EP3225417B1 - Data carrier with printing - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a data carrier, in particular a value or security document, with a substrate and applied to the substrate imprint. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a data carrier.

Data carriers, such as valuables or ID documents, but also other valuables, such as branded articles, are usually provided with imprints, which may have decorative, information-carrying or security-securing character. Since the space available for imprints on many data carriers, such as banknotes and cards (eg smart cards, driver's licenses, ID cards, etc.), is limited, imprints are advantageously used, the realize several of the mentioned characteristics simultaneously, such as information-bearing intaglio Elements that, at the same time, represent safety-enhancing security features due to their feel. However, security-ensuring imprints, which contain, for example, magnetic substances or luminescent substances, are often not very attractive visually and, despite their advantageous securing properties, are therefore not used in many cases or used only with great restraint. The document EP 2 687 879 A1 discloses a data carrier comprising a substrate and a security element which shows a multicolored motif in visible light in additive color mixture, the security element being formed by a layer sequence of at least four mutually at least partially overlapping color layers, the layer closest to the substrate being a color layer the color layer three color-colored layers are present, each containing an effect pigment, each containing one of the multi-color layers in the visible light red, green or blue appearing effect pigment.

Proceeding from this, the present invention seeks to provide a data carrier of the type mentioned, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the data carrier should be provided with a print that combines an appealing visual appearance with high security against counterfeiting.

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

• der Aufdruck durch eine Schichtenfolge aus zumindest vier einander zumindest teilweise überlappenden Farbschichten gebildet ist,
• die dem Substrat nächstliegende Schicht eine schwarze Farbschicht ohne Lumineszenzstoffe und ohne Effektpigmente ist, und
• über der schwarzen Farbschicht drei Bunt-Farbschichten vorliegen, die jeweils sowohl einen Lumineszenzstoff als auch ein Effektpigment enthalten, wobei
• jeweils eine der Bunt-Farbschichten einen nach UV-Lichtanregung rot, grün bzw. blau lumineszierenden Lumineszenzstoff enthält und jeweils eine der Bunt-Farbschichten ein im sichtbaren Licht rot, grün bzw. blau erscheinendes Effektpigment enthält.

According to the invention, it is provided in the case of a generic data carrier that the print shows a multicolored motif both in visible light and in UV light, each time in additive color mixing, wherein

• the imprint is formed by a layer sequence of at least four color layers at least partially overlapping one another,
• the layer closest to the substrate is a black color layer without luminescent substances and without effect pigments, and
• over the black color layer, there are three colored color layers each containing both a luminescent substance and an effect pigment, wherein
• in each case one of the color ink layers contains a luminescent substance that luminesces red, green or blue after UV light excitation, and one of the multi-color layers contains an effect pigment that appears red, green or blue in the visible light.

The directional information "above" and "below" in this description always refer to the substrate of the data carrier. Of two overlapping or overlapping layers, the layer further from the substrate lies "above" the closer layer, the latter being correspondingly "below" the former.

The multicolored motif is in particular an RGB motif with a multitude of different colors, which can all be represented as mixed colors of the primary colors red (R), green (G) and blue (B) of the RGB color space.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that one of the multicolor color layers contains a luminescent substance which luminesces red after UV light excitation and an effect pigment which appears red in the visible light, one of the multicolor color layers contains a luminescent substance luminescent after UV light excitation and one in visible light contains green-appearing effect pigment, and one of the color-colored layers contains a luminescent blue luminescent after UV light excitation and an effect pigment appearing blue in the visible light. In this embodiment, the colors of the visible motif and the luminescent motif are the same, since each colored color layer in UV light shows the same primary color as in visible light.

However, the hues of luminescent material after UV light excitation and effect pigment in visible light can also differ from each other in one, two or even all three color layers. In the last-mentioned, advantageous embodiment, it is thus provided that the color tone of the luminescent substance after UV light excitation and the hue of the effect pigment in visible light differ from one another in each of the three color layers.

