EP3337675A1

EP3337675A1 - Security element, method for producing same, and data carrier equipped with the security element

Info

Publication number: EP3337675A1
Application number: EP16756945.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giselher Dorff; Andreas Rauch; Manfred Heim
Original assignee: Giesecke and Devrient Currency Technology GmbH
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient Currency Technology GmbH
Priority date: 2015-08-17
Filing date: 2016-08-16
Publication date: 2018-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-16
Also published as: WO2017028950A1; EP3337675B1; DE102015010744A1; CN107848322A; CN107848322B

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a security element, comprising the steps of: a) providing a support which has an embossing lacquer layer that has a first, diffractive structure-forming relief structure, and a second, micromirror arrangement-forming relief structure; b) imprinting the first, diffractive structure-forming relief structure with a printing ink which is based on metallic platelet pigments that are designed in such a way that they spatially align themselves along the relief structure of the embossing lacquer layer; c) imprinting with a soluble wash ink such that the regions of the first, diffractive structure-forming relief structure and the second, micromirror arrangement-forming relief structure form recesses in the applied wash ink; d) applying a colored thin-film element over the whole surface and then washing off the wash ink such that the colored thin-film element remains in the regions of the first, diffractive structure-forming relief structure and the second, micromirror arrangement-forming relief structure in a fashion spatially aligned along the respective relief structure; and e) applying an adhesive layer.

Description

Security element, method for producing the same and with the

Security element equipped disk

The invention relates to a security element for securing

Security documents, comprising a carrier having an embossing lacquer layer, which has a first relief structure forming a diffractive structure and a second, microstructure structure forming a micromirror arrangement, wherein the first relief structure has a spatial along the relief structure

is provided aligned reflection layer and the second relief structure is provided with a spatially along the relief structure aligned, colored thin-film element. The invention further relates to methods for producing such a security element and to a data carrier, e.g. a value document, with such a security element.

Data carriers, such as value or ID documents, or others

Valuables, such as branded goods, are often provided with security elements for the purpose of protection, which permit a verification of the authenticity of the data carriers and at the same time as protection against unauthorized use

Serve reproduction. Security elements with viewing-angle-dependent effects play a special role in the authentication of authenticity since they can not be reproduced even with the most modern copiers. The security elements are thereby optically variable

Elements equipped to the viewer under different

Viewing angles convey a different image impression and, for example, depending on the viewing angle, another color or

Show brightness impression and / or another graphic motive.

In this context, e.g. known from WO 2009/080263 A2, security elements with multilayer thin-film elements

use whose color impression for the viewer with the Viewing Angle changes (hereafter referred to as Color Shifting Effect). The color shift effect is due to such thin-film elements

by viewing angle dependent interference effects

Multiple reflections in the different sublayers of the element. The path difference of the light reflected at the different layers depends on the one hand on the optical thickness of a dielectric

Spacer layer, which determines the distance between a semi-transparent absorber layer and a reflective layer, and varies

on the other hand, with the respective viewing angle. Since the

Path difference in the order of the wavelength of the visible light is due to extinction and amplification of certain wavelengths, an angle-dependent color impression for the viewer. By a suitable choice of material and thickness of

Dielectric spacer layer, a variety of different color shift effects can be designed.

In addition, (see-through) security elements with multilayer thin-film elements are known which, when viewed in incident light, i. in reflection, appear in a first color and when viewed in the

Transmitted light, i. in transmission, appear in a second color. WO 2011/082761 Al describes a thin-film element with

Multilayer structure that appears golden when viewed in reflected light and blue when viewed in transmitted light. The multilayer structure is based on two semitransparent mirror layers and a dielectric spacer layer arranged between the two mirror layers.

Based on this, the invention is based on the object

Security element of the type mentioned with high Counterfeiting security and attractive visual appearance and manufacturing process for this purpose.

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

Dependent claims.

Summary of the Invention 1. (First Aspect of the Invention) Method of Making a

A security element for securing value documents, comprising a) the provision of a carrier having an embossing lacquer layer which has a first relief structure forming a diffractive structure and a second relief structure forming a micromirror arrangement;

b) printing the first, forming a diffractive structure

Relief structure with a printing ink, on platelet-shaped

Based on metal pigments, which are arranged so that they align spatially along the relief structure of the embossing lacquer layer and thus form a reflective layer;

c) imprinting a soluble wash ink in such a way that the areas of the first relief structure forming a diffractive structure and the second relief structure forming a micromirror arrangement

Forming recesses in the applied wash paint;

d) the full-surface application of a colored thin-film element followed by washing off the washing paint together with the above

Wash color generated region of the colored thin-film element, so that the colored thin-film element in the areas of the first, a diffractive structure-forming relief structure and the second, a Micro-mirror arrangement forming relief structure remains in spatially along the respective relief structure aligned form;

e) applying a (e.g., transparent) adhesive layer suitable for the

Gluing the security element is suitable with a valuable item, on the layer structure obtained by the steps a) to d), optionally via one or more intermediate layers.

2. (Preferred embodiment) The method according to paragraph 1, wherein the carrier provided in step a) is removable as one of the embossing lacquer layer

Transfer film is designed.

