EP3666542A2 - Laminate and method for producing a laminate, and security or valuable document having an interior security feature - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a laminate (11) with an internal security feature (12), in which at least one translucent or opaque substrate layer (14) is provided, in which at least one further translucent or transparent layer (21, 22) is provided , in which the at least one substrate layer (14) and the at least one further layer (21, 22) are brought together and laminated together to form a laminate (11), with the at least one in an upper side (17) and / or lower side (18) Before the substrate layer (14) is brought together with the at least one further translucent or transparent layer (21, 22), depressions (16) are introduced which place at least one transparent or translucent layer (21, 22) on the top side (16) provided with depressions (16). 17) and / or underside (18) of the substrate layer (14) and at least a subset of the depressions (16) with the at least one transparent and / or he translucent layer (21, 22) is filled. (See Figure 3)

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a laminate with an internal security feature and a laminate with such an internal security feature.

From the DE 10 2011 004 935 A1 is known a laminate with an internal security feature. This laminate comprises a middle opaque substrate layer and further layers which are applied to an outside of the substrate layer and which are transparent and / or translucent. Microperforations are made in the opaque substrate layer. These microperforations are filled with the at least two outer layers covering the microperforation.

There is an ongoing need to create security features of this type for security documents that have increased security against forgery and make manipulation more difficult.

The invention has for its object to provide a method for producing a laminate and a laminate as well as a value or security document, in which an internal security feature enables increased security against forgery and manipulation.

This object is achieved by a method for producing a laminate with an internal security feature, in which the laminate comprises at least one translucent or opaque substrate layer and at least one further translucent or transparent layer which are laminated to form a laminate, with an upper side and / or depressions are introduced into an underside of the at least one substrate layer before being brought together with the at least one further transparent or translucent layer and then the at least one transparent or translucent layer is applied to the top side and / or underside of the substrate layer provided with depressions and at least a partial amount of the Wells are filled with the at least one transparent or translucent layer. As a result, an internal security feature, which is preferably designed as a see-through feature, is created at least by the subset of the filled depressions. Different optical transmittances can also be achieved through the recesses introduced, so that a see-through feature in the form of a watermark can thereby be formed. This inspection feature can be designed in a general or individualized form, for example as a serial number, image, logo, name, description and / or the like. If the substrate layer is opaque, the at least one further layer can be translucent or transparent. If the substrate layer is translucent, the at least one further layer can be transparent or the at least one further translucent layer can be designed with a higher light transmittance than that of the substrate layer.

It is preferably provided that the depression of the substrate layer is produced by partially removing a material of the substrate layer. For example, such a partial removal can be achieved by drilling, countersinking or by means of laser radiation, in particular a CO ₂ laser. Chemical processes can also be used to achieve partial removal.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the depressions in the substrate layer are produced by partially displacing material of the substrate layer. Embossing or stamping or the like can be provided here.

At least a subset of the depressions, in particular all depressions in the top and / or underside of the translucent or opaque substrate layer, are filled with at least one further transparent or translucent layer covering the depressions during lamination. A monochrome see-through feature can thereby be created in the laminate. The layer covering the depressions can preferably be one of the substrate layer have different translucency or opacity.

Alternatively, it can be provided that after the recesses have been introduced into the at least one translucent or opaque substrate layer and before being brought together with the at least one further translucent or transparent layer, a predetermined number of the recesses are partially or completely filled with at least one functional material. This enables various characteristics to be achieved. For example, a security feature can be partially colored and partially non-colored. In addition, depending on the introduction of the functional materials, security features can also be created with different optical signals when excited with a wavelength and / or a magnetic force. Fluorescent or luminescent materials can be provided as functional materials. A magnetic material or a material provided with metal particles or any combination thereof can also be provided.

Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the depressions are partially or completely filled with the functional material. The security against counterfeiting can thereby be increased, for example in that one depression or a certain number or selection of depressions is only half full and another number or selection of depressions is completely filled. Further variations in the degree of filling of the depressions are also possible.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that one or more functional materials are applied to the depressions and to surface sections which extend between the depressions. Individual surface sections can thus be completely covered with at least one functional material and depressions. As a result, further design variants of the internal security feature can be created.

It is preferably provided that the at least one functional material is applied by knife coating, printing or foiling.

Preferred printing methods are e.g. High pressure (letterset), gravure (raster gravure) or planographic printing (offset) as well as non-impact printing processes such as inkjet printing.

