EP2566702A1

EP2566702A1 - Data carrier comprising polymer substrate with motif region

Info

Publication number: EP2566702A1
Application number: EP11718298A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrick Renner; André Gregarek; Jan Domke
Original assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Priority date: 2010-05-04
Filing date: 2011-05-03
Publication date: 2013-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 2031-05-03
Also published as: EP2566702B1; WO2011138007A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a data carrier, more particularly a valuable document, such as a banknote, identity card and the like, comprising a substrate (20) composed of a polymeric material, which has a motif region (12) having a visual impression that is altered in reflected light and/or transmitted light, wherein the motif region (12) has partial or complete perforations (22) in the substrate which can be registered in tactile fashion, wherein the motif region (12) is designed in the form of a pattern, characters or a coding, and wherein the substrate (20) is covered in each case by a polymeric covering layer (30) on both sides at least in the motif region.

Description

Data carrier with polymer substrate with motif area

The invention relates to a data carrier, in particular a document of value, such as a banknote, identity card and the like, having a polymer substrate which has a motif area with a visual impression which changes in reflected light and / or transmitted light. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a data carrier. Data carriers, such as security, value or identity documents, but also other valuables, are often provided with security features for security purposes, which allow a verification of the authenticity of the data carrier and at the same time serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction. For some time now banknotes have been used in addition to paper substrates and polymer materials as substrate materials. Polymer banknotes have some advantages over paper banknotes, such as higher tear strength. On the other hand, in polymer banknotes, neither watermarks nor other established and established security features of paper banknotes, such as mottling fibers, planchettes or security threads, can be readily realized. Also, polymer banknotes to paper or hybrid banknotes on the disadvantage of poorer Verprägbarkeit and a lower tactility of the print, which is often used for the consumer as the first distinguishing feature of a genuine banknote. Studies, such as those conducted by the Bank of Canada, have shown that tactility plays an important role in assessing the authenticity of banknotes.

On this basis, the present invention has the object, data carriers of the type mentioned above with regard to their visual appearance image and, in particular, their counterfeiting security.

This object is achieved by the data carrier and the production method having the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a generic data carrier, in particular a value document, such as a banknote, identification card and the like, contains a substrate made of a polymeric material which has a motif area with a visual impression changed in reflected light and / or transmitted light. The motif region has tactile detectable, partial or complete apertures of the substrate and is in the form of a pattern, of characters or a coding. The substrate is covered on both sides by a polymeric cover layer, at least in the active region.

It should be noted at this point that certain features of the subject matter described in this application are referred to in the two priority applications DE 10 2010 024 459.7 and DE 10 2010 019 194.9 with different terms:

For example, in the present application and in the priority application DE 10 2010 024 459.7 a substrate of a polymeric material and partial or complete openings of the substrate spoken, while in the priority application DE 10 2010 019 194.9 of a first layer with at least one Recess is spoken. Furthermore, the substrate is according to this application and the priority application

DE 10 2010 024 459.7 is covered on both sides in each case by a polymeric cover layer at least in one motif area, while in the priority area The first layer may have on one or both sides a covering layer which covers at least one recess. Furthermore, a data carrier according to the invention is referred to in the priority application DE 10 2010 019 194.9 as "substrate." A layer referred to in the present application as "laminating adhesive layer" is also referred to in DE 10 2010 019 194.9 as "laminating adhesive".

It is understood that the skilled person can clearly grasp the technical teaching of the present application and DE 10 2010 024 459.7 and DE 10 2010 019 194.9 even if different terms are used for structurally identical features in the present application and the priority applications. This applies not only to the terms and equivalents of DE 10 2010 019 194.9 used in this application and explained above, but also to the terms and equivalents not explicitly explained here.

In a preferred embodiment, the motif area partially

Openings on and these partial openings are formed by a plurality of dilution lines in the substrate. In the area of the partial apertures, the motif area then shows a watermark-like appearance in which the motif shown is hardly recognizable in incident light, ie in reflected light, while it is clearly visible in transmitted light, ie in transmitted light, because of the higher light transmission of the partially perforated areas appears in appearance.

In principle, the partial openings may have a depth Ti according to the following relationship: 0 <Ti <SD. That is, the depth Ti of the partial Openings can reach a value which is only slightly smaller than the layer thickness SD of the substrate.

