EP3463924B1 - Sheet of paper for a security document, method for producing the sheet of paper, and security document produced therewith - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a sheet for a security document, a method for producing the sheet and a security document produced therefrom.

Security documents are preferably produced from plastic films laminated and / or glued together, which form an arch from which the security documents are isolated, in particular punched, which can then be further processed in further process steps. The security documents can have, for example, a card-shaped format, for example an ID1 card, or else another format, for example a data page of a passport book sewn in, in particular by means of a hinge. The security documents are, for example, driver's licenses, passports, bank cards, credit cards, identity cards or the like. To increase the security against forgery, the security documents can have transparent window areas, which can be formed, for example, by cutting out a print or a coating.

The EP 2 512 795 B1 describes a method for producing a sheet for a portable data carrier, wherein at least two foils are produced by coextrusion, which are each formed from at least two different polymer materials and each have at least one higher opaque area and one lower opaque area. The foils are arranged one above the other, for example crossed at 90 °, in such a way that the sheet has a stepped opacity with opacity levels. A disadvantage is the relatively complex manufacturing process of the foils, whereby the lamination can lead to an undesired deformation of the composite material.

The document US 3,811,977 Discloses a sheet for forming a security document, comprising a carrier substrate and n elements arranged in cutouts in the carrier substrate, n being at least equal to 1 and the n elements being integrally connected to the carrier substrate.

The object of the present invention is to specify a sheet which avoids this disadvantage, to specify a method for producing the sheet and to specify a security document produced from the sheet.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with the subject matter of claims 1 and 11.

An arch is proposed for forming a security document, the arch comprising a carrier substrate and n window elements arranged in window cutouts of the carrier substrate, n being at least equal to 1 and the n window elements being formed from a transparent window substrate, it being provided that the n Window elements are integrally connected to the carrier substrate.

A cohesive connection is understood to mean a connection in which the connection partners are held together by atomic and / or molecular forces. There are unsolvable connections that only exist have them separated by destroying the connection means or connection partner. Examples are soldered connections, welded connections, adhesive connections, vulcanization connections.

The arch according to the invention is a preferably opaque arch made of plastic or plastics with an essentially constant thickness, which contains transparent partial areas. This sheet is a semi-finished product or an intermediate product, which can be handled like another document layer or another layer package in production at the document manufacturer. This simplifies the integration, in particular, of transparent areas and / or further decorative and / or security elements and / or functional elements in plastic-based documents, in particular card laminates.

Transparent is to be understood as a transmissivity of more than 50%, preferably more than 70%, more preferably more than 90% in at least a partial range of the wavelength range visible to the human eye. An opaque is to be understood as a transmissivity of less than 20%, preferably less than 5%, more preferably less than 1% in at least a partial range of the wavelength range visible to the human eye.

With the arch according to the invention, the document manufacturer is able to largely maintain his current work processes in document production, whereby previously required process steps for the formation of window areas are eliminated.

A further significant advantage is that no further distortions occur when the document is laminated due to the window area, in particular in the transition areas between opaque areas of the carrier substrate and transparent window cutouts or window elements. In addition, the bow can be provided with additional features. These features can be applied to the surface of the sheet on one or both sides (printing and / or application of one or more KINEGRAM®, etc.) and / or lie within the sheet (printing and / or optical filters, etc.).

The integral connection of the window elements to the carrier substrate prevents window elements from being exchangeable without destroying the arch, which makes counterfeiting considerably more difficult.

It can be provided that a continuous transition is formed between the surfaces of the n window elements and the surface of the carrier substrate. In preferred configurations, the surfaces of the window elements and the surface of the carrier substrate are aligned, as a result of which an arc of constant thickness is formed.

It can further be provided that the front and / or the back of the sheet are designed with a roughness depth of less than 0.3 μm. With a roughness depth of less than 0.3 µm, there is a smooth surface that is particularly suitable for applying transfer layers of transfer films.

It can also be provided that the front and / or the back of the sheet are designed with a roughness depth greater than 0.3 μm. at For example, increased roughness depth can improve the adhesion for printing inks.

It can further be provided that the front and / or the back of the sheet are or are designed in regions with a different roughness depth. This makes it possible to apply a transfer layer of a transfer film to the carrier substrate particularly advantageously in certain areas (in an area of low roughness depth) or in a pressure (in an area of greater roughness depth).

In a further advantageous embodiment it can be provided that the front and / or the back of the sheet are or are at least partially formed with a surface structure. The surface structure can, for example, improve the tactile or haptic feeling and / or have an optical function.

It can be provided that the arch comprises window elements, the front and / or the rear of which are or are formed with a lens structure. In this way, for example, so-called tilt images can be generated. In order not to erase the lenses when overlaminating with further transparent plastic layers, an optical interface in the form of a refractive index difference between adjacent materials must be created. These can be adjoining plastics with a different refractive index and / or an in particular transparent reflection layer with a high refractive index (HRI layer; HRI = High Refractive Index).

It can further be provided that the front and / or the back of the sheet are or are designed with markings, in particular with registration marks or register marks. The markings can, for example, facilitate the arrangement of further layers in the register and / or make it easier to cut the security documents out of the sheet as cut lines. Such markings can be applied, for example, by printing and / or also in the form of a change in the surface of the carrier substrate, such as for example a structuring and / or depression / elevation and / or recess and / or local matting.

The bow can be trimmed. When trimming, the edge of the sheet is trimmed to the desired format and the edge of the sheet is brought into the desired shape. This can be done, for example, by a faceted edge and / or by rounding off the edges and corners and / or by introducing a structure into the edge of the arch (analogous to knurling).

Register or register or register accuracy or register accuracy means the positional accuracy of two or more elements and / or layers relative to one another. The register accuracy should be within a predetermined tolerance and should be as low as possible. At the same time, the register accuracy of several elements and / or layers to one another is an important feature in order to increase process reliability. The positionally accurate positioning can take place in particular by means of sensory, preferably optically detectable registration marks or register marks. These registration marks or register marks can either be special separate elements or areas or layers represent or be part of the elements or areas or layers to be positioned.

The carrier substrate and the window substrate can be formed from the same thermoplastic material and differ, for example, only in the fillers.

However, it can also be provided that the carrier substrate and the window substrate are formed from different plastic materials. A different design can be provided, for example, in order to minimize the use of expensive materials.

It can be provided that the carrier substrate and / or the window substrate are or are formed from polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, Teslin® (matt, white, uncoated single-layer polyethylene film) or polyethylene terephthalate.

In an advantageous embodiment it can be provided that the carrier substrate is opaque. However, the carrier substrate can also be designed to be translucent in order to form an optical contrast to the window elements or to be formed with regions of different opacity and / or translucency. It is also possible to make the carrier substrate transparent and to make an edge area adjacent to the window area opaque or translucent.