A further advantageous embodiment of the method provides that different gray levels are produced in the at least one translucent or opaque substrate layer by adapting the size, the depth, the shape of the degree of filling and / or the areal density of the depressions. In this way, for example, a grayscale curve or a type of shading can be created with such a see-through feature, in particular with the same transmission properties of the transparent or translucent layer to be applied.

The laminate is preferably produced from at least one substrate layer and at least one transparent or translucent layer, the substrate layer having a higher melting point than the at least one further layer. As a result, the depressions are largely maintained during the lamination of the at least one further layer to the substrate layer in order to maintain the shape and / or shape of the at least one security feature.

A further advantageous embodiment of the method provides that, before the depressions are applied to the at least one opaque or translucent substrate layer, a pattern or a grid with a material which has a higher melting point than the opaque is applied to an upper side and / or lower side of the substrate layer or has a translucent substrate layer and the pattern or grid remains when the at least one depression is introduced into the top and / or bottom of the opaque or translucent substrate layer. For example, such a pattern or grid can be formed by geometric shapes such as lines, squares, triangles or the like. This applied pattern or grid consists, for example, of silver or another metallic material. Other materials with a higher melting point than the substrate layer can also be provided. Can be used to connect the individual geometric shapes to form a security feature at least one recess is made in between. The at least one depression in the opaque or translucent substrate layer is only removed in the non-coated area. The pattern or grid applied remains on the substrate layer. This upper and / or lower side, which comprises the applied pattern with the depressions, can then be covered and laminated with a translucent or transparent layer.

The object on which the invention is based is further achieved by a laminate with an internal security feature, in which the laminate has at least one translucent or opaque substrate layer and at least one translucent or a transparent layer which are laminated, recesses being made in the substrate layer, and at least a subset of the filled depressions forms the internal security feature. This internal security feature is protected against manipulation due to the translucent or transparent layer applied to it. In addition, a security feature that can be verified in transmitted light can be created, the effort for counterfeiters is significantly increased or makes a counterfeit easily visible.

It is preferably provided that the at least one depression of the opaque or translucent substrate layer is filled with the at least one further transparent or translucent layer. This represents a simple design of such an internal security feature in the laminate.

The depressions of the translucent or opaque substrate layer are preferably partially or completely filled with at least one functional material. Fluorescent or luminescent materials can be provided as functional materials. A magnetic material or a material provided with metal particles or any combination thereof can also be provided. For example, by changing the degree of filling in the respective recess, a specific optical property can be achieved, for example, by changing the degree of transmission. In addition a monochrome or multi-colored see-through feature can also be created in which the functional features, such as colored particles, are selected.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a predetermined number or selection of the recesses introduced are filled. This also increases the security against counterfeiting with a corresponding selection in the number of filled-in depressions.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a layer of a functional material is provided, which at least partially covers the depressions as well as the surface sections lying between them. The depressions and the intermediate surface sections can also be at least partially or additionally covered with the at least one transparent or translucent layer.

The object on which the invention is based is achieved by a value or security document which has a laminate with an internal security feature, the laminate consisting of at least one translucent or opaque substrate layer and at least one transparent or translucent layer which are laminated together, in which at least one substrate layer is provided with recesses and at least a subset of the recesses in the at least one substrate layer are filled with the at least one transparent or translucent layer and form the internal security feature. Due to this internal feature, manipulation is easily visible. The effort for counterfeiters is significantly increased.

• Figur 1 eine schematische Schnittansicht eines ersten Arbeitsschritts zur Herstellung eines Laminats,
• Figur 2 eine schematische Schnittansicht eines zweiten Arbeitsschrittes zur Herstellung eines Laminats,
• Figur 3 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform des Laminats,
• Figur 4 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer mit Vertiefungen versehenen Substratschicht für ein Laminat,
• Figur 5 eine schematische Schnittansicht eines Arbeitsschrittes zum Verfüllen der Vertiefungen in der Substratschicht,
• Figur 6 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer alternativen Ausführungsform zum Verfüllen der Vertiefungen der Substratschicht wie in Figur 5,
• Figur 7 eine schematische Schnittansicht des Laminats nach den Arbeitsschritten in Figur 4 und 6,
• Figur 8 eine schematische Schnittansicht auf ein innenliegendes Sicherheitsmerkmal des Laminats gemäß Figur 3, und
• Figur 9 eine schematische Ansicht auf eine Substratschicht zur Herstellung eines alternativen innenliegenden Sicherheitsmerkmals.

