EP4039494B1 - Security element for embedding in a security document - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a security element for embedding in a paper-based security document, the security element having a carrier substrate which is provided with alphanumeric and/or graphic usage instructions.

To protect against manipulation by erasing with organic solvents, security papers are often equipped with a chemical protection that makes manipulation visible through a color reaction. It is now also known to potential counterfeiters that such color reactions in organic solvents are triggered by various dye pigments that are not soluble in water but can be dissolved by solvents. When erasing with an organic solvent, the small dye pigments bleed out and create a color spot as an indicator of tampering.

However, many dye pigments can be completely dissolved by soaking the security paper in a solvent bath, so that the color disappears through dilution. Most security printing inks and security features can survive such soaking due to their high resistance, so there is a risk that the chemical security can be overcome by soaking the security paper.

The publication US 2014/0070525 A1 describes a security document having a substrate and a thermal imaging coating soluble in one or more solvents on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate. A warning message will appear on the substrate in one Printed ink that is substantially insoluble in the one or more solvents. An obscuring coating covers the warning message so that the warning message is not visible to an observer. The concealing coating is soluble in the one or more solvents so that it is removed from the substrate when the document is subjected to washing with the one or more solvents to remove thermally printed images on the imaging thermal coating.

From the publication WO 2014/032238 A1 , which discloses a security element according to the preamble of claim 1, an optically variable security thread is also known, which has a substrate and a first and a second optically variable layer, a first color-constant layer with a color that corresponds to the color impression of the first or second optically variable Layer corresponds to a first viewing angle, a second color-constant layer, which has a color impression matching the color impression of the first or second optically variable layer at a second viewing angle, and comprises one or more material-free areas. Based on this, the object of the invention is to effectively protect paper-based security documents against manipulation or to make manipulation attempts easily recognizable.

This task is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention provides an improved security element for embedding in a paper-based security document. The security element contains a carrier substrate which is provided with alphanumeric and/or graphic usage instructions. In addition to the usage instructions, the carrier substrate also has a tampering indicator, which is overprinted with a camouflage print that is soluble in an organic solvent and is therefore hidden.

The camouflage print conveniently dissolves in an organic solvent, thereby exposing the evidence of tampering. Organic solvents often used by counterfeiters are, for example, polar solvents such as: B. alcohols, or non-polar solvents such as. B. Tetrachloromethane.

The manipulation notice is advantageously applied several times, in particular alternately with an alphanumeric and/or graphic usage notice, on the carrier substrate.

The manipulation notice is preferably formed by patterns, characters or a coding, in particular an alphanumeric character string (negative or positive text). The manipulation notice can, for example, be formed by the words "void", "invalid", "invalid", "wrong" or another indication of manipulation that has taken place.

The camouflage print can be formed by a homogeneous printing surface that covers the indication of tampering. According to an advantageous embodiment, the camouflage print can also be formed by patterns, characters or a coding, in particular as negative or positive text, and in this case it can in particular form useful information. In the event of a manipulation attempt with an organic solvent, the camouflage print and the useful information it forms dissolve and other information indicating the manipulation appears in their place with the manipulation notice. It is understood that the manipulation notice differs from the useful information.

The manipulation notice is advantageously designed to be solvent-resistant. The useful information is also advantageously designed to be solvent-resistant, in contrast to the useful information mentioned, which may be formed by the camouflage print. However, the useful information of the camouflage print can represent the same information as the useful information or can be related to them or supplement them to form overall information.

The carrier substrate of the security element preferably comprises a plastic film, in particular made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

To further increase the security against forgery, at least one printing ink that absorbs in the infrared wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation (hereinafter referred to as IR-absorbing printing ink) and at least one printing ink that is transparent in the infrared wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation (hereinafter referred to as IR-transparent printing ink) can be on the carrier substrate of the security element. be upset. The authenticity of a security document, such as a passport paper, can also be proven by checking the printing inks under IR lighting. Such security features represent hidden security features, so-called “Level 2” features or hidden features.