The opacity of the carrier substrate can in particular be formed by fillers. For example, the desired opacity depending on the type of fillers and / or on the volume fraction of the Fillers can be adjusted. It can be provided that pigments and / or dyes are used as fillers.

The opacity of the carrier substrate can be formed in particular by printing with opaque and / or translucent printing inks or lacquers. Such printing can be one-sided or two-sided, it can be done in several stages, ie several layers of printing inks or varnishes can be applied over the entire surface or partially overlapping.
The fillers can be in the form of pigments and / or dyes.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the carrier substrate has a multi-layer design. The carrier substrate can be formed from layers with different opacity, at least two layers having different opacity.

The multiple layers of the carrier substrate can advantageously be stapled beforehand, for example by ultrasound welding, thermal spot welding, partial or flat gluing or pre-lamination, so that the layers of the carrier substrate do not shift relative to one another when the window cutouts are produced.

It can also be provided that the carrier substrate has at least one functional layer. For example, optical effects and / or optically variable effects and / or electronic functions can be integrated in the carrier substrate.

It can also be provided that the carrier substrate has a layer which can be individualized or personalized, in particular ablated and / or blackened and / or colored, by means of laser radiation.

In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one functional layer comprises an RFID module. The RFID module is understood to mean an RFID chip and at least one antenna connected to the RFID chip.

Provision can also be made for the window substrate to have a multilayer structure. The window substrate can be formed from layers with different transparency, with at least two layers having different transparency.

It can further be provided that the window substrate has at least one functional layer. For example, optical effects and / or optically variable effects and / or electronic functions can be integrated into the window substrate.

The window substrate can, for example, have a fingerprint sensor that identifies the user of the security document.

It can further be provided that the at least one functional layer comprises an optically variable feature. This can be, for example, an optical diffraction feature, such as a hologram or a KINEGRAM® and / or an optically variable pigment.

• maschinenlesbare Merkmale
• Bedruckung als Überdruck und/oder Unterdruck und/oder farbig transparenter Druck und/oder spiegelbildlicher Druck
• Nummerierung

Furthermore, the at least one functional layer can have one or more of the following features:

• machine readable features
• Printing as overprint and / or underprint and / or colored transparent printing and / or mirror-image printing
• numbering

It can further be provided that at least one further layer is laminated onto the carrier substrate and / or the window element. This further layer can, for example, form a security feature that is the same for all security documents, for example designating the editor of the security document.

It can be provided that the sheet has a thickness in the range from 30 μm to 750 μm, preferably a thickness in the range from 100 μm to 600 μm.

1. a) Bereitstellen des Trägersubstrats, das aus einem thermoplastischen Kunststoffmaterial ausgebildet ist, das eine Schmelzphase aufweist;
2. b) Ausbilden eines i-ten Durchgangslochs mit einer i-ten Innenrandkontur, die kongruent ist zu einer i-ten Außenrandkontur eines i-ten Fensterelements, in dem Trägersubstrat;
3. c) Bereitstellen eines Fenstersubstrats, das aus einem thermoplastischen Kunststoffmaterial ausgebildet ist, das eine Schmelzphase aufweist;
4. d) Ausbilden des i-ten Fensterelements;
5. e) Einsetzen des i-ten Fensterelements in das i-te Durchgangsloch;
6. f) Wiederholung der Verfahrensschritte b) bis e) bis i = n zur Ausbildung des Bogens;
7. g) Einlegen des Bogens in eine Laminierpresse, wobei die Laminierpresse einen Oberstempel und einen Unterstempel aufweist, zwischen denen ein Pressdruck ausbildbar ist, und Laminieren des Bogens bei einer Temperatur oberhalb der Schmelzphasen des Trägersubstrats und des Fenstersubstrats.

The object of the invention is further achieved with a method for producing a sheet for forming a security document, comprising a carrier substrate and n transparent window elements arranged in the carrier substrate with an nth outer edge contour, where n is at least equal to 1, the following method steps being provided:

1. a) providing the carrier substrate, which is formed from a thermoplastic material that has a melting phase;
2. b) forming an ith through-hole with an ith inner edge contour, which is congruent with an ith outer edge contour of an ith window element, in the carrier substrate;
3. c) providing a window substrate that is formed from a thermoplastic material that has a melting phase;
4. d) forming the i-th window element;
5. e) inserting the ith window element into the ith through hole;
6. f) repetition of process steps b) to e) to i = n to form the arch;
7. g) inserting the sheet into a laminating press, the laminating press having an upper punch and a lower punch, between which a pressing pressure can be formed, and laminating the sheet at a temperature above the melting phases of the carrier substrate and the window substrate.

Congruent is understood to mean that the window element is approximately congruent with the through hole. The deviation between the respective edge contours of the window element and through hole should be a maximum of 0.5 mm, preferably a maximum of 0.25 mm. This means that the dimensions of the window element and the through hole differ by a maximum of 1 mm, preferably a maximum of 0.5 mm. It is preferred if the window element is circumferentially about 0.5 mm, preferably about 0.25 mm smaller than the associated through hole. This means that the dimensions of the window element are max. 1 mm, preferably a maximum of 0.5 mm smaller than the dimensions of the through hole.

With the method according to the invention, an arch is produced which is designed as an opaque arch with an essentially constant thickness and contains transparent partial areas. This sheet is a semi-finished product or an intermediate product, which is handled like another document layer or another layer package in production at the document manufacturer can be. This simplifies the integration, in particular, of transparent areas and / or further decorative and / or security elements and / or functional elements in plastic-based documents, in particular card laminates.

The manufacturer of security documents applies further layers and / or prints to the sheet, for example in order to individualize and / or personalize the security document. The sheet has n sections, each of which can be completed to form a security document and is delimited from one another, for example, by cutting lines or punched lines. For example, card-shaped security documents can be produced from the sheet, which are obtained by cutting or punching out or by laser cutting the sheet formed with the further layers, for example along or with the aid of the cutting lines. After this separation of the security documents, the isolated security documents and the remaining material are available as a grid.

With the method according to the invention, it is possible to integrate process steps that were previously carried out by the manufacturer of the security document into the production of the sheet.

Another significant advantage is that, due to the integral window area, no further distortions occur locally in the transition areas when the document is laminated. In addition, the bow can be provided with additional features. These features can be applied to the surface of the sheet on one or both sides (printing, application of one or more KINEGRAM®, etc.) or lie within the sheet (printing, optical filters, etc.).

The integral connection of the window elements to the carrier substrate prevents window elements from being exchangeable without destroying the arch, which makes counterfeiting considerably more difficult.

• Stanzen (mit Stempel und Matrize, geschlossenes Stanzmesser, oder ähnliches);
• Schneiden (Messer, Wasserstrahl, etc.);
• Lasern;
• Fräsen;
• einen chemischen Prozess.