The invention and further advantageous embodiments and developments thereof are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings. The features to be gathered from the description and the drawings can be used according to the invention individually or in groups in any combination. Show it:

• Figure 1 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a first working step for producing a laminate,
• Figure 2 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a second working step for producing a laminate,
• Figure 3 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of the laminate,
• Figure 4 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a substrate layer provided with depressions for a laminate,
• Figure 5 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a work step for filling the depressions in the substrate layer,
• Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of an alternative embodiment for filling the depressions of the substrate layer as in Figure 5 ,
• Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of the laminate after the steps in Figures 4 and 6 ,
• Figure 8 is a schematic sectional view of an internal security feature of the laminate Figure 3 , and
• Figure 9 is a schematic view of a substrate layer for producing an alternative internal security feature.

In the Figures 1 to 3 A method for producing a laminate 11 with an internal security feature 12 is described below, which comprises the individual following steps:

First, a substrate layer 14 is provided. This substrate layer 14 can be designed as an opaque or translucent layer. This substrate layer 14 can have a thickness of 50 to 300 micrometers, preferably a thickness of 70 to 200 micrometers and in particular a thickness of 80 to 150 micrometers. For example, this substrate layer 14 is formed from a thermoplastic polymer material, in particular polycarbonate.

In a first step according to Figure 1 this substrate layer 14 is processed in order to introduce depressions 16. These depressions 16 can be designed as blind holes. Likewise, the depressions 16 can be semicircular or arcuate in shape. Further geometric shapes of the depressions 16 are possible. In any case, a perforation is a fully formed one Through hole, not to be understood as a recess 16.

In a first embodiment, the recess 16 can be made by partially removing the material of the substrate layer 14. For example, drilling or countersinking can be provided. In particular, processing is carried out using a laser beam. The size, depth and / or shape can be determined depending on the number of pulses or the power of the laser beam and the focusing of the laser beam. In particular when designing an opaque substrate layer 14, a different gray level for an internal security feature 12 can be achieved by varying the depth, the diameter and / or the shape of the depressions 16.

In the embodiment according to Figure 1 the depressions 16 are introduced only on an upper side 17. Alternatively, these depressions can also be introduced only on an underside 18. Furthermore, it can be provided that the depressions 16 are provided both on the top 17 and on the bottom 18. These are preferably matched to one another in order to avoid a through hole. In addition, a certain degree of transmission can again be achieved for an internal security feature.

In Figure 2 a second step is shown schematically. A further layer 21 is applied at least to the upper and / or lower side 17, 18 of the substrate layer 14 provided with depressions 16. This layer 21 can be translucent or transparent. A plurality of layers 21 which differ from one another can also be applied. In the exemplary embodiment, a further layer 21, 22 is fed to both the top 17 and the bottom 18 of the substrate layer 14.

The at least one substrate layer 14 preferably has a higher melting point than at least one further transparent or translucent layer 21, 22.

In a subsequent step according to Figure 3 the layers 21, 22 are laminated and with the substrate layer 14 to form the laminate 11. In this lamination process, the depressions 16 filled by the at least one layer 21. This creates an internal security feature 12 formed by the depressions 16. This internal security feature 12 can be designed in the manner of a watermark. If the layers used do not include any coloring, the design of the depressions 16 can achieve a security feature 12 with different shades of gray, since larger depressions appear brighter in transmitted light than smaller depressions or depressions with a small depth.

The further translucent or transparent layers 21, 22 which form the laminate 11 v can likewise consist of a thermoplastic polymer material, such as the substrate layer 11, the melting point of the substrate layer 14 being higher than that of the further layers 21, 22. This also has the advantage that a type of monolithic laminate can be formed after lamination. The further layers 21, 22 can have the same transmittance or can also differ from one another.

Such a laminate 11 can be designed as a security document. Security documents include, for example, ID documents, passports, ID cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, vehicle licenses, vehicle letters, registration certificates, company ID cards, bank cards or credit cards, access cards, visas, but also anti-counterfeiting labels, admission cards, bank notes, postage stamps, securities or the like.

