EP4306328A1 - Safety element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a security element (1), in particular for securities, security paper or security objects, such as banknotes, ID cards, credit cards, wherein the security element (1) has at least a first area (2) with structures (4), wherein at least one, when viewed from a first side of the security element, a color-shifting optical effect layer (7) which causes a color-shifting effect is provided in the at least one first region and the structures (4) are completely or partially covered by the at least one optical effect layer (7), wherein the security element (1) has at least a second area without a visible color shift effect when viewed from the first side, at least one metal layer and/or metal effect layer being applied over the entire surface or partially in the second area.

Description

The invention relates to a security element, in particular for securities, security paper or security objects, such as banknotes, ID cards, credit cards, wherein the security element has at least a first area with structures, at least one, when viewed from a first side of the security element, in the at least one first area a color-shifting optical effect layer which causes a color-shifting effect is provided and the structures are completely or partially covered by the at least one optical effect layer

Security elements of the type mentioned above are usually used to increase the anti-counterfeit protection of securities or security papers, such as banknotes, ID cards, credit cards, ATM cards, tickets, etc.

Embossed structures provided with reflective layers are becoming increasingly more freely available, which is why the counterfeit protection of security elements with such structures tends to decrease.

The object of the present invention is to create a security element with increased security against forgery.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a security element of the type mentioned in that it has at least a second area without a visible color shift effect when viewed from the first side, with at least one metal layer being applied over the entire surface or partially in the second area.

The solution according to the invention significantly increases the security against forgery through security feature areas arranged next to one another. By combining the first area with two optically (variable) superimposed effects - (embossed) structures and color-shifting effect - and the second area with a further optical security feature in the form of a partial metallization or metal effect layer, a combination of at least two security features that is difficult to forge is created. In the second area results This gives the viewer an appearance that is independent of a viewing angle, with viewing angle-dependent differences in brightness of the at least one first area being possible when the security element is tilted. With the solution according to the invention, a visual appearance can be achieved that is unique and easily recognizable to viewers. However, the combination of different materials/technologies according to the invention significantly increases protection against counterfeiting.

A variant of the invention has proven to be particularly advantageous with regard to increasing the security against forgery, in which the at least one metal layer and / or metal effect layer of the at least one second region and the at least one optical effect layer are attached to the same side or to different sides of the security element, whereby the at least one metal layer and/or metal effect layer of the at least one first region and the color-shifting optical effect coating are simultaneously visible to a viewer.

The security against forgery can be further increased by providing at least a third area without a visible color shift effect when viewed from the first side, with at least one metal layer and/or metal effect layer being applied over the entire surface or partially in the at least one third area, wherein the at least one metal layer and/or metal effect layer of the a third region is made of a different metal or a different alloy or a different color than the metal layer and/or metal effect layer of the second region, wherein the at least one metal layer and/or metal effect layer of the at least one second region and the at least a metal layer and/or metal effect layer of the at least one first region and the color-shifting optical effect coating are simultaneously visible to a viewer.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous that the structures of the at least one first region comprise achromatic and/or reflective and/or refractive and/or diffractive and/or micromirrors and/or structures forming at least a hologram and/or microlenses. However, the structures are particularly preferably designed as diffractive structures.

In addition, it can be provided that the at least one second region has structures, with the structures of the at least one second region covering the entire area or partially are covered by the metal layer and/or metal effect layer of the at least one second region, the structures of the at least one second region preferably being achromatic and/or reflective and/or refractive and/or diffractive and/or micromirrors and/or at least forming a hologram and/ or include structures forming microlenses.

The security against forgery can be further increased by the fact that the at least one third region has structures, the structures of the at least one third region being completely or partially covered by the metal layer and/or metal effect layer of the at least one third region, the structures of the at least one third region Area preferably include achromatic and / or reflective and / or refractive and / or diffractive and / or micromirrors and / or at least a hologram-forming and / or microlens-forming structures.

A preferred embodiment provides that the optical effect layer is designed as a thin-film element and has at least one absorber layer and at least one spacer layer.

In addition, it can be provided that the optical effect layer designed as a thin-film element is designed as a color-shifting layer or comprises a color-shifting layer.

Furthermore, the optical effect layer designed as a thin-film element can further comprise at least one reflection layer, wherein the at least one spacer layer is arranged between the at least one absorber layer and the at least one reflection layer.

