EP3700756B1 - Élément de sécurité réfléchissant - Google Patents

Élément de sécurité réfléchissant Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3700756B1
EP3700756B1 EP18792849.4A EP18792849A EP3700756B1 EP 3700756 B1 EP3700756 B1 EP 3700756B1 EP 18792849 A EP18792849 A EP 18792849A EP 3700756 B1 EP3700756 B1 EP 3700756B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
security element
layer
element according
reflective
light
Prior art date
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EP18792849.4A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3700756A1 (fr
Inventor
Winfried HOFFMÜLLER
Christoph HUNGER
Kai Herrmann SCHERER
Michael Sobol
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Giesecke and Devrient Currency Technology GmbH
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Giesecke and Devrient Currency Technology GmbH
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Publication of EP3700756A1 publication Critical patent/EP3700756A1/fr
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
    • B42D25/36—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery comprising special materials
    • B42D25/378—Special inks
    • B42D25/391—Special inks absorbing or reflecting polarised light
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
    • B42D25/324—Reliefs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
    • B42D25/328—Diffraction gratings; Holograms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
    • B42D25/36—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery comprising special materials
    • B42D25/364—Liquid crystals
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
    • B42D25/36—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery comprising special materials
    • B42D25/373—Metallic materials

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a reflective security element, a data carrier equipped with such a security element and a method for checking the authenticity of a reflective security element.
  • Data carriers such as banknotes, shares, bonds, certificates, vouchers, checks, high-quality admission tickets, but also other forgery-prone papers, such as passports or other identification documents, are often provided with security elements for protection that allow the authenticity of the document of value to be checked and at the same time serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction.
  • the special properties of liquid-crystalline materials are used for this purpose and, in particular, the color impression dependent on the viewing angle and the special light-polarizing properties of liquid-crystal layers are used.
  • Reflective security elements with liquid crystals can be divided into at least two groups.
  • a first group of security elements contains a reflector which specifically reflects only circularly polarized light and which is formed on the basis of cholesteric liquid crystals.
  • Security elements of the first group can generally also be detected from a greater distance, since the origin of the light that is reflected by the security element does not matter.
  • a second group of security elements contains a reflector that not only reflects circularly polarizing light.
  • a reflector that not only reflects circularly polarizing light.
  • an optically anisotropic layer is arranged over a metallic reflector which does not have a depolarizing effect.
  • a polarizing filter which is usually used, is used to check the authenticity must be placed directly on the security element, since the light falling on the security element must already be polarized in order to ensure that the reflected light is also polarized and can be detected with the polarizing filter, which then acts as an analyzer.
  • the direct application of the polarizing filter is necessary in particular to minimize unpolarized false light.
  • a cholesteric reflector as it is contained in the security elements of the first-mentioned group, is not desired, since such a reflector only reflects in a limited wavelength range and also reflects at most half of the light incident in this wavelength range. False light must also be avoided by using an absorbent surface.
  • the second-mentioned group of security elements is in principle unsuitable for the authenticity check with an increased observation distance, since in all cases both the incident and the reflected light must be passed through a polarizer / analyzer. Because of the reflection condition "angle of incidence equals angle of reflection", an authenticity check is therefore only possible if the security element is either almost exactly perpendicular to the direction of irradiation and the direction of observation or the irradiation unit and analysis unit are arranged at exactly the same angle symmetrically to the security element. In many application cases, such a specification is not implemented or cannot be implemented at all, so that the use of such security elements of the second group is only possible to a limited extent.
  • EP 2 762 932 A1 discloses the preamble of claim 1.
  • the invention is based on the object of specifying a reflective security element which has the disadvantages of the prior art avoids and that can be easily checked for authenticity, especially from a larger observation distance.
  • the invention provides a security element for authentication with polarized light which contains a retroreflective layer and a birefringent layer arranged in a structured manner on the retroreflective layer.
  • a structured birefringent layer with a retroreflective layer offers the decisive advantage that the optical anisotropy of the birefringent layer can easily be queried from a distance of a few meters or even a few tens of meters.