The thermoplastic polymer materials for such a laminate 11 are understood to mean materials that are plastically deformable in a certain temperature range. Examples of thermoplastic polymer materials are polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamides (PA), polyacetate (PLA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyether ketone (PEEK). Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), in particular thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), can also be used as thermoplastic materials Production of a laminate 11 can be used.

The material layer for the at least one further layer 21, 22 can be in a range between 10 to 200 micrometers, preferably 20 to 70 micrometers.

A layer is called transparent, which light, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, a wavelength or a wavelength range in the form of directed radiation. Directional radiation has an intensity distribution that has a high intensity only in a coherently limited solid angle range. Under the other solid angles, the intensity is essentially weaker, usually by several orders of magnitude, preferably close to zero. If such directed radiation passes through a transparent material, the property is retained that the intensity is concentrated in a limited solid angle range. The solid angle range can increase, but there is no significant diffuse scattering. A weakening with regard to an intensity of the radiation passing through the transparent area or the transparent spatial area can, however, occur. Imaging according to the geometric optics is possible through a transparent material.

By contrast, translucent is a material in which the described property of maintaining the directional characteristic is no longer present. Mainly by diffuse scattering, radiation that was originally directed becomes radiation whose intensity distribution has a clearly perceptible intensity in a large solid angle range. An increase in intensity in or around the angular range that can be associated with the original direction of propagation of the directed radiation is possible, but is no longer several orders of magnitude.

The property which prevents transmission of light, ie electromagnetic radiation, at least for one wavelength or one or more wavelength ranges is referred to as opaque. It is for indicating whether an object or a spatial area is transparent or opaque meaning that the wavelength or range of wavelengths for which this property is being investigated or applies is indicated. There are a large number of materials which are transparent, for example in the visible wavelength range, but are opaque in the ultraviolet wavelength range.

Information such as opaque, translucent and transparent relates in each case to the property of the material layer after lamination or, in the case of a substrate layer, to the property of the material layer formed therefrom after lamination.

In the Figures 4 to 7 are individual work steps for producing an alternative laminate 11 Figure 3 shown. In Figure 4 the substrate layer 14 has already been processed and has depressions 16. These depressions 15 can be produced as in the embodiment described above. As an alternative to the embodiment according to FIG Figure 1 be introduced by embossing, stamping or the like. In this latter case, material displacement takes place in order to form the depressions 16. Subsequently, according to a first embodiment in Figure 5 the depressions 16 and surface sections 23 which lie between the depressions 16 are coated and filled with a functional material. For example, this full-area filling of the depressions and the full-area application of the functional material can be formed by knife coating, screen printing, foiling or by known printing processes and the like.

Alternatively, according to Figure 6 it should be provided that only the depressions 16 are filled. This can be done, for example, by non-contact high-performance syringes, in particular jetting, or by introducing balls or the like. In the embodiment according to Figure 6 it can further be provided that each depression 16 comprises a certain degree of filling. For example, adjacent depressions 16 can have different degrees of filling. Likewise, individual sections of depressions 16 can have a specific degree of filling, which is provided by the degree of filling in an adjacent section Wells 16 deviates.

For example, colors can be provided as functional materials. A fluorescent, luminescent, magnetic and / or metallic material can also be introduced. Subsequently, at least one further layer 21 is applied to the substrate layer 14 with the filled depressions 16. A transparent layer 21 is preferably applied as a cover layer or top layer. The individual layers 21, 22 and 14 are then laminated to form a laminate 11 in accordance with FIG Figure 7 .

In Figure 8 a schematic view of an exemplary internal security feature 12 of the laminate 11 is shown. This view shows a security feature 12 which, for example, according to the Figures 1 to 3 is built and manufactured. The different size, depth, shape, degree of filling and / or areal density of the depressions 16 make it possible, for example, to create a letter, shown here as "B". This can have a clearly visible border. This border is formed by depressions 16 which are large and / or deep in diameter. Shading can be provided within the border by providing smaller depressions and / or depressions with a smaller depth.