According to the invention, the camouflage print accordingly contains at least one printing ink that absorbs in the infrared wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation and has a first reflectance value, and the manipulation notice and/or one or more of the usage notices contain at least one printing ink that is transparent in the infrared wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation and has a second reflectance value. The distance between the first and second reflectance values is advantageously at least 40%.

Alternatively, the tampering notice can contain an IR-absorbing printing ink. Optionally, one or more of the usage instructions can also contain an IR-absorbing printing ink.

Both the camouflage print and the tampering notice are advantageously formed by patterns, characters or a coding, in particular an alphanumeric character string. The tampering notice is then preferably formed by patterns, characters or a coding which consists/consist of only a part of the patterns, characters or the coding of the camouflage print, for example from every second character of the camouflage print or even just a single character of the camouflage print. It therefore provides clear evidence that manipulation has taken place. The patterns, characters or the components of the coding of the manipulation notice are advantageously a precise fit to the corresponding patterns, Characters or components of the coding of the camouflage print are provided, so that the indication of manipulation is hidden by the camouflage print.

The at least one IR-absorbing printing ink of the camouflage print and the at least one IR-transparent printing ink of the usage instructions advantageously have the same color when illuminated with visible electromagnetic radiation. If text, characters or patterns are composed of two printing colors that have the same color tone when illuminated with visible electromagnetic radiation but have different IR transparency, the printed image, when viewed under illumination with visible electromagnetic radiation, suggests that it is with a single printing color was produced. However, when illuminated with electromagnetic radiation in the infrared wavelength range, the viewer recognizes that parts of the printed image were applied with an IR-transparent printing ink.

The wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation in the infrared wavelength range for the IR-transparent and IR-absorbing printing inks to be tested is particularly preferably in the range from 700 nm to 1000 nm. The at least one IR-absorbing printing ink advantageously has a first reflectance value of <50% , which has at least one IR-transparent printing ink a second reflectance value of > 90%.

The at least one IR-transparent printing ink and the at least one IR-absorbing printing ink are particularly preferably formed by solvent-based, water-based or UV-curable printing inks or toners, which are used in gravure printing, digital printing, UV offset printing, screen printing, inkjet printing or Flexographic printing can be printed onto the carrier substrate of the security element.

IR-absorbing and IR-transparent printing inks are usually printed with precise registration in two work steps with intermediate drying. The camouflage print is preferably done as the last printing step. Depending on the substrate to be printed, different printing ink systems are used. Printing inks that appear transparent when illuminated with electromagnetic radiation in the infrared wavelength range are usually colors with dyes, while IR-absorbing printing inks are usually pigment-based printing inks.

Using IR sensors or IR testing devices (such as an IR camera), the authenticity of the security element can be checked by only using the IR when illuminated with electromagnetic radiation in the infrared wavelength range, for example at a wavelength between 850 nm and 940 nm -absorbing printing elements, but not the IR-transparent printing elements can be seen. When illuminated with visible electromagnetic radiation or light with a wavelength of approximately 380 nm to approximately 750 nm, however, all printing elements of the IR-transparent and IR-absorbing printing ink(s) are visible. The IR transparency therefore acts as a hidden feature.

The security element represents in particular a security thread or a security band. For example, security threads for passport papers in the prior art are known as so-called CountryCode threads with a flag and a negative or positive text in gravure printing, UV offset or digital printing on a plastic substrate, for example made of PET. manufactured.

The invention also contains a paper-based security document with an at least partially embedded security element of the type described above. The security element is advantageously completely embedded in the security document. However, the security element can also only be partially embedded in the security document and be exposed in window areas on one or both opposite surfaces of the security document.

The camouflage print expediently dissolves when the security document is soaked in an organic solvent, thereby exposing the evidence of manipulation of the embedded security element.

The advantage of security elements embedded at least partially in a paper-based security document is, in particular, that a camouflage print that has been removed by the counterfeiter using solvent treatment cannot easily be replenished in the embedded security element.

The at least partially embedded security element is preferably a security thread.

The paper-based security document is in particular an ID card, a passport, a passport page or a document of value, such as a banknote, a share, a bond, a certificate, a voucher, a check, or a high-quality admission ticket.