  • the retroreflective layer it is achieved that the incident light is reflected onto the light source itself and a small angular range around the light source. Disturbing extraneous light, such as sunlight, room lighting or, in the case of vehicle license plates, for example license plate illumination, is strongly suppressed at the same time, since only a negligible part of the extraneous light is reflected in the direction of the illuminator / observer.
  • the birefringent layer is designed with an outline in the form of patterns, characters or a code.
  • the birefringent layer can contain two or more areas with different optical effects, which are in the form of patterns, characters or a code are trained.
  • the authenticity test in polarized light produces a desired image contrast.
  • the contrast arises between the areas in which the birefringent layer is present and the areas without the birefringent layer; in the second-mentioned case, the areas with different effects during the authenticity check appear with different brightness and / or color, depending on the type and position of the analyzer polarizing filter .
  • the retroreflective layer advantageously comprises a multiple reflective microprismatic layer, which in particular comprises embossed structures with a depth between 10 ⁇ m and 1 mm and / or embossed structures with a period length between 10 ⁇ m and 1 mm.
  • the retroreflective layer can also comprise focusing, single-reflecting structures, in particular spherical gradient index lenses mirrored on the rear side, which are also known as Lüneburg lenses.
  • a Lüneburg lens consists of a ball of a loss-free dielectric material with a location-dependent dielectric constant. Due to its mirrored back, it reflects incident light exactly back in the direction of its source and thus acts as a retroreflector.
  • the refractive index in the interior of the sphere is chosen in such a way that rays incident in parallel are focused as far as possible in a point opposite the point of contact of the wavefront.
  • n r Sqrt 2 - r / R. 2 , where Sqrt [] is the square root function, R is the radius of the sphere, and r is the distance from the center of the sphere.
  • the spherical gradient index lenses which are mirrored on the rear side, have in particular a diameter between 20 ⁇ m and 200 ⁇ m.
  • the birefringent layer of the security element particularly advantageously comprises a liquid crystal layer, in particular a nematic liquid crystal layer.
  • the birefringent layer can also be formed only by a single liquid crystal layer, in particular a nematic liquid crystal layer.
  • the birefringent layer can also be formed by an optically anisotropic stretched film, such as a PET film or a PP film, by a birefringent polycarbonate film, by mica, or by a layer with birefringent pigments.
  • Said liquid crystal layer is preferably arranged directly above an alignment layer, which is advantageously formed from a linear photopolymer, a finely structured layer or a layer aligned by the application of shear forces.
  • the birefringent layer forms a ⁇ / 4 layer.
  • Other contrast mechanisms can be based on the use of dichroic dyes or foils, which in an aligned form absorb light to different degrees depending on the polarization. Irradiated unpolarized light is selectively linearly polarized by the dye or the film in that other polarization components are absorbed. With an appropriate analyzer, unpolarized light (background of the security element) can be distinguished from linearly polarized light (in the areas with the dichroic dyes or the film).
  • the security element appears colorless and / or structureless in unpolarized light, at least in the area of the structured birefringent layer, so that the structured birefringent layer together with the retroreflective layer forms a hidden security feature that can only be read with aids can be.
  • the security element can appear completely colorless and / or structureless in unpolarized light, so that it cannot be recognized without aids that a security element is present at all.
  • the security element can also have a hologram or a hologram-like diffraction structure in a partial area.
  • the hologram or the hologram-like diffraction structure is advantageously formed by an embossing which at the same time represents an alignment layer for aligning the liquid crystal layer.
  • the hologram or the hologram-like diffraction structure is expediently provided with a metallization or a transparent high-index layer.
  • the invention also contains a data carrier with a security element of the type described.
  • the data carrier can in particular be a vehicle registration number or another license plate, a value document such as a bank note, a share, a bond, a certificate, a voucher, a check, a high-quality admission ticket, or an identification card, such as a credit card, a bank card, a cash card, be an authorization card, an ID card or a passport personalization page.