To form the arch, the window cutouts are formed in the carrier substrate, for example by

• Punching (with stamp and die, closed punch knife, or the like);
• Cutting (knife, water jet, etc.);
• lasers;
• milling;
• a chemical process.

• Stanzen (mit Stempel und Matrize, geschlossenes Stanzmesser, oder ähnliches);
• Schneiden (Messer, Wasserstrahl, etc.);
• Lasern;
• Fräsen

hergestellt und in einem darauf folgenden Verfahrensschritt in die Fensteraussparungen des Trägersubstrats eingesetzt.The window elements are through from the window substrate

• Punching (with stamp and die, closed punch knife, or the like);
• Cutting (knife, water jet, etc.);
• lasers;
• mill

produced and used in a subsequent process step in the window recesses of the carrier substrate.

• Fensteraussparung: +/- 0,5 mm
• Laminierung: +/- 0,5 mm (Der Verzug kann ggf. kompensiert werden, wenn er reproduzierbar ist)
• Nachbearbeitung (Randbesäumung, Positionsmarke, Positionsstanzung relativ zu den Fensteraussparungen): +/- 0,5 mm
• Total: +/- 1,5 mm

The positional tolerances of the window recesses in the arch depend on the manufacturing process of the recess, the lamination and the finishing. As determined by tests, the following tolerances should preferably be observed:

• Window cut-out: +/- 0.5 mm
• Lamination: +/- 0.5 mm (the distortion can be compensated if it is reproducible)
• Post-processing (edge trimming, position mark, position punching relative to the window recesses): +/- 0.5 mm
• Total: +/- 1.5 mm

The window recesses can be designed with minimal corner radii of 0.5 mm.

The size of the window recess is limited on the one hand by the size of the security document and on the other hand by the smallest window recess that can be produced. Size is the area that corresponds, for example, to the product of the width and height of the window cutout in the case of rectangular window cutouts. As tests have shown, the size of the window recess must be larger than 0.1 mm ² . The size of the window cutouts is preferably in the range from 7 mm ² to 700 mm ² .

Ideal window cutouts have a rectangular cross-section with vertical cut edges. In this case, the cut edges have an inclination angle of 90 ° to the surface of the carrier substrate. The angle of inclination of the cut edges can be in the range from 60 ° to 120 °, preferably in the range from 70 ° to 110 °. The cross section can be trapezoidal or rhombic.

In a further process step, the window elements are connected to the carrier substrate by lamination. The window elements and the carrier substrate form a material connection, which cannot be separated without being destroyed. It must have a softening temperature exceeded, which depends on the materials used. In the case of polycarbonate, a temperature of approx. 150 ° C must be exceeded and a surface pressure greater than 10 N / cm ^{2 must be} applied.

The lamination is carried out in a heated laminating press, the carrier substrate equipped with the window elements being placed between two heated laminating sheets which, when the laminating press is closed, exert a pressing pressure on the carrier substrate and the window elements, so that an arc of constant thickness is formed. After lamination, the sheet has a 5% to 10% reduced thickness in relation to the unprocessed carrier substrate. On average, the thickness is reduced by approximately 8%. The loss of thickness is caused by the melting of different surfaces and the smoothing of the roughness of the starting materials typically used and only to a very small extent by the material flowing in the press.

Packages of a large number of sheets and associated laminating sheets are usually placed in the laminating press in order to be able to process the largest possible number of sheets in one lamination process. For example, 10 sheets and one sheet per sheet, above and below the individual sheet, a laminating sheet, that is, 11 laminating sheets, are placed in the laminating press. The press stamps of the laminating press then act on this package.

Instead of a flat lamination of the entire arch, the individual window elements can also be cohesively connected to the arch by other methods. The edge area of the window elements can be connected to the carrier substrate by means of ultrasound. Doing so Sonotrode guided along the edge areas or used a sonotrode adapted to the outer contour of the window elements. It is also possible to carry out the integral bond only in partial areas of the outer contour.

It is also possible to produce the integral bond by means of a heated stamp, which is larger than the window element. The stamp then locally laminates the window element into the carrier substrate of the sheet. Either several suitably arranged stamps are used or the stamp is moved relative to the sheet.

Furthermore, the integral bond can also be produced by applying an adhesive. For example, an acrylate adhesive or also a plastic, for example polycarbonate, dissolved in a solvent can be used as the adhesive. Furthermore, melted plastic, which is suitably applied, for example, by means of a dispenser, can also serve as an adhesive. In the cases described above, a further lamination to a semi-finished product is no longer necessary, since the window elements are already cohesively connected to the carrier substrate of the arch.

When laminating, the surface roughness of the laminating sheets is transferred to the surfaces of the sheet. The surface roughness of the sheet is therefore determined by the surface roughness of the laminating sheets. The thermoplastic material takes on the surface roughness of the laminating sheets used in the cooling phase when it solidifies. Provision can also be made not only to adjust the surface roughness, but also to specifically form local surface structures and / or markings in the arch.

It can be provided that the laminating sheets of the laminating press above and / or below the sheet are or are at least partially formed as an embossing stamp. In this way, markings can be stamped into the sheet, for example.

It can further be provided that method steps a) and b) and method steps c) and d) are carried out independently of one another.

It can further be provided that after the lamination the edges of the "sheet" are reworked and the sheet is trimmed to the desired size. Provision can furthermore be made for recesses, such as positioning holes, to be made for simplified, precise positioning during further processing.

It can be provided that at least one further layer is applied to the carrier substrate and / or the window element before method step g). This further layer can, for example, form a print and / or a security feature and / or a functional feature that is the same for all security documents, for example designating the editor of the security document.

The sheet can be formed with a thickness in the range from 30 µm to 750 µm, preferably with a thickness in the range from 100 µm to 600 µm.

The object of the invention is further achieved with a security document that includes a sheet as described above.

