EP4214063A1

EP4214063A1 - Security element transfer material for transfer, in good register, of security elements to value documents

Info

Publication number: EP4214063A1
Application number: EP21769889.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Björn Teufel; Josef Schinabeck; Giselher Dorff
Original assignee: Giesecke and Devrient Currency Technology GmbH
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient Currency Technology GmbH
Priority date: 2020-09-21
Filing date: 2021-08-27
Publication date: 2023-07-26
Also published as: US20240025200A1; DE102020005769A1; WO2022058042A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a security element transfer material (1) for the transfer, in good register, of security elements (2) having a layered composite structure (6) to a value document substrate (11), a method for producing the security element transfer material (1), a method for the transfer, in good register, of security elements (2) from the security element transfer material (1) to a value document substrate (11), and a value document (10) which was provided with a security element (2) using the security element transfer material (1). The security element transfer material (1) has a temporary support material (5; 50) and a plurality of security elements (2) and a plurality of register mark elements (3) which are arranged on a main area of the temporary support material (5; 50) and have a layered composite structure (7). Each register mark element (3) constitutes a register mark (4) or contains a register mark (4), and each register mark (4) is allocated to at least one security element (2). Apart from the security elements (2) and register mark elements (3), the temporary support material (5; 50) is free from layered composite material.

Description

Security element transfer material for register-accurate transfer of security elements on documents of value

The invention relates to a security element transfer material for the register-accurate transfer of security elements with a layered composite structure to a value-document substrate, a method for producing the security-element transfer material, a method for register-accurate transfer of security elements from the security-element transfer material to a value-document substrate, and documents of value that are transfer material were equipped with a security element in register.

Documents of value such as banknotes, certificates, checks, identification documents or credit cards, in particular banknotes, are usually equipped with security elements which allow the authenticity of the document of value to be checked and which at the same time serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction. The security elements used for this are often not provided individually, but in the form of transfer strips with a large number of security elements designed as transfer elements. It is characteristic of transfer tapes that the security elements are prepared on a carrier layer in the reverse order of the layers as they are later to be present on the document of value to be protected.

The carrier layer is typically what is known as a temporary carrier, ie it is pulled off the layer structure of the security elements during the transfer. On the side opposite the carrier layer, the transfer tapes have adhesive properties, which is usually achieved by applying a layer of heat-seal adhesive. The hot-seal adhesive melts during the transfer of the security elements and sticks the security security elements with the value document or another object of value to be secured. The transfer tape is placed with the hot-seal adhesive layer on the document of value and pressed on by means of a heated transfer stamp or a transfer roller and transferred to the document of value in the outline shape of the heated transfer stamp. Transfer elements, transfer belts and the transfer of transfer elements to target substrates are described, for example, in publication EP 0420261 B1.

It is also known not to emboss security elements from the layered composite at the time of transfer to a document of value substrate, but to punch them out of the layered composite and deduct the surrounding layered composite material, i.e. to "weed" it, so that the security elements are present as individual patches on the temporary carrier material. The transfer then does not require a transfer device in the form of the security elements, but can take place by means of a smooth transfer roller.

The security elements are transferred to documents of value at high speed by bringing together and pressing together webs of transfer material and webs of documents of value or sheets of documents of value, each of which has a large number of individual copies, it being necessary to ensure that the security elements are applied to the correct location on each individual document of value. For this purpose, register marks are required, which are read by a detector, so that the positions of the transfer material web and value-document substrate web relative to one another can be suitably matched to one another during the entire transfer process on the basis of the transmitted signals. Register marks are typically colored overprints with strongly light-absorbing colors or strongly light-reflecting prints that have a defined shape, such as stripes or bar codes.

In the case of security elements which are embossed from the layer structure during the transfer process, the register accuracy between the transfer material and value document substrate when embossing the security elements can be set without any problems by means of register marks provided on the embossing film adjacent to the security elements. However, in cases in which it is not possible or not desired to emboss the security elements from their layered composite, the register-accurate transfer of the security elements to value document substrates poses a problem.

Embossing the security elements from their layer structure is always difficult when the layer structure is comparatively thick and/or contains layers that can result in a clean separating edge not being produced when a security element is embossed. Such layers are, for example, layers of highly crosslinked lacquers and of hard or brittle lacquers that do not break smoothly at the edge of the application tool during embossing, but instead break in an undefined manner. This can result in paint flakes, which, as disruptive impurities, impair the quality of the value documents and contaminate the machines used, so that cleaning has to be carried out frequently. Such layers are also layers made of comparatively soft and elastic lacquers, which likewise do not break smoothly at the edge of the application tool when the security elements are embossed from their layered composite, but rather at the same time tend to tear in an undefined manner or to break incompletely, so that in extreme cases the security elements cannot be embossed from their composite layer at all.

It is completely impossible for the security elements to be embossed from their layered composite if the layer structure contains a film layer. Such permanent carrier materials are absolutely necessary, for example, if the security elements would otherwise be too unstable or if the security elements are intended to close through openings in documents of value. In such cases, the outlines of the security elements must be cut out of the layered composite structure and the layered composite material removed between the individual security elements. The required register marks then have to be applied to the temporary carrier material in a subsequent process step, which does not solve the problem of register accuracy, which is difficult to maintain, but merely shifts it: because the register accuracy achieved when transferring the security elements to value document substrates now depends on the register accuracy the register marks are applied to the temporary carrier material of the security elements.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a security element transfer material which makes it possible to apply security elements to value document substrate webs or value document substrate sheets with register accuracy.

The object of the present invention is in particular to provide a security element transfer material that makes it possible to transfer security elements ments to be applied in register to value document substrate webs or value document substrate sheets if the security elements contain one or more layers in their layer structure which make it difficult or impossible to transfer the security elements by separating them from the security element layered composite during the transfer process, such as a film layer or a lacquer layer which Tends to break or tear indefinitely.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing such a security element transfer material, a method for transferring security elements from the security element transfer material to a document of value substrate with accurate register, and documents of value which have been provided with a security element in register with such a security element transfer material, to provide.

