EP3761291A1 - Security label with concealed security code and method for its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a security label with a multilayer tamper evidence with a layer structure with a first and second color layer (105, 205, 305 and 106, 206, 306 and a first and second separating lacquer layer (104, 204, 304 and 108, 208, 308), wherein at least one first security code (102, 202, 302) can be read on the closed security label (100, 200, 300), a second security code (107, 207, 307) can only be read after opening the proof of first opening and the second security code (107, 207) , 307) is arranged between the first or the second separating lacquer layer (104, 204, 304 or 108, 208, 308) and the second color layer (106, 206, 306) and the first security code (102, 202, 302) and second security code (107, 207, 307) can be printed at the same time.

Description

The invention relates to a security label according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for producing the security label.

Security labels with so-called hidden codes are known in the prior art. Hidden codes are characterized by the fact that the consumer has to interact with the security label in order to reveal the code, which is initially invisible. Various ways are known for this, for example a so-called rub-off field, in which a layer of vision is scratched away, or a multi-layer label in which the upper layer is at least partially opened to reveal the hidden code.

The hidden code can then be used, for example, to participate in competitions or bonus programs. The hidden code can be designed as a readable number or coded, for example as a data matrix or QR code, depending on the degree of automation or digitization offered by the use.

In most applications, a hidden code can be found on the label combined with a visible code. Via the visible code, for example also a QR code, the consumer arrives at the competition, for example a website, and is then asked to enter the hidden code. It is advantageous for the user if it is known beforehand which visible and hidden codes are assigned to one another, for example to carry out a logical verification or to be able to control profit rates. The disadvantage of the known hidden codes is the relatively complex integration into a security label by means of a rub-off field or by means of a double-layer design.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a security label with a first security code and a second security code that can be produced more cost-effectively, as well as to provide a method with which such a security label can be produced.

The object is achieved in its first aspect by a security label mentioned at the beginning with the features of claim 1.

The invention makes use of the idea of integrating a visible code and a hidden code into a conventional security label with a void effect. Such a security label is for example from EP 2 717 243 B1 known.

The security label initially has a multi-layer, preferably four-layer structure in a conventional manner, which consists of a first separating lacquer layer, a first colored layer, a second separating lacquer layer and a second colored layer - in this order. The first and second separating lacquer layers are designed to be at least regionally complementary to one another, that is to say, when looking at the security label perpendicularly, each area is covered either by the first separating lacquer layer or the second separating lacquer layer.

The separating lacquer layers and the carrier film are preferably transparent. The separating lacquer layers reduce the respective separating forces. Therefore, the first layer of color breaks when the tab with the carrier film is torn off the security label. The areas in which the first color layer is peeled off appear in the second color layer shining through the second separating lacquer layer, while this first color layer appears in the areas in which the first color layer remains on the security label. Since air is trapped between the tab and a remnant of the security label remaining on the product when a torn tab is pushed back on after the tamper evidence has been opened, and the refraction behavior of the light therefore changes, the user can easily see from the outside whether the label has already been opened or not.

According to the invention, a first security code can be read on the closed security label and a second security code can only be read after opening the proof of first opening. According to the invention, the first and the second security feature can be printed simultaneously; for this purpose, the second security code and the first security code are preferably arranged in the same layer of the layer structure. "Same layer" means areas that can be printed simultaneously in one printing step. Where "simultaneously" refers to the duration of the printing step. So areas of the same Layers that are printed in quick succession but in the same printing step are considered to be printed simultaneously here. The simultaneously printed areas of the same layer can definitely be arranged in the completely printed security label at different heights above an adhesive layer or adhesive surface, for example.

Both the first and the second security code are particularly preferably digital prints, both of which can be printed at the same time in one printing step; a digital printer in the form of a laser or inkjet printer is preferably used for this purpose.

Furthermore, the second security code is covered and is only visible after the security label has been opened. The first security code, however, is preferably already visible before the tamper evidence is triggered.

