EP2760679B1 - Security element having many optically variable srtructures and kinematic effect - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a security element with an optically variable structure, wherein the embossing structure has a plurality of non-linear, raised or recessed embossing elements. In addition, the optically variable structure has, at least in a first subarea, at least one first additional information which is produced by variation of the geometric shape of the nonlinear embossing elements by shading effects. The invention further relates to a tool for producing this security element.

In order to avert counterfeiting attempts of value documents, such as banknotes, securities, identity cards, credit cards, debit cards or the like, constantly seeking new security elements. It is advantageous elements that have a corresponding tilting effect, as they are difficult to copy, but are easy to check and without tools. For this purpose, structures such as dots or lines are preferably used, which have a tilting effect by a clever arrangement with a background pressure.

Out WO 2006/018232 A1 a generic security element for value documents with an optically variable structure is known, which has an embossed structure and a coating. The embossed structure and the coating are combined with each other in such a way that at least parts of the coating are completely visible when viewed vertically, but are concealed when viewed obliquely. The embossing structure consists of non-linear embossing elements, which are combined with the coating so that when changing the viewing direction different Information becomes visible. At least part of the non-linear embossing elements is arranged in a grid shape and consists for example of embossing elements in the form of a tetrahedron, cylinder section or a pyramid.

Out WO 2009/013000 A2 a security element for value documents with an optically variable structure is known, which has a first embossing structure of first embossing elements. This embossed structure is also combined with a coating contrasting with the surface of the security element in such a way that at least partial regions of the coating are visible when viewed from a first viewing angle range, but at least partially obscured when viewed under a second viewing angle region. When the security element is tilted about a first axis, a first tilting effect thus arises. The optically variable structure has a second embossing structure which is arranged within the first embossing structure and generates a second tilting effect in addition to the first tilting effect. Here, the second embossed structure is introduced either in the first embossing elements by a partial change in the geometry of the first embossing elements or consists of second embossing elements, which are attached at a certain angle respectively to a flank of the first embossing elements.

A disadvantage of the cited documents of the prior art is in particular that the embossed structures require a multicolored structured background printing, which supports the feature accordingly and makes by strong Passerschwankungen prone to color shifts. Furthermore, a maximum of two information contents in combination with corresponding color impressions are made possible. In this case, as strong as possible colors should be used, which in practice are often not real, because they do not fit into the overall design of a banknote as one of the background colors, especially in a very bright and colorful design.

The invention is therefore the object of developing a generic security element or a tool for producing a generic security element such that the disadvantages of the prior art is eliminated and the protection against counterfeiting is further increased.

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

According to the invention, the at least one first additional information is formed by at least one partial section of the geometry of the respective non-linear embossing elements. This means that the respective geometric shape of the non-linear embossing elements this at least a partial cutout missing. If a viewer looks at the optically variable structure from a viewing angle range from which he does not see or recognize the at least one additional additional information, the observer thus sees or recognizes the "intact" side of the embossing elements. If a viewer, on the other hand, looks at the optically variable structure from a viewing angle range, from which he sees or recognizes the partial cutouts from the geometry of the embossing elements, the flanks of the partial cutouts produce shading of the respective embossing elements, so that the viewer can see the embossing elements in one darker color sees or recognizes than the "intact" embossing elements.

A tool for producing such security elements or embossing elements is, for example, a printing plate, in particular a gravure printing plate, or an embossing plate, in particular a blind embossing intaglio printing plate. A blind embossing gravure printing plate in this case is a gravure printing plate whose recesses are not filled with color, so that the substrate is only embossed but not applied to its surface with a color.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the non-linear embossing elements substantially in the form of a tetrahedron, spherical section, truncated pyramid, cone, truncated cone, cylinder section, torus, oval, drop or a pyramid.

According to the invention, the partial cutout has the shape of a triangle, a quadrangle or a polygon. Of course, any other irregular shape or the shape of a graphic image is possible.