Fig. 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Draufsicht;

Fig. 2

eine Schnittansicht des Bogens entlang der Schnittlinie II-II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3a

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3b

ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3c

ein viertes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3d

ein fünftes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3e

ein sechstes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3f

ein siebentes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3g

ein achtes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3h

ein neuntes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3i

ein zehntes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3k

ein elftes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3l

ein zwölftes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3m

ein dreizehntes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3n

ein vierzehntes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3o

ein fünfzehntes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3p

ein sechzehntes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3q

ein siebzehntes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3r

ein achtzehntes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3s

ein neunzehntes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3t

ein zwanzigstes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3u

ein einundzwanzigstes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 3v

ein zweiundzwanzigstes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Bogens in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 4a

zeigt ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines aus dem erfindungsgemäßen Bogen hergestellten Sicherheitsdokuments in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 4b

zeigt den Schichtaufbau des Sicherheitsdokuments in Fig. 4a in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 4c

zeigt den Schichtaufbau eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines aus dem erfindungsgemäßen Bogen hergestellten Sicherheitsdokuments in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 4d

zeigt den Schichtaufbau eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels eines aus dem erfindungsgemäßen Bogen hergestellten Sicherheitsdokuments in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 4e

zeigt den Schichtaufbau eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels eines aus dem erfindungsgemäßen Bogen hergestellten Sicherheitsdokuments in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 4f

zeigt den Schichtaufbau eines fünften Ausführungsbeispiels eines aus dem erfindungsgemäßen Bogen hergestellten Sicherheitsdokuments in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 4g

zeigt den Schichtaufbau eines sechsten Ausführungsbeispiels eines aus dem erfindungsgemäßen Bogen hergestellten Sicherheitsdokuments in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 4h

zeigt den Schichtaufbau eines siebenten Ausführungsbeispiels eines aus dem erfindungsgemäßen Bogen hergestellten Sicherheitsdokuments in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung.

The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments. Show it

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic plan view;

Fig. 2

a sectional view of the arch along the section line II-II in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3a

a second embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 3b

a third embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 3c

a fourth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 3d

a fifth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 3e

a sixth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

3f

a seventh embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 3g

an eighth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 3h

a ninth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

3i

a tenth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

3k

an eleventh embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 3l

a twelfth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

3m

a thirteenth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

3n

a fourteenth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 3o

a fifteenth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

3p

a sixteenth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 3q

a seventeenth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

3r

a eighteenth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 3s

a nineteenth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 3t

a twentieth embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

3u

a twenty-first embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

3v

a twenty-second embodiment of the bow according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 4a

shows a first embodiment of a security document made from the sheet according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 4b

shows the layer structure of the security document in Fig. 4a in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 4c

shows the layer structure of a second embodiment of a security document made from the sheet according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 4d

shows the layer structure of a third embodiment of a security document made from the sheet according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 4e

shows the layer structure of a fourth embodiment of a security document made from the sheet according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 4f

shows the layer structure of a fifth embodiment of a security document made from the sheet according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 4g

shows the layer structure of a sixth embodiment of a security document made from the sheet according to the invention in a schematic sectional view;

Fig. 4h

shows the layer structure of a seventh embodiment of a security document made from the sheet according to the invention in a schematic sectional view.

1 and 2 show a sheet 1, comprising an opaque carrier substrate 11 and n window elements 12 arranged in window recesses 11a of the carrier substrate 11 Fig. 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the number n of window elements 12 is 15. The window elements 12 are formed from a transparent window substrate 13.

As in Fig. 2 illustrated, the surfaces of the carrier substrate 11 and the window elements 12 are aligned with one another, so that the arch 1 forms a uniformly shaped body.

The sheet 1 is designed as an opaque sheet with a substantially constant thickness, which contains transparent partial areas. The sheet 1 is a semi-finished product or an intermediate product for the production of security documents 2, for example ID cards, data pages of passports, ID1 cards such as bank cards and access cards. The manufacturer of the security document 2 applies further layers and / or prints to the sheet 1, for example in order to personalize the security document 2 (see 4a to 4h ). The sheet 1 has n sections, each of which can be completed to form a security document 2 and which are delimited from one another by cutting lines. In the in 1 and 2 The exemplary embodiment shown can be used to produce 15 security documents 2 from sheet 11, which are obtained by cutting or punching out or by laser cutting sheet 1 formed with the further layers, for example along or with the aid of the cutting lines. After this separation of the security documents, the isolated security documents and the remaining material are available as a grid.

The carrier substrate 11 and the window substrate 13 consist of a thermoplastic from the group of polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PET-G). The opacity of the carrier substrate 11 is formed by fillers in the plastic, for example by pigments or dyes.

• Stanzen (mit Stempel und Matrize, geschlossenes Stanzmesser, oder ähnliches);
• Schneiden (Messer, Wasserstrahl, etc.);
• Lasern;
• Fräsen;
• einen chemischen Prozess.

To form the arch 1, the window cutouts 11a are formed in the carrier substrate 11, for example by

• Punching (with stamp and die, closed punch knife, or the like);
• Cutting (knife, water jet, etc.);
• lasers;
• milling;
• a chemical process.

• Stanzen (mit Stempel und Matrize, geschlossenes Stanzmesser, oder ähnliches);
• Schneiden (Messer, Wasserstrahl, etc.);
• Lasern;
• Fräsen

hergestellt und in einem darauf folgenden Verfahrensschritt in die Fensteraussparungen 11a des Trägersubstrats 11 eingesetzt.The window elements 12 are removed from the window substrate 13

• Punching (with stamp and die, closed punch knife, or the like);
• Cutting (knife, water jet, etc.);
• lasers;
• mill

produced and inserted into the window recesses 11a of the carrier substrate 11 in a subsequent method step.

In a further method step, the window elements 12 are connected to the carrier substrate 11 by lamination. The window elements 12 and the carrier substrate 11 form an integral connection which cannot be separated without being destroyed. A softening temperature must be exceeded, which depends on the materials used. In the case of polycarbonate, a temperature of approx. 150 ° C must be exceeded and a surface pressure greater than 10 N / cm ^{2 must be} applied. The lamination is carried out in a heated press, with the carrier substrate 11 equipped with the window elements 12 being placed between heated laminating sheets which, when the press is closed, exert a pressing pressure on the carrier substrate 11 and the window elements 12, so that a sheet 1 of constant thickness is formed becomes. To of the lamination, the sheet 1 has a thickness reduced by 5% to 10% with respect to the unprocessed carrier substrate 11. On average, the thickness is reduced by approximately 8%. The loss of thickness is caused by the melting of different surfaces and the smoothing of the roughness of the starting materials typically used and only to a very small extent by the material flowing in the press.

During lamination, the surface roughness of the laminating sheets is transferred to the surfaces of the sheet 1. The surface roughness of the sheet 1 is therefore determined by the surface roughness of the laminating sheets. When solidifying in the cooling phase, the thermoplastic material assumes the surface roughness of the laminating sheets used. It can also be provided not only to adjust the surface roughness, but also to specifically form local surface structures and / or markings in the sheet 1.

Smooth surfaces are e.g. for a subsequent application of a hot stamping foil on sheet 1 is an advantage. This concerns both the behavior during the application process itself and the lower degradation of the visual appearance during the subsequent lamination to the end product. A surface with a roughness depth of less than 0.3 µm is referred to here as a smooth surface.

A slightly increased surface roughness can improve the adhesion of the colors or the printing behavior, for example in a subsequent printing process. Furthermore, a rough surface prevents several stacked layers from sticking together, which can occur with smooth layers.