In order to ensure the tactility of the motif area, the partial openings preferably have a depth of approximately 10 μm or more. It is understood that the tactility of the material not only depends on the depth T of the (partial) apertures, but e.g. also from the width B of the (partial) openings. It has been shown in practice that the tactility of the motif region is ensured at a depth of approximately 10 μm or more and a width of approximately 100 μm or more.

Alternatively or additionally, the motif region according to a likewise preferred embodiment has complete apertures and these complete apertures are formed by a plurality of cutting lines in the substrate. In the area of the complete openings, the motif area then represents a viewing area in the data carrier, which can be recognized both when viewed in a top view and in a transparent view.

In all designs, the cutting lines or dilution lines are preferably formed with a width between 0.05 mm and 1 mm. The center-to-center distance is advantageously between 0.05 mm and 1 mm, in particular between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, the center-to-center distance being constant (equidistant cutting lines or dilution lines) or can be variable (divergent cut lines or dilution lines).

The substrate of the data carrier is preferably formed by a plastic film, in particular an opaque plastic film of PET, PP, PE, PA, PC (polycarbonate) or PVC. Unless the substrate is opaque in the sense of the definition given below, it may advantageously have a transmittance less than 10% or even be formed intransparent. The layer thickness of the (opaque) plastic film is typically between 4 .mu.m and 100 .mu.m, and in particular about 50 .mu.m It is understood that the layer thickness of the substrate is chosen in particular as a function of the type of film material used and the layer structure of the polymer banknote.

The polymeric cover layers are advantageously transparent or translucent. In order to obtain the tactility of the motif area as far as possible, the polymeric cover layers are very thin, preferably with a thickness of 12 μπ \ or less, and in particular with a thickness of about 6 μιη or less. For example, For example, a polymeric topcoat may have a thickness of only about 4.5 μιη, thereby providing very good tactility of the motif area.

A polymeric cover layer is preferably formed by a plastic film, in particular PET, PP, PE, PA, PC or PVC, with a PET plastic film currently being particularly preferred. On at least one of the polymeric cover layers, it is advantageous to provide a dye-receiving layer arranged in regions or over the entire surface, which serves for further printing-technical design of the data carrier. The ink receiving layer, which is advantageously opaque, is designated in the priority application DE 10 2010 019 194.9 as an opaque layer or opaque ink receiving layer. A third transmittance can be assigned to such an opaque ink-accepting layer, whereas a first transmittance can be assigned to the substrate and a second transmittance, which is greater than the first transmittance, to the region of the openings in the substrate. Provided the third transmittance is less than the second transmittance, results in viewing the subject area of the data carrier according to the invention a changed in reflected light and / or transmitted light visual impression.

For the purposes of the present application, the transmittance refers to the transmission of light, in particular to light in the visible wavelength range between 400 nm and 800 nm, i. for light as it is usually perceived by the viewer. However, depending on the application, the transmittance may also relate only to a single wavelength or to other wavelength ranges, for example to the near UV or IR wavelength range following the visible spectral range. An opaque layer ideally has a transmittance of 0%, although this value is generally not exactly reached in practice. A transparent layer ideally has a transmittance of 100%, although this value is generally not exactly reached in practice.

In the context of the present application, a translucent layer preferably has such a transmittance that a viewer can clearly distinguish a translucent layer from an opaque and a transparent layer. Accordingly, a translucent layer has a transmittance that differs sufficiently clearly from the transmittances of an opaque and a transparent layer. In the context of the present application, therefore, a translucent layer preferably has a transmittance of from 10% to 90%, and particularly preferably from 20% to 80%. Does the transmittance not only relate to a single wavelength but to a wavelength range, for example the visible spectral range, The transmittance writes the transmittance of the different wavelengths in the wavelength range over the respective wavelength range. Preferably, the transmittance in a wavelength range for each wavelength of the wavelength range assumes the same value. The transmittance of a layer describes the ratio of transmitted light to incident light as it passes through the layer, for example in the normal direction of the layer. An opaque layer, in particular an opaque ink-accepting layer in the sense of the present application is a layer which, when viewed in incident light, in the viewing direction behind the layer, for example, further layers, at least substantially, ideally completely covered, so that they are further behind Structures can no longer be perceived by a viewer. In other words, the term "opaque" primarily refers to observation in incident light, which optical property in turn relates to the relevant wavelength or the relevant wavelength range The relevant wavelength range is typically the visible spectral range between 400 nm and 800 nm, but may alternatively or additionally also refer to the adjacent wavelength ranges in the near UV or IR range.

