EP2509798A2

EP2509798A2 - Security element comprising a film element

Info

Publication number: EP2509798A2
Application number: EP10790526A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Schiffmann
Original assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Priority date: 2009-12-08
Filing date: 2010-12-06
Publication date: 2012-10-17
Also published as: WO2011069631A2; DE102009057358A1; WO2011069631A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a security element (12) for security papers, value documents and the like, comprising a substrate (20) and a film element (30) applied to the substrate (20). For said purpose according to the invention the film element has a first feature region (32), and a substrate chamber (24) is designed in the substrate (20) below the first feature region (32) of the film element (30), wherein in the region of said substrate chamber the film element (30) is spaced from the substrate (20), and wherein in the region of said substrate chamber the substrate (20) is provided with a second feature region (22), which co-operates with the first feature region (32) in order to generate a security feature having a predetermined overall effect.

Description

Security element with foil element

The invention relates to a security element for security papers, documents of value and the like, comprising a substrate and a film element applied to the substrate.

Data carriers, such as valuables or identity documents, but also other valuables, such as branded goods, are often provided with security elements for the purpose of security, which permit verification of the authenticity of the data carrier and at the same time serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction. The security elements can be designed, for example, in the form of a security thread embedded in a banknote, a covering film for a banknote with a hole, an applied security strip, a self-supporting transfer element.

In the case of banknotes and other value documents, human characteristics are often used as security features, for example watermarks, hologram elements, thermochromic or optically variable colors, security threads, transparent registers or window areas with incident light and transmitted light information. In many human features a foil element is provided which carries the authenticity mark to be tested. In some cases, however, the human characteristics used are imitable or the authenticity check is too complicated or not clear enough for the layman.

Proceeding from this, the present invention seeks to provide a security element of the type mentioned above, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and which allows a simple, rapid and clear Echmeitsprüfung by the user especially at high counterfeit security. This object is achieved by the security element having the features of the main claim. An appropriate data carrier and production method for a security element or a data carrier are specified in the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, it is provided in a generic security element that the film element has a first feature area and that a substrate chamber is formed in the substrate below the first feature area of the film element, in the region of which the film element is spaced from the substrate. Further, the substrate in the region of the substrate chamber is provided with a second feature area, which cooperates with the first feature area to produce a security feature with a predetermined overall effect.

Due to the interaction of the spaced feature areas, the security element usually shows a viewing angle-dependent appearance, which can not be reproduced copying technology. The interaction of the feature areas also allows a variety of visually attractively designed security features that can be easily and quickly tested by the layman, since it is sufficient for a viewing angle-dependent appearance for authentication, to tilt the security element and to observe the change in appearance. With the help of suitable sensors, the authenticity check can also be performed by machine.

The overall effect of the security element results from the interaction of the two feature areas. As illustrated below with reference to some concrete embodiments, the two feature areas stand in the context of the present invention not unconnected side by side, but only together give the desired viewing impression.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, the film element is connected to the substrate via an adhesive layer, which is recessed at least in the region of the substrate chamber. Alternatively, the film element is connected via an adhesive layer to the substrate and the substrate is provided at least in the region of the substrate chamber with a non-stick coating. An embodiment is also conceivable in which the film element is connected to the substrate via an adhesive layer which is recessed at least in the region of the substrate chamber, and the substrate is provided with an anti-adhesion coating at least in the region of the substrate chamber. Furthermore, in a further variant of the invention, the substrate may be provided with an anti-adhesion coating at least in the region of the substrate chamber, and the film element may be connected to the substrate by an adhesive layer substantially not recessed in the region of the substrate chamber. In the latter variant of the invention, it is also conceivable that the adhesive layer over the entire surface or with a recess in the region of the substrate chamber and the non-stick coating on the adhesive layer or the film element are arranged, and the film element is connected via the adhesive layer to the substrate. If an antistick coating is provided on the substrate and / or the film element at least in the region of the substrate chamber, it therefore plays only a minor role, whether the adhesive layer is formed over the entire surface or recessed in the region of the substrate chamber.

The non-stick coating can be formed in particular by a silicone-containing color. It can be colorless or colored and, in the latter case, form at least part of the second feature area. In addition, the Non-stick coating contain additional visually invisible features, such as luminescent or infrared absorbers.

The substrate chamber may be rectangular or polygonal, but preferred are rounded outline shapes, in particular as a circle, oval or any free-form with rounded corners. Advantageously, the shape of the substrate chamber can also form a pattern, character or a coding. The substrate chamber may form a single chamber or may consist of several sub-chambers. The sub-chambers may each contain a similar feature area or different feature areas. Also, the sub-chambers may be formed as any free form and in the form of patterns, characters or a coding. The shape of the chamber or the sub-chambers can be based on the information content of the feature areas, for example, represent the same information or complement each other with the feature areas to a total information. The substrate chamber may have a large area, for example with a dimension of up to (10 x 20) mm ² , or with a small area, for example of

(3 x 5) mm ² or less. In the case of large-area substrate chambers, at least one support element can be provided which ensures a constant distance from the substrate and the film element. Such support elements constitute partial chamber boundaries.

