EP3578381B1 - Security element for securing valuable documents - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a security element for securing security papers, documents of value such as bank notes, checks or the like, and other data carriers.

Data carriers, such as value or identity documents, but also other objects of value such as branded items, are often provided with security elements for protection that allow the authenticity of the data carrier to be checked and at the same time serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction. The security elements can, for example, in the form of a security thread embedded in a bank note, a cover film for a bank note with a hole, an applied security strip, a self-supporting transfer element, in the form of a feature area printed directly on a value document, or also as a product security element, such as a label, seal or packaging.

Such security elements should, on the one hand, have an optically easily perceptible effect which, on the other hand, should be difficult to copy or imitate. In addition, it is often required that the production costs for such a security element are as low as possible.

From the pamphlet EP 3 023 259 A2 a security element is known which has a first and a second area which are separated by an intermediate area. The first and the second area have a first and a second optically variable structure which can cover the imprints underneath. Furthermore, the first and the second optically variable structure can have a flake-form magnetic pigment, which is applied to the first and the second area with a different orientation.

Based on this, the object of the invention is therefore to provide a security element for securing security papers, documents of value such as banknotes, checks or the like, and other data carriers, which provides an optically perceptible effect, difficult to copy or imitate and at the same time inexpensive can be produced.

This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous refinements are given in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the security element has a substrate on which a first and a second layer are formed in register, a third layer comprising magnetic pigments being formed at least partially on the first and / or second layer, the first layer first pigments and the second Layer having second pigments, and wherein the first and the second layer are designed such that they show different colors when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range and / or different colors when illuminated with UV radiation.

The first layer advantageously has at least one first luminescent feature substance and the second layer at least one second luminescent feature substance.

The first and second pigments can be lamellar and / or iridescent pigments. In particular, these pigments can be flakes (for example mica flakes) coated or coated with metal oxide. Layers with such pigments are also often referred to as Iriodin coatings or layers. One can also speak of an iriodin color or a structural color. The application of colors with such pigments is described, for example, in the publications EP 0 490 825 A1 such as EP 2 454 413 B1 the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the first pigments are designed as partially transparent pigments or partially translucent pigments (in each case for the visible wavelength range). The same applies to the second pigments.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first and second pigments can also be designed so that they show different colors when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range and / or different colors when illuminated with UV radiation. In particular, the first pigments and pigments can be designed as phosphorescent or fluorescent pigments.

Illumination with light from the visible wavelength range is understood to mean, in particular, illumination with wavelengths from the range from 380 nm to 780 nm or 390 nm to 780 nm. UV illumination is understood to mean radiation with a wavelength of less than 380 nm to about 200 nm. In particular, the UV illumination can be in the range from 235 nm to less than 380 nm.

Since the third layer is at least partially formed on the first and / or second layer (and preferably completely on the first and / or second layer), a very smooth surface with low porosity compared to, for example, a fibrous or porous surface can be used for the third layer porous substrate are provided. In this way, better adhesion of the third layer and / or less ink consumption for forming the third layer can be achieved in an advantageous manner.

The first and second layers can be formed next to one another, alternately not next to one another and / or nested in one another. In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the first and second layers directly adjoin each other. The first and second layers can preferably convey overall information through their shape and / or their different colors, for example. This can be a text, a pattern, an image, etc., for example.

In the security element according to the invention, the first and second layers can be designed such that they show the same first color when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range and that the first layer has a second color when illuminated with UV radiation and the second layer when illuminated with UV radiation shows a third color, with all three colors being different. This can be achieved, for example, in that the first and second layers have the same visible color (e.g. Iriodin®), but each have different feature substances (e.g. for fluorescence).

Furthermore, the security element according to the invention can be designed such that the first layer has a first color when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range, that the second layer has a second color when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range, and that the first and second layers when illuminated show the same third color with UV radiation, all three colors being different.

Furthermore, the security element can be designed such that the first layer shows a first color when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range, that the second layer shows a second color when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range, that the first layer shows a second color when illuminated with UV -Radiation shows a third color and that the second layer when illuminated with UV radiation shows a fourth color, all four colors being different.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first and / or the second layer are designed in such a way that, when illuminated with UV radiation, they emit luminescence radiation of different colors at different UV excitation wavelengths. For example, the first or the second layer can show a green color in the case of radiation of a wavelength of 365 nm and an orange or reddish color in the case of radiation of a wavelength of 254 nm.