For example, one of the colored color layers may contain a luminescent substance that luminesces red after UV light excitation and an effect pigment that appears blue in visible light (alternatively: green), one of the multicolor color layers a luminescent substance that luminesces green after UV light excitation, and red light in visible light ( alternatively: blue) appearing effect pigment, and one of the colored color layers contain a blue luminescent substance luminescing after UV light excitation and an effect pigment appearing green in the visible light (alternatively: red). When switching from the visible motif to the UV motif then finds one complete color change instead, since each base color of the visible motif in the UV motif is replaced by another base color.

In another design, one of the basic colors can also be preserved when changing from the visible motif to the UV motif, while the other two primary colors are exchanged for one another. The resulting base color then provides a color constant reference point for the color change of the other two primary colors.

If the colored motif contains a dominant hue of red, green, or blue in visible light, the color layer with its effect pigment showing the dominant hue of the colored motif, that of the black color layer farthest from the three color layers, is an advantage Alternatively or additionally, if the colored motif contains a dominant hue of red, green or blue in the UV light, the color dye layer whose luminescent substance luminesces in the dominant hue of the colored motif farthest from the black color layer is advantageous removed the three color-colored layers.

In one development of the invention, it is provided that the black color layer is present in a first partial area of the imprint and is recessed in a second partial area of the imprint, wherein the colored motif appears in the visible light in the first partial area with bright colors and in the second partial area with paler ones Colors appear, and the colored subject in ultraviolet light appears in bright colors in the second section and appears in lighter colors in the first section.

In order to achieve a balanced appearance in the visible and in the UV, the first and second partial areas of the imprint are approximately the same formed large, that is, the area shares differ by less than 10%. In particular, the sub-layer sequence formed by the three multicolor color layers may be mirror-symmetrical in the plane of the imprint, the black color layer being essentially present in one of the mirror-symmetrical halves of the imprint and the black color layer being essentially left out in the other of the mirror-symmetrical halves of the imprint.

In an advantageous embodiment, the four color layers mentioned are directly superimposed without any further intermediate layers.

According to a development of the invention, the layer sequence additionally contains a white color layer, without luminescent substance, arranged over the three color layers, but with an effect pigment which appears white in the visible light against a dark background. In this case, the black color layer may simply be continuous, ie without recesses within its outer contour. In an advantageous embodiment, the five color layers mentioned are directly above one another without further intermediate layers.

As effect pigments, as is customary, pigments are referred to which impart additional properties such as angle-dependent color or gloss changes or texture to the system in which they are embedded. In the present case, the effect pigments used are advantageously formed by interference pigments or liquid-crystal pigments, in particular by multilayer interference pigments or cholesteric liquid-crystal pigments.

Particularly suitable effect pigments are the pigments marketed by Merck KGaA under the names Iriodin ^(R) , Colorcrypt ^(R) and Pyrisma ^(R) into consideration. Both pigments based on liquid-crystalline material and pearlescent pigments are inherently translucent or semitransparent. The effect pigments can also be formed by multilayer interference-layer pigments, which in particular have a thin-film structure which contains at least one reflection layer, one absorber layer and a dielectric spacer layer arranged between the reflection layer and the absorber layer, or which contains an alternating sequence of high- and low-refractive dielectric layers.

Suitable luminescent substances are all fluorescent and phosphorescent substances which emit red, green or blue light after appropriate excitation. The energy transfer from excitation to luminescence can also be multistage, that is to say a first substance absorbs the excitation energy and transfers it directly or via further intermediate steps to the finally emitting luminescent substance. The excitation of the luminescent substance or the first substance takes place in the ultraviolet spectral range.

Concretely, a colored ink layer in addition to the binder, the effect pigment with advantage in a proportion between 5% and 20% and useful with pigment sizes between 5 microns and 60 microns. The proportion of luminescent substance is advantageously between 1% and 10% with appropriate particle sizes between 0.1 μm and 20 μm. In addition to the constituents mentioned, a colored ink layer may contain additives, such as a photoinitiator, thinner or antifoam. If the printing ink is applied by a screen printing process for a colored ink layer, the pigment size of the effect pigments is expediently selected between 5 .mu.m and 60 .mu.m, and advantageously between 5 .mu.m and 25 .mu.m when applied using intaglio printing.