The objects are achieved by the security element transfer material, the method for producing a security element transfer material, the method for register-keeping transfer of security elements and by the document of value, each of which has the features as specified in the independent claims. Embodiments of the invention are given in the respective dependent claims.

The basic idea of the present invention consists in separating the security elements from the layer composite in a security element transfer material before the transfer process onto a value document substrate and at the same time determining the position of the required register marks. For this purpose, a starting material layered composite is produced which has the desired security element layer structure on a has temporary carrier material, then the outline shapes of the desired security elements and outline shapes of register mark elements are cut into the layered composite material (with the exception of the temporary carrier material), and finally the layered composite material is peeled off the temporary carrier material outside the outline shapes of the security elements and the register mark elements, so that the security elements and the associated register mark elements are present as "islands" on the temporary carrier material. The register mark elements have the same or a similar layered composite structure as the security elements.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the outline shape of the register mark elements is chosen such that it corresponds to the contour of the desired register mark. In another embodiment of the invention, the register mark elements function as carrier elements for the register marks, which exactly define the position of the register marks, which can be necessary with more complex register marks such as bar codes.

The invention is described below with reference to figures. It is noted that the figures are not to scale and are not in proportion. Furthermore, features disclosed in connection with a specific figure are in no way to be understood in such a way that the relevant features can only be used in combination with the other features shown and/or described in the corresponding figure. Rather, features described in connection with a specific embodiment can each be combined independently with features from other embodiments or can be used very generally in the security element transfer material according to the invention. Incidentally, the security element transfer material, the method of making the security element transfer material, the method of transferring security elements in register to a document of value substrate and the document of value provided with a security element using the security element transfer material represent different aspects of the same invention. Any disclosure in connection with a particular one Accordingly, one aspect of the invention applies equally to the respective other aspects of the invention.

In the figures, the same reference numbers denote the same or corresponding elements. Show it:

1 shows a plan view of a document of value with security elements transferred in register from a security element transfer material according to the invention,

2 and 3 top views of security element transfer materials according to the invention,

4 to 6 process stages in the production of a security element transfer material according to the invention, each shown in cross section along line AA′ of FIG. 2,

7 and 8 process stages in the production of an alternative security element transfer material according to the invention, each shown in cross section along the line AA ^z of FIG. 2, 9 to 12 process stages of an alternative production process for a security element transfer material according to the invention, each shown in cross section along the line AA′ of FIG. 2,

13 shows a security element transfer material according to the invention, shown in cross section along the line AA ^z of FIG. 2, with a composite material as the temporary carrier material,

14 shows the removal of the layered composite material outside the outline shapes of the security elements and the register mark elements from the temporary carrier material and the security elements and register mark elements remaining thereon,

15 and 16 process stages in the production of a security element transfer material according to the invention, in which the register mark elements themselves represent register marks,

17 and 18 process stages in the production of a security element transfer material according to the invention, in which the register mark elements act as carriers for register marks,

FIG. 19 shows a top view of a security element transfer material according to FIG. 14,

20 shows a top view of a security element transfer material according to the invention analogous to FIG. 15, with alternative security elements,

21 shows a top view of a section of a value document substrate web with a large number of individual blanks, 22 and 23 each show a schematic representation of a transfer method of security elements from a security element transfer material according to the invention onto a value document substrate.

1 shows a document of value 10 according to the invention in the form of a bank note in a top view. The bank note 10 has three security elements, which were transferred from a security element transfer material according to the invention to the value document substrate in register, a foil patch 2a and two security strips 2b and 2c, the security strips 2b, 2c forming a group (repeat). The film patch 2a has a somewhat larger area than an opening 13 in the document of value that passes through the value-document substrate and is covered and closed by the film patch 2a.

The foil patch 2a shows, for example, a figurative representation, a color shift effect or any other desired effect (not shown in FIG. 1). In particular, the foil patch 2a has a transparent area 14, as can be produced, for example, by demetallizing a metallic layer. In the illustrated embodiment, the transparent portion 14 is in the shape of a star, the points of which extend to the edge of the through hole 13 of the banknote. It is therefore essential that the transparent area 10 of the foil patch 2a is placed precisely in the center of the through opening 13 for all banknotes 10 .

The security strips 2b and 2c have printed areas 17b, 18b, or 17c, 18c, which are line-shaped or bar-shaped, interrupted Add imprints 17, 18 of the bank note 10 to form closed lines. The security strips 2b, 2c must therefore be transferred precisely onto the banknote substrate in such a way that the imprints 17b, 18b, 17c, 18c are applied exactly in the interruptions in the lines 17, 18.

1 shows oval and strip-shaped security elements, but the security elements can have any shape, including very complex outline shapes. Typical dimensions are in the range of about 5 mm at the narrowest point of a security element up to about 70 mm at the widest point of a security element or in the longitudinal direction of a security element. Typical thicknesses range from about 20 to 40 µm.

For precise, i.e. register-accurate or register-accurate application of security elements, register marks are required that have a precisely defined position in relation to the security element to be transferred, and with the help of which the supply of the security element transfer material relative to the value document substrate can be controlled in such a way that each security element is applied to its specific location on the value document substrate.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show sections of security element transfer materials 1 according to the invention with security elements 2 and register mark elements 3, with each security element 2 being assigned a register mark element 3. In the illustrated embodiments, the security element transfer material 1 is in each case an endless belt on which the security elements 2 and their associated register mark elements 3 are each arranged one behind the other. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the security element transfer material band 1 has several rows of security elements 2 with associated register mark elements 3 side by side. The production of such security element transfer materials and their use for transferring the security elements to value document substrates is described below.