The present invention is further based on the recognition that an opaque layer is not necessarily intransparent, but one

Transmittance greater than 0% may have. An opaque layer, in particular an opaque ink receiving layer on at least one of the polymeric outer layers of the data carrier according to the invention, has such properties. These are the material, the layer thickness and others Properties of the opaque layer, especially the opaque ink receiving layer chosen suitably. Accordingly, the opaque ink receiving layer is preferably a layer which enables the physical drying or film formation of oil-based printing inks and / or printing inks containing aqueous and / or organic solvents and / or cationic or free-radically curing inks. The opaque ink receiving layer can be prepared on an aqueous basis and / or based on organic solvents. The opaque ink accepting layer may further be present as a single layer or formed in the form of a plurality of individual layers, which may differ with respect to the subject matter. The total layer thickness of the opaque ink-accepting layer may preferably be in a range from 2 μm to 15 μm. The opaque ink receiving layer preferably contains self-crosslinking resins and / or at least two components to be crosslinked. The first component may preferably be selected from alkoxysilanes, isocyanates, diimides, aziridines and glycidic ethers. The second component may preferably be selected from polyurethanes, urethane acrylates, polyesters, polyethers, polyvinyl alcohols, maleate, acrylates and copolymers thereof. Further, the opaque layer may specifically include fillers such as silica gels, metal oxides, metal hydroxides; metal oxide hydrates, salts of inorganic acids. If the layer thickness is sufficiently small, the opaque ink-receiving layer appears milky or hazy in transmitted light.

Of course, the data carrier according to the invention may also comprise further layers, such as protective layers or functional layers provided with other security elements. Suitably, the polymeric cover layers are each connected to the substrate via a laminating adhesive layer. In an advantageous embodiment, the motif region has in its interior at least one region without apertures of the substrate, which is formed in the form of a pattern, of characters or an encoding. The data carrier can in particular be a security element, a security paper or a value document.

The invention also encompasses a method for producing a data carrier of the abovementioned type. In the method according to the invention-a substrate made of a polymeric material is provided, a motif area is formed in the substrate by virtue of tactile detectable, partial or complete apertures in the form of a pattern, be introduced by characters or a coding in the substrate, whereby the subject area with the incident light and / or

Transmitted light changed visual impression is generated, and the substrate is covered on both sides in each case by a polymeric cover layer at least in the motif area.

The apertures can be produced, for example, with a punch, but because of the higher spatial resolution, the generation by laser application, in particular by means of a C0 ₂ laser, is preferred.

The polymeric cover layers are advantageously laminated onto the substrate at least in the motif region, wherein this is preferably carried out after the production of the partial or complete perforations. 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.

Show it:

1 is a schematic representation of a polymer banknote with a motif area according to the invention,

2 shows a cross section through the polymer banknote of FIG. 1 along the line II-II, FIG.

3 is a detail view of the see-through range of the bill of FIG. 1,

4 for a polymer banknote according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a cross section only through the polymer substrate in the motif area,

Fig. 5 shows the visual appearance of the motif area of the finished

Polymer banknote of Fig. 4,

FIG. 6 for a polymer banknote according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention a cross section only through the

Polymer substrate in the motif area,

Fig. 7 for a polymer banknote according to yet another embodiment of the invention, in (a) a cross-section only - II of the polymer substrate, in (b) the visual impression of the motif area in plan view and (c) the visual impression of the motif area in view, and

8 and 9 show the visual appearance of the motif area of finished polymer banknotes according to further embodiments of the invention.

The invention will now be explained using the example of polymer banknotes. Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic representation of a polymer banknote 10, which has a motif area according to the invention in the form of a see-through area 12. The see-through area 12 of the polymer banknote 10 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 in cross-section along the line II-II and in FIG. 3 in a detailed plan view.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the banknote 10 has a substrate 20 in the form of an opaque or even non-transparent, 50 μm thick PET film. By application of the radiation of a C02 laser, a line grid is formed in the opaque or even non-transparent polymer substrate 20, which is formed from a multiplicity of parallel, continuous cut lines 22. For better visibility, the cut-out regions of the polymer substrate 20 in the cross-section of Fig. 2 are shown unfilled, while the cut-out lines 22 are shown hatched in the plan view of FIG. 3.