The surface roughness can be designed differently locally, for example smooth in areas with a KINEGRAM® and rough in the surrounding areas.

Provision can also be made to emboss a lens structure on the window elements 12 and to stabilize them with a lacquer for a subsequent lamination in a further method step. The paint and the material of the window elements 12 or the material of the lenses must have different optical properties, in particular different refractive indices, so that an optical effect of the lenses is retained. An optical interface must therefore be created in the form of a refractive index difference between adjacent materials. These can be adjoining plastics with a different refractive index and / or an in particular transparent reflection layer with a high refractive index (HRI layer; HRI = High Refractive Index).

As described above, the thickness of the sheet 1 after lamination is generally reduced compared to the unprocessed carrier substrate 11. However, it is also possible that the thickness of the sheet 1 is increased compared to the unprocessed carrier substrate 11 if the lamination sheets have a large surface roughness.

• Heizzyklus: 150°C bis 210°C, 10 N/cm² bis 300 N/cm², 1 min bis 30 min
• Kühlzyklus: 20°C bis 50°C, 50 N/cm² bis 600 N/cm², 1 min bis 15 min

The following lamination parameters have proven themselves for polycarbonate:

• Heating cycle: 150 ° C to 210 ° C, 10 N / cm ² to 300 N / cm ² , 1 min to 30 min
• Cooling cycle: 20 ° C to 50 ° C, 50 N / cm ² to 600 N / cm ² , 1 min to 15 min

• Fensteraussparung 11a: +/- 0,5 mm
• Laminierung: +/- 0,5 mm (Der Verzug kann ggf. kompensiert werden, wenn er reproduzierbar ist)
• Nachbearbeitung (Randbesäumung, Positionsmarke, Positionsstanzung relativ zu den Fensteraussparungen 11a): +/- 0,5 mm
• Total: +/- 1,5 mm

The position tolerances of the window cutouts in sheet 1 depend on the manufacturing process of the cutout, the lamination and the finishing. As determined by tests, the following tolerances should preferably be observed:

• Window recess 11a: +/- 0.5 mm
• Lamination: +/- 0.5 mm (the distortion can be compensated if it is reproducible)
• Post-processing (edge trimming, position mark, position punching relative to the window cutouts 11a): +/- 0.5 mm
• Total: +/- 1.5 mm

The window cutouts 11a can be formed with minimal corner radii of 0.5 mm.

The size of the window recess 11a is limited on the one hand by the size of the security document 2 and on the other hand by the smallest window recess 11a that can be produced. The size is the area that corresponds, for example, to the product of the width and height of the window recess 11a in the case of rectangular window recesses. As tests have shown, the size of the window recess 11a must be larger than 0.1 mm ² . The size of the window cutouts 11a is preferably in the range from 7 mm ² to 700 mm ² .

Ideal window cutouts 11a have a rectangular cross section with vertical cut edges. In this case, the cut edges have an inclination angle of 90 ° to the surface of the carrier substrate 11. The angle of inclination of the cut edges can be in the range from 60 ° to 120 °, preferably in the range from 70 ° to 110 °. The cross section can be trapezoidal or rhombic.

The thickness of the sheet 1 can be in the range from 30 μm to 750 μm, preferably in the range from 100 μm to 600 μm.

Fig. 3a shows a second embodiment of the sheet 1. The sheet 1 is like that in Fig. 2 illustrated arc formed, with the difference that the carrier substrate 11 is formed in multiple layers. The carrier substrate 11 has three layers. A first carrier substrate layer 111 and a third carrier substrate layer 113 are formed with a low opacity. A second carrier substrate layer 112 is formed as a layer with higher opacity and is arranged between the first carrier substrate layer 111 and the third carrier substrate layer 113.

The three layers can advantageously be stapled beforehand, for example by ultrasound welding, thermal spot welding, partial or flat gluing or pre-lamination, so that the layers do not shift towards one another when the window recesses 11a are produced. Different opacities of the individual layers can be set, for example, using fillers or dyes.

An example of a plurality of layers of the carrier substrate 11 can be, for example, a composite of a first layer of polycarbonate with pigments, such as TiO ₂ , in order to achieve a white impression and a certain opacity, and a second layer of polycarbonate, which is essentially transparent, but another Contains pigment so that it can be easily blackened when personalizing the finished document using a laser.

Fig. 3b shows a third embodiment of the sheet 1. The sheet 1 is like that in Fig. 3a illustrated arc, with the difference that the window recess 11a is formed only in the second carrier substrate layer 112, so that the window element 12 is covered by the first carrier substrate layer 111 and the third carrier substrate layer 113, both of which are formed as transparent layers, or as Layers with very low opacity.

Fig. 3c shows a fourth embodiment of the sheet 1. The sheet 1 is like that in Fig. 2 shown arc formed, with the difference that the window recess 11a has a step-shaped cross section. Consequently, when viewing the arch 1 from the front and from the rear, different window contours are visible. The front of the sheet 1 is in the figures shown above, the back is below.

Fig. 3d shows a fifth embodiment of the sheet 1. The sheet 1 is like that in Fig. 2 illustrated arch formed, with the difference that in each section of the arch 1 two window elements 12 are arranged, which in the in Fig. 3d illustrated embodiment have a different size and / or shape.

Fig. 3e shows a sixth exemplary embodiment of the sheet 1. The carrier substrate 11 of the sheet 1 is constructed in multiple layers from two layers. A first window element 12a passes through an upper first carrier substrate layer 111 and a lower second carrier substrate layer 112. The first carrier substrate layer 111 has a second window element 12b.

When viewing the arch 1 from the front and from the rear, a different number of window elements is visible.

3f shows a seventh embodiment of the sheet 1. The sheet 1 has like the one above in FIG 3a and 3b described sheet a multilayer carrier substrate 11. The carrier substrate 11 comprises a first carrier substrate layer 111, a second carrier substrate layer 112 and a third carrier substrate layer 113. The second carrier substrate layer 112 arranged between the first carrier substrate layer 111 and the third carrier substrate layer 113 is formed as a functional layer 11f.

The functional layer 11f can have one or more electronic components, for example an RFID module, an RFID module with antenna, sensors (e.g. for a touchscreen).

In the in 3f In the exemplary embodiment shown, the functional layer 11f has an RFID module 14 with an RFID chip 14c and antennas 14a. The term RFID - radio-frequency identification - denotes transmitter-receiver systems for the automatic and contactless identification and / or localization of objects and / or living beings with radio waves. Provision can also be made to dispense with a multilayer structure and to embed the RFID module 14 directly in the carrier substrate 11.

Fig. 3g shows an eighth embodiment of the sheet 1. The sheet 1 is like that above in FIG 1 and 2 described arc formed, with the difference that a functional layer 11f is arranged on the front side of the carrier substrate 11 laminated with the window elements 12 the in Fig. 3g illustrated embodiment is laminated and is designed as an optical filter, which covers both the carrier substrate 11 and the window elements 12.

