave. Example 9 (Figures 35a, 35b, 36a and 36b)

The production of a data carrier according to the invention is explained in FIGS. 35a, 35b and 36a, 36b.

Preferably, the optically variable element is produced by printing technology. For this purpose, the coating is printed on a substrate, preferably the document material, in an arbitrary printing process, preferably in offset printing, and then this coating is embossed correspondingly with an embossing tool. As a stamping tool, a gravure printing plate is preferably used. This procedure is shown in FIGS. 35a and 35b.

Fig. 35a shows a data carrier according to the invention in cross section before the embossing process. In this case, the data carrier substrate 10 is first with a background layer 29 z. B. printed over the entire surface. In addition, the coating of base elements 26, 27 is applied.

The background layer 29 can also be present in the form of information and patterns. It is also possible to use special printing inks which further increase the counterfeit protection effect of the optically variable element. These may be optically variable printing inks, such as printing inks containing interference pigments or printing inks containing liquid crystal pigments, or metallic effect paints, such as gold or silver effect paints.

FIG. 35b shows a sectional view of the data carrier after the embossing, which in the example shown was produced as a blank embossing by intaglio printing. The embossment is placed so that the coating with basic elements 26, 27 comes to rest on the flanks of the embossed structure. Alternatively, the substrate 29 may also be applied in a different process, for example in a transfer process, over the entire surface or likewise provided with recesses or a pattern. In this case, metallic pattern elements or coatings can be applied in the transfer process.

The background layer 29 can also be completely dispensed with, as shown in FIG. 36a. In contrast, the embossing, which is produced for example in steel intaglio printing, executed in color.

FIG. 36a shows the structure before embossing with substrate 10 and coating 26, 27. FIG. 36b shows the situation after embossing. The construction shown in FIG. 36b was embossed in a color-guiding manner, so that a color layer 30 is congruent to the embossing. The additional color layer 30 comes to lie as the uppermost layer, since this embossing was carried out here as the last process step.

Preferably, an at least translucent color is used for the color layer 30. The ink-bearing intaglio printing can be carried out in a modification so that an application of paint takes place only on the nicht linienf shaped embossing elements, the valleys between the non-linear embossing elements, however, remain free of color.

In one development, a color with machine-readable additives, such as, for example, luminescent substances, can be used for the color layer 30.

Claims

P a n t a n s p r e c h e

1. A security element with an optically variable structure, which has an embossed structure with line-shaped embossing elements and a coating, wherein the embossing structure and the coating are arranged so that at least parts of the coating are completely visible when viewed vertically, but hidden by oblique view, thereby characterized in that substantially the entire coating is formed from non-linear basic elements, which are defined by the parameters outline shape, size, color and

Orientation characterized and combined with the embossed structure so that when changing the viewing direction different information is visible.

2. Security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-linear base elements have a round, oval and / or polygonal limited, in particular triangular, square or rectangular, outline shape.

3. Security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-linear basic elements have an outline determined by a symbol, geometric pattern and / or alphanumeric character.

4. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the non-linear base elements have a substantially full-surface filling.

5. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the non-linear base elements have a dimension of 10 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m, in particular from 20 .mu.m to 250 .mu.m.

6. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the dimension of a non-linear element in any direction is more than four times the dimension in one of the other directions.

7. A security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the coating of non-linear primitives a printing layer, in particular an offset, Stichtief-, screen, flexo, xerography, inkjet or Thermogra- phillruckschicht, or one through a laser printer or through

Is the effect of laser radiation introduced layer.

8. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least a part of the non-linear basic elements is arranged in a grid.

9. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in each case at least two non-linear basic elements of different color are arranged in the form of color primitives.

10. Security element according to claim 9, characterized in that at least a part of the color primitives is arranged in a grid. lL security element according to claim 8 or 10, characterized in that the grid of the basic elements or the color primitives has a constant screen ruling.

12. The security element according to at least one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the non-linear base elements and / or the non-linear basic elements of the color primitives have the colors of a primary color system.

13. A security element according to at least one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the optically variable structure has a plurality of color primitives, which when viewed vertically represent a multi-colored image motif and / or geometric pattern, the visual impression varies when changing the viewing angle ,

14. The security element as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the color primitives correspond to pixels of the image motif and / or geometric pattern to which certain color components of a color system are assigned, and in that the color primitives have non-linear primitives with colored surfaces in the colors of the color system, wherein the size of the colored areas of the nonlinear basic elements corresponds to the respective color proportion of the pixels, so that the color impression of the image motif and / or of the geometric pattern varies as the viewing angle changes.