The line grid of the cutting lines 22 has in the embodiment shown a period length of 0.75 mm at a cutting width of the cutting lines of 0.25 mm. The area coverage of the line grid is thus 33%, so that the viewing area 12 can be seen when viewed both in supervision and in review.

As best seen in Fig. 3, the cut lines 22 are arranged so that the line grid forms a motif in the form of a pattern, a character or an encoding. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the see-through region 12 with its outer contour 24 forms a coat of arms which contains in its interior an uncut region 26 in the form of the denomination "20" of the polymer banknote 10. The outlines of the coat of arms 24 and of the denomination 26 drawn dashed in the figure serve merely to illustrate the shape formed in the drawing and do not necessarily correspond to an actually existing contour on the banknote. Returning to the illustration of Fig. 2 is on the two opposite sides of the see-through region 12 by means of two laminating adhesive layers 32 each only a 6 μιη thick, transparent, translucent, polymeric cover layer 30 laminated. On these cover layers 30, ink acceptance layers 34, in particular opaque ink acceptance layers for the further printing technical design of the polymer banknote 10 are arranged. The ink receiving layers 34 are arranged over the entire surface of the cover layers 30 in the embodiment shown. In principle, however, it is also conceivable that a paint receiving layer is provided only in certain areas on the cover layer and, for example. in the entire or in some areas of the see-through area 12 no ink receiving layer 34 is provided.

Visually, the see-through area 12 as a motif shows a crest 24 with denomination 26, with a changed appearance in reflected light and transmitted light. In addition, the formed from the cutting lines 22 Line grid the subject area a tactile detectability, since the wells of the cutting lines 22 can be easily felt when touching the banknotes with your fingers. However, due to their small layer thickness, the cover layers 30 protect the line grid from external influences, in particular from soiling. The tactile nature of the motif region 12 is also afforded by the polymeric cover layers on both sides of the apertures being a suitable continuous surface for the arrangement of further layers, in particular a paint acceptance layer. In this case, it is ensured on account of the usually existing elastic properties of the polymeric cover layers that the openings can be felt, in particular, with the fingers, when the depth is approximately 10 μm or more and the width is approximately 100 μm or more.

This tactile comprehensibility of the motif area 12 thus represents, in addition to visual verifiability, another authenticity feature which is easily verifiable even by a layman and which can not be imitated by a copying machine and thus offers high-quality protection against counterfeiting.

The visual verifiability of a data carrier according to FIG. 2 can also be understood on the basis of the transmittances given for the respective layers or regions. This will be explained with reference to a variant corresponding to FIG. 2. In the variant, on both sides full-surface, transparent, polymeric cover layers 30 are laminated onto an intransparent substrate 20, which are each provided with full-area, opaque ink-receiving layers 34. The nontransparent substrate 20 is apart from

Cut lines 22 also formed over the entire surface. The cut lines 22 represent continuous recesses in the nontransparent substrate 20. When the data carrier is viewed in incident light, only the opaque color previews in front of the viewing direction are thus viewed from both sides. take layer 34 to recognize. The underlying cutting lines 22 of the non-transparent film, however, are not visible in reflected light. When viewed in transmitted light, a viewer can because of the non-zero degrees of transmission of the opaque ink receiving layers 34, the openings in the opaque substrate 20, ie the cutting lines 22 recognize. This results in a hidden security feature. If the cut lines 22, as shown schematically in FIG. 2, have a smaller width than the layer thickness of the nontransparent substrate 5, then the cut lines 22 can only be perceived in transmitted light with an essentially vertical view, which represents a further security feature. It is self-evident that an article explained in the above description also has a visual impression, which is changed in reflected light and / or transmitted light, for the viewer, if instead of