• auf einem Substrat eine Schichtenfolge aus zumindest vier einander zumindest teilweise überlappenden Farbschichten aufgebracht wird,
• wobei zunächst eine schwarze Farbschicht ohne Lumineszenzstoffe und ohne Effektpigmente aufgebracht wird, und
• über der schwarzen Farbschicht drei Bunt-Farbschichten aufgebracht werden, die jeweils sowohl einen Lumineszenzstoff als auch ein Effektpigment enthalten, wobei
• jeweils eine der Bunt-Farbschichten mit einem nach UV-Lichtanregung rot, grün bzw. blau lumineszierenden Lumineszenzstoff, und jeweils eine der Bunt-Farbschichten mit einem im sichtbaren Licht rot, grün bzw. blau erscheinenden Effektpigment aufgebracht wird.

The invention also includes a method for producing a data carrier of the above type, in which

• a layer sequence of at least four color layers at least partially overlapping one another is applied to a substrate,
• wherein first a black color layer without luminescent substances and without effect pigments is applied, and
• Three color paint layers are applied over the black color layer, each containing both a luminescent substance and an effect pigment, wherein
• in each case one of the colored color layers with a luminescent substance that luminesces red, green or blue after UV light excitation, and in each case one of the colored color layers is applied with an effect pigment that appears red, green or blue in the visible light.

The color layers can be printed on the substrate, in particular by screen printing, but more preferably by gravure printing.

Advantageously, the color layers are applied in a printing unit to the substrate, which is connected directly to a paper machine for the production of the substrate, so that the multicolor motif is still applied during substrate production.

The data carrier described has at the same time a high visual due to the complex interaction of visible motif and luminescence Attractiveness and high counterfeit protection. The luminescent substances represent an additional hedge of the imprint, which can not be duplicated by the latent information. Since the multicolor color layers each contain both a luminescent substance and an effect pigment, inking units with visually imperceptible colors do not have to be used as a further advantage in printing.

Further exemplary embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures, in the representation of which a representation true to scale and proportion has been dispensed with in order to increase the clarity.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Darstellung eine Banknote mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Aufdruck,

Fig. 2

schematisch einen Querschnitt der Banknote der Fig. 1 im Bereich des Aufdrucks bei Betrachtung im sichtbaren Licht (VIS),

Fig. 3

denselben Querschnitt wie Fig. 2 bei Betrachtung im UV-Licht (UV),

Fig. 4

in (a) das Erscheinungsbild des Aufdrucks der Fig. 1 im sichtbaren Licht und in (b) das Erscheinungsbild des Aufdrucks im UV-Licht, und

Fig. 5

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung mit einem fünfschichtigen Aufbau des Aufdrucks.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a banknote with an imprint according to the invention,

Fig. 2

schematically a cross section of the banknote of Fig. 1 in the area of the imprint when viewed in visible light (VIS),

Fig. 3

the same cross-section as Fig. 2 when viewed in UV light (UV),

Fig. 4

in (a) the appearance of the imprint of the Fig. 1 in visible light and in (b) the appearance of the imprint in UV light, and

Fig. 5

a further embodiment of the invention with a five-layer structure of the imprint.

The invention will now be explained using the example of banknotes. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a banknote 10, which is provided with an imprint 12 according to the invention. The print 12 shows both in visible light and when viewed in UV light in each of additive color mixing a multi-colored motif in RGB technology, which represents a butterfly 14 in the embodiment.

Since the mixed colors are produced not by the subtractive CMYK technique, but by the additive color mixing of the RGB technique, the butterfly motif 14 appears very bright and with a broad spectrum of color shades. This applies both to normal daylight or artificial light viewing in visible light, as well as for viewing in ultraviolet light, such as in the authenticity of the banknote 10 under a UV lamp on a commodity. In the exemplary embodiment, the butterfly 14 even appears in both viewing conditions with the same RGB color scheme, although with different spatial brightness distribution (FIG. Fig. 4 ), which on the one hand shows an attractive luminous appearance and on the other hand also has a high attention and recognition value, since genuine RGB colors under UV illumination are unusual and are therefore not expected by the user.