3. (Preferred Embodiment) The method according to paragraph 1 or 2, wherein the colored thin-layer element provided in step d) is a color-shifting thin-film element which differs from the viewer at different

Viewing angles different color impressions mediates, or a semi-transparent thin-film element, which the viewer in the

Viewing in incident light and viewing in transmitted light

is different color impressions, is. 4. (Second aspect of the invention) Method for producing a

A security element for securing value documents, comprising a) the provision of a support with an embossing lacquer layer which has a first relief structure forming a diffractive structure and a second relief structure forming a micromirror arrangement;

b) imprinting a soluble wash color in such a way that the area of the first relief structure forming a diffractive structure forms a recess in the applied wash color;

c) the full-surface application of a reflective layer, in particular by means of vapor deposition, followed by washing off the wash ink together with the above the wash color generated region of the reflection layer, so that the reflection layer in the region of the first, a diffractive structure forming relief structure in spatially along the relief structure

remains aligned form;

d) imprinting a soluble wash ink in such a way that the area of the second microstructure forming a micromirror structure forms a recess in the applied wash color;

e) the full-surface application of a colored thin-layer element followed by washing off the washing ink together with the above

Wash color generated area of the colored thin-film element, so that the colored Dürmschichtelement in the area of the second, a

Micromirror arrangement forming relief structure in spatially along the relief structure aligned form remains;

f) applying a (e.g., transparent) adhesive layer suitable for the

Gluing the security element is suitable with a valuable item, on the layer structure obtained by the steps a) to e), optionally via one or more intermediate layers.

5. (Preferred embodiment) The method according to paragraph 4, wherein the carrier provided in step a) is removable as one of the embossing lacquer layer

Transfer film is designed.

6. (Preferred Embodiment) The method according to paragraph 4 or 5, wherein the colored thin-film element provided in step e) is a thin-film thin-film element which is different in appearance to the viewer

Viewing in incident light and viewing in transmitted light

is different color impressions, is. 7. (Third aspect of the invention) Method of manufacturing a

A security element for securing value documents, comprising a) providing a carrier with an embossing lacquer layer, which has a first relief structure forming a diffractive structure and a second, a

Micromirror arrangement has forming relief structure;

b) imprinting a soluble wash ink in such a way that the area of the second microstructure-forming relief structure forms a recess in the applied wash color;

c) the full-surface application of a colored thin-film element followed by washing off the washing ink together with the above

Wash color generated region of the colored thin-film element, so that the colored thin-film element in the region of the second, a

d) printing the first, forming a diffractive structure

Relief structure with a printing ink on platelet-shaped

Based on metal pigments, which are such that they align spatially along the relief structure of the embossing lacquer layer and thus form a reflective layer;

e) applying a (e.g., transparent) adhesive layer suitable for the

8. (Preferred embodiment) The method according to paragraph 7, wherein the carrier provided in step a) is removable as one of the embossing lacquer layer

Transfer film is designed. 9. (Preferred Embodiment) The method according to paragraph 7 or 8, wherein the colored thin-film element provided in step c) is a thin-film thin-film element which is at different viewing angles to the viewer

Viewing in incident light and viewing in transmitted light

is different color impressions, is.

10. (Fourth aspect of the invention) Method of manufacturing a

d) printing the first, forming a diffractive structure

Relief structure with a printing ink on platelet-shaped

e) the application of a (eg transparent) protective lacquer to the layer structure obtained by steps a) to d); f) the application of an adhesive layer, which is used for bonding the

Security element is suitable with a valuable item, on the side of the carrier opposite the embossing lacquer layer, optionally via one or more intermediate layers.

11. (Preferred Embodiment) The method of paragraph 10, wherein the colored thin-film element provided in step c) is a color-shifting thin-film element that is different in color to the viewer

Viewing in incident light and viewing in transmitted light

is different color impressions, is.

12. (Fifth aspect of the invention) Method of manufacturing a

c) the full-surface application of a reflective layer, in particular by means of vapor deposition, followed by washing off the wash ink together with the area of the reflection layer above the wash ink, so that the reflection layer in the region of the first, a diffractive structure-forming relief structure in spatially along the relief structure

remains aligned form; d) imprinting a soluble wash ink in such a way that the area of the second microstructure forming a micromirror structure forms a recess in the applied wash color;

f) applying a (e.g., transparent) resist to the layer structure obtained by steps a) to e);

g) the application of an adhesive layer, which is used for bonding the

13. (Preferred Embodiment) The method according to paragraph 12, wherein the colored thin-film element provided in step e) is a color-shifting thin-film element which differs in color from the viewer

Viewing in incident light and viewing in transmitted light

is different color impressions, is. 14. (Sixth aspect of the invention) Security element for securing documents of value, comprising a carrier with an embossing lacquer layer, which has a first, a diffractive structure forming relief structure and a second, micro-mirror arrangement forming a relief structure, wherein the first relief structure with a spatially along the relief structure aligned reflective layer is provided and the second relief structure is provided with a spatially along the relief structure oriented, colored thin-film element, wherein the security element by the method according to one of claims 1 to 13 is available.

15. (Preferred Embodiment) A security element according to paragraph 14, wherein the security element is a (continuous) strip, an (endless) thread or a patch or label. 16. (seventh aspect of the invention) data carrier with a security element according to paragraph 14 or 15.