  • the invention further includes a method for checking the authenticity of a security element with a polarization feature, in which the security element is acted upon with polarized light from any direction of application, the light reflected by the security element essentially from the direction of application is detected visually or by machine by a polarizer, and becomes visible or the predetermined change in the appearance of the polarization feature in polarized light is assessed as a sign of the authenticity of the security element.
  • the direction of action is in particular not perpendicular to the surface of the security element.
  • the polarization feature cannot even be recognized at all in unpolarized light and only becomes visible in polarized light when viewed through the polarizer.
  • the reflected light is preferably detected visually, but can also be done mechanically, for example by a sensor.
  • the same polarizer can be used for the polarization of the incident radiation and the analysis of the reflected radiation.
  • a second analysis polarizer can also be used, which is arranged at a small angular distance from the first polarizer.
  • the second polarizer can then be designed for a different type of polarization (or circular instead of linear) and / or a different polarization direction than the first polarizer in order to obtain an image of the structured birefringent layer that is as rich in contrast as possible.
  • the polarization feature can be detected after irradiation of the security element with polarized light in the vicinity of the light source by observation through a polarizing filter.
  • the security element with an anisotropic ⁇ / 4 layer (orientation 45 °) that is present in some areas is irradiated with linearly polarized light (polarizing filter position 0 °).
  • the incident light is converted into circularly polarized light by the ⁇ / 4 layer. This is reflected at the interface of Lüneburg lenses, for example on a metal layer.
  • the reflected circularly polarized light becomes linearly polarized light with a plane of polarization rotated by 90 °. If the user views the security element through an analyzer (linear polarizing filter in the example) in the 0 ° position, the element appears dark. The adjacent area without an optically anisotropic layer, on the other hand, appears bright. When one or both polarizing filters are rotated, the contrast ratios can change or even reverse.
  • the principle explained can be used, for example, when illuminating security labels with a polarized flashlight or when illuminating license plates with one or more polarized headlights of a police vehicle and in each case observation through a polarizing filter.
  • Another simple detection method is use a camera with a polarizer in front of a flash and in front of the lens. Independent polarizers with a selectable position relative to one another can be used. This enables the detection of the polarization feature even under actually very unfavorable light conditions (a lot of false light), since the polarized flash light only has to outweigh the false light in the short exposure time.
  • Nematic liquid crystals as anisotropic layer have a phase-shifting effect both in visible light and in the adjacent wavelength ranges (UV, IR). This also enables detection by irradiation with invisible light. For example, during speed controls, an infrared flash can be used to check the authenticity of a license plate unnoticed with the aid of a suitable analyzer, if necessary with a wavelength filter.
  • the sensors of normal digital cameras are already sufficiently sensitive to IR light for such analysis purposes.
  • the liquid crystals In order to create anisotropy, the liquid crystals must be aligned (often also referred to as alignment).
  • the optically anisotropic layer can be applied as a motif, can be applied spatially resolved with different orientation, or the layer material can be fixed spatially resolved in another state. The fixation can take place, for example, by irradiation with UV light.
  • the alignment can, for example, by pressing the liquid crystals (or a solution that contains the potentially liquid-crystalline substance) onto a Substrate that enables alignment.
  • a Substrate that enables alignment.
  • This can be a PET film with a good surface quality. If the alignment does not appear uniform enough, the uniformity can be improved in the desired preferred direction by mechanical pretreatment, for example rubbing with velvet or a relatively soft felt or with suitable cloths.
  • any desired substrates can be designed to be suitable for the alignment by using additional alignment layers.
  • Suitable alignment layers are, for example, polyimides, but also polyvinyl alcohol or gum arabic. In general, the solubility of the polymers that form an alignment layer in the liquid crystalline substance is very poor.
  • the chemical substances mentioned are preferably mechanically pre-structured, although the mechanical pre-structuring has the disadvantage that regions with spatially resolved different orientations can sometimes only be realized with difficulty.
  • a spatially resolved alignment can be achieved, for example, with photo alignment.
  • a substance is applied as an alignment layer which, for example, by exposure to polarized (UV) light, is given a structure that enables alignment in a defined orientation to the polarization of the UV light. With an exposure through a mask and subsequent exposure (s) with a different polarization, high-resolution motifs can be generated.