Furthermore, the interplay of the visible motif produced by the same imprint 12 with the luminescent motif allows a simple authenticity check, but is difficult to imitate because the technological hurdles for a counterfeiter due to the limited availability of the required special inks and the required know-how in the production are very high.

The structure and principle of operation of the imprint 12 will now be described with reference to FIGS FIGS. 2 and 3 explained in more detail. Fig. 2 shows schematically a cross section of the banknote 10 in the region of the imprint 12 when viewed in visible light (VIS), Fig. 3 shows the same cross section when viewed in UV light (UV).

The imprint 12 is formed by a layer sequence 20 of four color layers 22, 24, 26, 28, which is applied to the white substrate 30 of the banknote 10. The layer 22 of the layer sequence closest to the substrate 30 is a black color layer which contains neither luminescent substances nor effect pigments.

Above the black color layer 22, three color layers 24, 26, 28 are applied, with each one of the primary colors red (R), green (G) and blue (B) of the RGB color space for additive color mixing is generated, through the simultaneous addition of a luminescent substance and an effect pigment both in visible light and in UV light.

All color layers 22-28 are in motif form and can also be recessed within their outer contour, so that all color combinations of the primary colors R, G, B can occur both with and without the black color layer 22 as a background.

Regarding Fig. 2 In the exemplary embodiment, the colored ink layer 24 contains an effect pigment that appears blue in the visible light, the colored ink layer 26 has an effect pigment that appears green in the visible light, and the colored ink layer 28 has an effect pigment that appears red in the visible light. Since the effect pigments are translucent or semitransparent, they appear particularly bright in visible light when viewed against a dark background, In the present case, therefore, a non-recessed area of the black ink layer 22 is arranged. This is in the left half of the picture Fig. 2 indicated by the longer arrows of the reflected light.

Concretely, for example, in areas where only the colored color layer 24 with the blue-appearing effect pigment is present above the black color layer 22, an intense blue image impression 40 results and in areas in which the color-colored layer 24 with the blue-appearing effect pigment and the Colored color layer 28 with the red-appearing effect pigment over the black color layer 22 is present, an intense magenta image impression 41. If all three color-colored layers 24, 26, 28 on the black. As a result of the additive color mixture of the effect pigments, an intense white image impression 42 results. Alternatively, a white image impression 48 can also be formed by a region in which all four color layers 22-28 are recessed and the white banknote substrate 30 is visible.

Correspondingly, in areas with only the colored color layer 26 or 28 above the black color layer 22, an intense green image impression 44 or an intensive red image impression 46 results, and a combination of the colored color layers 24 and 26 results in an intense cyan image impression 43 and by a combination of the colored color layers 26 and 28, an intense yellow image impression 45. In areas in which only the black color layer 22 is present, results in a deep black image impression 47th

If the colored color layers 24, 26, 28 are present in recessed areas of the black color layer 22, ie above the white banknote substrate 30, then the same color impressions result qualitatively, but due to the lack of a dark background with significantly reduced luminosity.

This is in the right half of the picture Fig. 2 indicated by the shorter arrows 49 of the reflected light.

The color impression of the imprint 12 under UV illumination is independent of the effect pigments used in the color layers 24-28, but rather depends only on the luminescent substance contained in the respective color layer. It is therefore possible to produce under UV illumination a multicolor luminescent motif with the same color impression as that of the visible subject, as well as a multicolor luminescent motif which, while displaying the same picture elements in the same arrangement as the visible subject, has a very different color scheme ,

In the exemplary embodiment, however, the RGB colors of the visible motif and the luminescent motif coincide, with reference to FIG Fig. 3 the colored color layer 24 specifically contains a luminescent substance which luminesces blue after UV light excitation, the colored color layer 26 contains a luminescent substance which luminesces green after UV light excitation and the colored color layer 28 contains a luminescent substance which luminesces red after UV light excitation. Under UV light, the substrate 30 of the banknote itself, which is free of optical brighteners, appears black, so that the luminescent substances luminesce in the regions lying above the recessed area of the black color layer 22 after UV excitation with high luminosity, as in the right half of FIG Fig. 3 indicated by the longer arrows of the emitted light.