The distance from substrate and film element can be constant depending on the desired overall impression, vary in discrete steps, or vary continuously. As will be explained in more detail below, lies the distance between substrate and film element typically in the range of about 5 μπα to about 140 μπι.

Advantageously, the substrate is formed from a substantially inelastic, preferably plastically deformable material, while the film element is advantageously formed from an elastic, preferably hardly or non-plastically deformable material. The preferably plastically deformable materials can at the same time also be highly viscous materials, while the materials, which are preferably barely or not plastically deformable, can generally also be low-viscosity materials at the same time. When embossing the substrate / film structure, a substantially greater permanent deformation is then produced in the substrate than in the film element, so that a cavity in the form of the desired substrate chamber is formed between the substrate and the film element.

The film element can carry the first feature region on its upper side, that is to say the outer side of the substrate chamber, or on its underside, that is to say the inner side of the substrate chamber, the first feature region being protected in the latter case by the film element itself from external influences. The first feature region can also be present partially on the upper side and partly on the underside of the film element, wherein both a matched and an un-matched arrangement of the upper and lower regions arranged subregions is possible. In an advantageous embodiment, the film element has a multilayer structure, wherein the first feature region is preferably arranged in the interior of the multilayer structure and thereby protected. The multilayer structure may for example consist of a film and a Protective lacquer layer exist between which the first feature area is arranged.

The first and second feature areas may be matched or unassembled with each other. In a registered arrangement, the first feature area of the film element is advantageously arranged with a registration accuracy of +/- 1 mm or less to the second feature area. By using an anti-adhesion layer on the substrate, particularly high registration accuracies can be generated between the second feature area and the substrate chamber, as described in more detail below.

In all designs, the second feature area is formed, for example, by a printing layer, for example a printing layer applied by means of offset, simultaneous, flexographic or screen printing or an embossed structure. The first feature area is advantageously formed by a printed layer, an embossed structure, a diffractive structure, a partially metallized structure or by a microoptical structure, in particular by a microlens grid.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, it is provided that the second feature area contains a high-resolution dot or line grid and the first feature area generates a viewing angle-dependent moiré effect in cooperation with the second feature area, to which the first feature area preferably a high-resolution point or line grid, a microlens grid or contains holographic information.

According to a likewise advantageous variant of the invention, it is provided that the first feature region contains a transparent motif, and the second feature region comprises a specular or highly reflective, in particular metallic or non-metallic surface, which provides backlighting for the transparent motif of the first feature region when light is incident. A mirror surface in the second feature region can also be used in other ways, for example for generating a real image of a motif arranged in the first feature region, which seems to float above the film element. It should be noted here that a highly reflective surface can also be realized by a highly reflective lacquer (high gloss lacquer). In a further advantageous variant of the invention, it is provided that the first feature region contains a motif, and the second feature region contains a luminescent surface which, when excited, provides backlighting for the motif of the first feature region. The luminescent surface can be designed in particular for excitation by UV radiation or by visible radiation. In particular, the luminescent light can represent a backlight for the motif of the first feature area or can also illuminate colors used there. According to a further advantageous variant of the invention, the first feature area and the second feature area contain the same screened motif, so that, in interaction, a scene-angle-dependent motif enhancement results. According to a further advantageous variant of the invention, the first contains

Feature area contains a motif with at least two metameric colors and the second feature area contains a metameric filter. In all designs, the film element may be a film strip or a foil patch. The security element described may be part of a data carrier, in particular a security paper or a value document, and form, for example, an integrated subarea of a banknote. In other embodiments, the security element is first produced as a separate element and subsequently applied to a data carrier, in particular a security paper or a value document, or introduced into the data carrier.

The invention also encompasses a method for producing a security element for security papers, value documents and the like, in which a film element is provided and provided with a first feature area, a security element substrate is provided and provided with a second feature area, the film element is thus placed on the security element. Substrate is applied, that in a chamber region of the first and second feature area overlying each other and there is no adhesion between substrate and film element, and the substrate is embossed with the applied film element to form a substrate chamber in the chamber region, in the region of the film element of the Security element substrate is spaced. In an advantageous variant of the method, the film element is provided on its underside to be connected to the security element substrate with an adhesive layer which has an adhesive recess at least in the region of the substrate chamber to be produced. Alternatively, the film element in the region of the substrate chamber to be produced on a full-surface adhesive layer or in the region of an adhesive recess can be provided with a non-stick coating.

According to a likewise advantageous variant of the method, the security element substrate is provided with a non-stick coating, at least in the area of the substrate chamber to be produced. In this case, the film element can be coated on its underside over the entire surface or with a recess in the region of the substrate chamber to be produced with adhesive. This variant of the method offers the advantage that the non-stick coating can be applied to it in the same printing step as the second feature region and thus without register variations. Since the substrate chamber can arise only in the region in which there is no adhesion between the substrate and the film element, the substrate chamber can thereby be adapted with high precision to the second feature region.