17. (Preferred embodiment) Data carrier according to paragraph 16, wherein the data carrier is a value document, such as a banknote, in particular a paper banknote, polymer banknote or composite film banknote, or identity card.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The value document referred to in the present description may be a banknote, in particular a paper banknote

Polymer banknote or a foil composite banknote, a share, a bond, a certificate, a coupon, a check, a high-quality admission ticket, but also an identification card, such as a BCreditkarte, a bank card, a cash card, an authorization card, an identity card or pass personalization page act.

For the purposes of this invention, viewing in incident light is illumination of the security element from one side and observation of the light Security elements from the same page. A reflection in reflected light is thus present, for example, when the front of the security element is illuminated and also viewed.

A reflection in transmitted light is in the sense of this invention

Lighting a security element from one side and a view of the security element from another side, in particular the

opposite side. A reflection in transmitted light is thus, for example, when the back of the security element illuminated and the front of the security element is considered. The light thus shines through the security element.

The security element according to the invention can e.g. as a patch or label, as an (endless) strip or as an (endless) thread.

The auszustattende with the security element according to the invention

The data carrier substrate of the data carrier is in particular a paper substrate or a paper-like substrate, a polymer substrate

Paper / film / paper composite substrate or a film / paper / film composite substrate. A security document provided with a window portion may be used in the case of a paper substrate, a

Paper / film / paper composite substrate or a film / paper / film composite substrate e.g. be produced by means of a continuous recess within the paper layer (s). Alternatively, the paper layer may be coated by means of a suitable liquid, e.g. by means of aqueous

Sulfuric acid solution to be made transparent in a certain range. In the case of one on a transparent polymer substrate

based value document, a window area, for example by means of congruent recesses are generated in the applied on the front and back of the polymer substrate opaque print layers.

According to the invention, it is provided in a generic security element to provide a carrier or a carrier substrate with a layer structure which comprises, inter alia:

an embossing lacquer layer having a diffractive structure or

Hologram structure forming relief structure on the one hand and a microstructure forming a relief structure (i.e., a micro-optical relief structure) on the other hand;

a reflective layer aligned along the diffractive structure, e.g. by vapor deposition (see the preparation processes according to the second or fifth aspect of the invention) or by printing technology (see the preparation processes according to the first, the third or the fourth aspect of the invention);

a colored thin-film element aligned along the microstructure or a colored thin-film element aligned along the microstructure as well as along the diffractive structure, in which case the viewer, in viewing the data carrier glued on a security element in the region of the reflection layer, only the

Reflection layer and can not recognize the arranged below the reflective layer colored thin-film element; and

a (e.g., transparent) adhesive layer suitable for bonding the

Security elements with a data carrier, such as a valuable item, is suitable.

The production of a micro-optical relief structure is in the state of

Known technology (see eg WO 2014/060089 A2) The use of washing ink and the washing off of the washing paint for (fine) structuring of a metallization is known, for example, from WO 99/13157, WO 92/11142 and WO 97/23357. With reference to the reflection layer obtainable by vapor deposition, an aluminum layer is particularly suitable.

Platelet-shaped metal pigments are suitable for producing a reflection layer which can be obtained by printing technology. Suitable platelet-shaped metal pigments are known, for example, from WO 2013/186167 A2, WO 2010/069823 A1, WO 2005/051675 A2 (see, for example, the description on page 11, line 10, to page 12, penultimate paragraph) and WO 2011/064162 A2 known. The platelet-shaped metal pigments described therein have the advantage that they conform to a substrate having a relief structure, in particular a relief with microstructures and / or nanostructures, so well that the difference to a conventional metallization obtainable by vapor deposition is almost no longer recognizable. The simple, printing-technical production of the reflection layer makes it possible to dispense with complex process steps, such as printing the carrier with a soluble wash in the form of a desired recess within the reflection layer to be produced, generating a metallization by vapor deposition and washing the washing paint together with the above the washing paint on ebrachten metallization. The ink which can be used according to the invention and is based on platelet-shaped metal pigments for producing a reflection layer which can be obtained by printing can be based, for example, on the metal pigment described in WO 2005/051675 A2 (see, for example, the description on page 11, line 10, to page 12, penultimate paragraph). Based compositions. The pigments are based on a metal, preferably selected from the group consisting of aluminum, stainless steel, nichrome, gold, silver, platinum and copper. The metal is particularly preferably aluminum, the average particle diameter preferably being in a range from 2 to 50 μm, more preferably in a range from 5 to 15 μm, measured with a Coulter LS130 laser diffraction granulometer. Such a printing ink makes it possible to provide a "silver" mirror layer Moreover, the metal pigment compositions (eg, yellow) may be colored.