transparent substrate 20, only an opaque substrate, i. a substrate with a transmittance greater than zero, or even just a translucent substrate, i. a substrate with a transmittance between about 10% and 90% is provided. However, it must always be ensured that the transmittance of the substrate in the region of the apertures is greater than the transmittance of the substrate without apertures and greater than the transmittance of the ink-accepting layer.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the cutting lines 22 represent complete openings of the polymer substrate 20 which, in addition to the tactile detectable cut-line grid, also produce a see-through area in the banknote. However, according to the invention, the motif region 12 may also comprise only partial openings of the substrate, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 7. In this case, in the cross sections shown for the sake of clarity, only the polymer substrate 20 provided with the motif area is shown. This situation tion corresponds to the state of the substrate after the laser application and before the lamination of the polymeric cover layers. However, it is understood that in the finished polymer banknotes, the motif area is covered on both sides with a thin, polymeric cover layer and that here also color acquisition layers, protective layers or other functional layers can be provided, which are provided in each case partially or over the entire surface. In particular, an opaque ink acceptance layer with a third transmittance, which is smaller than a second transmittance assigned to the region of the openings in the substrate, can be provided for all the embodiments according to the invention. The second transmittance in the region of the openings of the substrate according to the invention is greater than the first transmittance of the substrate outside the range of these openings. For a disk with such an opaque ink receiving layer then arise interesting up and / or transmitted light effects, ie, the visual impression of the subject area of the disk is different for a viewer in reflected light and / or transmitted light, causing the recognition value and thus the falsification of a such a disk is significantly increased. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a line grid in the form of only partial openings 42 of the substrate 20 has been produced in the opaque or even non-transparent polymer substrate 20 by the action of laser radiation in a motif area 40. The partial openings form a multiplicity of dilution lines 42, in the region of which the light transmission of the substrate 20 is due to the lower localization

Layer thickness is increased. In a 50 μιτι thick polymer substrate 20, the partial openings 42 typically have a depth between 10 μπι and 40 μιη on. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4, the preferred depth therefore lies between 20% and 80% of the layer thickness of the substrate. As already mentioned above, the tactility of the motif area is also influenced, for example, by the width of the partial openings 42.

The motif region 40 thus generated shows, when viewed, a watermark-like appearance in which the depicted motif is scarcely discernible in reflected light, while in transmitted light it clearly appears due to the higher light transmission of the thinned regions.

For illustration, Fig. 5 shows the visual appearance of the motif area 40 of an associated finished polymer banknote in transmitted light. The motif area is formed in this embodiment by straight, divergent dilution lines 42 with increasing line spacing. The motif area 40, with its outer outline, again represents a geometric figure, for example a coat of arms 44, which contains in its interior a non-thinned area 46 in the form of the denomination "20" of the polymer banknote.

The motif region 40 can also be detected tactilely by the depressions formed in the substrate by the dilution lines 42 and the small layer thickness of the laminated cover layers. The tactility of the motif area 40, in addition to the watermark-like supervision / see-through effect, represents another authenticity feature of the polymer note, which can easily be tested even by a layman.

If the laser energy, more precisely the laser irradiation, ie the laser energy per unit area, is suitably varied during the laser application, relief structures with partially deep openings 52 of different depths can also be produced, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. While maintaining the tactility of the motif area 50, a multi-level watermark-like supervision / see-through effect can thereby be generated be in which the image formed when viewed in reflected light is practically undetectable and occurs in transmitted light because of the different levels of light transmission with different brightness values in appearance. Such multi-level supervision / see-through effects are particularly suitable for more complex subjects, such as portrait portraits, because of the halftone display that is made possible by this.

The supervisory / see-through effects described with reference to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 can also be explained from another point of view on the basis of the degrees of transmission assigned to the respective regions and layers. As already mentioned, the variant of FIG. 6, instead of complete apertures, only partially has apertures 52 which reduce the layer thickness of the nontransparent substrate 20. In the region of the partial openings 52, the layer thickness of the nontransparent substrate 20 thus varies and optionally goes back to zero (see FIG. 7 (a), apertures 62). Accordingly, the transmittance of the non-transparent film 20 in the region of the partial openings 52 changes such that the non-transparent film is translucent or even transparent there (complete opening 62 in FIG. 7 (a)). When viewed in transmitted light, this results in a profile of the transmittance over the region of the openings 52, which is similar to that of a watermark in paper substrates. When viewed in incident light, the openings 52 of the non-transparent foil 20 are obscured by the opaque ink receiving layers. It goes without saying that the described viewing / viewing effects, also referred to as "incident / transmitted-light effects", can also be perceived by the observer if, instead of the non-transparent substrate 20, an opaque, ie a substrate, with one Transmittance greater than zero, or even only a translucent substrate with a transmittance between about 10% and about 90% is provided. It must always be ensured that the transmittance of the substrate in the region of the apertures is greater than the transmittance of the substrate without apertures and greater than the transmittance of the ink-accepting layer.