Further exemplary embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures, which are shown to scale and Proportional reproduction was omitted in order to increase clarity. These embodiments are not to be construed as limiting. For example, a description of an embodiment including a plurality of elements or components should not be construed to mean that all of these elements or components are necessary for implementation. Rather, other embodiments may also contain alternative elements and components, fewer elements or components, or additional elements or components. Elements or components of different embodiments may be combined with one another unless otherwise specified. Modifications and variations described for one of the embodiments may also be applicable to other embodiments. To avoid repetition, the same or corresponding elements in different figures are designated with the same reference numerals and are not explained more than once.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Passseite mit einem vollständig in das Papier eingebetteten Sicherheitsfaden,

Fig. 2

schematisch einen Sicherheitsfaden nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, wobei (a) den Faden im Ausgangszustand mit intaktem Tarnaufdruck und (b) den Faden nach einem Manipulationsversuch mit aufgelöstem Tarnaufdruck zeigt,

Fig. 3

schematisch einen Sicherheitsfaden nach einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, wobei (a) den Faden im Ausgangszustand mit intaktem Tarnaufdruck und (b) den Faden nach einem Manipulationsversuch mit aufgelöstem Tarnaufdruck zeigt, und

Fig. 4

schematisch einen Sicherheitsfaden nach einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, wobei (a) den Faden im Ausgangszustand mit intaktem Tarnaufdruck bei Beleuchtung mit sichtbarer elektromagnetischer Strahlung, (b) den Faden im Ausgangszustand bei Beleuchtung mit elektromagnetischer Strahlung im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich, (c) den Faden nach einem Manipulationsversuch mit aufgelöstem Tarnaufdruck bei Beleuchtung mit sichtbarer elektromagnetischer Strahlung und (d) den Faden nach dem Manipulationsversuch bei Beleuchtung mit elektromagnetischer Strahlung im infraroten Wellenlängenbereich zeigt.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a passport page with a security thread completely embedded in the paper,

Fig. 2

schematically shows a security thread according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein (a) shows the thread in the initial state with the camouflage print intact and (b) shows the thread after a manipulation attempt with the camouflage print dissolved,

Fig. 3

schematically shows a security thread according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein (a) shows the thread in the initial state with the camouflage print intact and (b) shows the thread after a manipulation attempt with the camouflage print dissolved, and

Fig. 4

schematically a security thread according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein (a) the thread in the initial state with an intact camouflage print when illuminated with visible electromagnetic radiation, (b) the thread in the initial state when illuminated with electromagnetic radiation in the infrared wavelength range, (c) the thread after a manipulation attempt with dissolved camouflage print when illuminated with visible electromagnetic radiation and (d) shows the thread after the manipulation attempt when illuminated with electromagnetic radiation in the infrared wavelength range.

The invention will now be explained using the example of security threads for passport or document papers. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a passport page 10 of a passport book, not shown. For security purposes, the passport page 10 is provided with a security thread 20 that is completely embedded in the paper on the passport page 10.

To illustrate, two variants of security threads according to the invention, which can be used for embedding in the passport page 10, are shown in the Figures 2 and 3 presented in more detail. With reference first to Fig. 2(a) points the security thread 20 has a carrier substrate, for example a plastic film made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), on which alternating useful areas 22 and tampering display areas 24 are provided.

In the exemplary embodiment, the useful areas 22 contain the Fig. 2 graphic usage instructions, for example a colored imprint 26 of the national flag of the country issuing the passport book.

In the manipulation display areas 24, a manipulation notice 28 is printed on the carrier film, which in the exemplary embodiment is in the form of the lettering "VOID" ( Fig. 2(b) ). The tampering notices 28 are each overprinted with a camouflage print 30 that is soluble in an organic solvent, so that the tampering notices 28 are visible in FIG Fig. 2(a) hidden in the normal situation shown.