A further embodiment provides that the reflection layer is applied to the structures, in particular printed and/or vapor deposited.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one metal layer of the second region continues into the first region. In addition, it has proven to be advantageous for a section of the metal layer that continues into the first region to form a layer of the thin-film element, in particular the reflection layer or the second absorber layer. These variants of the invention enable a significantly simplified production of the security element, since the metal layer can be applied in one step over both the first and second areas.

A possible embodiment can be designed in that the optical effect layer contains color-shifting pigments, in particular interference pigments, or liquid crystal pigments

Furthermore, it can be advantageous that a color shift effect occurs in the optical effect layer when the light source is moved and/or the observation angle is changed.

The optical effect layer preferably has metallic pigments and/or magnetic pigments and/or color pigments and/or dyes.

A further embodiment is characterized in that the optical effect layer has at least one layer that reinforces the color shift effect on a side facing away from a visible side.

In addition, it can be advantageous if the optical effect layer is printed and/or vapor-deposited onto the structures.

A further embodiment is characterized in that the optical effect layer has at least one liquid crystal layer, in particular a cholesteric liquid crystal layer.

A further preferred embodiment provides that, in addition to the optical effect layer, the security element has an optically non-linear layer or an optically non-linear layer and/or a layer which contains fluorescent pigments and/or fluorescent substances.

Furthermore, a highly absorbent dielectric material, for example germanium, can be used as an additional layer. This additional layer can be applied, for example, to the color-shifting optical effect layer, which can in particular be in the form of a thin-film element. According to another embodiment, this highly absorbent material can also only cover the metal layer in the second area. Alternatively, the additional layer can be applied both to the metal layer in the second area and to the color-shifting optical effect layer.

An alternative embodiment is characterized in that several structures of a group are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the arrangement of the structures forms several individual symbols, which symbols are included in the view of the image motif. This brings with it a further advantage, since this design includes an additional security feature.

It can be further advantageous for the security element to be equipped with further color-shifting layers, in particular layers with color-shifting pigments or liquid crystals and/or with machine-readable features, the machine-readable features being in particular magnetic codings, electrically conductive layers, electromagnetic waves absorbing and/or re-emitting substances.

A further possible and possibly alternative embodiment has the features that the security element has additional layers, which additional layers include in particular protective lacquers, heat sealing lacquers, adhesives, primers and/or films.

A preferred embodiment provides that the security element comprises a carrier layer made of a plastic, in particular the plastic being formed from a translucent and/or thermoplastic, and that the carrier layer preferably comprises at least one of the materials from the group polyimide (PI), polypropylene ( PP), monoaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone, (PEEK) polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PAEK ), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystalline polymers (LCP), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polyvinyl cholride (PVC) ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene fluoroterpolymer (EFEP), cellulose or lignin-based plastics, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), thermo- plastic starch (TPS), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and/or at least one recycled and/or biodegradable and/or marine degradable plastic and/or mixtures and/ or copolymers of these materials or is made from at least one of these materials.

It can also be advantageous for the at least one absorber layer to contain at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group of nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, silver, copper and/or Comprises alloys of these materials or is made from at least one of these materials.

According to a further development, it is possible for the at least one reflection layer to be at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group of silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, niobium, tin, or nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or Alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt-nickel alloys or at least a high-index dielectric material with a refractive index of greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), carbon (C ), indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta ₂ O ₅ ), cerium oxide (CeO ₂ ), yttrium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ ), europium oxide (Eu ₂ O ₃ ), iron oxides such as iron (II,III) oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) and iron (III) oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ ), lanthanum oxide (La ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd ₂ O ₃ ), praseodymium oxide (Pr ₆ O ₁₁ ), samarium oxide (Sm ₂ O ₃ ), antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), Silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), high-index organic monomers and/or high-index organic polymers or is made from at least one of these materials.