The second security code is also known as the hidden code. In a preferred embodiment, the first security code is arranged between the second colored layer and the first separating lacquer layer and the second security code is arranged between the second colored layer and the second separating lacquer layer. When the security label is torn open, the first security code as well as the second security code remain on the second colored layer, since the separating force between the first and second security code and the second colored layer is greater than the separating force between the first security code and the first separating lacquer layer or the second security code and the second release lacquer layer.

When the tab is torn off the security label, both the first security code and the second security code remain on the second colored layer, which is preferably provided with an adhesive layer over the entire surface in this and all other embodiments, with which it is glued to the product. The second security code remains on the remainder of the security label on the product.

In a second preferred embodiment of the security label, the first security code is arranged between the carrier film and the second separating lacquer layer, and the second security code is arranged between the second colored layer and the first separating lacquer layer. The first security code remains on the carrier film after the tamper evidence has been opened, and the second security code remains on the second layer of paint, with which it is in direct contact, so that the first security code with the flap is lifted and sticks to the carrier film, while the second The security code remains on the second color layer and thus on the remainder of the security label remaining on the product, and the first and second security codes are thus separated from one another after the first-opening proof. This second embodiment of the security label naturally facilitates the separate reading in of the security codes, in particular the separate reading in of the second concealed security codes, the hidden codes, which have been released after the proof of first opening.

In a third embodiment of the security label, the first security code is arranged between the first and complementary to the first second separating lacquer layer and the second security code is arranged between the second colored layer and the first separating lacquer layer. The second security code remains on the product after the first opening certificate has been triggered, while the visible first security code, since it is applied both in areas to the first separating lacquer layer and in complementary areas to the second separating lacquer layer, is destroyed after the first opening proof.

The object is achieved in its second aspect by a method with the features of claim 6.

The method for producing a security label is suitable for producing one of the above-mentioned security labels; conversely, each of the above-mentioned security labels can be produced by one of the following processes.

The security label has a layer structure in which a first and second colored layer and a first and second separating lacquer layer are applied to a carrier film. The first layer of separating lacquer, then the first layer of color, then the second layer of separating lacquer, and then the second layer of color are preferably applied to the carrier film and, on the product side, an adhesive layer over the entire surface of the second layer of color. The application is preferably carried out in a printing process.

A first and a second security code are particularly preferably printed in a common printing step between the layers; the first and second security codes are preferably digitally printed. The simultaneous introduction of the first and second security code in one printing step is particularly simple according to the invention, since in a conventional printing machine, the color and lacquer layers are printed on a carrier film, only one additional step has to be added.

A second security code can only be read after a tamper evidence has been provided, and the second security code is printed between the first or second separating lacquer layer and the second colored layer.

When building up the security label, which in its original way includes the void effect, the first and second color layers and the first and second separating lacquer layers are printed on using the reverse printing process.

Advantageously, the second security code is shaded from the outside by a view blocker in front of the tamper evidence and thus invisible from the outside.

After the tamper evidence, the second security code, the hidden code, remains on the remainder of the security label on the product and can be read there.

The second security code can be printed in the form of a QR code or a number, a number or the like. The formation of the security codes is to be understood in a very general way, it can be readable codes such as numbers, serial numbers or the like, but also encrypted codes, encrypted in the form of QR codes, which are decrypted using a QR code reader have to. Other shapes are also conceivable.

The first and the second security code are advantageously printed inline. Inline here means belonging to a single process step. In addition to printing the two security codes, the one process step preferably also includes further printing steps.

The first security code is preferably printed between the second colored layer and the first separating lacquer layer and the second security code is printed between the second colored layer and the second separating lacquer layer. In this embodiment of the method, the first security code and the second security code are printed together in a printing step after the application of the second separating lacquer layer at the specified location. In this case, the first security code is preferably printed on at a point that has been freed from the first color layer and the second security code on one area covered by the first layer of paint, which is preferably additionally covered by a view blocker.