In the case of UV illumination, in the areas in which only the colored color layer 24 with the blue-luminescent luminescent substance is present in front of the banknote substrate 30, an intense blue image impression 50 results and in areas in which the colored color layer 24 with the blue luminescent Luminescent material and the colored ink layer 28 with the red luminescent luminescent substance in front of the banknote substrate 30 are present, an intense magenta image impression 51. If all three color ink layers 24, 26, 28 in front of the banknote substrate 30 before, results from the additive color mixing of the luminescent intense white picture impression 52.

Correspondingly, regions with only the colored ink layer 26 or 28 in front of the banknote substrate 30 result in an intense green image impression 54 or an intensive red image impression 56, and an intense cyan image impression 53 results from a combination of the color films 24 and 26 and by a combination of the multi-color layers 26 and 28 an intense yellow image impression 55. In areas where only the banknote substrate 30 is present, results in the UV light, a deep black image impression 57. Alternatively, a black image impression 58 also formed by a range in which the three color ink layers 24-28 are recessed and the black color layer 22 is visible.

If the colored color layers 24, 26, 28 project over non-recessed areas of the black ink layer 22, then the same color impressions result qualitatively, but with reduced luminosity. This is in the left half of the picture Fig. 3 indicated by the shorter arrows 59 of the emitted light.

The mirror-symmetrical butterfly 14 of the Fig. 1 allows a particularly impressive visual authenticity check. For example, in the butterfly 14 of Fig. 1 in the right wing 60, the black color layer 22 is provided in the form of the wing 60, while the black color layer 22 is recessed in the left wing 62, so that in the print 12 substantially equal portions with and without black color layer 22 exist. When looking at the then arise in Fig. 4 visible appearances in visible light ( Fig. 4 (a) ) or in UV light ( Fig. 4 (b) ).

Regarding Fig. 4 (a) In the visible light, the effect pigments of the colored color layers 24-28 are visible in the area of the right wing 60 of the butterfly because of the black color layer 22 with high luminosity, whereas in the region of the left wing 62 they are only relatively pale due to the lack of dark background appear. Due to the additive color mixing of the effect pigments, the right wing 60 appears bright and with a broad RGB hue spectrum.

If the imprint 12 is viewed in the UV light, as in Fig. 4 (b) In the area of the left wing 62, the colored color layers 24-28 are directly on the banknote substrate 30, so that there is a bright luminescence is observed, while the luminescence in the region of the right wing 60 is only weaker because of the present there black color layer 22. Due to the additive color mixing of the luminescent substances, the left wing 62 appears bright and with a broad RGB hue spectrum.

As in the embodiment, the RGB colorings of the visible subject of the Fig. 4 (a) and the luminescent motif of Fig. 4 (b) match, the left wing 62 in the UV light the same color as the right wing 60 in visible light. When the banknote 10 is inserted under a UV lamp, the user thus perceives a striking shift in brightness from the right to the left wing of the butterfly, with the coloration unchanged. Such a change of appearance is easy too Verify and also very distinctive, so that it is connected to the viewer with a high recognition value.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention with a five-layer structure of the imprint 12. In the schematic cross section of Fig. 5 the imprint 12 on the substrate 30 is formed by a layer sequence 70 which consists of five color layers 72, 74, 76, 78, 80.

The layer 72 of the layer sequence closest to the substrate 30 is a black color layer which contains neither luminescent substances nor effect pigments. Over the black color layer 72 are as in the embodiment of Fig. 2 three multi-color layers 74, 76, 78, with each of which by the simultaneous addition of a luminescent and an effect pigment one of the primary colors red, green and blue of the RGB color space for additive color mixing is generated, independently for the visible subject and the UV motive.

As the fifth color layer, there is provided a white color layer 80 disposed over the three color ink layers 74-78, which contains no luminescent substance but an effect pigment which appears white in the visible light against a dark background.