Furthermore, a spacer layer can contain at least one low-refractive dielectric material with a refractive index less than or equal to 1.65, in particular selected from the group of aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ), metal fluorides, for example magnesium fluoride (MgF ₂ ), aluminum fluoride (AlF ₃ ), cerium fluoride (CeF ₃ ), sodium aluminum fluorides (e.g. Na ₃ AlF ₆ or Na ₅ Al ₃ F ₁₄ ), silicon oxide (SiO _x ), silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ), neodymium fluoride (NdF3), lanthanum fluoride (LaF ₃ ), samarium fluoride (SmF ₃ ), barium fluoride (BaF ₂ ), calcium fluoride (CaF ₂ ), lithium fluoride (LiF), low-refractive index organic monomers and/or low-refractive index organic polymers or at least one high-refractive index dielectric material with a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group zinc sulfide ( ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), carbon (C), indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta ₂ O ₅ ), cerium oxide (CeO ₂ ), Yttrium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ ), europium oxide (Eu ₂ O ₃ ), iron oxides such as iron (II,III) oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) and iron (III) oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ ), lanthanum oxide (La ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd ₂ O ₃ ), praseodymium oxide (Pr ₆ O ₁₁ ), samarium oxide (Sm ₂ O ₃ ), antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), high-index organic Include monomers and/or high-index organic polymers or be made from at least one of these materials.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one metal layer and/or metal effect layer of the at least one first region has a metal effect color and/or a metal effect paint and/or a metal effect ink and/or a metallic material, in particular selected from the group of silver, copper, aluminum, Gold, platinum, niobium, tin, or nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt-nickel alloys.

The security against forgery can be further increased in that the at least one metal layer and/or metal effect layer of the at least one first region is a partial metal layer and/or metal effect layer and the at least one metal layer and/or metal effect layer is a portrait, a landscape, an abstract geometric symbol , logo or an alphanumeric character and/or an icon and/or a coding and/or a sequence of characters is represented.

For a better understanding of the invention, it will be explained in more detail using the following figures.

• Fig. 1 ein erfindungsgemäßes Sicherheitselement;
• Fig. 2a- 2d unterschiedliche Ausführungsformen der Erfindung;
• Fig. 3 ein möglicher Schichtaufbau eines erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselements;
• Fig. 4 ein weiterer möglicher Schichtaufbau eines erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselements;
• Fig. 5 ein weiterer möglicher Schichtaufbau eines erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselements und
• Fig. 6 ein weiterer möglicher Schichtaufbau eines erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselements.

They show in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

• Fig. 1 a security element according to the invention;
• Fig. 2a-2d different embodiments of the invention;
• Fig. 3 a possible layer structure of a security element according to the invention;
• Fig. 4 another possible layer structure of a security element according to the invention;
• Fig. 5 another possible layer structure of a security element according to the invention and
• Fig. 6 another possible layer structure of a security element according to the invention.

As an introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numbers or the same component names, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be transferred analogously to the same parts with the same reference numbers or the same component names. The position information selected in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., is also related to the figure directly described and shown and, in the event of a change in position, these position information must be transferred accordingly to the new position.

All information on value ranges in this description should be understood to include any and all sub-ranges, e.g. the information 1 to 10 should be understood to include all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10 , i.e. all subranges start with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

According to Fig. 1 A security element 1 according to the invention, as used to protect against counterfeiting of securities, security papers or security objects such as banknotes, ID cards, credit cards, tickets, etc., has a first area 2 and a second area 3. Structures 4 are formed in the first area 2. The structures 4 of the first region 2 can comprise achromatic and/or reflective and/or refractive and/or diffractive and/or micromirrors and/or structures forming at least a hologram and/or microlenses. However, the structures 4 are particularly preferably designed as diffractive structures 4.

A partial or complete metal layer 5 and/or metal effect layer 5 is arranged in the second area 3. In addition, a third area 6 can also be provided. The structures 4 of the first area 2 are partially or completely covered by an optical effect layer 7 that produces a color-shifting effect. “Covered” in the present context means that the effect layer 7 can be arranged either above or below or in front of or behind the structures 4 when viewed from one and the same side.

The color shift effect in the first area 2 occurs when viewed from a first side of the security element 1. The color shift effect caused by the optical effect layer 7 is limited to the first area 2. In the second area 3 and if necessary. In the third area 6, however, the color shift effect caused by the optical effect layer 7 is not visible. In areas 2 and 6, there is no visible color shift effect and a viewer can have a color impression that is independent of the viewing or lighting angle.

Also the second area 3 and if necessary. the third area 6 can optionally have structures 8. The structures 8 of the second region 3 and/or third region 6 may comprise achromatic and/or reflective and/or refractive and/or diffractive and/or micromirrors and/or at least a hologram-forming and/or microlens-forming structures. The structures 8 of areas 3 and 6 can be designed in the same way or differently. The structures 8 of the second region 3 can thus be designed differently from or in the same way as the structures 8 of the third region 6. In addition, the structures 8 of the second area 3 or the third area 6 can be designed differently than or in the same way as the structures 4 of the first area 3.