Advantageously, the film element is fitted with the first feature area adapted to the second feature area of the security element substrate, preferably with a registration accuracy of +/- 1 mm or less.

To produce the substrate chamber, the security element substrate with the applied film element is preferably embossed with an embossing machine or as a blind embossing. According to an advantageous variant, it is provided, the substrate chamber with a Stichdruckplatte in To create random printing as a blind embossing and at the same time to create a colored intaglio motif in the vicinity of the substrate chamber or in other areas of the substrate with ink-conducting areas of the same engraved printing plate.

The invention further comprises a data carrier, in particular a value document, such as a banknote, an identity card or the like, which is equipped with a security element of the type described or with a security element produced according to the method described above.

The invention further includes a method for producing a data carrier, in particular a value document, such as a banknote, identity card or the like, in which a data carrier substrate is provided and a security element of the type described is applied to the data carrier substrate or introduced into the data carrier substrate.

The invention also encompasses a method for producing a data carrier, in particular a value document, such as a banknote, identity card or the like, in which a film element is provided and provided with a first feature area, - a data carrier substrate is provided and provided with a second feature area, the film element is applied to the data carrier substrate such that in a chamber region of the first and second feature area lie one over the other and there is no adhesion between the data carrier substrate and the film element, and the data carrier substrate is embossed with the applied film element in order to form a substrate chamber in the chamber region, in the region of which the film element is spaced from the data carrier substrate.

In this variant of the method, the security element substrate is the substrate of the data carrier itself, so that the security element is produced as part of the data carrier and does not have to be subsequently applied. The embodiments of the method for producing a security element that are described as preferred can be used in the same way in this method.

Further exemplary embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures, in the representation of which a representation in terms of scale and proportions has been dispensed with in order to increase the clarity. The various embodiments are not limited to use in the specific form described, but can also be combined with each other.

Show it:

1 is a schematic representation of a banknote with a security element according to the invention,

2 shows a cross section through the banknote of FIG. 1 along the

Line II-II, 3 shows the security element of FIG. 2 schematically in plan view,

FIG. 4 shows in (a) the visual impression of the security element of FIG. 2 when viewed vertically and in (b) in oblique view, FIG.

5 in (a) to (e) intermediate steps in the production of a security element according to the invention, FIG. 6 an intermediate step in an alternative production variant according to the invention, FIG.

Fig. 7-11 further security elements according to the invention in cross section, and

12-15 variants according to the invention of the design of the substrate chamber, partly in cross section and partly in plan view, wherein in the plan views only the outline of the substrate chamber and in the cross sections only the substrate chamber, the film element and the adhesive layer is shown.

The invention will now be explained using the example of security elements for banknotes. 1 shows a schematic representation of a banknote 10 which is equipped with a security element 12 according to the invention. The security element 12 comprises a substrate chamber 24 introduced into the banknote paper 20, which is covered with a foil patch 30. In the area of the substrate chamber 24, both the banknote paper 20 and the foil patch 30 are each provided with a security feature area, wherein the two security feature areas together provide a viewing angle. produce kelabhängigen overall visual impression of the security element 12.

The structure and operation of the security element 12 will now be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. 2 shows a cross section through the banknote 10 along the line II-II of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows the security element 12 schematically in plan view and FIG. 4 shows in FIG. 4 (a) the visual impression of the security element 12 in the case of vertical Viewing and in Figure 4 (b) the visual impression when viewed obliquely.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the substrate chamber 24 formed in the banknote paper 20 is covered with a film patch 30 which is bonded to the banknote paper 20 via an adhesive layer 26. The adhesive layer 26 is recessed in the region of the substrate chamber 24, so that there is no adhesion between banknote paper 20 and foil patch 30.

In the area of the substrate chamber 24, the film patch 30 is also provided with a first feature area 32 and the banknote paper 20 with a second feature area 22. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second feature area 22 is formed by a print layer which represents a high-resolution dot matrix. Typically, the banknote paper 20 is also provided with an imprint 28 outside the chamber area, the feature area 22 also being part of such an imprint 28 and being able to be applied together with it.

The first feature region 32 of the foil patch 30 is likewise formed in the exemplary embodiment by a pressure layer which is a high-resolution point represents grid. The two dot patterns 22, 32 are separated by the substrate chamber 24 and spaced at a distance d.

Depending on the embodiment, this distance is between about 5 μπ \ and about 140 μπι, the distance depends in particular on the depth of the substrate chamber, the thickness of the adhesive layer, the thickness of the film element and the thickness of the first and second feature area.

The distance d may be constant, as in the embodiment of FIG. 2, or may vary within the substrate chamber in discrete steps or continuously.

As a result of the arrangement at a distance, the two dot patterns of the feature regions 22, 32 can be matched to one another in a manner known per se such that a moire effect dependent on the viewing angle results.