The colored color layers 74-78 and the white color layer 80 are in the form of motifs and can also be partially recessed within their outer contour. The black color layer 72 in this embodiment need not contain any recesses within its outer contour, since a desired white color impression in the visible light can be generated by the white color layer 80 with a particularly high luminosity.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

bill

12

imprint

14

butterfly

20

layer sequence

22

black color layer

24, 26, 28

Colorful color layers

30

substratum

40-49

different colored picture impressions in visible light

50-59

different colored picture impressions in UV light

60

right wing

62

left wing

64

black background

70

layer sequence

72

black color layer

74, 76, 78

Colorful color layers

80

white color layer

Claims (13)

1. A data carrier (10), especially a value or security document, having a substrate (30) and, on the substrate, an imprint (12) that displays, both in visible light and in UV light, in each case in additive color mixing, a multicolored motif (14),

   - the imprint being formed by a layer sequence (20) composed of at least four ink layers (22, 24, 26, 28) that at least partially overlap one another,

   - the layer (22) closest to the substrate being a black ink layer without luminescent substances and without effect pigments, and

   - there being present over the black ink layer three colored ink layers (24,26,28) that each include both a luminescent substance and an effect pigment,

   - the colored ink layers each including one luminescent substance that, following UV light excitation, luminesces red, green or blue, and the colored ink layers each including one effect pigment that appears red, green or blue in visible light.
2. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the colored ink layers includes a luminescent substance that luminesces red following UV light excitation and an effect pigment that appears red in visible light, one of the colored ink layers includes a luminescent substance that luminesces green following UV light excitation and an effect pigment that appears green in visible light, and one of the colored ink layers includes a luminescent substance that luminesces blue following UV light excitation and an effect pigment that appears blue in visible light.
3. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that, in each of the three colored ink layers, the hue of the luminescent substance following UV light excitation and the hue of the effect pigment in visible light differ from each other.
4. The data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in visible light, the colored motif includes a dominant red, green or blue hue, and in that the colored ink layer whose effect pigment displays the dominant hue of the colored motif constitutes the furthest removed of the three colored ink layers from the black ink layer.
5. The data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in UV light, the colored motif includes a dominant red, green or blue hue, and in that the colored ink layer whose effect pigment displays the dominant hue of the colored motif constitutes the furthest removed of the three colored ink layers from the black ink layer.
6. The data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the black ink layer is present in a first sub-region of the imprint and is omitted in a second sub-region of the imprint, the colored motif in visible light appearing in luminous colors in the first sub-region and appearing in paler colors in the second sub-region, and the colored motif in UV light appearing in luminous colors in the second sub-region and appearing in paler colors in the first sub-region.
7. The data carrier according to claim 6, characterized in that the first and second sub-region of the imprint are approximately the same size, especially in that the sub-layer sequence formed by the three colored ink layers is mirror-symmetrical in the plane of the imprint and the black ink layer is substantially present in one of the mirror-symmetrical halves of the imprint and the black ink layer is substantially omitted in the other of the mirror-symmetrical halves of the imprint.
8. The data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the layer sequence additionally includes, arranged over the three colored ink layers, a white ink layer without luminescent substance but having an effect pigment that in visible light appears white against a dark background.
9. The data carrier according to claim 8, characterized in that the black ink layer is developed to be simply cohesive.
10. The data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the effect pigments are formed by interference pigments or liquid crystal pigments, especially by multilayer interference pigments or cholesteric liquid crystal pigments.
11. A method for manufacturing a data carrier according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which

    - a layer sequence composed of at least four ink layers that at least partially overlap one another is applied on a substrate,

    - a black ink layer without luminescent substances and without effect pigments being applied first, and

    - over the black ink layer are applied three colored ink layers that each include both a luminescent substance and an effect pigment,

    - the colored ink layers each having one luminescent substance that, following UV light excitation, luminesces red, green or blue, and the colored ink layers each having one effect pigment that appears red, green or blue in visible light being applied.
12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the ink layers are imprinted on the substrate in the gravure process.
13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the ink layers are applied to the substrate in a printing unit that is connected directly to a paper machine for producing the substrate, such that the multicolored motif is applied during substrate manufacture.

Images