If the passport page 10 is soaked in an organic solvent during a manipulative attack, the camouflage prints 30 are dissolved by the solvent and the manipulation indications 28 are thereby exposed, as in Fig. 2(b) shown. The usage instructions 26 and the manipulation instructions 28 themselves are printed with solvent-resistant ink and show no change when the passport page is soaked in solvent. The manipulation is obvious through the exposed manipulation indications 28, so that the manipulated thread is the Fig. 2(b) cannot be used to recreate a passport book page 10. The combined security of “paper + security thread” provides highly effective protection for passport book page 10 against manipulation by soaking.

Figure 3 shows a security thread 20 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which useful areas 22 and tampering display areas 24 are also arranged alternately on a carrier substrate. In this exemplary embodiment, the usable areas contain, in addition to a colored imprint 26 of a country flag, also an alphanumeric imprint 32, for example in the form of the name of the country issuing the passport book.

In the manipulation display areas 24, as in the design of the Fig. 2 a tampering notice 28 ( Fig. 3(b) ) printed. The tampering notices 28 are each overprinted with a camouflage print 30 that is soluble in an organic solvent, so that the tampering notices 28 are visible in FIG Fig. 3(a) hidden in the normal situation shown.

By soaking the passport page 10 in an organic solvent, the camouflage prints 30 are dissolved by the solvent and the tamper evidence 28 is thereby exposed, as shown in Fig. 3(b) shown. The usage instructions 26, 32 and the manipulation instructions 28 themselves are printed with solvent-resistant ink and show no change when the passport page is soaked in solvent. Here too, the manipulation is obvious due to the exposed manipulation indications 28, so that the manipulated thread is the Fig. 3(b) cannot be used to recreate a passport book page 10.

In the Figures 2 and 3 the camouflage print 30 is each formed by a homogeneous printing surface. However, the camouflage print itself can also be in the form of patterns, characters or coding and in the initial state Fig. 2(a) or 2(b) form useful information. When soaking The useful information on the passport page then disappears due to the dissolution of the camouflage print and the manipulation notice 28 appears instead.

According to an embodiment not shown, the useful areas 22 can, for example, contain a colored print in the form of the lettering "COUNTRY", which is supplemented in the manipulation display areas 24 by a camouflage print in the form of the lettering "GERMAN" to form the overall information "GERMANY".

In the event of a manipulative attack with an organic solvent, the camouflage prints formed by the lettering "DEUTSCH" are dissolved by the solvent and the tampering indications in the tampering display areas 24, which in this design are formed, for example, by the letter sequence "XXX", are thereby exposed. The usage instructions and handling instructions are printed with solvent-resistant ink and do not change when soaked in solvent. The manipulation is obvious through the exposed evidence of manipulation.

Figure 4 shows a security thread 40 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which alternating useful areas 22 and tampering display areas 24 are also arranged on a carrier substrate. In this exemplary embodiment, the usable areas contain, in addition to a colored imprint 26 of a country flag, also an alphanumeric imprint 32, for example in the form of the lettering "PASSPORT" (e.g. with lettering mirrored in certain areas for viewing from the back).

In the manipulation display areas 24, as in the design of the Fig. 3 a tampering notice 28 ( Fig. 4(c) ) printed, here in the form of an incomplete or incomplete name of the country issuing the passport book. The tampering notices 28 are each overprinted in register with a camouflage print 30 that is soluble in an organic solvent in the form of the (full) name of the country issuing the passport book, so that the tampering notices 28 are in the in Fig. 4(a), 4(b) hidden in the normal situation shown.

In contrast to that in Fig. 3 In the embodiment shown, the prints here include at least one printing ink that absorbs in the infrared wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation and at least one printing ink that is transparent in the infrared wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the camouflage print 30 is printed with an infrared-absorbing printing ink, the alphanumeric printing 32 with an infrared-transparent printing ink, the printing 26 with several infrared-absorbing printing inks and the tampering notice 28 is printed on the carrier substrate with an infrared-transparent printing ink. The IR-absorbing printing ink of the camouflage print 30 and the IR-transparent printing ink of the print 32 can be selected so that they have the same color when illuminated with visible electromagnetic radiation.