In a second preferred embodiment of the method, the first security code is printed between the first colored layer and the second separating lacquer layer and the second security code is printed between the second colored layer and the first separating lacquer layer. In this embodiment, both the first and the second security code are preferably printed in areas that have been freed from the first color layer, the area of the second security code, the hidden code, is also covered again by a view blocker.

In the second embodiment, the second security code, the hidden code, remains on the remainder of the security label remaining on the product, while the first security code is lifted off with the tab.

In a third embodiment, the visible first security code is printed between the first and the second separating lacquer layer and the concealed second security code is printed between the second colored layer and the first separating lacquer layer. In the third embodiment, the visible first security code is destroyed and illegible when it is opened.

Fig. 1a - 1c

das Sicherheitsetikett in einer ersten Ausführungsform vor dem Erstöffnungsnachweis in Fig. 1a, die abgezogene Lasche in Fig. 1b und den auf dem Produkt verbleibenden Sicherheitsetikettenrest in Fig. 1c,

Fig. 2a - 2c

das Sicherheitsetikett in einer zweiten Ausführungsform, in Fig. 2a vor dem Erstöffnungsnachweis, in Fig. 2b die abgezogene Lasche, in Fig. 2c der auf dem Produkt verbleibende Sicherheitsetikettrest,

Fig. 3a - 3c

das Sicherheitsetikett in einer dritten Ausführungsform, in Fig. 3a vor dem Erstöffnungsnachweis, in Fig. 3b die abgezogene Lasche, in Fig. 3c der auf dem Produkt verbleibende Sicherheitsetikettrest,

Fig. 4

den schematischen Aufbau des Sicherheitsetikettes der Fig. 1a - 1c,

Fig. 5

den schematischen Aufbau des Sicherheitsetikettes der Fig. 2a - 2c,

Fig. 6

den schematischen Aufbau des Sicherheitsetikettes der Fig. 3a - 3c.

The invention is described using three exemplary embodiments in twelve figures. Show:

Figures 1a-1c

the security label in a first embodiment before the tamper evidence in Fig. 1a , the peeled tab in Figure 1b and the remainder of the security label on the product in Figure 1c ,

Figures 2a-2c

the security label in a second embodiment, in Fig. 2a before the proof of first opening, in Figure 2b the peeled tab, in Figure 2c the remaining security label on the product,

Figures 3a-3c

the security label in a third embodiment, in Fig. 3a before the proof of first opening, in Figure 3b the peeled tab, in Figure 3c the remaining security label on the product,

Fig. 4

the schematic structure of the security label of Figures 1a-1c ,

Fig. 5

the schematic structure of the security label of Figures 2a-2c ,

Fig. 6

the schematic structure of the security label of Figures 3a-3c .

Three in the Fig. 1a , 2a , 3a illustrated security labels 100, 200, 300 are in the Figures 4-6 each shown in section. The security labels 100, 200, 300 are glued to a product. On their underside facing the product, the security labels each have a continuous adhesive layer 101, 201, 301.

Fig.1a . 2a , 3a show that all three embodiments of the security label 100, 200, 300 look the same in the closed state before triggering a tamper evidence from the outside and a first security code 102, 202, 302 can be recognized in each case,

Fig. 4 shows the layer structure of the first security label 100 before the triggering of the tamper evidence according to Fig. 1a . The first security label 100 comprises a carrier film 103 which is transparent. An interrupted first separating lacquer layer 104 is applied to the carrier film 103 on the product side. A first color layer 105 is applied on the product side to the first separating lacquer layer 104. The first separating lacquer layer 104 is printed onto the product side of the carrier film 103 in a printing process step. The first separating lacquer layer 104 is not continuous, but rather interrupted. A first color layer 105, which can also be interrupted, is printed onto the first separating lacquer layer 104 on the product side. The first color layer 105 is not exclusively how Fig. 4 shows, on the product side of the first separating lacquer layer 104, but in the interrupted sections it rests on the product side of the carrier film 103. The first color layer 105 is therefore strictly speaking not completely straight, but rather it adapts to the cutouts in the first separating lacquer layer 104. In the cutouts of the first separating lacquer layer 104, it rests on the product side of the carrier film 103, otherwise it lies on the product side of the first separating lacquer layer 104.