Furthermore, the invention can be used, on

platelet-shaped metal pigments-based printing ink for producing a printable reflection layer, e.g. based on the effect pigment compositions with color shift effect described in WO 2011/064162 A2. The pigments have a longest dimension of edge length from end-to-end in a range of 15 nm to 1000 nm and are based on a transition metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Zn , Cd, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt. The transition metal is preferably Ag. The aspect ratio (ie, the ratio of the longest end-to-end dimension based on the thickness) is preferably at least 1.5, in particular in a range of 1.5 to 300. The ratio of

Binder to metal pigment is preferably below 10: 1, especially below 5: 1. Depending on the choice of

Aspect ratio of the pigment, its longest end-to-end dimension, and the pigment / binder ratio adjustment, the color can be tuned when viewed in the print layer and the color when viewed in reflection (eg, blue in transmission and silver, gold, bronze, Copper or violet in reflection, in addition violet, Magenta, pink, green or brown in transmission and different colors in reflection, depending on the choice of pigment / binder ratio). Colors with gold / blue color change between reflection and transmission (in other words, between incident light and transmitted light observation) are mentioned, for example, in Examples 1, 2 and 3 in Table 1 of WO 2011/064162 A2. Further, Example 4 shows a color with gold / violet color change, Example 5 a color with green-gold / magenta color change, Example 7 a color with violet / green color change and Example 8 a color with silver / opaque color change.

The colored thin film element may e.g. a color dumping

Be thin-film element that the viewer at different

Viewing angles gives different color impressions. Such a thin-film element comprises e.g. an interference-capable, multi-layered structure with

a reflective layer, in particular a metallic,

reflective layer, e.g. Aluminum;

a semitransparent (mirror) layer or absorber layer (selected in particular from the group consisting of Al, Ag, Ni, Cr, Cu, Au and an alloy of one or more of the aforementioned elements, with Cr being preferred); and

a dielectric layer, for example SiO ₂ , arranged between the reflective layer and the semitransparent (mirror) layer or absorber layer,

wherein the color of the multi-layered structure changes with the change of the viewing angle.

The colored thin-layer element may furthermore be a semitransparent thin-layer element which, when viewed in the image, is viewed by the viewer Reflected light and when viewed in transmitted light different

Conveyed color impressions. Such a thin-film element comprises e.g. a multilayer structure with two semitransparent layers and one arranged between the two semitransparent layers

dielectric layer, wherein the multilayer structure in the

Observation in incident light on the one hand and when viewed in transmitted light on the other hand has different shades, especially when viewed in reflected light appears golden and when viewed in transmitted light shows a blue hue. The two different

Shades are in particular complementary colors. Such a

In particular, a multilayer structure is based on two semitransparent mirror layers and one between the two semitransparent ones

Mirror layers arranged dielectric layer. Such a

A multilayer structure which, when viewed in reflected light, appears golden in color and shows a blue hue when viewed in transmitted light, is e.g. known from WO 2011/082761 AI. As semitransparent

Mirror layer is particularly suitable a metal which is selected from the group consisting of Al, Ag, Ni, Cr, Cu, Au and an alloy of one or more of the aforementioned elements, wherein Al or Ag are preferred as a semitransparent mirror layer and Al is particularly preferred becomes. Suitable multilayer structures with two

semitransparent mirror layers and one between the two

Semitransparent mirror layers arranged dielectric layer preferably have the following physical nature:

the two semitransparent mirror layers are preferably selected from Al or Ag; the dielectric layer is in particular an SiO 2 layer;

in the case where each of the two semitransparent mirror layers is based on Al, the respective preferred layer thickness lies in a range of 5 nm to 20 nm, particularly preferably in a range of 10 nm to 14 nm; the SiO 2 dielectric layer preferably has a layer thickness in a range from 50 nm to 450 nm, more preferably in a range from 80 nm to 260 nm, the ranges from 80 nm to 100 nm and from 220 nm to 240 nm specifically for the provision of a gold / Blue color change are particularly preferred;

in the case where each of the two semitransparent mirror layers is based on Ag, the respective preferred layer thickness is in a range of 15 nm to 25 nm; the SiO 2 dielectric layer preferably has one

Layer thickness in a range of 50 nm to 450 nm, more preferably in a range of 80 nm to 260 nm, with the ranges of 80 nm to 100 nm and from 220 nm to 240 nm being especially preferred for providing a gold / blue color change.

The multilayered layer structures mentioned not only enable the production of a semitransparent functional layer which, when viewed in reflected light, appears golden in color and exhibits a blue hue when viewed in transmitted light, but further color changes can be produced depending on the choice of the layer thickness, in particular of the dielectric layer, e.g.

Magenta in transmitted light, blue-green in transmitted light;

- in incident light turquoise, in transmitted light orange-yellow;

- in reflected light gold, in transmitted light blue - violet;

- in reflected light silver, in transmitted light violet.

As a colored thin-film element, which differs to the viewer when viewed in reflected light and when viewed in transmitted light

Furthermore, a printable thin-film element is suitable. Such a thin-film element comprises, for example, a printing layer with an effect pigment composition which, when viewed in reflected light, has a different color than when viewed in reflected light Transmitted light, in particular a gold / blue color change, a gold / violet color change, a green-gold / magenta color change, a violet / green color change or a silver / opaque color change shows. Such printing inks are described, for example, in WO 2011/064162 A2.

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.

Show it:

Figures 1 to 6 an example of the production of a

Security element according to the invention according to the first aspect of the invention;

Figures 7 to 15 an example of the production of a

inventive security element according to the second aspect of the invention;

Figures 16 to 22 an example of the production of a

inventive security element according to the third aspect of the invention; Figures 23 to 30 show another example of the production of a

security elements according to the invention; Figures 31 to 37 an example of the production of a

inventive security element according to the fourth aspect of the invention; a schematic representation of a banknote with a security element according to the invention; a schematic representation of another banknote with a security element according to the invention.