In a likewise advantageous embodiment, when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range and / or when illuminated with UV radiation, the third layer shows a different color than the first and second pigments when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range or when illuminated with UV radiation. Radiation.

The magnetic pigments can have reflective properties, for example. If a suitable magnetic field is applied before the binding agent of the applied third layer is dried, a desired orientation of the magnetic pigments and thus a corresponding optical effect can be provided, since the position and orientation of the magnetic pigments cannot be changed after the binding agent of the third layer has dried are.

The magnetic pigments are preferably magnetic pigments or magnetizable pigments. In particular, they can have ferromagnetic properties. Furthermore, the magnetic pigments can be designed and / or oriented as it is in the publications EP 2 792 500 A1 , US 6,875,522 B2 and or US 7,517,578 B2 is described.

The invention also contains a data carrier with a security element of the type described. In an advantageous embodiment, the security element is applied at least partially over a transparent window area of the data carrier.

The mentioned data carrier is advantageously a value document, such as a bank note, in particular a paper bank note, a polymer bank note or a film composite bank note, a share, a bond, a certificate, a voucher, a check, a certificate, a tax stamp, a high-quality admission ticket or a brand protection element, but also an identity card such as a credit card, a bank card, a cash payment card, an authorization card, a health card, an identity card or a passport personalization page.

Furthermore, a manufacturing method of a security element for security papers, documents of value, such as bank notes, checks or the like, and other data carriers is provided, in which a first and a second layer are formed on a substrate in register, a third layer having magnetic pigments at least partially on the first and / or the second layer is formed, the first layer having first pigments and the second layer having second pigments and the first and the second layer being formed such that they have different colors when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range and / or when illuminated with UV rays show different colors.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite eines erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselementes gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel bei Beleuchtung mit Licht aus dem sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich;

Fig. 2

eine Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie A-A von Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite des Sicherheitselementes gemäß Fig. 1 bei UV-Beleuchtung;

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselementes gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel bei Beleuchtung mit Licht aus dem sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite des Sicherheitselementes gemäß Fig. 4 bei UV-Beleuchtung;

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselementes gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel bei Beleuchtung mit Licht aus dem sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich, und

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite des Sicherheitselementes gemäß Fig. 6 bei UV-Beleuchtung.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which likewise disclose features that are essential to the invention. For the sake of clarity, a representation true to scale and proportion and hatching are at least partially dispensed with in the figures. These exemplary embodiments are used for illustration purposes only and are not to be construed as restrictive. For example, a description of an exemplary embodiment with a multiplicity of elements or components should not be interpreted to the effect that all of these components or elements are necessary for implementation. To avoid repetition, elements that are the same or that correspond to one another are denoted by the same reference symbols in different figures and are not explained more than once. Show it:

Fig. 1

a plan view of the top of a security element according to the invention according to a first embodiment when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range;

Fig. 2

a sectional view along the section line AA of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a plan view of the top of the security element according to FIG Fig. 1 with UV lighting;

Fig. 4

a plan view of the top of the security element according to the invention according to a second embodiment when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range;

Fig. 5

a plan view of the top of the security element according to FIG Fig. 4 with UV lighting;

Fig. 6

a top view of the top of the security element according to the invention according to a third embodiment when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range, and

Fig. 7

a plan view of the top of the security element according to FIG Fig. 6 with UV lighting.

The one in the Figures 1 and 2 As shown in the embodiment shown, the security element 1 according to the invention comprises a substrate 2 with a top side 3 on which a first and a second layer 4, 5 are formed in register. On a part of the first and second layer 4, 5, which in particular also in the sectional illustration according to FIG Figure 2 As can be seen, a third layer 6 is formed.

In the exemplary embodiment described here, the security element 1 has a first motif area 7, in which the third layer 6 is formed, and a second motif area 8. The first motif area 7 essentially has the shape of the federal state of Bavaria. In the second subject area 8 three symbols 9, 10, 11 are shown. The symbols 9 to 11 could also be a number, a text or an alphanumeric expression.