Figures 4 to 6 illustrate process stages in the production of a security element transfer material 1 according to the invention, as shown in Fig. 2, each shown in cross section along the line AA' of Fig. 2.

The security element transfer material 1 according to the invention is produced starting from a starting material layered composite 20, which is conventional per se and consists of at least one temporary carrier material 5 and a functional layer structure 21 on a first surface or a first main surface 5′ of the temporary carrier material 5. The functional layer structure 21 must be detachable from the first main surface 5 ′ of the temporary carrier material 5 , which is why a release layer 24 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided between the functional layer structure 21 and the temporary carrier material 5 . On the main surface of the functional layer structure 21 facing away from the temporary carrier material there is a hot-seal adhesive layer 26 or another layer which gives the later security elements adhesive properties for connection to a value document substrate. A primer or adhesion-promoting layer 25 can optionally be provided between the functional layer structure 21 and the layer 26 imparting adhesive properties. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 6, the functional layer structure 21 contains a permanent carrier material 22, which gives the security elements 2 formed therefrom stabilizing properties, so that they can be used, for example, to close a through-opening in a document of value, such as the through-opening 13 in the in Fig 1 banknote 10 shown are suitable.

Preferred permanent carrier materials 22 are transparent or translucent foils, for example made of polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate, of polyethylene or polypropylene. Through openings covered with transparent or translucent foils remain recognizable for an observer. Such films can also be used as temporary support materials, but non-transparent or translucent films are also suitable, and typical thicknesses of both permanent and temporary support substrates range from about 4 to 20 gm. For the heat seal adhesive layer and the optional release layer and primer layer materials tried and tested in the field of security elements are preferably used.

The functional layer structure also includes 21 feature layers, i.e. layers that have visually recognizable or machine-detectable features, such as metal layers, layers of metal effect paints, layers with color pigments or fluorescent pigments, liquid crystal layers, coatings with a color shift effect, layers with matt structures, such as those in Publication WO 2007/107235 A1 discloses printed colored motif layers, layer combinations, such as a layer with a color shift effect underlaid with a specific color, layers with magnetic pigments, etc. The type and production of the functional layers or the functional layer structure is fundamentally irrelevant for the present invention, and the present invention comprises security element transfer materials with security elements with any layer composite structure. However, the special advantages of the present invention come into play in particular when the security elements have a permanent carrier material 22, as shown in FIG. 4, and/or another layer that breaks or tears uncleanly during an application process by means of embossing.

Security elements for which the present invention is particularly suitable are, in particular, security elements that have a layer structure with numerous functional layers (feature layers), including, for example, a holographic security feature, pressure acceptance, protective and laminating layers, color layers, fluorescent imprints, etc. Such security elements have, for example, a permanent carrier material, as shown in FIGS.

To produce a security element transfer material 1, as illustrated in FIG. 6, which has security elements 2 with permanent carrier material, the functional layer structure 21 can first be produced and then detachably connected to the temporary carrier material 5. Alternatively, the functional layer structure 21 can also be built up on the temporary carrier material 5 .

The contour shapes of the security elements 2 and the register mark elements 3 are then cut into the resulting starting material layered composite 20, as illustrated in FIG. The incisions each represent closed lines that define the outline shapes 8 of the security elements 2, the is the shape and area of the security elements 2, and the outline shapes 9 of the register mark elements 3, ie define the shape and area of the register mark elements 3. Reference is made to the illustrations of FIGS. 2 and 3. In the sectional illustration of FIG. 5, the incisions delimiting the security element 2 are denoted by XI, X2, and the incisions delimiting the register mark element 3 are denoted by X3, X4.

The cutting of the outlines 8 of the security elements 2 and the outlines 9 of the register mark elements 3 is preferably carried out by means of a laser, since the best precision can be achieved in this way. However, the term "cutting" is generally understood here to mean all methods known to a person skilled in the art for separating the security elements and the register mark elements from the layered composite material surrounding them, for example punching. If a laser is used for cutting, additional measures are preferably taken that are suitable to prevent deep cutting of the laser to avoid damaging the temporary substrate 5, which could lead to destabilization of the temporary substrate 5 and in the worst case to tearing of the security element transfer material 1. In Fig. 5 such undesired deep cutting is shown indicated for the cutting line X2 into the temporary carrier material 5. The cutting line X2 only ends at the point XX2 in the temporary carrier material 5. Measures to protect against undesired deep cutting are explained in connection with FIG.

After cutting the outline shapes 8 of the security elements and the outline shapes 9, the layer 15 is outside the outline shapes of the security elements and the register mark elements, that is, the entire layer structure on the temporary carrier material 5, which is outside the Outline shapes of the security elements and the register mark elements is deducted from the temporary carrier material 5. The result is the security element transfer material 1 shown in Fig. 6, on which the security elements 2 and the register mark elements 3 are present as isolated "islands" on the temporary carrier material 5. The security elements 2 have the layer structure 6, and the register mark elements 3 have the layer structure 7 , wherein the layer structures 6, 7 in the embodiment shown are identical due to the manufacturing process. The security elements 2 adhere with their first main surface 2' to the first main surface 5' of the temporary carrier material 5, and have an opposite second main surface 2" with adhesive properties in which The embodiment shown is due to the hot-seal adhesive layer 26, since they are applied to a value-document substrate with the second main surface 2". Analogously, the register mark elements 3 have a first main surface 3', with which they adhere to the temporary carrier material 5, and a second main surface 3", the adhesive egg features. However, the register mark elements are not transferred to a value document substrate, which is why it is expedient to equip them with an anti-stick layer.

Otherwise, when transferring the security elements to a value-document substrate, care must be taken that only suitable transfer conditions are created for the security elements. With conventional transfer by heat sealing, this can be accomplished in a simple manner by applying pressure and heating only in the area of the security elements.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the security elements 2 and the register mark elements 3 have the same layer structure. the However, layer structures 6, 7 can also differ from one another. An example of different layer structures 6, 7 is illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG.