The invention will now be described using the example of security elements for

Banknotes explained. FIG. 47 shows a schematic illustration of a banknote 1 with a transparent window area 3 (dashed line)

shown), which is provided with a security element 2 according to the invention in the form of a patch.

The banknote 1 may e.g. are based on a (for example transparent) plastic substrate, wherein the banknote in area 3 has neither an ink on the front side nor on the rear side, so that the area 3 can be recognized by the viewer as a transparent window area.

The banknote 1 may alternatively be based on a foil / paper / foil composite substrate, the central paper layer in the region 3 having a (in particular filled with transparent adhesive or filler)

Recess has. Foil / paper / film composite substrates are known from WO 2004/028825 A2. According to another alternative, the banknote 1 is based on a

Paper / film / paper composite substrate, wherein the outer paper layers each have a recess in region 3 (see for example WO

2006/066431 AI).

According to another alternative, the banknote 1 is based on a

Paper substrate, which has a continuous recess in area 3. The continuous recess is on at least one side of the

Paper substrate covered by a transparent film (see, for example, WO 2011/015622 AI).

The security element 2 shown in FIG. 47 contains a central, color-shifting motif 5 formed by a micromirror arrangement, which is surrounded by a motif 4 formed by a hologram.

FIG. 48 shows a schematic representation of a further banknote 6 based on a paper substrate, which is provided on its front side with a security element according to the invention in the form of a strip 7 (shown in dashed lines). The strip 7 has in the present example, a width of 8 mm and has a farbkippendes by a

Micromirror arrangement formed motif 9 and formed by a hologram motif 8.

The structure and the production of an inventive

Security elements 7 according to the first aspect of the invention will be explained in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. 6 shows the security element 7 in FIG

Cross-sectional view along the dashed line A-A '. According to the figure 1 is a. Carrier 10 in the form of a (eg transparent) plastic film, such as a PET film, provided with an embossing lacquer 11. The relief structure (ie the surface) of the embossing lacquer 11 has a microstructure in the partial area IIa and a nanostructure in the partial area IIb.

According to FIG. 2, the embossing lacquer 11 in the sub-area IIb is printed with the printing ink known from WO 2005/051675 A2. The printing ink is based on platelet-shaped metal pigments (in particular Al pigments) and leads to the production of a reflection layer 12, in the present case a "silver" mirror layer.

As shown in Fig. 3, printing of a soluble wash ink 13 (i.e., a printing ink which, after being printed, is effected by means of a printing ink 13)

Washing liquid can be washed out or removed) in such a way that the areas forming a diffractive structure

Relief structure IIb and forming a micro-mirror assembly

Relief structure IIa recesses in the applied wash paint 13 form. Washing colors are e.g. from EP 1 972462 A2 and the prior art cited in paragraphs [0004] to [0006] of this publication.

According to FIG. 4, the embossing lacquer 11 printed with the wash ink 13 is covered with a multi-layer thin-film element 14 over its entire area

Provided color shift effect. Such a thin film element 14 has a semitransparent absorber layer 15 (e.g., Cr), a dielectric

Spacer layer 16 (eg SiO ₂ ) and a reflective layer 17 (eg Al) and can be generated by vapor deposition. According to FIG. 5, a demetallization step is carried out in which the printed wash ink area 13 together with the areas above it of the multilayer thin-film element 14

be washed off.

As shown in Fig. 6, the resulting layer structure is provided with a (e.g.

transparent) intermediate layer or primer layer 18 (e.g., a UV varnish) and one for bonding the security element to one

Wertdocumentsubstrat appropriate heat sealing varnish 19 provided.

The resulting embossing lacquer 11 has, in consideration of the

Security elements in incident light from the side of the carrier 10 forth in

Part IIa a color-tilting micromirror motif on and in

Part IIb on a silver hologram motif. Although the thin-film element 14 arranged in the sub-area IIb is not recognizable to the observer because it is obscured by the metal-pigment printed layer 12. However, the reflectivity of the metal pigment print layer 12 is enhanced by the underlying thin film element 14, i. the metallic character of the metal pigment printing layer 12 is stronger in this way.

The carrier 10 shown in FIG. 6 can be designed as a transfer film detachable from the embossing lacquer layer 11. After bonding the security element shown in FIG. 6 with a value document substrate by means of the adhesive layer 19 and after detaching the transfer film 10, the viewer would directly perceive the embossing lacquer layer 11 when viewing the security document provided with the security element. Figures 7 to 15 illustrate the manufacture of a

Security element according to the invention according to the second aspect of the invention. Referring to Figure 7, a carrier 10 is in the form of a (e.g., transparent) plastic film, e.g. a PET film, provided with an embossing lacquer 11. The relief structure (i.e., the surface) of the embossing lacquer 11 has a microstructure in the partial area IIa and a nanostructure in the partial area IIb. According to FIG. 8, the printing of a soluble washing ink 20 takes place in such a way that the region of the relief structure IIb forming a diffractive structure forms a recess in the applied washing ink 20. According to FIG. 9, the layer structure provided with the scrubbing 20 is coated over its entire area by vapor deposition with a metallization 21, in the present case aluminum. The metallization 21 adapts in the partial region IIb to the diffractive relief of the embossing lacquer layer 11. According to FIG. 10, a demetallization step is carried out in which the imprinted wash ink area 20 is washed off together with the areas of the metallization 21 located above it. The

Reflection layer 21 remains in the region of the relief structure IIb of embossing lacquer 11 forming a diffractive structure.