Thus, for example, the partial cutout has the shape of a triangular pie slice cut or cut out from one side of a cone or sphere section. The remaining cone remainder or remainder of the spherical segment, which now lacks the triangular pie slice, forms the non-linear, raised embossing element according to the invention. In the production of the embossing element of course, the partial cutout is not cut out of the embossing element. Rather, the embossing plate, with which the embossing element is produced, recesses, which already have the shape of the embossing element with the corresponding cutout or, as the embossing plate is known to be the negative of the raised Embossing element has, with a correspondingly shaped notch or indentation into the recess.

Of course, instead of raised embossing elements, recessed embossing elements are also possible. In this case, the embossing elements do not protrude out of the plane of the substrate surface, but form recesses in the substrate surface, the embossing elements thus protrude into the substrate. However, in this case, a corresponding embossing plate can not have elevations relative to the embossing plate level, since these would impair the wiping process, for example by means of a doctor blade. Rather, in this case, the elevations must be introduced in a recessed or lowered area of the embossing plate, such that the elevations do not project beyond the embossing plate level. These structures thus correspond to structures such as, for example WO 2010/075979 A1 are known. So shows Fig. 2 of the WO 2010/075979 A1 a correspondingly embossed substrate and Fig. 3 an embossing plate for producing embossed structures of Fig. 2 ,

According to a further preferred embodiment, the at least one first subarea has an outline shape which contains the at least one first additional information, wherein the at least one first additional information is visually recognizable to a viewer only under a first viewing angle range. When viewing the security element from an angular range that is different from the first viewing angle range, the first additional information is not recognizable to a viewer.

For example, the outline shape forms a letter, a digit, or a graphic image that is optically discernable only under the first viewing angle range, whereas from all other viewing angle ranges, an "intact" and nearly uniform area is discernible.

The embossed structure thus forms a tilting image that reveals different information from different viewing angles, namely once a nearly uniform surface and once the outline shape within this almost uniform surface.

According to a further preferred embodiment, in at least one second subregion of the optically variable structure, at least one second additional information is formed by at least one partial detail of the geometry of the respective nonlinear embossing elements so that the respective geometric shape of the nonlinear embossing elements is missing at least a partial detail. This at least one second subarea also preferably has an outline shape which contains a second information, wherein the second information is optically recognizable to a viewer only under a second viewing angle range. Together with the first additional information thus results in at least two information that can be seen from different viewing angle ranges.

According to a preferred embodiment, the surface of the optically variable structure of the security element has a uniform color at least in the region in which the embossing pattern is arranged. Preferably, this hue corresponds to the hue of the substrate of the security element, in which the embossed structure is embossed. If the optically variable structure is embossed directly into a substrate made of paper, for example a banknote, and if the substrate has no additional printing in this area, the color tone corresponds to the color tone of the paper. In the current series of euro banknotes of the first series, the paper of each denomination is colored differently, for example the purple € 50 banknote and the green € 100 green banknote.

However, particularly preferably, an imprint or a coating having a uniform hue is applied to the substrate of the security element before or after the introduction of the embossing elements according to the invention, which has a particularly high contrast between direct illumination and indirect or shadowed illumination. It has been shown that a metallic or metal-like hue has a particularly high contrast and thus causes a particularly pronounced tilting effect, since in this case the incident light is primarily reflected and diffuse only to a small extent. The imprint or the coating is applied to the substrate, for example by screen printing, as a silver-colored patch or as a silver-colored foil.

Particularly preferably, the embossing and the printing of the substrate are carried out in one operation, for example by using a color-guiding intaglio printing. Here, the wells of a gravure printing plate are at least partially filled with one or more different colors, so that not only deformed or embossed when printing the printing material of the substrate, but also applied with color.