• Die Funktionsschicht 11f weist eine oder mehrere elektronische Komponenten auf, beispielsweise ein RFID-Modul, ein RFID-Modul mit Antenne, ein Display, Sensoren (z.B. für Touchscreen im Fensterbereich und/oder außerhalb des Fensterbereichs), eine oder mehrere LED.
• Die Funktionsschicht 11f weist eine gedruckte alphanumerische und/oder bildliche Information auf.
• Die Funktionsschicht 11f ist als ein optisches Filter ausgebildet (Farbe, UV, IR, Polarisator, etc.).
• Die Funktionsschicht 11f weist eine stabilisierte Oberflächentextur auf, z.B. ein Kinoform. D.h. eine Oberflächenstruktur wird mit einer zusätzlichen Schicht mit anderem Brechungsindex verfüllt, sodass die optische Wirkung auch bei einer weiteren Lamination erhalten bleibt.
• Die Funktionsschicht 11f weist Teilmetallisierungen auf.
• Die Funktionsschicht 11f ist als eine Dekorfolie ausgebildet.
• Die Funktionsschicht 11f ist als ein EPD (electro phoretic display) ausgebildet.
• Die Funktionsschicht 11f ist als ein diffraktives optisches Element, wie beispielsweise ein KINEGRAM® ausgebildet.

The functional layer 11f can be configured as follows:

• The functional layer 11f has one or more electronic components, for example an RFID module, an RFID module with antenna, a display, sensors (for example for a touchscreen in the window area and / or outside the window area), one or more LEDs.
• The functional layer 11f has printed alphanumeric and / or visual information.
• The functional layer 11f is designed as an optical filter (color, UV, IR, polarizer, etc.).
• The functional layer 11f has a stabilized surface texture, for example a kinoform. This means that a surface structure is filled with an additional layer with a different refractive index, so that the optical effect is retained even with a further lamination.
• The functional layer 11f has partial metallizations.
• The functional layer 11f is designed as a decorative film.
• The functional layer 11f is designed as an EPD (electro-phoretic display).
• The functional layer 11f is designed as a diffractive optical element, such as a KINEGRAM®.

The second carrier substrate layer 112, for example in the Figures 3a and 3b shown and described can be implemented as such a functional layer 11f.

The window elements 12 can also have a multi-layer design, as described below, the formation of the layers and the layer structure being analogous to the carrier substrate 11.

The 3h to 3v show further embodiments of the arch 1, the arch comprising one or more KINEGRAM®.

Fig. 3h shows a ninth embodiment of the bow. An arch 1 has a multi-layer window element 12. A KINEGRAM® 15, which extends over the entire window element 12, is arranged between a first window substrate layer 131 and a second window substrate layer 132.

3i shows a tenth embodiment of the bow. A bow 1 is like the bow in Fig. 3h formed with the difference that the KINEGRAM® 15 only extends over a partial area of the window element 12.

3k shows an eleventh embodiment of the arch. A bow 1 is like the bow in Fig. 2 formed with the difference that a KINEGRAM® 15 is arranged on the window element 12, which covers the window element 12.

Fig. 3l shows a twelfth embodiment of the arch. A bow 1 is like the bow in 3k formed with the difference that the KINEGRAM® 15 only extends over a partial area of the window element 12.

3m shows a thirteenth embodiment of the arch. A bow 1 is like the bow in 3k trained with the difference that the KINEGRAM® 15 also covers an edge region of the carrier substrate 11 adjoining the window element 12.

3n shows a fourteenth embodiment of the bow. A bow 1 is like the bow in 3k formed with the difference that the KINEGRAM® 15 is arranged asymmetrically to the window element 12 and therefore does not completely cover the window element 12, but does cover an edge region of the carrier substrate 11 facing away from the uncovered region of the window element 12.

Fig. 3o shows a fifteenth embodiment of the arch. A bow 1 is like the bow in 3n formed with the difference that two spaced-apart KINEGRAM® 151 and 152 are provided, which cover opposite edge sections of the carrier substrate 11 and the window element 12, respectively. The two areas 151 and 152 of the KINEGRAM® can also be parts of a single element which completely or almost completely covers the circumferential edge of the window element 12 and has a transparent cutout in the central area.

3p shows a sixteenth embodiment of the arch. A bow 1 is like the bow in 3k formed with the difference that a first KINEGRAM® 151 is arranged on the front of the arch 1 above the window element 12 and that a second KINEGRAM® 151 is arranged on the back of the arch 1 above the window element 12.

Fig. 3q shows a seventeenth embodiment of the bow. A bow 1 is like the bow in 3p formed with the difference that the window element 12 is multi-layered from three window substrate layers is configured that the first KINEGRAM® 151 is arranged between the first window substrate layer 131 and the second window substrate layer 132, and that the second KINEGRAM® 152 is arranged between the second window substrate layer 132 and the third window substrate layer 133.

3r shows an eighteenth embodiment of the arch. Both the carrier substrate 11 and the window element 12 of an arch 1 are formed in multiple layers of two layers each. A KINEGRAM® 15 is arranged between the first and the second window substrate layer 131, 132, whereby it also covers edge regions of the first and the second carrier substrate layer 111, 112 adjacent to the window element 12.

Fig. 3s shows a nineteenth embodiment of the bow. A bow 1 is like the bow in 3r formed with the difference that the KINEGRAM® 15 is arranged asymmetrically to the window element 12 and therefore does not completely cover the window element 12, but does cover an edge region of the carrier substrate 11 facing away from the uncovered region of the window element 12.

Fig. 3t shows a twentieth embodiment of the bow. A bow 1 is like the bow in Fig. 3s formed with the difference that the first window substrate layer 131 springs back in a symmetrical arrangement with respect to the second window substrate layer 132, the KINEGRAM® 15 covering the second window substrate layer 132.

3u shows a twenty-first embodiment of the bow. A bow 1 is like the bow in 3r formed with the difference that the central axes of the two window substrate layers 131, 132 are offset from one another.

3v shows a twenty-second embodiment of the bow. A bow 1 is like the bow in Fig. 3q formed with the difference that the carrier substrate is formed in multiple layers from three carrier substrate layers 111, 112, 113, and that the window element 12 has two window substrate layers 121, 122, which are arranged in window cutouts of the first carrier substrate layer 111 and the third carrier substrate layer 113, respectively. The two KINEGRAM® 151, 152 are arranged on both sides of the second carrier substrate layer 112, which is designed as a transparent layer.

Fig. 4a shows a first embodiment of a security document 2 produced from the sheet 1 according to the invention. The sheet 1 is made of polycarbonate and has a thickness of 410 μm.