A metal layer 9 and/or metal effect layer can also be arranged in the optional third region 6, which can also be applied as a partial or full-surface layer in the region 6. The metal layer 9 and/or metal effect layer of the third region 6 is made of a different metal or another alloy and/or a metal effect layer of a different color than the metal layer 5 and/or metal effect layer of the second region 3. The two metal effect layers or metal layers 5 and 9 therefore differ in terms of their visual appearance, especially in terms of their color. The viewer can thus clearly separate the two areas 3 and 6 from each other based on their appearance, especially with regard to the different color impressions created by the viewer.

The metal layer 5 and/or metal effect layer of the second region 3 can be a metal effect color and/or a metal effect paint and/or a metal effect ink and/or a metallic material, in particular selected from the group of silver, copper, aluminum, gold, Platinum, niobium, tin, or nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt-nickel alloys. The same also applies to the metal layer 9 and/or metal effect layer of the optional third region 6.

The area 3 can be completely coated by a layer of a material or a material mixture, for example a metal or an alloy or a metal effect paint. The metal layer 5 and/or meta-effect layer covering the area 3 can also be formed in sections from different materials or material mixtures. A metal effect color can be applied in a first section of the area 3 and a metal and/or an alloy can be applied in a second section of the area 3, etc. The same also applies to the optional area 6 and the metal layer 9 and/or metal effect layer applied there.

If structures 8 are present in the second area 3 and/or in the third area 6, the structures 8 of the respective area 3, 6 can be covered completely or partially by the metal effect layer and/or metal layer 5 or the metal effect layer and/or metal layer 9 be.

A motif 10, for example a portrait, a landscape, an abstract geometric symbol, logo or an alphanumeric symbol and/or an icon and/or a coding and/or a sequence of symbols, can be represented by the metal layer 5 and/or metal effect layer. A motif can also be represented using the metal layer 9 and/or metal effect layer of the area 6. The motif shown in area 6 can be designed to be similar or different to the motif in area 2.

The metal layer 5 and/or metal effect layer of the second region 3 and the optical effect layer 7 are attached on the same side of the security element. However, the metal layer 5 and/or the metal effect layer of the second region 3 and the optical effect layer 7 can also be arranged on different sides of the security element. In particular when using a carrier substrate, the metal layer 5 or metal effect layer on the one hand and the effect layer 7 on the other hand can be present on the same or on different sides of the carrier substrate. In the case of a transfer element can the effect layer 7 and the metal layer 5 or metal effect layer are transferred together to another substrate, for example a securities or security paper or the like, and a transfer film, which serves as a carrier for the structures 4, 8 and the metal layer 5 or metal effect layer, is removed .

The metal layer 5 and/or metal effect layer of the first area 3 and the color-shifting optical effect coating 7 are simultaneously visible to a viewer. The same also applies to the optional third area 6, which is also visible at the same time as the other two areas 2 and 3 when viewed from side 8 of the security element 1. Any motifs shown in areas 2 and 6 are therefore visible to a user at the same time as the effect layer 7 of the first area 2.

Like from the Fig. 2a - 2d As can be seen, the areas 2, 3 and the optional area 6 can be arranged next to one another in different ways.

So the areas 2, 3 according to Fig. 2a be arranged directly adjacent to one another, with the areas 2 and 3 repeating along the security element 1.

However, individual or all areas 2, 3 can also be arranged at a distance from one another, as shown in Fig. 2b is shown. In particular, if several areas 2, 3 and possibly. 6 are provided, two areas 2 differ from each other by their circumferential contour and / or surface. The same applies to areas 3 and 6.

In addition, the area 3 can be surrounded by the area 2 or vice versa, as in Fig. 2c shown.

An arrangement in which an area 6 and an area 3 adjoin an area 1 is also according to Fig. 2d possible.

At this point she pointed out that in the Figures 2a - 2d The variants shown are only to be understood as examples and, in principle, any combination of the variants shown with one another as well as any arrangement of the areas 2, 3 and 6 next to one another on the security element 1 are possible.

According to Fig.3 The optical effect layer 7 can be designed as a thin-film element. The optical effect layer 7, designed as a thin-film element, comprises at least one absorber layer 11 and at least one spacer layer 12. Further possible additional layers or layers of the optical effect layer 7 are described in the following figures.

The at least one absorber layer 11 can comprise at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group of nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, silver, copper and / or alloys of these materials or be made from at least one of these materials.