A second separating lacquer layer 108 is printed onto the product side of the first color layer 105. The second separating lacquer layer 108 is also designed to be interrupted. It is essentially preferably completely complementary to the first separating lacquer layer 104, such as Fig. 4 shows.

After the second separating lacquer layer 108 has been printed on, a first and second security code 102, 107 are printed on in a digital printing process at predetermined locations. In particular, a UV inkjet printing process can be used as the digital printing process. The first security code 102 is arranged at the point at which the first color layer 105 is interrupted and the first security code 102 can be seen from the outside through the transparent carrier film 103 and through the transparent first separating lacquer layer 104. The second security code 107 is printed on the second separating lacquer layer 108, on the product side of the first colored layer 105 and on the product side of a view blocker 109 which is additionally applied to the carrier film 103 and which covers the second security code 107. The second security code 107 is not visible from the outside. In order to recognize the second security code 107, the viewer would have to look through the carrier film 103 and the first colored layer 105, the first colored layer 105 being dark and thus making it difficult to see through. However, it has been shown that, due to the thickness of the first color layer 105, it is difficult to completely shade the second security code 107, so that the additional view blocker 109 is printed on the outside of the carrier film 103 over the second security code 107. In principle, the view blocker 109 can also be applied using the reverse printing method.

A separating force between the first security code 102 and a second colored layer 106 is greater than between the first security code 102 and the first separating lacquer layer 104 and a separating force between the second security code 107 and the second colored layer 106 is greater than between the second security code 107 and the second separating lacquer layer 108.

The Fig. 4 is also to be understood with regard to the arrangement of the first security code 102 and the second security code 107 that they are not exactly on one horizontal height are arranged, but are printed in a common process step simultaneously in a digital printing process. The first security code 102 is printed on the product side of the first separating lacquer layer 104 and the second security code 107 is printed onto the product side of the second separating lacquer layer 108, so that the first and second security codes 102, 107 could be applied at slightly different heights above the carrier film 103.

The horizontal layers in Figures 4 to 6 each reproduce a printing step.

The second color layer 106 is printed on the product side via the two security codes 102, 107. On the product side of the second color layer 106, the adhesive layer 101 is applied, with which the entire security label 100 can be glued to the product.

When the carrier film 103 is peeled off, the security label 100 breaks open between one of the separating lacquer layers 104, 108 and the colored layers 105, 106. In the area of the first security code 102, the security label 100 breaks open between the second colored layer 106 and the first separating lacquer layer 104, the first security code 102 remaining on the second colored layer 106.

In the area of the second security code 107, the security label 100 breaks open between the second colored layer 106 and the second separating lacquer layer 108, the security label 100 remaining on the second colored layer 106. In the other areas in Fig. 4 To the right of the second security code 107, the security label 100 breaks open in the usual way as proof of first opening with a void effect, i.e. the second color layer 106 dissolves at the points to the first separating lacquer layer 104 away from the first color layer 105 and at the contact points to the second separating lacquer layer 108 on the product side of the second separating lacquer layer 108, so that the second colored layer 106 breaks up when the carrier film 103 is removed. At the points where the first layer of paint 105 is torn off, the second layer of paint 106 shines through the second separating lacquer layer 108, and the security label 100 appears there in the second layer of paint 106. At the points where the first layer of paint 105 is not torn off , this can be seen from the outside after removing the tab that encompasses the carrier film.

In particular, the two security codes 102, 107 are arranged on a security label residue 160 remaining on the product after a tab 150 has been pulled off.

The structure of the security label 200 according to the second embodiment Fig. 5 differs in the area of the first and second security code 202, 207 from that of the security label 100 in FIG Fig. 4 . The actual void evidence in the in Fig. 5 The right area of the security label 200 has the same structure as in FIG Fig. 4 .