7 and 8 are representations analogous to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Deviating from the layer structure shown in FIG. at which the contour shapes 9 of the register mark elements 3 are to be cut, recesses 26'. The recesses 26' are advantageously somewhat larger than the register mark elements 3 to be formed, so that the contour shapes 9 are cut within the recesses 26' with a certain amount of play, as illustrated by the cutting lines X3 and X4 in FIG.

After the layered composite material 15 has been pulled off the temporary carrier material 5, the security element transfer material 1 shown in FIG. Due to the lack of an adhesive layer, the register mark element 3 has no adhesive properties, which has the advantage that when the security elements 2 are transferred to a document of value substrate, it is not necessary to ensure that only the security elements but not the register mark elements are transferred.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the primer layer 25 is formed over the entire surface. If the hot-seal adhesive layer 26 is cut out in the area of the register mark elements 3 to be formed, the primer layer 25 can of course also have corresponding cutouts, so that the layer structure 7 of the register mark element 3 also no primer layer 25 has. In general, for the equality or similarity of the layer structures 6 of the security elements 2 and the layer structures 7 of the associated register mark elements 3, the material costs for identical formation of security elements 2 and register mark elements 3 as well as any additional effort in the production of different layer structures and a possible benefit of different layer structures are weighed against each other Need to become. If expensive materials are required to produce the security elements 2, such as magnetic inks, for example, or if embossing is required, for example for embossed holograms, but this is not required in the area of the register mark elements 3, this will tend not to be provided in the area of the register mark elements, while in other cases the Expenditure for the production of a layered composite material 15 with locally varying composition can be disproportionately high.

The production of a security element transfer material 1 according to the invention with security elements 2 without permanent carrier material is illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12 .

First, a starting material layered composite 20 is prepared, which apart from the absence of the permanent carrier material 22 can be identical to the starting material layered composite 20 shown in Fig. 4. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, however, the starting material layered composite 20 consists of only one temporary carrier material 5, a functional layer structure 21 and a heat-seal adhesive layer 26. The functional layer structure 21 contains a brittle lacquer layer 23, for example a layer of a highly UV-crosslinked lacquer. The starting material layered composite 20 is built up starting from the temporary carrier material 5, on whose first main surface 5 'the feature layers and auxiliary layers of the functional layer structure 21 are in the appropriate order (i.e. in the reverse order in which the layers are later present on the value document substrate are to be applied) and finally the heat-seal adhesive layer 26 is applied.

As explained in connection with FIGS. 4 to 6, the outline shapes of security elements 2 and register mark elements 3 are cut into the layered composite material on the temporary carrier material 5, for example by means of a punching tool, a cutting tool or laser cutting. The layered composite material then has to be pulled off the temporary carrier material 5 outside of the contours of the security elements 2 and the register mark elements 3 . However, if the functional layer structure 21 does not contain any stabilizing permanent carrier material, the layered composite material lacks sufficient stability. It would tear when pulled off.

Therefore, the layered composite material is adhered to the free surface of the heat-seal adhesive layer with a release film 27 which stabilizes the layered composite material sufficiently to allow it to be peeled off the temporary carrier material 5 . A suitable release film 27 is, for example, a perforated mask, as shown in FIG. 10, which has gaps at the points at which the outlines 8 of the security elements 2 and the outlines 9 of the register mark elements 3 are to be cut. These recesses 27', 27" are advantageously somewhat larger than the security elements 2 and register mark elements 3 to be formed, ie the contour shapes 8, 9 are cut in within the recesses 27', 27" with a certain clearance, as illustrated by the section lines XI, X2, X3, X4 in Fig. 11.

Instead of a perforated mask, a full-surface release film can also be used. In such a case, it is expedient to apply a separate adhesive layer to the heat-seal adhesive layer 26 for gluing the release film, leaving the places where the outlines 8 of the security elements and the outlines 9 of the register mark elements are to be cut free, i.e. containing the adhesive layer Recesses as described for shadow mask 27. The full-surface release film is then glued on and the contour shapes 8, 9 are cut into the layered composite material, with the release film also being severed. In the areas without an additional adhesive layer, the non-adhered release film can be easily removed, for example by blowing off. In contrast, the areas of the layered composite material bonded to the release film 27 now have sufficient stability to be able to be pulled off the temporary carrier material 5 .

A polyethylene terephthalate film with a thickness of about 4 to 20 μm can be used as the release film, but other materials and thicknesses are also suitable as long as the film is sufficiently elastic and stable. A laminating adhesive is preferably used to bond a full-surface release film.

By peeling off the layered composite material outside of the outline shapes 8, 9, the security element transfer material 1 shown in Fig. 12 with security elements 2 and register mark elements 3 is created, with the layered composite structure 6 of the security elements and the layered composite structure 7 of the register mark elements in the illustrated embodiment is identical. For the transfer of the security elements 2 onto a value document substrate, the same applies as explained above for the security element transfer material 1 illustrated in FIG.

However, the present invention is not limited to a security element transfer material with specific security elements.

In order to ensure residue-free detachment outside the contours of the security elements and the register mark elements, which is essential for the production of high-quality security elements, the functional layer structure of the security elements must be completely severed, i.e. the cutting lines must extend to the temporary carrier material 5. On the other hand, the temporary carrier material 5 should not be cut in order to avoid destabilization. However, it is difficult to cut so precisely that the cuts end immediately on the first main surface 5' of the temporary support material 5. After all, the layer structures to be cut and the carrier materials that are not to be cut are materials with thicknesses in the micrometer range. The security element layer structures typically have thicknesses in the range from about 20 gm to 30 gm, and the temporary carrier materials typically have thicknesses in the range from 10 gm to 20 m. Therefore, it is preferred to use a temporary carrier composite material instead of a single-layer temporary carrier material that consists of at least a first carrier substrate and a second carrier substrate, which are permanently connected by means of an adhesive layer. In this context, non-detachable means that the bond cannot be detached during the transfer process of the security elements or during any processing or treatment of the security element transfer material. Transfer to valuables usually takes place by a heat sealing process, which is why thermoplastic adhesives are less suitable unless they have very high softening temperatures. Crosslinking adhesives, for example solvent-based 2K PU adhesives, are preferred. A starting material layered composite 20 with temporary carrier composite material 50 for producing a security element transfer material 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG.