Figure 1 shows the case in which the security element 1 is illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range. The hatching should represent a color that is then visible to a viewer. For example, it can be the color green. The three symbols 9 to 11 and the first motif area 7, with the exception of the third layer 6, appear (uniformly) green for the viewer.

The third layer 6 has magnetic pigments which were aligned during production in such a way that the number “7” lights up brightly against a circular gray background.

In Figure 3 the colors perceptible to the viewer are now shown schematically when the security element 1 is illuminated with UV radiation. In this case, areas of the first layer 4 appear blue (shown here in black) and areas of the second layer 5 appear white. This provides a surprising color effect that is very memorable and easy to check for the viewer.

To achieve this color effect, the first layer 4 contains first pigments, first partially transparent pigments according to the invention, and first luminescent feature substances, and the second layer 5 contains second pigments, according to the invention second partially transparent pigments, and second luminescent feature substances. The first and second partially transparent pigments and the feature substances contained in the first and second layers are designed so that the first and second layers 4, 5 are perceptible in green when illuminated with visible light and in green when illuminated with UV radiation blue (the layer 4 with the first partially transparent pigments and the first luminescent feature substance) or white (the layer 5 with the second partially transparent pigments and the second luminescent feature substance) are perceptible.

Since the third layer 6 is formed on regions of the first and second layers 4, 5, the first and second layers 4, 5 can also be referred to as background layers or as primer layers 4, 5. In the case of fibrous or porous substrates 2 in particular, these primer layers 4, 5 have the advantage that less material is required for the third layer 6 in order to achieve the desired effect compared to the case in which the third layer 6 would be formed directly on the substrate 2. This leads to lower manufacturing costs.

The two primer layers 4, 5 are preferably printed in two registered print runs. In particular, screen printing can be used as the printing technique. However, it is also possible to use flat, gravure, relief, digital printing or combinations thereof.

The substrate can be a paper substrate. However, it is also possible to provide a polymer substrate or a film composite substrate or combinations of the aforementioned types of substrates.

The security element 1 can itself be the value document to be produced. It is also possible that the security element is designed as a thread, film, transfer element, strip and / or patch, which is then connected to a substrate of the document of value to be produced.

The security elements can be present in an opaque sub-area of the value document, or they can be arranged wholly or partially in a transparent window area of the value document. The transparent window area can also consist of a transparent partial area of a polymer substrate or a film composite substrate of the document of value to be secured, to which the first and second layers are at least partially applied.

The third layer 6 is produced in a known manner. The third layer can be printed on by known methods (e.g. one of the printing techniques described in connection with the first and second layers 4, 5). Before the binding agent of the printed third layer 6 is dried, for example by exposure to UV, the third layer 6 is exposed to a predetermined magnetic field, which leads to a desired alignment of the magnetic pigments in the third layer 6, and then the effect shown schematically in the dried state the third layer 6 to provide. As soon as the third layer 6 has dried, the position and orientation of the individual magnetic pigments in the third layer 6 can no longer be changed, so that the set effect is permanently present.

The first and second pigments can, for example, be pearlescent pigments. In particular, the first and second pigments can be thin flakes (for example of the mineral mica) which are encased by a thin metal oxide layer or coated with a thin metal oxide layer. As a result, semitransparent pigments are provided which give the respective layer 4, 5 a shine coming from the depths.

The first and second pigments can additionally also be luminescent, particularly preferably phosphorescent or fluorescent.

In connection with the Figures 1 to 3 The first embodiment described, the first and second layers 4, 5 have the same color when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range and the two layers 4, 5 have different colors when illuminated with UV. However, it is also possible to design the first and second layers 4, 5 in such a way that they have different colors (for example light blue and white) when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range, as indicated in FIG. Light blue is represented by the hatching. White is illustrated by a white (unshaded) representation.

When illuminated with UV radiation, however, the first and second layers have the same color (for example red or yellow), which is indicated by the dot matrix in Figure 5 is shown schematically.