15. A security element according to claim 8 or 11, characterized in that at least two rasters of non-linear basic element In each case, one color forms an image motif and / or geometric pattern, and non-linear basic elements of different rasters are overlappingly arranged in regions defined by the arrangement of the rasters and produce a mixed color in these regions.

16. The security element according to claim 15, characterized in that the regions of overlapping primitives correspond to pixels of the image motif and / or geometric pattern to which certain colors of a color system are assigned, and that the mixed color of the regions of overlapping primitives corresponds to the respective color of the pixels, such that when the viewing angle changes, the color impression of the image motif and / or the geometric pattern varies.

17. A security element according to at least one of claims 8 to 16, characterized in that the arrangement of the non-linear base elements and / or the color base elements defines at least one preferred direction in the plane of the coating and the line-shaped embossing elements at least partially in the direction of at least a preferred direction are arranged, so that varies in a view perpendicular to the at least one preferred direction viewing the provided with embossed structure and coating areas of the visual impression viewing direction.

18. A security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the optically variable structure has additional information, which results from variation of the coating and / or the embossed structure.

19. A security element according to claim 18, characterized in that the additional information by a variation of the shape, color and / or the arrangement of nichtlinienf örmigen primitives, such as offset, change the screen ruling, omission, reflection of individual or several nicht linienf örmiger primitives , or through

Arrangement of the optically variable element individualizing information, such as alphanumeric characters or barcodes arises.

20. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that at least part of the linear

Embossing elements forms a stamping grid with a screen ruling.

21. A security element according to claim 20, characterized in that the additional information by a variation of the shape, size, height and / or the arrangement of the line-shaped embossing elements, such as

Offset, change of the screen width, omission of single or several line-shaped embossing elements arises.

22. A security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the optically variable structure has a further color layer, which is preferably translucent, and which is arranged congruent to the raised areas of the embossed structure.

23. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the optically variable structure has a metallic background layer.

24. A security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the coating and / or the further color layer at least partially has machine readable properties.

25. A security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the coating and / or the further color layer has magnetic, electrically conductive or luminescent properties.

26. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the optically variable structure is superimposed or backed by an additional translucent, optically variable layer or a film element.

27. A security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the optically variable structure is divided into subregions in which different partial embossing structures and / or sub-coatings are arranged.

28. A security element according to claim 27, characterized in that the partial embossing structures or partial coatings are arranged offset in at least two adjoining partial areas by a fraction, in particular one third of the grid width.

29. Security element according to one of claims 27 or 28, characterized in that at least the partial embossing structures of a subregion have an unembossed edge contour.

30. A data carrier with a security element according to one of claims 1 to 29.

31. A data carrier according to claim 30, characterized in that the data carrier is a security, in particular a banknote.

32. Use of a security element according to one of claims 1 to 29 or a data carrier according to claim 30 or 31 for the product assurance.

33. A method for producing a security element with an optically variable structure, which has an embossing structure with line-shaped embossing elements and a coating, wherein the embossing structure and the coating are arranged so that at least parts of the coating are completely visible when viewed vertically, but when viewed obliquely be covered, characterized in that a substrate is provided with non-linear base elements, which form substantially the entire coating and which are characterized by the parameters outline shape, size, color and orientation, and that the nichtlinienf örmigen basic elements with so the embossed structure are combined, that when changing the viewing direction different information is visible.

34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that the non-linear basic elements are printed on the substrate and / or generated by the action of laser radiation.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that the imprint in planographic printing, such as. B. in the offset process, in high pressure, such. B. in letterpress or flexographic printing, screen printing, gravure, such. B. in gravure printing or intaglio, in an ink jet or thermography method, such. In the

Thermotransf erverfahren, or in laser printing, is generated.

36. The method according to at least one of claims 33 to 35, characterized in that the imprinting or the application of the non-linear base elements takes place on the substrate prior to the production of the embossed structure.

37. The method according to at least one of claims 33 to 36, characterized in that the embossed structure is produced in intaglio printing.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that, simultaneously with the introduction of the embossed structure, a further color layer is printed on the substrate, which is arranged congruent to the regions of the embossed structure.