The starting material layered composite 20 shown in FIG. 13 has on the carrier composite material 50 a release layer 24, a functional layer structure 21 with permanent carrier material 22 and a hot-seal adhesive layer 26 in the specified order. Of course, further layers can be present or layers can be missing, such as the release layer 24 or the permanent carrier material 22. In the embodiment shown, the temporary carrier composite material consists of the first temporary carrier substrate 51, the second temporary carrier substrate 53 and the adhesive layer 52 that bonds the two temporary carrier substrates .

The cut labeled X2 in FIG. 13 cuts through the first temporary carrier substrate 51 completely. However, this severing does not lead to a destabilization of the temporary carrier composite material 50. Rather, the carrier composite material 50 with a completely severed first carrier substrate 51 is significantly more stable than a single-layer carrier material 5 of the same thickness that is only slightly cut on the surface. This is due to the fact that plastic films, such as those commonly used as temporary carrier materials, have a high tear resistance, but only a have little resistance to tear propagation. If they are slightly cut, they will continue to tear under even the slightest load, sometimes to the point of tearing through completely. In the case of a composite material composed of at least two carrier substrates, as illustrated in FIG. 13, however, the second carrier substrate 53 remains completely intact and accordingly stable. The adhesive layer 52 also forms an additional "buffer zone" between the two temporary carrier substrates 51, 53.

A "self-healing" adhesive is preferably used and the cutting of the outlines of the security elements 2 and the register mark elements 3 is carried out at a time when the adhesive has not yet fully cured. In this way, cuts in the adhesive layer can be reformed. The still plastic adhesive can even penetrate into cuts in the temporary carrier substrates and at least stick them together to the extent that the stability of the cut temporary carrier substrates does not suffer significantly.

If the cutting is carried out by means of a laser, the second temporary carrier substrate 53 can also be protected by adding laser-absorbing or laser-reflecting substances, for example metal pigments, to the adhesive. However, the protective effect of laser-absorbing and laser-reflecting substances can also be used in the case of single-layer temporary carrier materials, for example by vapor-depositing the first main surface 5′ of a temporary carrier material 5 with a laser-absorbing or laser-reflecting substance.

The temporary carrier composite material 50 can also have more than two temporary carrier substrates, with two temporary carrier substrates each being connected by means of an adhesive layer. However, it should be preferred a layer thickness of about 70 gm for the entire carrier composite material 50 must not be exceeded. Preferred layer thicknesses are in the range from 20 μm to 40 μm.

Fig. 14 illustrates the removal of the layered composite material 15 outside the outline shapes 8 of the security elements 2 and the outline shapes 9 of the register mark elements 3 from a temporary carrier material 5 and the security elements 2 and register mark elements 3 remaining on the temporary carrier material 5. In the case of a carrier composite material 50, the removal occurs naturally in the same way.

A starting material layered composite with incised outlines 8 of security elements 2 and outlines 9 of register mark elements 3 is fed to a separating roller 30 on which the temporary carrier material 5 and the layered composite material 15 are pulled apart. Since the incisions in the layered composite material 15, which define the contour shapes 8, 9, completely sever the layered composite material 15, the security elements 2 and the register mark elements 3 are not pulled off the temporary carrier 5 together with the layered composite material 15, but remain on the first main surface 5 'of the temporary carrier material 5 adhere, while 15 holes 28, 29 form at the corresponding points of the layered composite material. The resulting security element transfer material 1 has the security elements 2 and the register mark elements 3 assigned to them, which are each detachably connected with their first main surfaces 2', 3' to the first main surface 5' of the temporary carrier material 5. The second main surfaces 2", and possibly also the second main surfaces 3" have adhesive properties, so that the security elements 2 can be transferred to a value document substrate by means of a suitably positioned transfer roller. 15 to 18 are representations analogous to FIGS. 5, 6, as well as 7, 8 and 11, 12, with the register mark element 3 itself being a register mark in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, while in the embodiment shown in FIG illustrated embodiment, the register mark element 3 acts as a carrier for register marks 4. Exemplary simple layer structures are shown in each case.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the starting material layered composite 20 consists of a temporary carrier composite material 50 and a layered composite material 15 into which the contours of the security elements and register mark elements to be formed are cut. The temporary carrier material 50 consists of a first carrier substrate 51 and a second carrier substrate 53 which are permanently connected to one another by means of an adhesive layer 52 . The layered composite structure 15 consists of a functional layer structure 21, an (optional) primer layer 25, and a layer 26 which gives the functional layer structure 21 adhesive properties. As has already been emphasized, the advantages of the present invention come into play particularly when the functional layer structure 21 contains a permanent carrier material and/or at least one layer that tends not to form smooth edges when it breaks, but rather to break or tear in an undefined manner .

The incisions in the layered composite material 15, which define the outline shapes of the security elements 2 and the register mark elements 3, are denoted by XI, X2, X3, X4 in FIG. 15 and FIG. The incisions partially penetrate into the first carrier substrate 51 and partially even into the adhesive layer 52. The carrier composite material 50 nevertheless remains sufficiently stable since the second carrier substrate 53 is not cut and the Adhesive layer 52 is allowed to heal as shown in Figs. 16 and 18. Fig. 16 and Fig. 18 show the state after peeling off the layered composite material 15 outside the outline shapes of the security elements and the register mark elements, i.e. the security element transfer material 1 according to the invention.