A first optical functional layer 221, which is made of polycarbonate and has a thickness of 100 μm, is arranged on the front of the sheet 1. The first optical functional layer 221 is designed as a printed transparent layer. The pressure can be thinned out in the area of the window element 12 or completely left out in the area of the window element 12.

An optically variable functional layer 23, which is made of a transparent polycarbonate, is arranged on the first optical functional layer 221 is formed, has a thickness of 100 microns and is formed with a KINEGRAM® 15. The KINEGRAM® 15 is arranged over the window element 12 of the arch 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the KINEGRAM® 15 is a so-called KINEGRAM REVIEW®, which shows a first KINEGRAM® when the front of the security document 2 is viewed and shows a second KINEGRAM® when the rear of the security document 2 is viewed.

To create a KINEGRAM REVIEW®, a first KINEGRAM® including partial metallization is produced. A replication varnish is applied to the aluminum of the first KINEGRAM® and a second KINEGRAM® is replicated. Then a second aluminum layer is applied and a photosensitive lacquer is coated. This paint is used for the second demetallization. The partial metallization of the first KINEGRAM® serves as a mask for the UV exposure of the photosensitive varnish. After exposure, the photosensitive varnish is developed and the areas of the second aluminum layer that are no longer covered with the protective photosensitive varnish are removed. This means that the partially metallized KINEGRAM® visible from the rear is arranged in the perfect register with the KINEGRAM® visible from the front.

A first protective layer 211, which is formed from a transparent polycarbonate and has a thickness of 50 μm, is arranged on the optically variable functional layer 23.

A second optical functional layer 222, which is designed like the first optical functional layer 221, is arranged on the back of the sheet 1.

A second protective layer 212, which is designed like the first protective layer 211, is arranged on the second optical functional layer 222.

Fig. 4b shows a layer structure 3 for producing the in Fig. 4a shown security document 2. The layers 211, 23 and 221 arranged on the front side of the sheet 1 are combined into a first lamination package 241 prior to lamination, and the layers 222 and 212 arranged on the rear side of the sheet 1 are also combined into a second lamination package 242, see above that all layers and sheet 1 are arranged in the register. The combination is done, for example, by means of an adjustment aid and by punctiform stitching of the layers using ultrasound.

Fig. 4c shows the layer structure of a second exemplary embodiment of a security document 2 produced from the sheet 1 according to the invention. The layer structure 3 is like that in FIG Fig. 4b shown layer structure, with the difference that the carrier substrate 11 is formed as a functional layer 11f, which comprises an RFID chip 14c and an antenna 14a. The sheet 1 is made of polycarbonate with a thickness of 490 microns.

The optically variable functional layer 23 has a KINEGRAM® 15 designed as a KINEGRAM® RECOLOR. The KINEGRAM® RECOLOR uses a colored etching resist lacquer for the partial metallization. The etch resist lacquer is colored and printed on the aluminum. The printed etching resist protects the aluminum and thus specifies the partial metallization, which means that the color is in perfect register with the metallic area of the KINEGRAM® visible from the front. A colored KINEGRAM® is visible when viewed from the back.

Fig. 4d shows the layer structure 3 of a third exemplary embodiment of a security document 2 produced from the sheet 1 according to the invention.

The sheet 1 is made of polycarbonate with a thickness of 190 microns and has a structure, as above in 1 and 2 described.

A combined functional layer 24 with a layer thickness of 270 μm is arranged on the front of the sheet 1. The combined functional layer 24 comprises a first KINEGRAM® 151, ie an optically variable element, which forms a free-form antenna 14a, and an RFID chip 14c, ie an electronic element. Free-form antennas 14a can be used to produce customer-specific designs as antenna tracks. The window elements 12 of the arch 1 make it possible to one-sided (in which in Fig. 4d illustrated embodiment on the back) to make the area of the free-form antenna 14a visible in the security document 2.

A first optical functional layer 221 made of a white-colored polycarbonate with a thickness of 100 μm is arranged on the combined functional layer 24. The optical information is designed as a print.

Arranged on the first optical functional layer is an optically variable functional layer 23 made of transparent polycarbonate with a thickness of 100 μm, which is formed with a second KINEGRAM® 152. The second KINEGRAM® 152 is at least partially arranged above the assigned window element 12 of the arch 1.

In a special embodiment, the area in which a photo of the document owner is introduced, for example by personalization by means of a laser, lies between the free-form antenna on the back and the KINEGRAM® on the front. This protects personalization from manipulation on both sides. Typically, the print in the area of the photo is also largely spared in order to impair the recognition of personalization as little as possible.

A first protective layer 211, which is formed from transparent polycarbonate with a thickness of 50 μm, is arranged on the first optical functional layer 221.

The aforementioned four layers 24, 221, 23 and 211 form a first lamination package 241.

A second optical functional layer 222 is arranged on the back of the sheet 1 and is formed analogously to the optical functional layer 221, but with a transparent layer made of polycarbonate.

A second protective layer 212, which is designed like the first protective layer 211, is arranged on the second optical functional layer 222.

The aforementioned two layers 222 and 212 form a second lamination package 242.

Fig. 4e shows the layer structure 3 of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a security document 2 produced from the sheet 1 according to the invention.

The arch 1 has a KINEGRAM® 151, 152 on both the front and the back, which is arranged above the window element 12 of the arch 1. The sheet 1 is made of polycarbonate with a thickness of 410 microns. The two KINEGRAM® 151, 152 are applied to the carrier substrate 11 or the window element 12 before the sheet 1 is laminated.

Since the two KINEGRAM® 151, 152 are arranged at a defined distance, they can interact and thus create optical effects in transmitted light. It can also be provided to arrange a KINEGRAM® only on one side and / or a print and / or a partially metallized film on the other side. However, it can also be provided to apply a partially metallized film and / or a print on both sides.

Depending on the optical effect to be achieved, the thickness of the sheet 1 and thus the distance between the two KINEGRAM® 151, 152 can vary. A preferred distance is in the range from 30 µm to 500 µm, more preferably in the range from 50 µm to 250 µm.

A printed transparent first optical functional layer 221 made of polycarbonate with a thickness of 100 μm is arranged on the front of the sheet 1.

A first protective layer 211 made of transparent polycarbonate with a thickness of 100 μm is arranged on the first optical functional layer 221.

The aforementioned two layers 221 and 211 form a first lamination package 241.

A second optical functional layer 222, which is designed like the first optical functional layer 221, is arranged on the back of the sheet 1.

A second protective layer 212, which is designed like the first protective layer 211, is arranged on the second optical functional layer 222.

The aforementioned two layers 222 and 212 form a second lamination package 242.

The Fig. 4f shows a layer structure 3 of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a security document 2 produced from the sheet 1 according to the invention.