  • UV polarized
  • embossed structures Another method for spatially resolved alignment is the use of embossed structures.
  • the orientation of the embossed structures induces a corresponding orientation of the liquid crystals applied to them. Since in principle any orientation is possible, gray-scale images can be generated in the later security element. However, the best contrast is achieved if only two orientations are chosen and in such a way that a black and white contrast is created.
  • Interlayer adhesion is an important challenge in direct build-up on the target substrate. Removability must be ensured on a temporary carrier. This can be achieved through the use of classic release layers or through the use of, for example, a UV lacquer layer, which itself does not adhere strongly to the temporary carrier.
  • Liquid crystalline material can be applied by dissolving liquid crystals in a suitable solvent such as butyl acetate, butyl propionate, cyclopentanone, THF, MEK, toluene, and mixtures thereof.
  • a suitable solvent such as butyl acetate, butyl propionate, cyclopentanone, THF, MEK, toluene, and mixtures thereof.
  • This solution has a low viscosity and can be applied using conventional printing / coating processes such as flexographic printing, gravure printing, inkjet, nozzle application and the like. After physical drying, alignment and crosslinking take place, for example with UV or EBC. Line widths down to about 80 ⁇ m can be printed without any problems using classic printing processes.
  • liquid-crystalline mixture is melted and printed in the melted state.
  • the viscosity can be adjusted to the desired printing process by controlling the temperature. Screen printing and flexographic printing are particularly advantageous. If the selected printing method does not allow acceptable spatial resolution, a structured alignment layer must be used that enables different orientations of the liquid crystals in the coating area. If the printing process is sufficient If spatial resolution enables, the desired motif can be printed directly, with a uniform alignment in the printing area being acceptable and suitable.
  • Cast films are usually optically isotropic and do not interfere with the polarization effect. If optically anisotropic layers occur in the entire observed area (product surface up to and including the reflective layer / area) (for example stretched films) or scattering occurs, for example due to pigments or fillers, this can be harmless to the overall effect if, for example, the dispersion of an additional optically anisotropic layer in the light wavelength range in which the observation takes place is not too strong.
  • the retroreflective layer must be designed in such a way that when polarized light is irradiated, it also reflects polarized light.
  • the polarization of the light may definitely be changed in this case, there may only be no strong depolarization and any change in polarization that may take place should be largely uniform over the entire area of the security element. Lüneburg lenses and microprismatic structures have proven to be particularly suitable retroreflective layers. A high retroreflection and the least possible disturbance of the polarization are advantageous.
  • the security element can extend over the entire area over the entire data carrier (for example the entire vehicle license plate), but it can also be used over part of the area as a strip or as a patch.
  • a transfer patch in which the carrier film is removed in a subsequent step, several concentric circumferential lines can be punched to avoid uncontrolled fluttering.
  • further lines and motifs can be punched in the patch, which make it difficult to remove from the later data carrier, but do not hinder the manufacturing process.
  • the polarization filter is usually placed directly on the security feature and thus the polarizer and analyzer are of the same nature (namely necessarily identical) and are also in the same position, the requirements and options are at Labels and license plates with retroreflective properties are different.
  • the light source used for verification is provided with a linear polarization filter, it is quite possible that birefringent layers in the beam path cause a different kind of, for example elliptical, polarization of the light to come back and have to be analyzed with optimal contrast. Therefore, in one embodiment, either the polarizer or the analyzer can carry additional birefringent layers in order to achieve optimal contrast overall.
  • Another embodiment is the additional introduction of a full-area birefringent layer in the security feature in order to compensate for birefringent layers that are already present for technical reasons.
  • This can either be a full-area liquid-crystalline layer of suitable alignment or, for example, a birefringent film, such as a stretched film. This effect can also be used for less finely structured polarization features.
  • a birefringent film is laminated on or used as an intermediate layer, from which certain characters, patterns, symbols and the like are punched out, the pattern can be detected in the same way as with positive patterns, characters or codes.