The security element transfer material 1 shown in Fig. 16 is produced from a starting material layered composite 20 with a functional layer structure 21, consisting of a UV lacquer layer 23, a metallization 37, a laminating adhesive layer 38 and a PET film 22, in the specified order are arranged on the temporary carrier composite material 50 . The PET film 22 is coated with a primer layer 25 and a heat seal adhesive layer 26 . In the region of the register mark element 3 to be formed, the primer layer 25 has a recess 25' and the hot-seal adhesive layer 26 has a recess 26', as shown in FIG. The layered material 15 therefore varies in terms of its layered structure over the surface of the starting material layered composite.

After removing the layered composite material 15 from the temporary carrier material 50, a security element transfer material 1 (Fig. 16) is obtained, in which the layer structure 7 of the register mark elements 3 differs from the layer structure 6 of the security elements 2, but the functional layers (layer structure 21) are identical. In the illustrated embodiment, the metallization 37 of the register mark element 3 forms the actual register mark 4. Since the metallization extends over the entire surface of the register mark element, the register mark element is referred to as a register mark in this case. The security element transfer material 1 shown in Fig. 18 is produced from a starting material layered composite 20 with a functional layer structure 21, consisting of a UV lacquer layer 23, a laminating adhesive layer 38, a PET film 22, a further UV lacquer layer 39 and a metallization 37, which are arranged in the order given on a carrier composite material 50. The metallization is coated with a primer layer 25 and a hot-seal adhesive layer 26. In this embodiment, the primer layer 25 and the hot-seal adhesive layer 26 are formed over the entire area, as illustrated in FIG.

In contrast to the embodiments illustrated in the previous figures, in this embodiment the register mark elements 3 are not themselves register marks, but act as carriers for register marks 4. Register marks 4 in or on register mark elements 3 can be produced in various ways, for example by demetallizing Metal layers using a so-called wash paint. Such a method is described in the publication EP 1 972462 Bl. To produce the register marks 4 in the starting material layered composite shown in FIG Application of the metal layer applied the wash paint. The metal layer can then be removed at the corresponding points together with the washing paint, with the recesses 37' being formed in the metal layer 37. The register marks 4 then remain z. B. as strip-shaped metallic areas within a demetallized area.

After the layered composite material 15 has been pulled off the temporary carrier material 50, the security element shown in FIG. Transfer material 1, in which the register mark elements 3 are carriers for register marks 4. The layer structure 7 of the register mark elements 3 can also differ from the functional layer structure of the security elements 2, for example, in that the UV lacquer layer 39 in the area of the security elements 2 is equipped with an embossed structure in order to produce an embossed hologram together with the metallization 37.

An alternative functional layer structure 21, not shown here, consists, like the structure shown in Fig. 18, of a UV lacquer layer 23, a laminating adhesive layer 38 and a PET film 22, on which a further laminating adhesive layer, a metallization and a further UV lacquer layer in this order are arranged. For this purpose, the layer structure consisting of metallization and an additional UV lacquer layer was transferred (before coating with a primer layer 25 and a heat-seal adhesive layer 26) to the PET film 22, for example via an additional temporary carrier material. In this embodiment, the additional UV lacquer layer is correspondingly provided with the primer layer 25 and the hot-seal adhesive layer.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the register mark elements 3 or the register marks 4 consist of metalized areas. However, registration marks are by no means limited to metallized areas. For example, imprints made of highly light-reflecting materials, embossing, patterns produced by laser or translucent areas of a specific contour, such as demetallization (clear text) within a metallized area, are also possible. Bars are often chosen as the register mark contour, for example bars with a width of 3 mm, but the register marks 4 are not restricted in any particular way with regard to their type and shape. The only important thing is that they are attached at a point that ensures that they can be easily detected.

An additional work step is required for the production of register marks 4, the contours of which are not identical to the outline shape of a register mark element 3, but for which a register mark element 3 serves as a carrier. However, the problem of a register inaccuracy when generating the register marks 4 does not arise, since the register marks 4 are generated before the layered composite material 15 is pulled off the temporary carrier material outside of the contours of the security elements 2 and the register mark elements 3 . It is therefore possible to create register marks with larger dimensions than are required. The excess areas are also removed when the layered composite material 15 is peeled off, as indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. Register marks 4 remain on the temporary carrier material 5, the dimensions of which are predetermined by the outline shape of the register mark elements 3 carrying them.

FIG. 19 shows a top view of a security element transfer material 1 according to the invention, as shown in cross section in FIG. A security element 2, the shape and surface of which is defined by the incised contour shape 8, like the film patch 2a shown in FIG. The register marks 4 ensure that the film patch is transferred to a document of value substrate in a register-accurate manner.

FIG. 20 is a representation as in FIG. 19, the register marks 4 here showing the register-accurate transfer of a group 16 of security elements guarantee. In the embodiment shown, the security elements are security strips like the security strips 2b, 2c shown in FIG.

When producing a document of value as shown in FIG. 1, in practice one set of register marks 4 would be sufficient for register-accurate transfer of all security elements 2a, 2b, 2c if the security elements 2a, 2b, 2c are formed on the same temporary carrier material 5. In this case, the film patch 2a on the temporary carrier material would have to be at the same distance from the security strips 2b, 2c as it should be on the document of value 10. In addition, the security strips 2b, 2c would have the same composite layer structure as the foil patch 2a.