A layer structure 3 is like that above in Fig. 4b Layer structure shown formed, with the difference that both the sheet 1 and the layers applied to the sheet 1 are made of polyvinyl chloride.

If the printing inks of the optical functional layers 221 and 222 have a large area coverage, the side of the adjacent layer opposite the print can be coated with an adhesive in order to achieve better adhesion. Polyester, acrylates or dissolved PVC can be used as adhesives.

The Fig. 4g shows a layer structure 3 of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a security document 2 produced from the sheet 1 according to the invention.

The layer structure 3 is like that above in Fig. 4b Layer structure shown formed, with the difference that the sheet 1 and the layers applied to the sheet 1 are made of different materials.

The sheet 1 and the optical functional layers 211 and 212 are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The optically variable functional layer 23 and the protective layers 211 and 212 are formed from polycarbonate, since this material has a higher resistance than polyvinyl chloride. On the other hand, polyvinyl chloride is cheaper than polycarbonate. Other material combinations with materials such as PET-G, PET, Teslin® etc. are possible. Teslin® is the brand name for a printing medium made of matt, white, uncoated single-layer polyethylene film.

If the printing inks of the optical functional layers 221 and 222 have a large area coverage, the side of the adjacent layer opposite the print can be coated with an adhesive in order to achieve better adhesion. Polyester, acrylates or dissolved PVC can be used as adhesives.

Fig. 4h shows a layer structure 3 of a seventh exemplary embodiment of a security document 2 produced from the sheet 1 according to the invention.

The layer structure 3 is like that above in Fig. 4b Layer structure shown formed, with the difference that the sheet 1 is multilayered, as further above in 3f described, wherein the two outer carrier substrate layers 111 and 113 of the sheet 1 and the layers applied to the sheet 1 are made of PVC.

The first carrier substrate layer 111 and the third carrier substrate layer 113 are formed from opaque PVC with a thickness of 220 μm and are coated with an adhesive on the side facing the second carrier substrate layer 112. The adhesive can be made of polyester, acrylate or dissolved PVC.

The second carrier substrate layer 112, which has an RFID chip 14c with an antenna 14a, is formed from polyethylene with a thickness of 50 μm. Deviating from the schematic representation in Fig. 4b the second carrier substrate layer 112 is equipped on both sides with antenna tracks and chips.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

arc

2

The security document

3

layer structure

11

carrier substrate

11a

window recess

11f

functional layer

12

window element

12a

first window element

12b

second window element

13

window substrate

14

RFID module

14a

Antenna of the RFID module

14c

RFID chip

15

KINEGRAM®

21

protective layer

22

optical functional layer

23

optically variable functional layer

24

combined functional layer

25

electronic functional layer

111

first carrier substrate layer

112

second carrier substrate layer

113

third carrier substrate layer

131

first window substrate layer

132

second window substrate layer

133

third window substrate layer

211

first protective layer

212

second protective layer

221

first optical functional layer

222

second optical functional layer

231

first optically variable functional layer

241

first lamination package

242

second lamination package

Claims (15)

1. Sheet (1) for forming a security document (2), comprising a carrier substrate (11) and n window elements (12) arranged in window recesses (11a) of the carrier substrate (11), wherein n is at least equal to 1 and wherein the n window elements (12) are formed from a transparent window substrate (13), wherein the n window elements (12) are materially bonded to the carrier substrate (11).
2. Sheet according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   a continuous transition is formed between the surfaces of the n window elements (12) and the surface of the carrier substrate (11).
3. Sheet according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the front side and/or the rear side of the sheet (1) are/is formed with a roughness depth of less than 0.3µm, or the front side and/or the rear side of the sheet (1) are/is formed with a roughness depth of more than 0.3µm.
4. Sheet according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the front side and/or the rear side of the sheet (1) are/is formed in regions with a varying roughness depth, and/or the front side and/or the rear side of the sheet (1) are/is formed at least in regions with a surface embossing.
5. Sheet according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the front side and/or the rear side of the sheet (1) are/is formed with markings, and/or the carrier substrate (11) and/or the window substrate (13) are/is formed from polycarbonate, polyvinylchloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate.
6. Sheet according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the carrier substrate (11) is formed as opaque by means of fillers, in particular the fillers are formed as pigments and/or as dyes.
7. Sheet according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the carrier substrate (11) is formed to be multi-layered, in particular the carrier substrate (11) is formed of layers with varying opacity, wherein at least two layers have a different opacity and/or the carrier substrate (11) has at least one functional layer (11f).
8. Sheet according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the window substrate (13) is formed to be multi-layered, in particular the window substrate (13) is formed of layers with varying transparency, wherein at least two layers have a different transparency.
9. Sheet according to claim 8,
   characterised in that
   the window substrate (13) has at least one functional layer, in particular, the at least one functional layer comprises a hologram/Kinegram®.
10. Sheet according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    at least one further layer is laminated onto the carrier substrate (11) and/or the window element (12), and/or the sheet (1) has a thickness in the range of from 30µm to 750µm, preferably a thickness in the range of from 100µm to 600µm.
11. Method for manufacturing a sheet (1) for forming a security document (2), comprising a carrier substrate (11) and n transparent window elements (12) arranged in the carrier substrate (11) having an nth outer edge contour, wherein n is at least equal to 1, wherein the following method steps are provided:

    a) providing a carrier substrate (11) which is made of a thermoplastic plastic material which has a melting phase;

    b) forming an i-th window recess (11a) having an i-th inside edge contour which is congruent with an i-th outer edge contour of an i-th window element (12), in the carrier substrate (11);

    c) providing a window substrate (13) which is made of a thermoplastic plastic material which has a melting phase;

    d) forming the i-th window element (12);

    e) inserting the i-th window element (12) into the i-th window recess (11a);

    f) repeating the method steps b) to e) until i=n for forming the sheet (1);

    g) inserting the sheet (1) into a lamination press, wherein temperature and a pressing force can be formed in the lamination press, and laminating the sheet (1) at a temperature above the melting phase of the carrier substrate (11) and the window substrate (12).
12. Method according to claim 11,
    characterised in that
    the lamination press has an upper stamp and/or a lower stamp, which are/is formed at least in regions as an embossing stamp, and/or the method steps a) and b) and the method steps c) and d) are carried out independently of each other.
13. Method according to one of claims 11 or 12,
    characterised in that
    the window substrate (13) is formed to be multi-layered, in particular the window substrate (13) is formed of layers with varying transparency, wherein at least two layers with a different transparency are formed.
14. Method according to claim 13,
    characterised in that
    at least one layer of the window substrate (13) is formed as a functional layer, in particular, the at least one functional layer comprises a hologram/Kinegram®.
15. Security document,
    characterised in that
    the security document (2) comprises a sheet according to one of claims 1 to 10.

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