For example, the dot patterns may be matched to one another such that, when viewed perpendicularly, a grid 40 without information content is visible, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), and that after tilting the security element 12 at oblique viewing, predetermined information 42, such as the Denomination "50" of the banknote 10 comes to light, as shown in Fig. 4 (b).

The second feature area 22 of the substrate 20 can be applied by means of a printing process, for example in offset printing, or can also be produced in other designs by a hot or cold embossing process. Instead of a dot matrix, the feature area 22 may also include, for example, a line grid or a combination of dot and line grids. In order to apply the first feature region 32 of the foil patch 30, in addition to printing processes, such as gravure or offset printing processes, a partial metallization and / or a hot or cold embossing process may also be considered in other designs. Instead of a dot matrix, the first feature area 32 may also include a line grid, a combination of dot and line grids, a microlens grid, or holographic information.

In all cases, due to the interaction between the grid of the first feature area 32 and the grid of the second feature area 22 spaced therefrom, a moiré effect with viewing angle-dependent information is produced. If the first feature region contains 32 microlenses, a locally dependent curvature of the substrate chamber 24 may result in a focus that is dependent on the viewing angle. The image impression can then change in a manner predetermined by the curvature of the substrate chamber depending on the viewing angle between a sharply magnified motif and a blurred or diffuse image.

Due to their viewing angle-dependent appearance, the security elements described are not reproducible in terms of copying technology and therefore offer a high degree of protection against counterfeiting. In addition, by the interaction of the two feature areas a variety of visually attractive security features can be realized. In addition to the Moire features already described, further concrete exemplary embodiments for visually attractive security features are described in more detail below. To produce a security element according to the invention, such as security element 12 of FIGS. 1 to 4, it is possible to proceed as follows: In a first step, a security element substrate 50 is provided and provided with a desired second feature region 52, as shown in FIG. 5 (a) ). As the substrate 50, a plastically deformable, low-elasticity material is preferably used to achieve permanent deformation in the later embossing step (FIG. 5 (e)). In particular, cotton-based papers, such as are customary in the banknote sector, come into consideration.

Of course, it is also possible to use paper which contains a proportion x of polymeric material, where x can be between 0 and 100% by weight.

The substrate may also be formed as a multilayer composite, in particular as a paper-film composite. The films of the composite can be z. Example of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polypropylene (PP) or polyamide (PA) may be formed. Such a composite is characterized by an extremely high stability, which is for the durability of the security element of great advantage. Also, these composite materials can be used in certain climatic regions of the earth with great advantage.

In a particularly preferred variant of the invention, the paper-film composite has an underlying base paper and two outer film layers, as described in more detail in EP 1 545 902 B1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. changed. Also advantageous is the inverse structure of a paper-film composite, in which an inner film is provided with two outer layers of paper. All materials used as a substrate may have additives which serve as further authenticity features. It is primarily to think of luminescent, which are preferably transparent in the visible wavelength range and in the non-visible wavelength range by a suitable tool, for. B. a UV or IR radiation emitting radiation source, can be excited to produce a visible or at least detectable luminescence.

The feature area 52 may be part of an applied coating 54, or may be applied separately.

Further, a sheet member 60 is provided and provided with a desired first feature portion 62 as shown in Fig. 5 (b). The film element 60 may be a film strip or a foil patch. For the film element 60, a slightly viscous but elastic material is preferably used in order to achieve the lowest possible deformation in the subsequent embossing step. For example, the film element 60 may comprise a plastic film of PE, PP, PES or the like. The film element is preferably transparent in the initial state or provided with a full-surface colored transparent coloring or printing.

The film element 60 is provided on its underside with an adhesive layer 64, which has an adhesive recess 66 in the region of the substrate chamber to be produced, as shown in FIG. 5 (c). In order to protect the substrate chamber from external influences, in particular from contamination, It has proven useful if the film element has an at least 2 mm wide adhesive region 64 at the edge 68 of the film.

Then, the film element 60 is applied to the substrate 50 in the region 72 of the substrate chamber to be produced, or is applied to the substrate 50 without being puttied, as shown in FIG. 5 (d). Due to the adhesive recess 66 there is no adhesion between the substrate 50 and the film element 60 in this area.

After application of the film element 60, the desired substrate chamber 70 is produced in the substrate 50 by embossing the substrate 50. Embossing can be done on an embossing machine or as a blind embossing. Due to the selected material properties of the substrate 50 and the film element 60, the embossing step in the substrate 50 produces a substantially greater permanent deformation than in the film element 60, so that there is between substrate 50 and film element 60 forms a cavity in the form of the desired substrate chamber 70, as illustrated in FIG. 5 (e). In the mechanical deformation of the substrate 50 by the embossing process, the bottom side 58 of the substrate 50 is deformed in the rule. However, this deformation of the bottom is not essential in the context of the present invention and therefore not shown in the schematic figures.