Fig. 21 shows a top view of a section of a value document substrate web 11 with a plurality of individual blanks 12, for example banknotes, immediately after the transfer of security elements 2. The value document substrate web shown has four individual blanks 12 next to one another, but the number of individual blanks arranged next to one another can be significantly higher be. During the transfer of the security elements, the value-document substrate web 11 is transported in a direction that is indicated by the arrow in FIG. 21 . The security elements 2 have a distance d1 from one another in the transport direction and a distance d2 from one another transversely to the transport direction. Accordingly, the security elements on the security element transfer material 1 must in principle have the same distances from one another, ie distances d1 in the direction of transport and distances d2 transversely to the direction of transport. In order to save space and to avoid having to laboriously produce large surface areas of costly layered composite material, most of which is not used but discarded, namely the entire area outside of the outline shapes 8 of the security elements 2 and the outline shapes 9 of the register mark elements 3 ( see FIG. 14), the security elements in the security element transfer material 1 are formed at the smallest possible distance from one another in the transport direction. The differences in the distances between the security elements 2 on the security element transfer material 1 on the one hand and on the value document substrate 11 on the other hand can be compensated for in the transport direction by different transport speeds of the security element transfer material webs and the value document substrate webs during the application of the security elements. The register marks 4 ensure that the application is accurate in register.

Transverse to the direction of transport, different distances between the security elements on the security element transfer material on the one hand and the document-of-value substrate 11 on the other hand cannot be compensated for by different transport speeds. The security elements on the security element transfer material 1 must therefore have the same distances d2 from one another in the transverse direction as they should have after the transfer to a value-document substrate web 11 . Corresponding arrangements are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in plan view of the first main surfaces 5 ′ of temporary carrier materials of security element transfer materials 1 .

In the transport direction, the security elements 2 each have short distances d3 (d3<dl). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the distances d4 of the security elements are also transverse to the transport direction during application smaller than the distances that the security elements should have from one another after their application to a value document substrate web with a multiplicity of individual blanks arranged next to one another (d4<d2). Therefore, the transfer tape shown in FIG. 3 is cut into transfer strips 19 prior to use, as indicated by lines BB' and CC'. The correct positioning during the transfer of the security elements is secured by the register mark elements 3, which themselves represent register marks in the illustrated embodiment.

The process of transferring security elements 2 from security element transfer materials 1 according to the invention to value document substrates 11 is shown schematically in FIGS. 22 and 23 . Both the security element transfer materials 1 and the value document substrates 11 are used in the form of endless webs. The arrows each illustrate the transport directions of security element transfer material webs and value document substrate webs. On the security element transfer materials 1, the security elements 2 and their associated register mark elements 3 have short distances d3 from one another in the transport direction. In the representation of FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 the register mark elements 3 are covered by the security elements 2 . However, the register mark elements 3 or the register marks 4 are detected by the detectors 34 and the transport speeds of the security element transfer material web and the web of value document substrate are matched to one another on the basis of the measured signals in such a way that the security elements 2 are applied with register accuracy and, after their application, to the web of value document substrate 11 in the transport direction have the distances dl from each other. In the application method shown in FIG. 22, the security element transfer material 1 is guided over an application wedge 31, at the tip of which the security elements 2 are detached and subsequently fixed on the value document substrate web 11 by a calender roller 32 with associated counter-pressure roller 33. The register mark elements 3 remain on the temporary carrier material 5. They are now visible in the illustration. In the application method shown in FIG. 23, the security element transfer material 1 is brought together with a document of value substrate 11 between an application roller 35 and a counter-pressure roller 36 and the security elements 2 are thereby applied to the document of value substrate web. The application device in the form of application roller 35 and counter-pressure roller 36 only exerts pressure on security elements 2, but not on register mark elements 3, which is why register mark elements 3 are not transferred to value document substrate 11, but remain on temporary carrier material 5 and transported away with it will. If the second main surfaces 3" of the register mark elements 3 have no adhesive properties, the application roller 35 and the counter-pressure roller 36 can also exert pressure over the entire surface.

Value document substrates can be paper or polymer substrates or also paper/polymer composite substrates. The term "document of value" is not necessarily to be understood in such a way that it must already be a document of value in a fit form. Rather, the term in the sense of the present invention includes any preliminary stage on the way to the production of a document of value, for example so-called "security paper". , which has only some of the features of the future document of value. The transfer of a security element from the security element transfer material according to the invention to the value document substrate can be, for example, the first step in the production of a value document be. Documents of value within the meaning of the present invention are in particular banknotes, certificates, checks, identification documents, identification cards and credit cards, but also other documents whose unique identification is to be ensured and which are to be protected against forgery.

Reference List

1 security element transfer material

2 security element

2', 211 first/second main surface of the security element

2a foil patch

2b, 2c security strips

3 Registration mark element

3', 311 first/ second main surface of the registration mark element

4 registration mark

5 temporary support material

5' first major surface of the temporary support material

6 Layer structure of the security element

7 Layer structure of the register mark element

8 Outline shape of the security element

9 Outline shape of registration mark element

10 document of value

11 value document substrate track

12 single use

13 opening through document of value

14 clear area of foil patch (star)

15 layer composite material

16 group of security elements

17, 18 bar-shaped interrupted imprints of the document of value

17b, 18b, 17c, 18c printed areas of the security strip

19 transfer strips

20 starting material layered composite 21 Functional layer structure

22 permanent carrier material

23 (brittle) paint layer

24 release layer

25 primer coat

25' recess in primer layer

26 heat seal adhesive layer

26' Recess in heat seal adhesive layer

27 release film (shadow mask)

27', 27" cutouts in release film

28,29 holes in the composite layer (missing security elements / register mark elements)

30 Separation Roll

31 applicator wedge

32 calender roll

33 counter-pressure roller

34 detector

35 applicator roll

36 counter-pressure roller

37 metallization

37' Recess in metallization

38 laminating adhesive

39 other UV varnish

IL.50 Carrier Composite (Temporary)

51 first temporary carrier substrate

52 adhesive layer

53 second temporary carrier substrate

XI, X2 incisions delimiting security element

XX2 Endpoint of X2 X3,X4 incisions that limit the register mark element dl distance between security elements in the longitudinal direction on the value document substrate web d2 distance between security elements in the transverse direction on the value document substrate web d3 distance between security elements in the longitudinal direction on the security element transfer material d3 distance between security elements in the transverse direction on the security element transfer material