Otherwise, the reference numbers increased by a hundred denote the same features as in FIG Fig. 4 .

In the second embodiment according to Fig. 5 the first separating lacquer layer 204 is initially printed with predetermined interruptions on the product side of the carrier film 203. The first color layer 205, which is also interrupted, is applied to the first separating lacquer layer 204. The first color layer 205 leaves the area or areas exposed on the carrier film side on the first and second security code 202, 207. After the first color layer 205, the first and second security codes 202, 207 are printed on the product side of the layer structure in a digital printing process. The first security code 202 is printed on the product side of the carrier film 203, and the second security code 207 is printed on the product side of the first separating lacquer layer 204.

The second separating lacquer layer 208 is printed onto the security codes 202, 207, and onto this in turn the second colored layer 206, which is provided with the full-area adhesive layer 201 on the product side.

The second separating lacquer layer 208 is printed on the first security code 202 on the product side. However, it omits the product page of the second security code 207. When the tab 250 is torn off from the security label 200, the carrier film 203 is peeled off, while the first security code 202 is peeled off together with the tab 250, while the second security code 207 remains on the second color layer 206 and thus remains on the security label residue 260 remaining on the product. The first security code 202 remains on the tab 250.

In principle, the separating force between the carrier film 203 and the first security code 202 is greater than between the first security code 202 and the second separating lacquer layer 208. Furthermore, the separating force is between the second colored layer 206 and the second security code 207 are greater than between the second security code 207 and the first separating lacquer layer 204. This is how it arises in the Figures 2a, 2b, 2c Tear behavior shown in the case of tamper evidence.

Fig. 3 shows the third embodiment of the security label 300 according to the invention. Here, too, the horizontal arrangements represent the layer applied in a coherent printing step, because after the layers have been printed, they can slip into one another in the vertical direction.

The actual void effect is again identical to the Fig. 4 and 5 the second security code 307 is as in FIG Fig. 5 The second security code 307 is applied to the product side of the first separating lacquer layer 304. However, since the separating force between the second security code 307 and the second color layer 306 is greater than the separating force between the second security code 307 and the first separating lacquer layer 304, the second security code 307 remains on the torn tab 350 after the tamper evidence has been opened.

In Fig. 6 the first security code 302 is printed on the first separating lacquer layer 304, but the first security code 302 is not as in FIG Fig. 4 over the entire surface of the first separating lacquer layer 304, but the separating lacquer layer 304 is interrupted in the area of the first security code 302, so that the first security code 302 rests partly on the product side of the carrier film 303 and partly on the product side of the first separating lacquer layer 304. The second layer of separating lacquer 308, which is complementary to the first layer of separating lacquer 304, is then applied over the product side of the first and second security code 302, 207, and the second layer of color 306, which is provided with the adhesive layer 301 on the product side, is then applied to this.

When the tab 350 is detached from the security label 300, the parts of the first security code 302 remain on the second color layer 306, on which they lie directly, and other, complementary parts of the first security code 302 remain on the second color layer 306, so that the first security code 302 according to Figures 3b and 3c is destroyed when the first opening certificate is triggered.

List of reference symbols

100

Security label

101

Adhesive layer

102

first security code

103

Carrier film

104

first release lacquer layer

105

first coat of paint

106

second coat of paint

107

second security code

108

second separating lacquer layer

109

View blocker

150

Tab

160

Security label residue remaining on the product

200

Security label

201

Adhesive layer

202

first security code

203

Carrier film

204

first release lacquer layer

205

first coat of paint

206

second coat of paint

207

second security code

208

second separating lacquer layer

250

Tab

260

Security label residue remaining on the product

300

Security label

301

Adhesive layer

302

first security code

303

Carrier film

304

first release lacquer layer

305

first coat of paint

306

second coat of paint

307

second security code

308

second separating lacquer layer

350

Tab

360

Security label residue remaining on the product

Claims (13)