• als eine metallische oder metallisch anmutende Siebdruckfarbe,
• als eine Farbe mit optisch variablen Pigmenten, bevorzugt sogenannten OVI-Pigmenten,
• als eine Farbe mit optisch variablen Pigmenten, die zusätzlich magnetisch ausrichtbar sind, bevorzugt sogenannte OVMI-Pigmente,
• als eine Farbe mit optisch variablen Iriodin-Pigmenten z.B. der Fa. Bayer, die im Flexodruck oder Siebdruck aufgebracht ist und bevorzugt mit einem im Offsetdruck aufgebrachten Untergrund kombiniert ist,
• als eine Folie in Form eines Streifens oder Patches, die auf das Substrat appliziert ist,
• als glänzende Offsetfarbe, die bevorzugt eine metallisch glänzende Oberfläche aufweist,
• als glänzende Stichtiefdruckfarbe, die bevorzugt einen schwarzen Farbton aufweist oder farblos ist oder auch eine metallisch glänzende Anmutung aufweisen kann, wie beispielsweise Gold oder Silber.

The surface of the embossing elements is particularly preferably provided with a reflective or metallic or metallic reflective coating, so that the surface reflects the incident light almost mirror-like. This coating, which is applied to the substrate, is preferably carried out as follows:

• as a metallic or metallic screen printing ink,
• as a color with optically variable pigments, preferably so-called OVI pigments,
• as a color with optically variable pigments which are additionally magnetically alignable, preferably so-called OVMI pigments,
• as a color with optically variable iriodin pigments, for example from Bayer, which is applied by flexographic printing or screen printing and is preferably combined with a substrate applied in offset printing,
• as a film in the form of a strip or patch applied to the substrate,
• as a glossy offset ink, which preferably has a shiny metallic surface,
• as a glossy intaglio printing ink, which preferably has a black hue or is colorless or may also have a shiny metallic appearance, such as gold or silver.

The substrate preferably comprises paper and / or a film, in particular a translucent film. In the simplest case, the substrate is completely made of either paper or plastic. However, the substrate can also be made of different materials in some areas, and in particular in a range of paper and at the same time in another area made of plastic, preferably from a translucent film exist. This makes it possible to emboss different materials as a substrate in one operation. Translucent film is here understood to mean either a transparent or a semitransparent film, for example a translucent film which contains, for example, polyamide, polyester, polyethylene or biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP).

According to a preferred embodiment, the embossing elements are introduced into a translucent film. For example, this translucent foil may at least partially cover an opening in an opaque value document.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least a part of the non-linear embossing elements is arranged in a grid pattern. The nonlinear embossing elements are thus not stochastisch at least in this sub-area, but arranged in a regular grid with a certain distance from each other.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least a part of the non-linear embossing elements is designed tactile detectable, so that the viewer not only visually recognize them but also can feel, for example, with the fingertips.

A particular advantage of the security element according to the invention is that it can not be imitated by comparatively simple techniques. In particular, its manufacture requires the use of a laser capable of producing exactly enough recesses in embossing plates to produce an embossing mold with a width to depth ratio of 2 to 1 (the so-called aspect ratio), a wider variety of geometries, and clear information content ,

The laser engraving is preferably carried out by means of an ultra-short pulse laser which emits laser pulses having a duration in the range of picoseconds or femtoseconds. Particularly preferred is a picosecond or ps laser is used which emits laser pulses with a duration in the range of picoseconds.

Likewise, the security element according to the invention for its production requires a very high mechanical pressure on the substrate to be embossed, without violating this by Papieran- or -durchschnitte. Preferably, the embossed structures are produced by means of the intaglio printing process, which is known from banknote printing and counterfeiters can not or only with considerable financial and technical effort can be imitated.

Particularly preferably, the embossed structures on the flanks smoothly merge into one another, so that no injuries of the substrate can occur, such as the paper or paper averages mentioned in a paper substrate. In particular, the steepness of the embossed structures or their flanks influences the tear behavior of the substrate.

Further advantages of the security element according to the invention are that the security element is recognizable without aids for the user or the man on the street, it has a long-term stable embossing structure and can be used as a design means.