  • Another possibility is to destroy the birefringence of a film that is present after production by means of a suitable aftertreatment. This can be done by brief, strong heating, for example by means of a laser, or by dissolving the film material (if soluble by applying a local solvent) and, if necessary, drying / re-solidifying, whereby a birefringent stretched film is present in some areas and a film in some areas that is analogous to a cast film is.
  • security elements for vehicle license plates. It goes without saying, however, that the security elements described can also be used, for example, as security labels for documents of value or for marking products.
  • Figure 1 (a) schematically illustrates the basic principle of the authenticity check of a retroreflective security element 30 present on a data carrier, for example a motor vehicle license plate 10, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the security element 30 is in Fig. 1 (a) Shown hatched for illustration purposes, the security element 30 actually appears colorless and structureless under normal lighting conditions, as in FIG Fig. 1 (b) shown, so that its presence is not readily apparent.
  • the retroreflective security element 30 of the identifier 10 is exposed to polarized light and the light retroreflected by the security element 30 is viewed by an analyzer, as in FIG Fig. 1 (a) shown.
  • light 14 that has not been polarized by a user 12 is polarized by a linear polarizer 16 and the polarized light 18 is applied to the identifier 10.
  • the reflected light 20 runs back to the user 12 within a small retroreflective cone and again passes the linear polarizer 16.
  • the light 22 that has passed through the linear polarizer 16 is due to the previous influence of the polarization state of the light in the security element 30 is no longer structureless, but rather shows a desired appearance 32 as proof of authenticity.
  • the security element 30 can appear in the polarized light in the analyzer with the word "OK", as in FIG Fig. 1 (c) shown.
  • this authenticity check can be carried out by the user 12 from practically any position, since the retroreflective properties of the security element 30 ensure that the incident light 18 is always reflected back to the user 12.
  • Figure 2 shows the basic structure of security elements according to the invention.
  • the functionality of the safety elements is shown in the exploded view of the Fig. 3 using the example of the design of the Fig. 2 (a) explained in more detail.
  • a security element 40 according to the invention comprises a retroreflective layer 42 and a birefringent layer 44 applied in areas in the form of the lettering "OK" ⁇ / 4-layer acts.
  • the birefringent layer 46 is present over the entire surface and contains different areas 48A, 48B with different optical effects, which are in the form of the lettering "OK".
  • the areas 48A represent the letters of the text "OK” and the areas 48B represent the complementary background areas.
  • the retroreflective layer 42 of the security element 40 in this embodiment is only applied in areas, namely in the form of the lettering "OK", so that in addition to areas 52 in which a nematic ⁇ / 4 liquid crystal layer 44 is present, there are also areas 50 without a nematic liquid crystal layer .
  • Unpolarized light 54 emitted by the user 12 from a light source is polarized by a linear polarizer 16, then the polarized light 56 hits the retroreflective layer 42 in the areas 50 without a nematic layer 44 and becomes is reflected back in the direction of incidence essentially without changing the polarization state of the incident light.
  • the reflected light 58 therefore has the same polarization state as the incident light 56 and can pass through the linear polarizer 16 without hindrance (reference number 60).
  • the areas 50 therefore appear bright in the polarized light.
  • the linearly polarized light 56 is converted by the nematic layer into circularly polarized light 62.
  • the circularly polarized light 62 strikes the retroreflective layer 42 and is reflected back by the latter in the direction of incidence.
  • the reflected circularly polarized light 64 again passes through the ⁇ / 4 nematic layer 44 and is converted into linearly polarized light 66, the polarization vector of which, however, is now perpendicular to the output polarization.
  • the linearly polarized light 66 can therefore not pass through the linear polarizer 16 (reference number 68), so that the regions 52 appear dark to the observer 12.
  • the polarizer for polarizing the incident light and the analyzer for viewing the light reflected by the security element can also be somewhat distant from one another.
  • the polarizer can be arranged on the headlight of a police vehicle, while the analyzer is in glasses that are worn by a police officer seated in the police vehicle.
  • the polarizer and analyzer are spatially separated, they can also be designed differently.