To protect the substrate chamber 70, the substrate 50 and the film element 60 are expediently neither front nor back printed after the production of the chamber 70. The two feature areas 62, 52 are therefore, as described above, advantageously prior to the generation of the chamber on the Substrate surface or the film element applied. A two-sided engraving print is, however, possible if the gravure motif of the intaglio printing plate in the region of the substrate chamber has a recess which opens the substrate chamber during the intaglio printing step and thereby protects, as described in the document WO 2008/014952 A2, whose disclosure content is included in the present application becomes.

Instead of a recess 66 in the adhesive coating 64, the local lack of adhesion between the substrate 50 and the film element 60 can also be produced by an anti-adhesion coating 56 of the substrate 50, as shown in FIG. In this case, the film element 60 is preferably coated over its entire surface with adhesive 64. The non-stick coating 56 of the substrate 50 may be formed, for example, by a silicone-containing paint. The non-stick coating 56 may be colorless or colored and then form part or even the entire feature area 52. Additional visual non-visible features such as luminescent or infrared absorbers may also be provided in the non-stick coating 56. The process variant of FIG. 6 has the advantage that the non-stick coating 56 can be applied to it in the same printing step as the feature region 52 and thus without register fluctuations. The generated substrate chamber 70 is then also highly precisely matched to the feature area 52.

Of course, it is also conceivable that the adhesive layer has a recess in the region of the substrate chamber and at the same time a non-stick coating is provided in the region of the substrate chamber, the front Generation of the substrate chamber was applied to the substrate or the film element.

The first feature area 62 may, as in FIG. 5 (c), be arranged on the upper side of the film element 60 and thus come to rest on the outside of the substrate chamber 70 in the finished security element. However, it can also be arranged on the underside of the film element 60 and then lie in the finished security element on the inside of the substrate chamber 70. The first feature region 62 may also be partially arranged on the upper side and partly on the lower side of the film element 60, wherein the subregions arranged on the upper side and the lower side may be matched to one another.

The film element 60 may also have a multilayer structure, for example consisting of a film and a protective lacquer layer, between which the first feature region 62 is arranged.

When applying the film element 60 to the substrate 50, it makes sense to design the embossing tool for the film application in the area of the adhesive recess with a reduced embossing height, in order to avoid a mechanical connection of film and substrate in the region of the adhesive recess. Such an embossing height reduction is preferably performed rounded to avoid the formation of a superficial relief on the film.

Fig. 7 shows a security element 80 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The security element 80 includes a substrate chamber 70 that has been inserted into the security element substrate 50 in the manner described above. In the region of the substrate chamber 70, the substrate 50 provided with a second feature area in the form of a metallic surface 84 with a mirror character. This can be achieved, for example, by printing an aluminum-based offset printing ink. The film element 60 is provided with a first feature area in the form of a single or multicolor transparent image motif 82. This can be achieved, for example, in offset printing, gravure printing or inkjet printing by upsetting a desired image motif. Ideally, the colors used are transparent.

Due to the mirror character of the metallic surface 84 and the screening of the image motif 82, incident light 86 is reflected and illuminates the image motif 82 from below. This results in viewing the security element 80 of the visual impression of a combination of a supervisory and a transparent image. The effect is similar in effect to a backlit display. In a banknote or document of value, such backlighting acts surprisingly, so that the security element is easily perceived and remembered by the user.

The metallic surface 84 can also be structured itself in order to achieve a particularly clear color effect of the image motif 82. If the screening of the mirror surface 84 is matched to the screening of the image motif 82, a light / dark effect or an on / off effect for the image representation can be achieved when the security element 80 is tilted. While at a first viewing angle the light reflected by the rastered mirror surface 84 respectively falls from below onto the raster elements of the image motif 82, causing them to light up brightly, the reflected light passes from a second viewing angle to the raster elements of the image motif 82. at, so that the image motif 82 appears dark. Therefore, the observer can seemingly turn the display of the image motif on or off by tilting the security element. 8, the security element 90 contains a substrate chamber 70 produced in the manner described above. In the region of the substrate chamber 70, the substrate 50 is provided with a second feature area in the form of a luminescent area 94 which, when excited by UV radiation 96 Luminescent light 98 emitted in the visible spectral range.

The film element 60 is provided with a first feature area in the form of a picture motif 92 which is at least partially transparent to the excitation radiation 96. This can be done by screening the image motif 92 or by using UV-transparent colors. Upon UV irradiation 96 of the security element 90, the luminescent surface 94 then generates a backlight 98 for the image motif 92.

For the image motif 92, it is also possible to use colors which, when excited by the luminescent light 98, produce a multicolored image. The luminescent surface 94 may also contain optical brighteners instead of UV-stimulable luminescent substances, which can be excited by daylight. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 demonstrates, as a further interaction effect of the two feature areas, a viewing angle-dependent image or contrast enhancement. For this purpose, the security element 100 contains a substrate chamber 70, in the region of which the substrate 50 is provided with a second feature area in the form of a screened image motif 104. The film element 60 is also provided with a screened image motif 102, wherein the two image motifs 102, 104 contain the same screened motif at least in a subregion. From a predetermined viewing angle 106, the halftone dots of the matching partial regions of the image motifs 102, 104 are then just above one another, resulting in an image enhancement when viewed. For example, two superimposed red halftone dots of the images create a more intense red tone. From other viewing angles, the two spaced-apart image motifs do not coincide with each other due to the parallax, so that no image enhancement occurs and the matching motif is not recognizable or can only be recognized alienated.