In Figure 9 12 is a schematic view of a substrate layer 14 with an alternative embodiment of an internal security feature 12 in FIG Figure 8 shown. A pattern or a grid is applied, in particular printed, to the substrate layer 14. For example, a grid is formed from square or rectangular surfaces 26, which are made of silver, for example. Subsequently, the substrate layer 14 is removed by means of a laser. The resulting depressions 16 are each provided in a corner region of the square surface 26 in the exemplary embodiment. Since the laser power of the laser beam is set such that material of the substrate layer 14 can be removed, but the material of the raster 25 is not influenced, the pattern shown, for example, can be produced in which one Recess 16 connects four corner areas of the square surfaces 26 with each other. This represents only one of many exemplary embodiments for the production of an internal security feature 12, in which depressions 16 are integrated. It goes without saying that further internal security features 12 can be combined, connected or integrated with the recesses 16.

List of reference numbers

• 11. Laminate
• 12. Security feature
• 14. Substrate layer
• 16. Deepening
• 17. Top of 14
• 18. Bottom of 14
• 21st layer
• 22nd layer
• 23rd surface section
• 25th grid
• 26. Rectangular surface

Claims (15)

Method for producing a laminate (11) with an internal security feature (12), - in which at least one translucent or opaque substrate layer (14) is provided, - in which at least one further translucent or transparent layer (21, 22) is provided, - in which the at least one substrate layer (14) and the at least one further layer (21, 22) are brought together and laminated together to form a laminate (11), characterized, - that in an upper side (17) and / or underside (18) of the at least one substrate layer (14) before being brought together with the at least one further translucent or transparent layer (21, 22), depressions (16) are made, and - That the at least one transparent or translucent layer (21, 22) is applied to the upper side (17) and / or lower side (18) of the substrate layer (14) provided with depressions (16) and at least a partial amount of the depressions (16) with the at least one transparent and / or translucent layer (21, 22) is filled. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the depressions (16) in the substrate layer (14) are produced by a partial removal of a material of the substrate layer (14). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the depressions (16) in the substrate layer (14) are produced by partially displacing a material of the substrate layer (14). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, before the recesses (16) are applied to the at least one translucent or opaque substrate layer (14) on the substrate layer (14), a grid (25) is applied with a material which has a higher Has melting point as the material of the substrate layer (14) and the grid (25) remains when the recesses (16) are introduced into the substrate layer (14). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the depressions (16) of the substrate layer (14) are filled with the at least one further transparent or translucent layer (21, 22) during lamination. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after the recesses (16) have been introduced into the substrate layer (14) and before being brought together with the at least one further translucent or transparent layer (21, 22), at least a subset of the recesses (16 ) are provided with at least one functional material and preferably colored particles, fluorescent, luminescent, magnetic and / or metallic material are applied as the functional material. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a partial amount of the depressions (16) in the substrate layer (14) are filled with a predetermined degree of filling with at least one functional material. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the recesses (16) and on surface sections (23) which extend between the recesses (16), the at least one functional material is applied. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the at least one functional material is applied by knife coating, printing or foiling. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal security feature (12) in the at least one substrate layer (14) with different shades of gray by adjusting the size, depth, shape, degree of filling and / or the areal density of the depressions (16), in particular with the same transmission properties of the transparent and / or translucent layer (21, 22) to be applied. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laminate (11) from the at least one substrate layer (14) and the at least one transparent or translucent layer (21, 22) is produced, the substrate layer (14) having a higher melting point than the at least one transparent or translucent layer (21, 22). Laminate with an internal security feature (12), - with at least one translucent or opaque substrate layer (14), - with at least one translucent or transparent layer (21, 22) which are laminated to form a laminate (11), characterized, - That in the at least one substrate layer (14) recesses (16) are made, and at least a subset of the recesses (16) in the at least one substrate layer (14) with the at least one translucent or transparent layer (21, 22) are filled and the filled depressions (16) form the internal security feature (12). Laminate according to claim 12, characterized in that at least a partial amount of the depressions (16) in the at least one substrate layer (14) is partially or completely filled with at least one functional material. Laminate according to claim 12, characterized in that the depressions (16) of the substrate layer (14) are partially or completely filled with a functional material and the surface sections lying between the depressions (16) at least partially with the functional material and / or with at least one transparent material or translucent layer (21, 22) are covered. Security or value document with an internal security feature (12), in which at least one translucent or opaque substrate layer (14) is connected to at least one translucent or transparent layer (21, 22) to form a laminate (11), characterized in that in the at least one substrate layer (14) has recesses (16) and at least a subset of the recesses (16) in the at least one substrate layer (14) are filled with the at least one translucent or transparent layer (21, 22) and the filled recesses (16 ) form the internal security feature (12).

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