According to FIG. 11, the printing of a soluble washing ink 22 takes place in such a way that the region of the relief structure IIa forming a micromirror arrangement has a recess in the applied surface

Wash color 22 forms. According to FIG. 12, the one provided with the wash ink 22 becomes

Layer structure over the entire surface with a multi-layer thin-film element 23 provided with color shift effect. Such a thin film element 23 has a semi-transparent absorber layer 24 (e.g., Cr), a dielectric spacer layer 25 (e.g., S1O2), and a reflective layer 26 (e.g., Al), and may be formed by vapor deposition.

According to FIG. 13, a demetallization step is carried out, in which the printed wash ink area 22 together with the areas of the multilayer thin-film element 23 lying above it

be washed off.

Referring to Fig. 14, the resulting layer structure is provided with a (e.g.

transparent) intermediate layer or primer layer 27 (for example a UV varnish) and then, according to Figure 15, provided with a heat sealing lacquer 28 suitable for bonding the security element to a value document substrate.

The resulting embossing lacquer 11 has, in consideration of the

Security elements in incident light from the side of the carrier 10 forth in

Part IIa a color-tilting micromirror motif on and in

Part IIb on a silver hologram motif.

The carrier 10 shown in FIG. 15 can be configured as a transfer film detachable from the embossing lacquer layer 11. After adhering the security element shown in FIG. 15 to a value document substrate by means of the adhesive layer 28 and after detaching the transfer film 10, the viewer would directly perceive the embossing lacquer layer 11 when viewing the security document provided with the security element. Figures 16 to 22 illustrate the manufacture of a

Security element according to the invention according to the third aspect of the invention.

Referring to Figure 16, a carrier 10 is in the form of a (e.g., transparent) plastic film, e.g. a PET film, provided with an embossing lacquer 11. The relief structure (i.e., the surface) of the embossing lacquer 11 has a microstructure in the partial area IIa and a nanostructure in the partial area IIb.

According to FIG. 17, the printing on of a soluble washing ink 29 takes place in such a way that the region of the relief structure IIa forming a micromirror arrangement forms a recess in the applied washing ink 29

According to FIG. 18, the one provided with the washing ink 29 becomes

Layer structure over the entire surface with a multi-layer thin-film element 30 provided with color shift effect. Such a thin film element 30 has a semi-transparent absorber layer 31 (e.g., Cr), a dielectric spacer layer 32 (e.g., S1O2), and a reflective layer 33 (e.g., Al), and may be formed by vapor deposition.

19, a demetallization step is carried out in which the imprinted wash ink area 29 is washed off together with the overlying areas of the multilayer thin-film element 30, so that the colored thin-layer element 30 in the area of the micromirror arrangement forming relief structure IIa in spatially aligned along the relief structure form remains. According to FIG. 20, the embossing lacquer 11 in the partial area IIb is printed with the printing ink known from WO 2005/051675 A2. The printing ink is based on platelet-shaped metal pigments (in particular Al pigments) and leads to the production of a reflection layer 34, in the present case a "silver" mirror layer.

As shown in Fig. 21, the resulting layer structure is provided with a (e.g.

transparent) intermediate layer or primer layer 35 (e.g., a UV varnish), and then, as shown in Figure 22, with a label suitable for bonding the security element to a value document substrate

Heat sealing lacquer 36 provided.

The resulting embossing lacquer 11 has, in consideration of the

Security elements in incident light from the side of the carrier 10 forth in

Part IIa a color-tilting micromirror motif on and in

Part IIb on a silver hologram motif.

The carrier 10 shown in FIG. 22 can be designed as a transfer film detachable from the embossing lacquer layer 11. After bonding the security element shown in FIG. 22 to a value document substrate by means of the adhesive layer 36 and after detaching the transfer film 10, the viewer would directly perceive the embossing lacquer layer 11 when viewing the value document provided with the security element.

Figures 23 to 30 illustrate another example of the production of a security element according to the invention.

According to FIG. 23, a carrier 10 in the form of a (eg transparent) plastic film, eg a PET film, is provided with an embossing lacquer 11. The The relief structure (ie the surface) of the embossing lacquer 11 has a microstructure in the partial area IIa and a nanostructure in the partial area IIb.

According to FIG. 24, the imprinting of a soluble wash ink 37 takes place in such a way that the area of the relief structure forming a diffractive structure IIb and the area of the microstructure form one another

Relief structure IIa each form a recess in the applied wash paint 37.

According to FIG. 25, the one provided with the washing ink 37 becomes

Layer structure over the entire surface with a reflective layer 38 (eg AI) and a spacer layer 39 (eg Si0 ₂ ) provided, for example by means of vapor deposition.

According to FIG. 26, the printing of a soluble wash ink 40 takes place only in the region of the relief structure IIb forming a diffractive structure.

According to FIG. 27, the layer structure is completely covered with a

Absorber layer 41 (e.g., Cr), e.g. by vapor deposition.