The film element 60 may also contain as a first feature region a slightly occluded or screened metallization or colored coating, which results in a viewing angle-dependent contrast enhancement when viewed.

In an alternative embodiment of the security element 100 of FIG. 9, the film element 60 with a picture motif 102, in particular a screened image motif 102 with a covering color, z. B. blue, while the substrate 50 in the region of the substrate chamber 70 has a picture 104, in particular a likewise screened image 104, wherein the color of the image 104 differs from the color of the image 102. For example, for the image subject 104, a contrasting color to the image 102, z. B. red or yellow when using a z. B. blue image motif 102 may be used. 9, the viewer can view from the predetermined viewing angle 106, due to the image motif 102 applied with an opaque color (for example blue), the image motif 104 lying behind in the viewing direction not seen. The observer therefore perceives a blue screened image motif 102 from the viewing direction 106.

If the observer changes his viewing angle from the oblique viewing angle 106 to a viewing angle which is vertical with respect to the film element surface, then from this vertical viewing direction he also takes, in addition to the blue screened image motif 102, parts of the screened image motif 104 of a contrasting color (eg. Red), where the viewer is perceived by the superimposition of the blue image motif 102 and the red image motif 104 as a purple mixed color. The exact hue depends on the hues used for the images 102 and 104 and the ratio of the areas of the images 102 and 104 that the viewer perceives from a particular viewing direction. Also, the book motives 102 and 104 may have no or different offset than shown in FIG. 9. In any case, for the viewer when tilting the security element explained above with two differently colored image motifs 102 and 104 results in an interesting color shift effect and the security against counterfeiting of the security element is further increased. The embodiment of FIG. 10 shows a security element 110 with a substrate chamber 70, in the area of which the substrate 50 is provided with a second feature area in the form of an image motif 114 which has at least two metameric colors. The metameric colors 116, 118 thereby look for the human eye with a certain type of light, for example se day view, completely the same, but have a different spectral radiation distribution. When viewed through a suitable metameric filter, the different spectral radiation distribution comes into play and the two colors 116, 118 can be distinguished visually.

The image motif 114 contains a first image information, which is recognizable even if the two metameric colors 116, 118 look the same, and a second image information, which is formed by the metameric color pair and which is only recognizable if the metameric colors 116, 118 can be distinguished. For example, the first image information represents a coat of arms in which the digit sequence "50" is hidden as the second image information as the denomination of a banknote. The film element 60 of the security element 110 is provided with a first

Feature area in the form of a partially applied Metameriefil- ters 112 for the metameric color pair 116, 118 provided. When viewing from a first viewing direction A, only the first image information is recognizable, while from the second viewing direction B through the metameric filter 112, the second image information is also recognizable.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the substrate chamber 70 of a security element 120 is covered with a film element 60, which contains as the first feature area a hologram whose metallization 122 is demetallized in the form of a line grid 124 with a duty ratio of 1: 1.

The same hologram is applied to the substrate 50 as the second feature area, as on the film element 60, and its metallization 126 is demetallised in the same grid in the form of a line grid 128. In the 11, the two line grids 124, 128 are offset from one another by half the grid spacing, so that the line grids 124, 128, when viewed perpendicularly to the security element 120, complement each other to form the complete hologram. Also, other viewing directions are not completely complemented so that a viewing angle-dependent visual impression is created.

In an alternative embodiment, the two line grids can also be arranged one above the other without offset, so that when viewed perpendicularly only the line grid 124 of the film element 60 can be seen, and the two line grids 124, 128 complement each other in an oblique view to the complete hologram.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, security elements according to the invention have generally been described which generate a security feature with a predetermined effect through the interaction of the first and second feature regions, the effect preferably having viewing angle-dependent effects. In addition to this hereinafter referred to as "dynamic information" information, the inventive security element to increase the protection against counterfeiting can also be combined with a hereinafter referred to as "static information" information that z. B. is arranged in the surrounding area of the security element on the substrate. For example, the static information in the vicinity of the security element can be an imprinted denomination, while the dynamic information that can be generated by the security element when tilted is the same denomination. It would also be conceivable that the dynamic information of the security element according to the invention consists in a part of the denomination indication, while the static part of the information in direct neighborhood around the security element from the other supplementary part of the Denorriinationsangabe. Other possibilities are conceivable, for example, the dynamic information of the security element and the static information of the environment in a context, such. B. sun and sunbeams.