When illuminated with visible electromagnetic radiation or light with a wavelength in the range from approximately 380 nm to approximately 750 nm, an observer recognizes both the camouflage print 30 in the manipulation display areas 24 and the prints 26, 32 in the useful areas 22 ( Fig. 4(a) ). When illuminated with electromagnetic radiation in the infrared wavelength range, e.g. B. Radiation with a wavelength of 850 nm is infrared transparent Print elements, however, cannot be recognized. An observer therefore only notices the camouflage print 30 ("Country") and the print 26 in the form of the country flag ( Fig. 4(b) ).

In the event of a manipulative attack with an organic solvent, the camouflage prints 30 and the useful information "Country" formed by them are dissolved by the solvent and the manipulation indications 28 in the manipulation display areas 24, which in this design are exemplified by the letter "o" (as part of the designation of the country issuing the passport book) are thereby exposed.

The usage instructions 26, 32 and the handling instructions 28 are printed with solvent-resistant ink and show no change when soaked in solvent. When illuminated with visible electromagnetic radiation or light with a wavelength in the range from approximately 380 nm to approximately 750 nm, this results in Fig. 4(c) appearance shown. When illuminated with electromagnetic radiation in the infrared wavelength range, the IR-transparent printing elements are not visible. An observer therefore only notices the imprint 26 in the form of the country's flag ( Fig. 4(d) ).

In an embodiment of the manipulation notices 28, not shown here, they can contain an IR-absorbing printing ink instead of an IR-transparent printing ink. In this case, the indications of manipulation can also be seen when illuminated with electromagnetic radiation in the infrared wavelength range, so that an observer also perceives the indications of manipulation 28 in addition to the imprint 26 in the form of the country's flag.

Reference symbol list

10

Passport page

20

Security thread

22

Useful areas

24

Manipulation display areas

26

graphic print

28

Tampering notice

30

Camouflage print

32

alphanumeric imprint

40

Security thread

Claims (16)

1. A security element (20) for embedding in a paper-based security document (10), with a carrier substrate bearing alphanumeric and/or graphical useful indicators (26), characterized in that, in addition to the useful indicators, the carrier substrate comprises a manipulation indicator (28) which is overprinted with a camouflage print (30) that is soluble in an organic solvent, thus hiding the manipulation indicator,
   wherein the camouflage print contains at least an ink that absorbs electromagnetic radiation in the infrared wavelength with a first reflectance value, and the manipulation indicator and/or one or more of the useful indicators contain (s) at least an ink that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the infrared wavelength with a second reflectance value.
2. The security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the camouflage print dissolves in an organic solvent and thereby exposes the manipulation indicator.
3. The security element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the manipulation indicator is applied to the carrier substrate repeatedly alternating with an alphanumeric and/or graphical useful indicator.
4. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the manipulation indicator is formed by patterns, symbols, or coding, in particular an alphanumeric sequence of symbols.
5. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the camouflage print is formed by patterns, symbols, or a coding, in particular that the camouflage print represents useful information that is different from the manipulation indicator.
6. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the manipulation indicator is configured so as to be resistant to solvent.
7. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the useful indicators are configured so as to be resistant to solvent.
8. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the carrier substrate consists of a plastic film.
9. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the difference between the first and the second reflectance values is at least 40%.
10. The security element according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one IR-absorbing ink of the camouflage print and the at least one IR-transparent ink(s) of the useful indicators have the same hue when illuminated by visible electromagnetic radiation.
11. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the security element is a security thread or security tape.
12. A paper-based security document having an at least partially embedded security element according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
13. The paper-based security document according to claim 12, characterized in that the security element is completely embedded in the security document.
14. The paper-based security document according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the camouflage print dissolves upon soaking of the security document in an organic solvent, thereby exposing the manipulation indicator of the embedded security element.
15. The paper-based security document according to at least one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the at least partially embedded security element is a security thread.
16. The paper-based security document according to at least one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the paper-based security document is an identification card, a passport, a passport page, or a valuable document such as a banknote, a stock, a bond, a certificate, a voucher, a check, or a high-value admission ticket.

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