Partial and complete apertures of the polymer substrate may also be combined, as illustrated in FIG. 7 (a) shows a cross-section of only the polymer substrate 20, FIG. 7 (b) shows the visual impression of the motif area in a plan view, and FIG. 7 (c) shows the visual impression of the motif area in phantom.

With reference first to FIG. 7 (a), a tactilely detectable line grid was generated in the motif area 60 by varying the laser irradiation, on the one hand complete perforations of the substrate in the form of parallel cut lines 62, on the other hand only partial perforations of the substrate in the form of parallel dilution lines 64 contains. The cutting lines 62 and the dilution lines 64 are generated by varying the laser parameters as continuous lines in the same operation and therefore close to each other perfectly aligned in the longitudinal direction.

With reference to FIG. 7 (a) and FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, it should also be noted that the partial openings in the substrate can also be introduced from both sides of the substrate, optionally matched to one another, in an embodiment which is not further illustrated. Such a variant has an extremely high security against counterfeiting, but at the same time a greater technical outlay is necessary due to the required introduction of the partial openings from both sides of the substrate than in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 (a), in which the partial openings are introduced only from one side of the substrate.

As best seen in the see-through view of FIG. 7 (c), the dilution lines 64 form a motif area with an outer contour 70 in the form of a coat of arms. An inner dilapidated area 72 has the shape of the euro symbol "€". In a rectangular cut region 74 within the motif region 60, the laser irradiation upon application was increased to such an extent that instead of dilution lines, continuous cut lines 62 were produced in the substrate, which is illustrated in the figures by a narrower hatching. Inside the cut area 74, an uncut area 76 in the form of the denomination "20" of the bill was left standing. When the motif area 60 thus generated is observed in the reflected light, as shown in Fig. 7 (b), the areas containing only the non-continuous dilution lines 64 are practically invisible and the observer takes only the cut area 74 with the cut lines 62 and the uncut denomination "20" (reference numeral 76) true. On the other hand, the outline and the shape of the coat of arms 70 are practically invisible in reflected light, the outline 70 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7 (b) merely to indicate its position.

If, on the other hand, the subject area 60 is viewed in transmitted light, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), both the areas 74 with the cut lines 62 and the areas 70 with the dilution lines 64 become visible to the viewer due to the higher light transmittance. Against the light background of the lines 62, 64, the uncut and undiluted areas 72, 76 clearly emerge in the form of the denomination "20 €" completed by the currency symbol. Since the thinning lines 64 and the cut lines 62 are produced in the same operation with the same laser beam, they fit perfectly aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction, as seen in Fig. 7 (c) at the upper and lower edges of the cut region 74. The intersection region 74 therefore fits seamlessly into the surrounding coat of arms motif 70 when viewed through.

Such a motif that completes itself in transmitted light offers a high degree of attention and recognition value, which is further enhanced by the tactile comprehensibility of the motif region 60.

FIG. 8 shows a polymer substrate 20 with a see-through region 80 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. As in the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3, the see-through area 80 includes a plurality of cut lines 82 created by laser exposure of the opaque or even opaque polymer substrate 20 and which, by their arrangement, form a motif. As in FIG. 3, the see-through area 80 with its outer outline forms a coat of arms which contains in its interior an uncut area 84 in the form of the denomination "20" of the associated banknote 10.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, however, the see-through region 80 is not formed by straight but by curved, equidistant cut lines 82. Within the region 84 of the denoination, the laser power of the cutting laser was lowered below the cutting threshold of the polymer substrate 20, so that no cutting lines were produced there. The denomination 84 thus remains as uncut substrate area and can be clearly seen against the background of the rastered viewing area 80, especially in transmitted light. On- Because of the recesses of the cut lines 82, the motif area 80 can also be detected tactually, as described above.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which the motif region 90 of a polymer substrate is formed by curved and divergent dilution lines 92. Within the region 94 of the denomination, the laser power of the cutting laser was lowered so far that no dilution lines were generated there. The motif area 90 thus shows, like the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, a watermark-like appearance, in which the illustrated motif is scarcely discernible in incident light, but clearly visible in transmitted light. In addition, the motif area 90 formed by the thinning lines 92 can be detected tactually.