Security label with a multilayer proof of first opening with a layer structure with a first and second color layer (105, 205, 305 and 106, 206, 306 and a first and second separating lacquer layer (104, 204, 304 and 108, 208, 308),
characterized in that
at least one first security code (102, 202, 302) can be read on the closed security label (100, 200, 300),
a second security code (107, 207, 307) can only be read after opening the proof of first opening and the second security code (107, 207, 307) between the first or the second separating lacquer layer (104, 204, 304 or 108, 208, 308) and the second color layer (106, 206, 306) is arranged and the first security code (102, 202, 302) and second security code (107, 207, 307) can be printed simultaneously. Security label according to claim 1,
characterized in that both the first security code (102, 202, 302) and the second security code (107, 207, 307) are digital prints. Security label according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the first security code (102, 202, 302) is arranged between the second color layer (106, 206, 306) and the first separating lacquer layer (104, 204, 304) and the second security code (107, 207, 307) between the second color layer (106, 206, 306) and the second separating lacquer layer (108, 208, 308) is arranged. Security label according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the first security code (102, 202, 302) is arranged between the carrier film (103, 203, 303) and the second separating lacquer layer (108, 208, 308) and the second security code (107, 207, 307) between the second color layer (106, 206, 306) and the first separating lacquer layer (104, 204, 304) is arranged. Security label according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the first security code (102, 202, 302) is arranged between the first and the second separating lacquer layer (104, 204, 304 and 108, 208, 308) and the second security code (107, 207, 307) between the second Color layer (106, 206, 306) and the first separating lacquer layer (104, 204, 304) is arranged. Method for producing a security label (100, 200, 300) by using a layer structure of a first and second color layer (105, 205, 305 and 106, 206, 306) and a first and second separating lacquer layer (104, 204, 304 and 108, 208, 308) is printed onto a carrier film (103, 203, 303), characterized in that a first security code (102, 202, 302) and a second security code (107, 207, 307) are printed between two layers in a common printing step the second security code (107, 207, 307) can only be read after opening a proof of first opening and the second security code (107, 207, 307) between the first or the second separating lacquer layer (104, 204, 304 or 108, 208, 308) and printing the second color layer (106, 206, 306). Method according to claim 6,
characterized in that the two security codes (102, 202, 302, 107, 207, 307) are digitally printed in one printing step. Method according to claim 6,
characterized in that the two security codes (102, 202, 302, 107, 207, 307) between two printing steps for applying the separating lacquer layers (104, 204, 304, 108, 208, 308) and / or color layers (105, 205, 305 , 106, 206, 306). Method according to claim 6, 7 or 8,
characterized in that the first security code (102, 202, 302) is printed between the second color layer (106, 206, 306) and the first separating lacquer layer (104, 204, 304) and the second security code (107, 207, 307) between the second color layer (106, 206, 306) and the second release lacquer layer (108, 208, 308) is printed. Method according to claim 6, 7 or 8,
characterized in that the first security code (102, 202, 302) is printed between the carrier film (103, 203, 303) and the second separating lacquer layer (108, 208, 308) and the second security code (107, 207, 307) is printed between the second color layer (106, 206, 306) and the first release lacquer layer (104, 204, 304) is printed. Method according to claim 6, 7 or 8,
characterized in that the first security code (102, 202, 302) is printed between the first and second separating lacquer layers (104, 204, 304 and 108, 208, 308) and the second security code (107, 207, 307) between the second Color layer (105, 205, 305) and the first separating lacquer layer (104, 204, 304) is printed. Method according to one of Claims 6 to 11,
characterized in that a view blocker (109) is printed on the carrier film (103, 203, 303), which shadows the second security code (107, 207, 307) from the proof of first opening. Method according to one of Claims 6 to 12,
characterized in that the first security code (102, 202, 302) and the second security code (107, 207, 307) are printed in-line with other printing steps.

Images