According to FIG. 28, a demetallization step is carried out, in which the printed wash ink areas are washed off together with the layers above. In the region of the relief structure IIb of the embossing lacquer 11 forming a diffractive structure

remain the reflective layer 38 and the spacer layer 39, which each conform to the relief. In the region of the relief structure IIa of the embossing lacquer 11, which forms a microstructure, these remain

Reflection layer 38, the spacer layer 39 and the absorber layer 41, the each adapt to the relief and together form a color-shifting layer.

Referring to Fig. 29, the resulting layer structure is provided with a (e.g.

transparent) primer layer 42 (e.g., a UV varnish) as a protective layer.

According to FIG. 30, the carrier 10 is provided on the side opposite the security element structure by means of a primer layer 43 with a heat seal lacquer 44 suitable for bonding the security element to a value document substrate.

The resulting embossing lacquer 11 has, in consideration of the

Security element in incident light of the adhesive layer 44th

opposite side in the sub-area IIa a farbkippendes

Micromirror motif on and in subarea IIb a silver hologram motif.

Figures 31 to 37 illustrate the manufacture of a

Security element according to the invention according to the fourth aspect of the invention.

Referring to Figure 31, a carrier 10 is in the form of a (e.g., transparent) plastic film, e.g. a PET film, provided with an embossing lacquer 11. The relief structure (i.e., the surface) of the embossing lacquer 11 has a microstructure in the partial region IIa and a nanostructure in the partial region Hb.

In accordance with FIG. 32, the printing of a soluble wash ink 45 takes place in such a way that the area of the micromirror arrangement is realized forming relief structure IIa a recess in the applied

Wash color 45 forms

According to FIG. 33, the one provided with the washing ink 45 becomes

Layer structure over the entire surface with a multi-layer thin-film element provided with color shift effect. Such a thin film element has a reflective layer 46 (e.g., Al), a dielectric spacer layer 47 (e.g., SiO 2), and a semitransparent absorber layer 48 (e.g., Cr), and may be formed by vapor deposition.

Referring to Fig. 34, a demetallization step is carried out in which the printed wash ink area 45 together with the overlying areas of the multi-layered thin-film element

be washed off, so that the colored thin-film element in the

Area of the relief structure IIa forming a micromirror arrangement remains in form aligned spatially along the relief structure.

According to FIG. 35, the embossing lacquer 11 in the partial area IIb is printed with the printing ink known from WO 2005/051675 A2. The printing ink is based on platelet-shaped metal pigments (in particular Al pigments) and leads to the production of a reflection layer 49, in the present case a "silver" mirror layer.

According to FIG. 36, the resulting layer structure is provided with a

Primer layer 50 (e.g., a UV varnish) as a protective layer.

According to FIG. 37, the carrier 10 is provided with a primer layer 51 on the side opposite the security element structure for bonding the security element to a value document substrate, suitable heat sealing lacquer 52 is provided.

The resulting embossing lacquer 11 has, in consideration of the

Security element in incident light of the adhesive layer 52nd

opposite side in the sub-area IIa a Farbkippendes micromirror motif on and in the sub-area Hb a silver hologram motif. Figures 38 to 46 illustrate the manufacture of a

Security element according to the invention according to the fifth aspect of the invention.

Referring to Figure 38, a carrier 10 is in the form of a (e.g., transparent) plastic film, e.g. a PET film, provided with an embossing lacquer 11. The relief structure (i.e., the surface) of the embossing lacquer 11 has a microstructure in the partial region IIa and a nanostructure in the partial region Hb.

According to FIG. 39, the printing of a soluble washing ink 53 is effected in such a way that the region of the relief structure Hb forming a diffractive structure forms a recess in the applied washing ink 53.

According to FIG. 40, the one provided with the washing ink 53 becomes

Layer structure over the entire surface by vapor deposition with a metallization 54, in the present case aluminum, coated. The metallization 54 adapts in the partial region Hb to the diffractive relief of the embossing lacquer layer 11. According to FIG. 41, a demetallization step is carried out, in which the printed wash ink area 53 is washed off together with the areas of the metallization 54 lying over it. The reflection layer 54 remains in the region of the relief structure forming a relief structure IIb of the embossing 11.

According to FIG. 42, the printing of a soluble wash ink 55 is effected in such a way that the region of the relief structure IIa forming a micromirror arrangement forms a recess in the applied wash paint 55.

Referring to FIG. 43, the one provided with the washing paint 55 becomes

Layer structure over the entire surface provided with a multi-layer thin-film element with Farbkippeff ekt. Such a thin film element has a reflective layer 56 (e.g., Al), a dielectric spacer layer 57 (e.g., S1O2), and a semitransparent absorber layer 58 (e.g., Cr), and may be formed by vapor deposition.

Referring to Fig. 44, a demetallization step is carried out in which the printed wash ink area 55 together with the overlying areas of the multilayer thin-film element

be washed off.

As shown in Fig. 45, the resulting layer structure is provided with a (e.g.

transparent) primer layer 59 (e.g., a UV varnish) as a protective layer.

According to FIG. 46, the carrier 10 is provided with a primer layer 60 on the side opposite the security element structure for bonding the security element with a value document substrate suitable heat sealing lacquer 61 provided.