The engraving depth of the structures in an embossing plate for producing the embossing structures according to the invention is 20 μm to 500 μm, preferably 30 μm to 255 μm and particularly preferably 50 μm to 130 μm. The height of the embossed structures that can be produced with such a stamping plate is dependent on the substrate in which the embossed structures are embossed. In the case of a cotton substrate, for example, the height of the embossed structures can be about 90% of the engraving depth and, for example, only 30% for a plastic substrate. The diameter of the embossed structures is 30 μm to 2000 μm, preferably 100 μm to 500 μm and particularly preferably 120 μm to 300 μm. The distance between individual embossed structures is 0 μm to 300 μm, preferably 0 μm to 50 μm and particularly preferably 2 μm to 20 μm.

The information generated by the embossed structures preferably consists of a combination of an alphanumeric indication, for example a value number "50", with a further graphical indication, for example a "€" symbol. In a first angular range, in which a viewer looks at the security element, the viewer sees the alphanumeric indication and in a second angle range the graphical indication.

Value documents within the meaning of the present invention are, in particular, bank notes, shares, bonds, certificates, vouchers, checks, high-quality admission tickets, but also other counterfeit-endangered documents, such as passports or other identity documents, and also card-shaped data carriers, in particular chip cards, as well as product security elements, such as labels, seals , Packaging and the like. The term "value document" also includes non-executable precursors of such data carriers, which, for example in the case of security paper, are available in virtually endless form and are processed further at a later time.

The advantages of the invention will be explained with reference to the following examples and additional figures. The described individual features and examples represent preferred embodiments, to which, however, the invention should in no way be limited. The proportions shown in the figures do not correspond to the conditions present in reality and serve only to improve the clarity.

Fig. 1

erfindungsgemäße Prägeelemente in Draufsicht und dabei in Fig. 1a mit jeweils einem partiellen Ausschnitt und in Fig. 1b mit jeweils zwei partiellen Ausschnitten,

Fig. 2

ein noppenförmiges Prägeelement aus Fig. 1a in Ansicht von schräg unten (bezogen auf die Abbildung der Fig. 1a) und hierbei in Fig. 2a ohne partiellen Ausschnitt, in Fig. 2b mit einem dreieckförmigen partiellen Ausschnitt und in Fig. 2c mit einem trapezförmigen partiellen Ausschnitt,

Fig. 3

eine Anordnung von unterschiedlichen erfindungsgemäßen Prägeelementen in einem Sicherheitselement,

Fig. 4

erfindungsgemäße Prägeelemente in Draufsicht mit jeweils einem partiellen Ausschnitt, wobei von Fig. 4a nach Fig. 4d der partielle Ausschnitt um jeweils 45° gedreht ist,

Fig. 5

eine Anordnung von unterschiedlichen erfindungsgemäßen Prägeelementen gemäß Fig. 4 in einem Sicherheitselement zur Erzeugung eines Bewegungseffekts,

Fig. 6

eine Anordnung von drei unterschiedlichen erfindungsgemäßen Prägeelementen ähnlich Fig. 4, wobei der Umriss um jeweils die Gesamtheit aller Prägeelemente unterschiedliche Abbildungen ergibt,

Fig. 7

drei Ausführungsbeispiele für Grundformen von Prägeelementen ohne partiellen Ausschnitt in noppenartiger Form in Ansicht von schräg oben.

In detail, show schematically:

Fig. 1

inventive embossing elements in plan view and thereby in Fig. 1a each with a partial section and in Fig. 1b each with two partial sections,

Fig. 2

a knob-shaped embossing element Fig. 1a in oblique view from below (referring to the picture of the Fig. 1a ) and here in Fig. 2a without partial cutout, in Fig. 2b with a triangular partial cutout and in Fig. 2c with a trapezoidal partial cutout,

Fig. 3

an arrangement of different embossing elements according to the invention in a security element,

Fig. 4

inventive embossing elements in plan view, each with a partial section, wherein Fig. 4a to Fig. 4d the partial section is turned 45 °,

Fig. 5

an arrangement of different embossing elements according to the invention according to Fig. 4 in a security element for generating a movement effect,

Fig. 6

an arrangement of three different embossing elements according to the invention similar Fig. 4 , wherein the outline results in different representations around the entirety of all embossing elements,

Fig. 7

three embodiments of basic forms of embossing elements without partial cutout in knob-like shape in oblique view from above.