The substrate chamber, which has hitherto been shown only schematically in the exemplary embodiments, can be freely designed in its outline shape and its depth profile over a wide range, as illustrated now with reference to the cross sections and plan views of FIGS. 12 to 15. In this case, for the sake of simplicity, only the outline of the substrate chamber itself is shown in the plan views, in the cross sections only the substrate chamber, the film element and the adhesive layer. In addition to angular shapes as already shown in Fig. 3, the substrate chamber may also be formed with a rounded outline, such as a circle, as an oval 130, as shown in Fig. 12 (a), or as any free shape with rounded corners. The shape of the substrate chamber may also form a pattern, character, or code, such as the crest motif 132 of FIG. 12 (b).

A substrate chamber 140 may consist of a plurality of subchambers 142, 144 as shown in the plan view of FIG. 13 (a) and the cross section of FIG. 13 (b). The subchambers 142, 144 can each contain a similar feature area or also different types of feature areas. The freedom of design for the designer is greatly enhanced by the use of subchambers. Since a substrate chamber can arise only in a region without adhesion between the substrate and the film element, the shape of the substrate chamber results from the embossing region and the area of the adhesive recess (design according to FIG. 5 (c)) or the non-stick layer (design according to FIG. 6). A substrate chamber can therefore also be arranged specifically in the boundary region of the adhesive recess of the film element or of the non-stick layer of the substrate.

The substrate chamber can be designed over a large area, for example with a dimension of (8 × 15) mm ² , or with a small area, for example (3 × 5) mm ² . With reference to FIGS. 14 (a) and (b), in the case of a large-area substrate chamber 150, it may be advantageous to provide support elements 152 within the substrate chamber 150, which ensure a constant distance between substrate 50 and film element 60.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the substrate chamber need not have a uniform depth. By creating the substrate chamber by means of an embossing process, different distances between the substrate 50 and the film element 60 can be generated in the chamber, either in the form of discrete steps, as in the substrate chamber 160 of FIG. 15 (a), or in the form of a continuous one Depth curve, as illustrated by the substrate chamber 162 of Fig. 15 (b).

As a result, it is possible, for example when using microlenses in the first feature region, to selectively combine sharply enlarged and blurred or diffusely imaged image areas. Since the focus length of the microlenses changes depending on the direction of view when the security element is tilted, tilting can interactively change the sharp image area into a diffuse image area and vice versa. For example, the continuous depth profile of FIG. 15 (b) may be combined with a second feature area in the form of a mirror surface to provide a concave mirror in the substrate chamber 162. By way of example, the concave mirror can produce a real image of the first feature area that seems to float above the film element 60 for the viewer.

In the exemplary embodiments described, the visibility or perceptibility of the security features for a human observer has always been taken as an illustration. However, it is also possible to design and use the security elements described alternatively or additionally as machine-readable security elements. In particular, the described effects can be present alternatively or additionally in the non-visible spectral range, in particular in the IR or UV range. The viewing angle dependence of the effects can be done in a machine test by a double sensor, such as a camera for vertical viewing and a camera for oblique viewing at 45 °. It should be mentioned at this point that, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 15, formation of a substrate chamber that is substantially airtight to the environment can occur. Such as For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the substrate chamber 24 is closed by a film member 30, an adhesive layer 26 and the substrate 20 substantially to the environment. If film element 30, adhesive layer 26 and substrate 20 are substantially airtight, this may be at z. B. production-related pressure differences inside and outside the substrate chamber 24 to certain impairments, in particular special lead the flatness of the film element 30 with respect to the substrate surface.

To avoid the problem with essentially hermetically sealed substrate chambers, various measures can be considered. On the one hand, the film element can be provided with a microperforation, which consists of at least one through hole through the film element, which is not arranged in the region of the adhesive layer 26, but in the region of the film element spanning the substrate chamber. A microperforation of the substrate in the region of the substrate chamber is equally suitable. The microperforation in the substrate or in the film element is advantageously mounted at a location that does not affect the operation of the film element of the security element and is structurally imperceptible to the viewer. Such microperforations can by means of perforation devices, such as. B.

Punching tools, laser or done by means of so-called corona perforation.

As an alternative to the above-mentioned microperforation, the adhesive layer with corresponding recesses may also permit an exchange of air between the substrate chamber and the surroundings. In the simplest case you will z. For example, in the adhesive layer 26 shown in FIG. 3, one or more recesses may be provided to permit air exchange between the substrate chamber 24 and the environment.

In addition to the above-described measures to allow the air exchange between the substrate chamber and the environment, it may of course already be sufficient in certain embodiments, if the distance of the film element with respect to the substrate by a or a plurality of support elements is kept substantially constant, as illustrated for example in Fig. 14 by means of the support members 152.