  • the polarizer can be a linear polarizer and the analyzer can be a circular polarizer or a linear polarizer with a different polarization vector.
  • FIG. 4 a cross section of a first polarization feature 70.
  • a PET film 72 with a thickness of 23 ⁇ m is provided and provided with a UV lacquer as a release layer 73 and a further UV embossing lacquer layer 74.
  • the desired hidden motif is embossed into the embossing lacquer layer 74 with a structure 76 capable of lignment. Hologram embossing can also be carried out in the same work step.
  • a nematic liquid-crystalline solution is printed onto the alignment-capable structure 76.
  • the nematic layer 78 is present in a layer thickness between 0.8 ⁇ m and 3 ⁇ m, preferably approximately 1.2 ⁇ m.
  • the liquid crystals are aligned by the alignment structure 76.
  • the liquid crystals are then crosslinked, for example by exposure to UV, preferably with a reduced oxygen concentration (nitrogen inertization). Designs in which the PET film 72 is to remain in the finished security element are formed without a release layer 73.
  • a structured or unstructured metal layer for example made of aluminum or chromium, can then be applied.
  • the structuring can take place, for example, by covering a partial area with a wash color, metallization and subsequent removal of the wash color with the metallization applied there.
  • other structuring processes such as etching processes, can also be used.
  • the polarization feature 70 is provided with primer (s) and heat-sealing lacquers or other adhesives and applied to the desired target substrate.
  • the fabrication may also include a cutting and / or stamping process to impart the polarization feature 70 with a desired shape.
  • the application can take place in such a way that only partial areas of the polarization feature formed are transferred, while other partial areas remain on the carrier film 72. In other configurations, partial areas of the polarization feature can be removed from the carrier film 72 before the transfer and the remaining partial areas can then be completely transferred.
  • the polarization feature 80 of the Fig. 5 is basically constructed like the polarization feature 70, the UV embossing lacquer layer 74 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG Fig. 5 is provided with an embossing 82 which represents both an alignment embossing for the alignment of the liquid crystals of the nematic layer 78 and a hologram embossing.
  • an embossing 82 which represents both an alignment embossing for the alignment of the liquid crystals of the nematic layer 78 and a hologram embossing.
  • a reflection hologram becomes visible when viewed.
  • FIG. 6 (a) shows an embodiment of a second polarization feature 90.
  • a smooth PET film 92 with good surface quality with a thickness of 23 ⁇ m is provided and printed directly with a liquid crystalline solution with the desired hidden motif, for example in gravure printing.
  • the liquid-crystalline solution is then dried and crosslinked. More precisely, the printed solution itself is not yet in the liquid-crystalline state; rather, the substances contained only change to the nematic liquid-crystalline state during and after physical drying State over and form a structured nematic liquid crystal layer 94.
  • a transfer auxiliary layer 96 in the form of a UV lacquer layer is provided for the transfer of the nematic layer.
  • This surface energy can be set in such a way that both the PET film 92 and the liquid crystals 94 can be coated without problems. If this is not desired in some configurations, mechanical forced wetting of the liquid crystals can also take place during or immediately after crosslinking.
  • the polarization feature 100 is Fig. 6 (b)
  • a UV embossing lacquer 102 is applied to the UV lacquer layer 96, embossed with a hologram embossing 104 and provided with a metallization 106 in partial areas.
  • a UV embossing lacquer 102 is also applied to the UV lacquer layer 96, provided with a hologram embossing 104, and overlaid with a higher refractive index UV lacquer 112.
  • the hologram motif of the hologram embossing is visible in this exemplary embodiment through the difference in refractive index of the lacquer layers 102, 112.
  • FIG. 6 The further processing of the polarization features of the Figure 6 can as with the polarization characteristics of the Figures 4 and 5 take place.
  • Figure 7 illustrates this further processing into a punched out structured patch.
  • the starting point is a polarization feature 120 with a carrier film 122, for example according to one of the exemplary embodiments in FIG Figures 4, 5 or 6 (a), (b) or (c) .