The resulting embossing lacquer 11 has, in consideration of the

Security element in incident light of the adhesive layer 61st

opposite side in the sub-area IIa a color-tilting micromirror motif on and in the sub-area IIb a silver hologram motif.

Claims

Patent claims

1. A method for producing a security element for securing value documents, comprising

a) providing a support having an embossing lacquer layer which has a first relief structure forming a diffractive structure and a second relief structure forming a micromirror arrangement;

b) printing the first, forming a diffractive structure

Relief structure with a printing ink on platelet-shaped

c) imprinting a soluble wash ink in such a way that the areas of the first, a diffractive structure forming relief structure and the second, a micro-mirror assembly forming relief structure

Forming recesses in the applied wash paint;

Wash color generated region of the colored thin-film element, so that the colored thin-film element in the areas of the first, a diffractive structure-forming relief structure and the second, a

Micro-mirror arrangement forming relief structure remains in spatially along the respective relief structure aligned form;

e) the application of an adhesive layer which is suitable for the bonding of the

Security element with a valuable item is suitable, on the layer structure obtained by steps a) to d), optionally via one or more intermediate layers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the carrier provided in step a) is designed as a detachable from the embossing lacquer transfer film.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the colored thin-film element provided in step d) comprises a color-shifting thin-film element which gives the viewer different color impressions at different viewing angles, or a semitransparent thin-film element which, when viewed in incident light and viewed in the viewer Transmitted light different color impressions, is.

4. A method for producing a security element for securing value documents, comprising

c) the full-surface application of a reflective layer, in particular by means of vapor deposition, followed by washing off the wash ink together with the region of the reflective layer above the wash, so that the reflection layer in the region of the first, a diffractive structure forming relief structure in spatially along the relief structure

remains aligned form;

e) the full-surface application of a colored thin-layer element followed by washing off the washing ink together with the above Wash color generated region of the colored thin-film element, so that the colored thin-film element in the region of the second, a

Micro-mirror arrangement forming relief structure remains in spatially along the relief structure aligned form;

f) the application of an adhesive layer, which is used for bonding the

Security element with a valuable item is suitable, on the layer structure obtained by steps a) to e), optionally via one or more intermediate layers.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the carrier provided in step a) is designed as a detachable from the embossing lacquer transfer film.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the colored thin-film element provided in step e) comprises a color-shifting thin-film element which gives the viewer different color impressions at different viewing angles, or a semitransparent thin-film element which, when viewed in incident light and viewed in the viewer Transmitted light different color impressions, is.

7. A method for producing a security element for securing value documents, comprising

c) the full-surface application of a colored thin-film element followed by washing off the washing ink together with the above Wash color generated region of the colored thin-film element, so that the colored thin-film element in the region of the second, a

d) printing the first, forming a diffractive structure

Relief structure with a printing ink on platelet-shaped

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the provided in step a) carrier is designed as a detachable from the embossing lacquer transfer film.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the colored thin-film element provided in step c) comprises a color-shifting thin-film element which gives the viewer different color impressions at different viewing angles, or a semitransparent thin-film element which, when viewed in incident light and viewed in the viewer Transmitted light different color impressions, is.

10. A method for producing a security element for securing value documents, comprising

a) providing a support with an embossing lacquer layer, which has a first, a diffractive structure forming relief structure and a second, a

Micromirror arrangement has forming relief structure; b) printing a soluble wash ink in such a way that the region of the second, a micro-mirror assembly forming relief structure forms a recess in the ebrachten washing color;

d) printing the first, forming a diffractive structure

Relief structure with a printing ink on platelet-shaped

e) the application of a protective lacquer to the layer structure obtained by steps a) to d);

f) the application of an adhesive layer, which is used for bonding the

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the colored thin-film element provided in step c) comprises a color-shifting thin-film element that imparts different color impressions to the observer at different viewing angles, or a semitransparent thin-film element that differs for the viewer when viewed in incident light and when viewed in transmitted light Color impressions is mediated.

12. A method for producing a security element for securing value documents, comprising

c) the full-surface application of a reflective layer, in particular by means of vapor deposition, followed by washing off the wash ink together with the region of the reflection layer above the wash color, so that the reflection layer in the region of the first, a diffractive structure-forming relief structure in spatially along the relief structure

remains aligned form;

f) the application of a protective lacquer to the layer structure obtained by steps a) to e);

g) the application of an adhesive layer, which is used for bonding the

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the colored thin-film element provided in step e) comprises a color-shifting thin-film element that imparts different color impressions to the observer at different viewing angles or a semi-transparent thin-film element that differs for the viewer when viewed in incident light and when viewed in transmitted light Color impressions is mediated.

14. Security element for securing value documents, comprising a carrier with an embossing lacquer layer, the first, a diffractive

Structure-forming relief structure and a second, one

The first relief structure is provided with a spatially aligned along the relief structure reflection layer and the second relief structure with a spatially along the relief structure aligned, colored

Thin film element is provided, wherein the security element is obtainable by the method according to one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The security element according to claim 14, wherein the security element is an (endless) strip, an (endless) thread or a patch or label.

16. A data carrier with a security element according to claim 14 or 15.

17. The data carrier according to claim 16, wherein the data carrier is a

Value document, such as a banknote, in particular a paper banknote, polymer banknote or composite film banknote, or identity card.