In addition, it is of course also possible to provide one or more support elements and at the same time to allow air exchange between the substrate chamber and the environment by one or more of the measures described above.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 banknote

12 security element

20 banknote paper

22 second feature area

24 substrate chamber

26 adhesive layer

28 imprint

30 foil patch

32 first feature area

40 grid

42 information

50 security element substrate

52 second feature area

54 coating

56 non-stick coating

58 substrate underside

60 foil element

62 first feature area

64 adhesive layer

66 adhesive recess

68 edge

70 substrate chamber

72 area of the substrate chamber to be generated

80 security element

82 transparent picture motif

84 metallic surface with mirror character

86 incident light 90 security element

92 picture motif

94 luminescent surface

96 UV radiation

98 luminescent light

100 security element

102, 104 motifs

106 viewing angles

110 security element

112 metameric filter

114 picture motif

116, 118 metameric colors

120 security element

122 metallization

124 line grid

126 metallization

128 line grids

130 substrate chamber in the form of an oval

132 substrate chamber in the form of a coat of arms motif 140 substrate chamber

142, 144 partial chambers

150 substrate chamber

152 support elements

160, 162 substrate chambers

Claims

Patent claims

A security element for security papers, documents of value and the like having a substrate and a film element applied to the substrate, characterized in that the film element has a first feature area and in that a substrate chamber is formed in the substrate below the first feature area of the film element Area the film element is spaced from the substrate, and in the region of which the substrate is provided with a second feature area, which cooperates with the first feature area to produce a security feature with a predetermined overall effect.

2. Security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the film element is connected to the substrate via an adhesive layer which is at least recessed in the region of the substrate chamber.

3. Security element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the film element is connected via an adhesive layer to the substrate and the substrate is provided at least in the region of the substrate chamber with an Ant aft coating.

4. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the substrate chamber is formed with a rounded outline shape, in particular as a circle, oval or as any freeform with rounded corners.

5. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shape of the substrate chamber forms a pattern, characters or an encoding.

6. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the substrate chamber consists of several sub-chambers.

7. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one support element is provided in the substrate chamber, which ensures a constant distance from the substrate and the film element.

8. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the substrate is formed from a substantially inelastic, preferably plastically deformable material.

9. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, character- ized in that the film element is formed from an elastic, preferably not or hardly plastically deformable material.

10. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the film element has a multilayer structure and the first feature region is arranged in the interior of the multilayer structure.

11. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first and second feature area are matched to each other.

12. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the second feature area is formed by a pressure layer or an embossed structure.

13. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the first feature region is formed by a printed layer, an embossed structure, a diffractive structure, a partially metallized structure or by a microoptical structure, in particular by a microlens grid.

14. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the second feature area contains a high-resolution point or line grid, and the first feature area generates, in cooperation with the second feature area, a viewing angle-dependent moiré effect, for which the first feature area is preferably a high-resolution Dot or line grid, a microlens grid or holographic information contains.

15. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the first feature region contains a transparent motif, and the second feature region contains a specular or highly reflective surface, in particular a metallic or non-metallic surface, which emits a backlight when the light is incident for the transparent motif of the first feature area.

16. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the first feature region contains a motif, and the second feature region contains a luminescent surface which, when excited, provides backlighting for the motif of the first feature region.

17. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the first feature area and the second Feature area contain the same rasterized motif, so that in cooperation results in a viewing angle-dependent motif enhancement.

18. Security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the first feature region contains a motif with at least two metameric colors and the second feature region contains a metameric filter.

19. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the film element is a film strip or a foil patch.

20. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the security element forms part of a data carrier, in particular a security paper or a value document.

21. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the security element for the application to or the introduction into a data carrier, in particular a security paper or a document of value is set up and designed.

22. A method for producing a security element for security papers, value documents and the like, in which a film element is provided and provided with a first feature area, a security element substrate is provided and provided with a second feature area, the film element is applied to the security element substrate such that in a chamber area the first and second feature areas are superimposed and there is no adhesion between the substrate and the film element, and the substrate with the applied film element is embossed to form a substrate chamber in the region of the chamber, in the region of which the film element is spaced from the security element substrate.

23. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the film element is provided on its underside to be connected to the security element substrate with an adhesive layer which has an adhesive recess and / or a non-stick coating at least in the area of the substrate chamber to be produced.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the security element substrate is provided at least in the region of the substrate chamber to be produced with a non-stick coating.

25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the film element with the first feature area matched to the second feature area of the security element substrate is applied.

26. The method according to at least one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that the substrate is embossed with the applied film element for producing the substrate chamber with an embossing machine or stitch printing as blind embossing.

27. A data carrier, in particular value document such as banknote, identity card or the like, which is equipped with a security element according to one of claims 1 to 21 or with a security element produced according to at least one of claims 22 to 26.

28. A method for producing a data carrier, in particular a value document such as a banknote, identity card or the like, in which a data carrier substrate is provided, and a security element according to one of claims 1 to 21 or a security element produced according to at least one of claims to 22 to 26 is applied to the data carrier substrate or introduced into the data carrier substrate.

29. A method for producing a data carrier, in particular a value document such as a banknote, identity card or the like, in which a film element is provided and provided with a first feature area, - a data carrier substrate provided and provided with a second feature area, the film element so on the data carrier substrate is applied, that in a chamber region of the first and second feature area lie one above the other and there is no adhesion between the data carrier substrate and the film element, and the data carrier substrate is embossed with the applied film element to form a substrate chamber in the chamber region, in the area of which the film element is spaced from the data carrier substrate.