Claims

- 37 - P atentclaims

1. Security element transfer material (1) for the register-accurate transfer of security elements (2) with a layered composite structure (6) onto a value document substrate (11), comprising: a temporary carrier material (5; 50) with a first main surface (5'), a plurality of Security elements (2) with a layered composite structure (6) made of a layered composite material (15) and having a first main surface (2 ^Z ) and an opposite second main surface (2"), each security element being detachable on its first main surface (2 ^Z ) with the first main surface (5 ^Z ) of the temporary carrier material (5; 50), and wherein the second main surface (2 ^ZZ ) of each security element has adhesive properties for application to the value document substrate (11), a plurality of register mark elements (3) which have a layered composite structure (7) have and with their first main surfaces (3 ^Z ) with the first main surface (5 ^Z ) of the temporary support material (5; 50) are connected, where each register mark element (3) represents a register mark (4) or contains a register mark (4), at least one register mark (4) is assigned to a security element (2) or a group (16) of at least two security elements, and the temporary carrier material ( 5; 50) has no layered composite material on its first main surface (5 ^Z ) apart from the security elements (2) and the register mark elements (3). - 38 -

2. Security element transfer material (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the register mark elements (3) themselves represent register marks (4) due to their outline shape (9) or are carriers of register marks (4), the position and dimensions of which determine the position of the register marks.

3. Security element transfer material (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the register marks (4) can be detected by means of a light transmission detector or by means of a light reflection detector.

4. Security element transfer material (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the security element layered composite structure (6) has a film layer (22) and/or has a lacquer layer (23).

5. Security element transfer material (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the temporary carrier material is a carrier composite material (50) which has at least a first carrier substrate (51) and a second carrier substrate (53) which are Adhesive layer (52) are inextricably connected to each other.

6. Security element transfer material (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the security element transfer material (1) is an endless belt on which the security elements (2) are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction and optionally also next to one another in the transverse direction are, the distance (d3) of the security elements from one another in the longitudinal direction being the same or smaller than the distance (dl) which the security elements have after their application to a value-document substrate (11) and optionally the distance (d4) between the security elements (2) in the transverse direction is the same as the distance (d2) that the security elements have after they have been applied to a value-document substrate (11).

7. Method for producing a security element transfer material (1) with a plurality of security elements (2) made of layered composite material (6) and with a plurality of register marks (4) which transfer the security elements (2) in register to a value document substrate (11) allow, comprising the following steps:

Providing a temporary carrier material (5) with a first main surface (5 ^Z ),

Building up a layered composite material (15) on the first main surface (5 ^Z ) of the temporary carrier material (5; 50) to produce a starting material layered composite (20),

Cutting outline shapes (8) of the security elements (2) and outline shapes (9) of register mark elements (3) into the starting material layered composite (20), the register mark elements (3) representing register marks (4) or containing register marks (4), and

Removal of the layered composite material (15) outside the contours (8, 9) of the security elements (2) and the register mark elements (3), so that the security elements (2) and the register mark elements (3) are the only areas on the first main surface (5 ^Z ) of the temporary carrier material (5; 50) to which layered composite material adheres.

8. Method for producing a security element transfer material (1) with a plurality of security elements (2) made of layered composite material (6) and with a plurality of register marks (4) which transfer the security elements (2) in register to a value document substrate (11) allow, comprising the following steps:

Providing a temporary carrier material (5; 50) with a first main surface (5 ^Z ),

Manufacturing a layered composite material (15), one of the layers of the layered composite material being a foil layer (22),

Connecting the layered composite material (15) to the first main surface (5 ^Z ) of the temporary carrier material (5; 50) to produce a starting material layered composite (20),

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that before the removal of the layered composite material (15) outside the outline shapes (8, 9) of the security elements (2) and the register mark elements (3), and register marks (4) are preferably produced in the register mark elements (3) before the contour shapes (8, 9) of the security elements (2) and the register mark elements (3) are cut into the starting material layered composite (20).

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the layers of the security element layered composite material (6) consists of a lacquer layer (23) which is too hard and/or too brittle or too soft and/or too elastic or is too thick to allow the security elements (2) to be transferred to a value-document substrate (11) by embossing from the starting material layered composite (20) with the formation of clean separating edges.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that to remove the layered composite material (15) outside the contours (8, 9) of the security elements (2) and the register mark elements (3), the layered composite material (15) at its the main surface connected to the temporary carrier material (5; 50) is bonded to a release film (27) in the areas to be removed and the areas of the layered composite material (15) to be removed are pulled off the temporary carrier material (5; 50) together with the release film (27). will.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the temporary carrier material is a temporary carrier composite material (50) and the provision of the temporary carrier material (50) comprises producing the temporary carrier material, the temporary carrier material (50) being produced by permanently connecting at least a first carrier substrate (51) and a second carrier substrate (53) by means of an adhesive layer (52) to form the temporary carrier composite material - 42 -

13. A method for transferring security elements (2) from a security element transfer material (1) to a value document substrate (11) in register, having the following steps:

Bringing together a security transfer material (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 or a security element transfer material (1) produced according to one of Claims 7 to 12 and a value document substrate (11),

detecting the register marks (4) of the security element transfer material (1) and bringing the security element transfer material (1) and the value document substrate (11) together in register,

Compressing the security element transfer material (1) at least in the area of the security element (2) to be transferred or the security elements (2) to be transferred and the value document substrate (11), optionally at elevated temperature, and

Separating the temporary carrier material (5; 50) with the register mark elements (3) from the transferred security elements (2).

14. A document of value (10) that has been equipped with a security element (2) using a security element transfer material (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 or using a security element transfer material (1) produced according to one of claims 7 to 12 .

15. Document of value (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that it is a security paper or a banknote.