Fig. 1 shows exemplary advantageous embodiments of embossing elements according to the invention with a round base in plan view. The embossing elements are formed in this embodiment in the form of a "knob" or "knob-shaped", being understood as a knob in the context of this invention, a hump-like elevation on a surface (see also "Duden - German Universal Dictionary, 4th Edition, Dudenverlag, 2001 Each embossing element, which is described in this and the following embodiments, thus rises like a knob or hump from the paper surface and thus forms a three-dimensional and haptically detectable structure, but a nub is not limited to a circular cross-sectional area The base of a knob assume any shape, for example, round about three, four or polygonal and does not have to be symmetrical but can also be asymmetric, elongated or bent.

Fig. 1a shows two embodiments of nub-shaped embossing elements, each with a partial cutout in the lower region or the bottom (based on the schematic representation of Fig. 1 ) of the embossing elements, wherein in the left figure an embossing element is shown with a triangular partial cutout and in the right figure with a square or trapezoidal cutout. The area shown in black represents the embossing element and the white area represents the partial section.
The term "bottom" or "top", "bottom" or "top" and "bottom" and "top" of the embossing elements is here and below with reference to the schematic representation of the embossing elements in the figures. For example, the underside or the lower region of an embossing element thus does not designate the side which faces the substrate into which the embossing element is embossed, but rather a certain flank or side of the embossing element with respect to the schematic representation. Alternatively, the term "lower side" could be replaced by the term "southern side" or "northern side" instead of the term "upper side".

Fig. 1b shows two Fig. 1a corresponding embodiments shown, each with an additional partial recess in the upper region of the embossing elements. If a viewer looks down from obliquely onto an embossing element, an additional information arises, he looks from obliquely upwards on the embossing element, results in contrast to Fig. 1a another additional information.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a knob-shaped embossing element Fig. 1a in oblique view from below (referring to the picture of the Fig. 1a ) and here in Fig. 2a without partial cutout, in Fig. 2b with a triangular ("pie-shaped") partial cutout according to the left illustration of Fig. 1a as in Fig. 2c with a trapezoidal partial section according to the right representation of Fig. 1a , The respective partial section is hatched.

Fig. 3 shows an advantageous embodiment with an arrangement of different embossing elements in a rectangular security element, wherein the respective knob-shaped embossing elements include different information. The entire security element has a uniform color in that the embossed substrate is either not printed and thus the security element has the color of the substrate or by the substrate is printed with a uniform color, for example, with a shiny metallic color. In Fig. 3a showing the security element in plan view are different for better illustration Information shown in different colors (white, gray, black). In the upper left area of Fig. 3a a plurality of embossing elements are shown, which show by way of example the arrangement of the nub-shaped embossing elements, as they are arranged on the entire security element. The nub-shaped embossing elements are in this case grid-like arranged in rows and columns.

Fig. 3b to Fig. 3e show the top view of the embossing elements of the respective areas with the different information Fig. 3a ,

Fig. 3b shows an embossing element of in Fig. 3a white field, this field contains no additional information, ie the field appears under almost all viewing angles in a uniform color. This field is formed by nub-shaped embossing elements, which have no recess and thus a completely circular base.

Fig. 3c shows an embossing element of in Fig. 3a black field, this field shows in the outline a first additional information in the form of the number "1", which is recognizable only under a first viewing angle range. The numeral "1" is formed by knob-shaped embossing elements, which have a trapezoidal recess on its underside. These nub-shaped embossing elements correspond to the nub-shaped embossing elements Fig. 1a right representation and Fig. 2c , A flank of the partial recess casts a shadow on the opposite flank, which therefore appears darker within the first viewing angle range than the surrounding areas. In a viewing direction from a different than that of the first viewing angle range on the embossing element disappears the first additional information, ie the number "1".