  • the polarization feature 120 of the Fig. 7 On the lacquer side of the polarization feature 120 of the Fig. 7 an approximately 12 ⁇ m thick PET film 124 is laminated with a laminating adhesive 126. on the opposite side is laminated with a backing film 128, which is also 12 ⁇ m thick, with a laminating adhesive 126. Further layers, such as primer layers 130 and suitable heat-sealing layers 132, are then applied to the film of the previous lacquer side. The resulting layer composite is then punched from the lacquer side (reference numeral 134) to such an extent that the polarization feature 120 is punched with the liquid crystal layer 78 or 94 it contains and the auxiliary transfer layer 96 that may be present. Ideally, the punching ends at the carrier film 122, but punching the carrier film 122 does not interfere, since the support film 128 prevents further tearing.
  • the intermediate areas between the patches 136 produced in this way can be screened off. Any tax stamps that may be required are advantageously printed on the opposite side or are retained during the barriers. Finally, the film with the layer composite is suitably cut. If the adhesive is only present in the area of the patches 132, the geometry of a stamp used is not critical for the application. Only the desired unit is transmitted in each case.
  • the detachment from the carrier film 122 can be supported by a suitable setting of the peel angle, for example with dispensing wedges.
  • FIG. 4 shows a security element 140 with a retroreflective layer 42, onto which patches 136 follow in regions via suitable intermediate layers 142 Fig. 7 are upset.
  • the layer sequence 121 of the polarization feature 120 is, for example, analogous to FIG Fig. 4 formed, thus comprises an approximately 1.2 ⁇ m thick nematic layer 78 and a UV embossing lacquer layer 74 for the alignment of the liquid crystals.
  • the patches 136 are, for example, with the outline of a desired symbol, such as a coat of arms, or with the outline of a desired lettering, like the one at Fig. 1 The lettering "OK" shown is applied. After application, the patches were also provided with suitable finishing layers 144, for example a protective layer.
  • the patches 136 are colorless and structureless under normal lighting conditions and only appear when illuminated with polarized light and when the reflected light is viewed through a polarizing filter.
  • Fig. 9 (a) a motor vehicle license plate 150, on which a security element 140 in a partial area Fig. 8 is laminated with a patch 136 in the form of a coat of arms.
  • the coat of arms 136 is not visible under normal lighting conditions, but only appears when the identifier 150 is illuminated with polarized light and when the reflected light is viewed through a polarizing filter.
  • a conventional hologram patch 152 is additionally shown, which is also visible under normal lighting conditions.
  • a security film 154 is laminated over the entire surface of the license plate 150, which is basically like the security element 140 of the Fig. 8 is formed and carries a plurality of regularly spaced crest-shaped patches 136.
  • Figure 9 (c) shows an inverse design in which a security film 156 of the in FIG Fig. 8 described type was laminated, from which coat of arms-shaped symbols 158 were punched out beforehand.
  • the positive coats of arms are the Fig. 9 (b) and the negative crest-shaped recesses of the Fig. 9 (c) not visible under normal lighting conditions, but only appear when the Mark 150 with polarized light and when viewing the reflected light through a polarizing filter in appearance.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Polarising Elements (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant (40), destiné à vérifier l'authenticité à l'aide de lumière polarisée, doté d'une couche (42) rétroréfléchissante et d'une couche (44) biréfringente, placée de manière structurée sur la couche rétroréfléchissante, caractérisé en ce que la couche biréfringente forme une couche λ/4.
  2. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la couche biréfringente est conçue avec un contour en forme de motifs, de caractères ou d'un codage.
  3. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la couche biréfringente reçoit deux zones ou plus à effet optique différent, qui sont conçues sous la forme de motifs, de caractères ou d'un codage.
  4. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant selon au moins l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que la couche rétroréfléchissante comprend une couche microprismatique à réflexion multiple.
  5. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que la couche microprismatique comprend des structures gaufrées d'une profondeur comprise entre 10 µm et 1 mm et/ou d'une longueur de période comprise entre 10 µm et 1 mm.