It is understood that the embodiments shown can be combined with each other as desired. For example, curved equidistant or curved divergent dilution lines with different depths can also be produced. Straight and / or curved dilution lines and cutting lines can also be combined with one another, as illustrated in principle in FIG. 7.

It should also be mentioned that a further advantage of the invention described in this application is that the complete or partial openings provided only in the substrate can basically be used for machine detection. By means of a suitable sensor, it is readily possible to distinguish the complete or partial openings in the substrate according to the invention, which are preferably covered on both sides by polymer cover layers and / or ink receiving layers, from partial and / or complete openings of the substrate and the substrate polymeric cover layers and if necessary, color intake layers. By means of a suitable ultrasound sensor, a distinction can be made between the data carriers according to the invention, in which only the substrate has openings, and data carriers produced as a counterfeit attempt, in which the substrate and one or more layers, in particular the entire data carrier, are perforated, ie complete Having openings. The data carrier according to the invention with partial or complete openings only in the substrate have the additional advantage that the openings are not visible to the naked eye in supervision, a machine detection by means of a sensor, in particular an ultrasonic sensor or a suitable transmitted light sensor but is possible. Therefore, the data carriers according to the invention, in particular polymer banknotes, but also cards or identity documents made of polymeric material are mechanically detectable and provided with the light-transmitted / transmitted-light effects described above.

Accordingly, the present application also discloses a corresponding sensor, in particular an ultrasonic or transmission sensor, with the aid of which the mechanical detection of a data carrier according to the invention is possible. At present, however, such a sensor is not claimed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 polymer banknote

12 see-through area

20 substrate

22 cutting lines

24 outline

26 uncut area

30 cover layers

32 laminating adhesive layers

34 paint receiving layers

40 motif area

42 breakthroughs, dilution lines

44 outline

46 non-diluted area

50 motif area

52 openings

60 motif area

62 cutting lines

64 dilution lines

70 outline

72 non-thinned area

74 cutting area

76 uncut area

80 see-through area

82 cutting lines

84 uncut area

90 motif area

92 dilution lines

94 undiluted area

Claims

Patent claims

1. data carrier in particular document of value, such as banknote, identity card and the like, with a substrate made of a polymeric material having a motif area with a changed in reflected light and / or transmitted light visual impression, wherein the motif area tactile detectable, partial or complete openings of the substrate wherein the motif area is in the form of a pattern, a character or an encoding, and wherein the substrate is covered on both sides by a polymeric cover layer at least in the motif area.

2. A data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the motif area partially has openings and these are formed by a plurality of dilution lines in the substrate, whereby the motif area in the region of the partial openings shows a watermark-like appearance.

3. A data carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the motif area has complete openings and these are formed by a plurality of cut lines in the substrate, so that the motif area in the region of the complete openings forms a see-through area in the data carrier.

4. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the substrate is formed by a plastic film, preferably opaque plastic film, in particular an opaque film of PET, PP, PE, PA, PC or PVC.

5. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the polymeric cover layers are transparent or translucent.

6. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the polymeric cover layers have a thickness of 12 μιτι or less, in particular of about 6 μπι or less.

7. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that on at least one of the polymeric cover layers, a partially or fully arranged arranged ink receiving layer, in particular opaque ink receiving layer is provided.

8. A data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the polymeric cover layers are each connected via a Kaschierkleberschicht with the substrate.

9. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the motif region has in its interior at least one region without openings of the substrate, which is in the form of a pattern, of characters or a coding.

10. The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the data carrier is a security element, a security paper or a value document.

11. A method for producing a data carrier according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a substrate is provided from a polymeric material, in the substrate a motif area is formed by tactile detectable, partial or complete openings in the form of a pattern, characters or a coding are introduced into the substrate, whereby the subject area with the incident light and / or transmitted light changed visual impression is generated, and the substrate is covered on both sides in each case by a polymeric cover layer at least in the motif area.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the partial or complete openings are generated by laser application, preferably by means of a C02 laser.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the polymeric cover layers are laminated on the substrate at least in the motif area.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the polymeric cover layers are laminated after the production of the partial or complete openings.