In a third embodiment, the shape of the first motif area 7 is different from the first and second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the first motif area 7 is rectangular. The arrangement of the first and second layers 4, 5 is also different compared to the exemplary embodiments already described.

In the third exemplary embodiment, the perceptible colors of the first and second layers 4, 5 differ both when illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range and when illuminated with UV radiation, so that a total of four different colors are visible. When illuminated with light from the visible wavelength range, appears for the viewer sees the first layer 4 green (shown diagonally hatched) and the second layer 5 yellow (shown without hatching). When illuminated with UV radiation, the first layer 4 appears red (shown by vertical hatching) and the second layer 5 appears orange (shown by horizontal hatching).

List of reference symbols

1

Security element

2

Substrate

3

Top

4th

1st layer

5

2 layer

6th

3 layer

7th

1. Subject area

8th

2. Subject area

9

1st symbol

10

2nd symbol

11

3rd symbol

Claims (15)

1. A security element for securing security papers, value documents, such as bank notes, checks or the like, and other data carriers,
   wherein the security element (1) has a substrate (2) on which a first and a second layer (4, 5) are configured in register,
   wherein a third layer (6) having magnetic pigments is configured at least partially on the first and/or second layer (4, 5), wherein the first layer (4) has first pigments and the second layer (5) has second pigments, wherein the first and/or second pigments are configured partially transparent or partially translucent in the visible wavelength range, and
   wherein the first and second layers are configured such that they show different colors upon illumination with light from the visible wavelength range and/or show different colors upon illumination with UV radiation.
2. The security element according to claim 1, in which the first layer has at least a first luminescent, in particular phosphorescent or fluorescent, feature substance, and the second layer has at least a second luminescent, in particular phosphorescent or fluorescent, feature substance.
3. The security element according to claim 1 or 2, in which the first and/or second pigments are configured in platelet shape and/or are iridescent pigments.
4. The security element according to any of the above claims, in which the first and/or second pigments are coated with metal oxide.
5. The security element according to any of the above claims, in which the first and second pigments are configured such that they show different colors upon illumination with light from the visible wavelength range and/or show different colors upon illumination with UV radiation.
6. The security element according to any of the above claims, in which the magnetic pigments are configured in platelet shape.
7. The security element according to the above claims, in which the first and the second layer are configured such that they show the same first color upon illumination with light from the visible wavelength range and that the first layer shows a second color upon illumination with UV radiation and the second layer shows a third color upon illumination with UV radiation, wherein all three colors differ.
8. The security element according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the first and the second layer are configured such that the first layer shows a first color upon illumination with light from the visible wavelength range, the second layer shows a second color upon illumination with light from the visible wavelength range, the first layer shows a third color upon illumination with UV radiation and the second layer shows a fourth color upon illumination with UV radiation, wherein all colors differ from one another.
9. The security element according to any of the above claims, in which the first and/or the second layer are configured such that they emit luminescence radiation of different color upon illumination with UV radiation at different UV excitation wavelengths.
10. The security element according to any of the above claims, in which the third layer upon illumination with light from the visible wavelength range and/or upon illumination with UV radiation shows a different color than the first and second pigments upon illumination with light from the visible wavelength range or upon illumination with UV radiation.
11. The security element according to any of the above claims, in which the magnetic pigments are reflective pigments.
12. The security element according to any of the above claims, in which the magnetic pigments are regionally differently aligned magnetic pigments.
13. A data carrier having a security element according to any of claims 1 to 12.
14. The data carrier according to claim 13, in which the security element is applied at least partially over a transparent window region of the data carrier.
15. A manufacturing method for a security element for security papers, value documents, such as bank notes, checks or the like, and other data carriers, in which
    a first and a second layer (4, 5) are configured in register on a substrate (2),
    a third layer (6) having magnetic pigments is configured at least partially on the first and/or second layer (4, 5), wherein the first and/or second pigments are configured partially transparent or partially translucent in the visible wavelength range, and
    wherein the first layer (4) has first pigments and the second layer (5) has second pigments, and the first and second layers are configured such that they show different colors upon illumination with light from the visible wavelength range and/or show different colors upon illumination with UV radiation.

Images