  6. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant selon au moins l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que la couche rétroréfléchissante comprend des structures focalisantes à réflexion simple, notamment des lentilles à gradient d'indice sphériques, miroitantes sur la face arrière.
  7. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que les lentilles à gradient d'indice sphériques présentent un diamètre compris entre 20 µm et 200 µm.
  8. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant selon au moins l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que la couche biréfringente comprend une couche de cristaux liquides, notamment une couche nématique de cristaux liquides.
  9. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de sécurité comprend une couche d'alignement qui est formée de préférence d'un photopolymère linéaire, d'une couche finement structurée ou d'une couche alignée par l'exercice de forces de cisaillement, la couche de cristaux liquides étant placée directement au-dessus de la couche d'alignement.
  10. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant selon au moins l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins dans la zone de la couche biréfringente placée de manière structurée, l'élément de sécurité apparaît incolore et/ou non structuré à la lumière non polarisée.
  11. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant selon au moins l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé en ce que dans une zone partielle, l'élément de sécurité comporte un hologramme ou une structure de diffraction analogue à un hologramme.
  12. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que l'hologramme ou la structure de diffraction analogue à un hologramme est formé(e) d'un gaufrage, qui représente simultanément une couche d'alignement pour l'alignement de la couche de cristaux liquides.
  13. Élément de sécurité réfléchissant selon la revendication 11 ou 12, caractérisé en ce que l'hologramme ou la structure de diffraction analogue à un hologramme est muni(e) d'une métallisation ou d'une couche transparente hautement réfringente.
  14. Support de données, notamment immatriculation de véhicule, dotée d'un élément de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13.
  15. Procédé, destiné à vérifier l'authenticité d'un élément de sécurité selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13 à l'aide d'une caractéristique de polarisation, lors duquel l'on expose l'élément de sécurité à partir d'une direction d'exposition quelconque à une lumière polarisée, la lumière réfléchie par l'élément de sécurité est détectée visuellement ou par machine, majoritairement à partir de la direction d'exposition par un polarisateur, et l'apparition ou la variation prédéfinie de l'apparence de la caractéristique de polarisation à la lumière polarisée est évaluée comme un signe de l'authenticité de l'élément de sécurité.
EP18792849.4A 2017-10-25 2018-10-22 Élément de sécurité réfléchissant Active EP3700756B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102017009936.7A DE102017009936A1 (de) 2017-10-25 2017-10-25 Reflektives Sicherheitselement
PCT/EP2018/000481 WO2019081056A1 (fr) 2017-10-25 2018-10-22 Élément de sécurité réfléchissant

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EP3700756A1 EP3700756A1 (fr) 2020-09-02
EP3700756B1 true EP3700756B1 (fr) 2021-09-29

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EP18792849.4A Active EP3700756B1 (fr) 2017-10-25 2018-10-22 Élément de sécurité réfléchissant

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US (1) US20210086544A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP3700756B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN111556813B (fr)
DE (1) DE102017009936A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2019081056A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102023100676B3 (de) 2023-01-12 2024-03-07 Melzer Maschinenbau Gmbh Sicherheitselement für ein Sicherheitsdokument

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5169707A (en) * 1991-05-08 1992-12-08 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Retroreflective security laminates with dual level verification
US6157486A (en) * 1998-01-13 2000-12-05 3M Innovative Properties Company Retroreflective dichroic reflector
JP5481250B2 (ja) * 2010-03-26 2014-04-23 富士フイルム株式会社 複屈折パターンを有する物品
JP2013073021A (ja) * 2011-09-28 2013-04-22 Fujifilm Corp 潜像を有する物品
JP2017507373A (ja) * 2014-03-07 2017-03-16 スリーエム イノベイティブ プロパティズ カンパニー 多層光学フィルムを組み込む光源

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3700756A1 (fr) 2020-09-02
CN111556813A (zh) 2020-08-18
CN111556813B (zh) 2022-03-22
DE102017009936A1 (de) 2019-04-25
WO2019081056A1 (fr) 2019-05-02
US20210086544A1 (en) 2021-03-25

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