Fig. 3d shows an embossing element of in Fig. 3a gray field, this field showing in the outline a second additional information in the form of the letter "X", which is recognizable only under a second viewing angle range, which is different from the first viewing angle range or this only partially overlaps. The letter "X" is formed by knob-shaped embossing elements, which have on their upper side a trapezoidal recess. The nub-shaped embossing elements correspond to the nub-shaped embossing elements Fig. 1a right representation and Fig. 2c , which are rotated by 180 ° about its vertical axis. A flank of the partial recess casts a shadow on the opposite flank, which therefore appears darker within the second viewing angle range than the surrounding areas. In a viewing direction from a different than that of the second viewing angle range on the embossing element disappears the first additional information, ie the letter "X".

Fig. 3e shows the area where the first and second additional information overlap and overlap. In this area, the figure "1" can be seen in the first viewing angle range and the letter "X" in the second viewing angle range, the embossing elements corresponding to the embossed structure Fig. 1b (right representation) are formed.

1. 1. bei Betrachtung senkrecht auf das Sicherheitselement eine Fläche in einem einheitlichen Farbton, beispielsweise eine einheitlich silbern glänzende Fläche, d.h. lediglich eine nahezu einförmige Fläche ohne zusätzliche Informationen,
2. 2. innerhalb des ersten Betrachtungswinkelbereichs die Ziffer "1" in einem gegenüber Punkt 1. dunkleren Farbton, d.h. beispielsweise in einer dunkel silbern glänzenden oder matt silbernen Farbe, die umgeben ist von einer Fläche in einem einheitlichen Farbton, d.h. beispielsweise in einer einheitlich silbern glänzenden Farbe,
3. 3. innerhalb des zweiten Betrachtungswinkelbereichs den Buchstaben "X" in einem gegenüber Punkt 1. dunkleren Farbton, beispielsweise in einer dunkel silbern glänzenden oder matt silbernen Farbe, der umgeben ist von einer Fläche in einem einheitlichen Farbton, beispielsweise in einer einheitlich silbern glänzenden Farbe,
4. 4. wobei die Ziffer "1" und der Buchstabe "X" in einem Teilbereich überlappen, so dass in diesem Teilbereich bei senkrechter Betrachtung eine Fläche in einem einheitlichen Farbton, innerhalb des ersten Betrachtungswinkelbereichs die Ziffer "1" in einer gegenüber Punkt 1. dunkleren Farbton und innerhalb des zweiten Betrachtungswinkelbereichs der Buchstabe "X" in einer gegenüber Punkt 1. dunkleren Farbton zu sehen ist.

When tilting the security element along a tilt or rotation axis that is parallel to the lower or upper edge of the security element, a viewer will see:

1. 1. when viewed perpendicular to the security element an area in a uniform color, for example, a uniform silvery shiny Surface, ie only a nearly uniform surface without additional information,
2. 2. within the first viewing angle range, the number "1" in a hue darker than point 1, ie, for example, in a dark silvery or dull silver surrounded by an area in a uniform hue, ie, for example, a uniform silver shining Colour,
3. 3. within the second viewing angle range, the letter "X" in a hue darker than point 1, for example in a dark silver or dull silver surrounded by a surface in a uniform hue, for example in a uniform silver glossy color.
4. 4. where the number "1" and the letter "X" overlap in a subarea, so that in this subarea, when viewed vertically, a surface in a uniform hue, within the first viewing angle range, the numeral "1" in a darker than point 1 Hue and within the second viewing angle range the letter "X" can be seen in a shade darker than point 1.

Fig. 4 shows an embossing element in plan view, which is an embossing element Fig. 1a (left-hand illustration), where from Fig. 4a to Fig. 4d the partial cutout is further rotated by 45 ° with respect to the vertical axis of the embossing element. Fig. 5 shows an arrangement of the embossing elements according to Fig. 4 in a security element, each of the embossing elements of the FIGS. 4a to 4d is arranged in a separate area with a triangular outline. The outline of each triangle rotates from left to right by 30 ° each.

When turning the security element about its vertical axis or the axis which is perpendicular to the plane of the security element, there is a movement effect, since from the respective viewing angle range of the corresponding embossing elements the differently rotated triangular outlines can be seen.

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement of three different embossing elements according to the invention similar Fig. 4 , wherein the outline results in each case by the entirety of all embossing elements different illustrations. In the case of the upper embossing element, the outline gives a turtle, in the middle embossing element a butterfly and in the lower embossing element a fish, which can be recognized in each case from different viewing angle ranges.

Fig. 7 shows three embodiments of basic shapes of embossing elements without partial cutout in knob-like shape in oblique view from above. In the left figure with a nearly semicircular cross-section top tapered, in the middle figure with a (semi) egg-shaped cross-section and in the right figure with a (semi) egg-shaped cross-section torso with cut off or missing upper area.

Claims (13)

1. A security element with an optically variable structure having an embossed structure, wherein the embossed structure has a multiplicity of non-linear, raised or recessed embossed elements, wherein the optically variable structure has at least in a first partial area at least one first additional information item created by variation of the geometric shape of the non-linear embossed elements through shadow effects, characterized in that the at least one first additional information item is created by at least one partial section from the geometry of the respective non-linear embossed elements, such that the respective geometric shape of the non-linear embossed elements lacks this at least one partial section, wherein the partial section has the shape of a triangle, a rectangle or a polygon.
2. The security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first partial area has a contour shape that contains at least one first additional information item, wherein the at least one first additional information item is optically recognizable for a viewer only at a first viewing-angle range.
3. The security element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one second partial area of the optically variable structure at least one second additional information item is created by at least a partial section from the geometry of the respective non-linear embossed elements, such that the respective geometric shape of the non-linear embossed elements lacks this at least one partial section.
4. The security element according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one second partial area has a contour shape containing the at least one second additional information item, wherein the at least one second additional information item is optically recognizable for a viewer only at a second viewing-angle range.
5. The security element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of the non-linear embossed elements is disposed in the fashion of a screen.
6. The security element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of the non-linear embossed elements is configured to be tactilely detectable.
7. The security element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of the non-linear embossed elements substantially has the shape of a tetrahedron, segment of a sphere, frustum of a pyramid, cone, frustum of a cone, cylinder segment, torus, oval, drop or a pyramid.
8. The security element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the optically variable structure has a uniform color tone at least in the area in which the embossed elements are arranged.
9. The security element according to claim 8, characterized in that the security element consists of a substrate into which the embossed elements are embossed and which has a uniform color tone, wherein the color tone of the surface of the optically variable structure corresponds to the color tone of the substrate of the security element.
10. The security element according to claim 8, characterized in that to the surface of the optically variable structure an imprint or a coating with a uniform color tone is applied.
11. The security element according to claim 10, characterized in that a reflecting or metallic or metallically reflecting coating applied to the surface of the embossed elements produces the uniform color tone.
12. A tool for manufacturing a security element according to any of the claims 1 to 11, wherein the tool is a printing plate or embossing plate, wherein the engraving depth of the structures in a printing plate or embossing plate for manufacturing the embossed structures of the invention amounts to 20 µm to 500 µm, preferably 30 µm to 255 µm and particularly preferably 50 µm to 130 µm, wherein the diameter of the embossed structures amounts to 30 µm to 2000 µm, preferably 100 µm to 500 µm and particularly preferably 120 µm to 300 µm, and wherein the spacing between the individual embossed structures amounts to 0 µm to 300 µm, preferably 0 µm to 50 µm and particularly preferably 2 µm to 20 µm.
13. The tool according to claim 12, characterized in that the embossing plate has raised embossing structures instead of recessed embossing structures, wherein the raised embossing structures are incorporated in a recessed or lowered area of the embossing plate, such that the raised embossing structures do not project beyond the embossing-plate level.

Images