The at least one spacer layer 12 can be formed, for example, from a dielectric material. Furthermore, the at least one spacer layer 12 can contain at least one low-refractive dielectric material with a refractive index less than or equal to 1.65, in particular selected from the group of aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ), metal fluorides, for example magnesium fluoride (MgF ₂ ), aluminum fluoride (AlF ₃ ). Cerium fluoride (CeF ₃ ), sodium aluminum fluorides (e.g. Na ₃ AlF ₆ or Na ₅ Al ₃ F ₁₄ ), silicon oxide (SIO _x ), silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ), neodymium fluoride (NdF3), lanthanum fluoride (LaF ₃ ), samarium fluoride (SmF ₃ ), barium fluoride (BaF ₂ ), calcium fluoride (CaF2), lithium fluoride (LiF), low-refractive index organic monomers and/or low-refractive index organic polymers or at least one high-refractive index dielectric material with a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group Zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), carbon (C), indium oxide (In2O ₃ ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta ₂ O ₅ ), cerium oxide (CeO ₂ ), Yttrium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ ), europium oxide (Eu ₂ O ₃ ), iron oxides such as iron (II,III) oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) and iron (III) oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), hafnium nitride (HfN) , hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ ), lanthanum oxide (La ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd ₂ O ₃ ), praseodymium oxide (Pr ₆ O ₁₁ ), samarium oxide (Sm ₂ O ₃ ), antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), high-refractive index organic monomers and/ or include high-index organic polymers or be made from at least one of these materials.

As mentioned, the optical effect layer 7 designed as a thin-film element can be arranged or applied to the structures 4. It is also possible to apply the entire thin-film element to the structures 4 as an optical effect layer 7. But it would also be possible to apply only individual layers or layers of the optical effect layer 7 one after the other or in groups. The application of the optical effect layer 7 or individual layers or layers thereof can be carried out differently depending on the material selected. Possible examples include printing and/or vapor deposition and/or painting.

In addition to the optical effect layer 7 designed as a thin-film element, further layers can be provided, for example an optically non-linear layer or an optically non-linear layer. Such a layer or materials or layers forming this layer are also referred to as IR upconverters or UV downconverters. These can be materials that have a visible color under the influence of electromagnetic radiation outside the visible wavelength range of light. Such materials can be excited to emit visible light under these conditions, for example when exposed to infrared (IR) (λ > 780 nm) and/or ultraviolet (UV) light (λ < 380).

If, for example, a printed image is provided as an optical effect layer 7 for the security element 1, for example a partially opaque printing ink, such as white, and/or a semi-transparent metallization can be used. Among other things, a matt and/or glossy level of gloss can be formed.

Furthermore, a highly absorbent dielectric material, for example germanium, can be used as an additional layer. This additional layer can be applied, for example, to the color-shifting optical effect layer 7, in particular in the form of a thin-film element. According to another embodiment, this highly absorbent material can also only cover the metal layer 5 in the second region 3. Alternatively, the additional layer can be applied both to the metal layer 5 in the second region 3 and to the color-shifting optical effect layer 7, in particular in the form of a thin-film element.

The security element 1 can also include a carrier layer 14. The carrier layer 14 can be formed from a plastic material. Furthermore, several layers can also form the carrier layer 14. The plastic can be formed from a translucent and/or thermoplastic plastic material. The material for the carrier layer 14 can be at least one of the materials from the group polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), monoaxial oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone, (PEEK) polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene naphthalate ( PEN), liquid crystalline polymers (LCP), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene fluoroterpolymer (EFEP), cellulose or lignin-based plastics, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), thermoplastic starch (TPS ), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and/or at least one recycled and/or biodegradable and/or marine degradable plastic and/or mixtures and/or co-polymers of these materials or be made from at least one of these materials. The carrier layer can have a thickness of 5 µm to 1000 µm, particularly preferably a thickness of 10 µm to 50 µm.

For example, a protective layer 15 can be provided as the top layer on the optical effect layer 7, which protects the entire layer and/or layer structure from mechanical damage such as scratches, grooves or the like. The protective layer 15 could also be arranged on the side of the carrier layer 14 facing away from the optical effect layer 7. An arrangement on both sides would also be conceivable. Preferably, a flat design of the security element 1 can also be achieved by means of the protective layer 15, as shown by a dashed line in FIG Fig.3 is indicated.

The basic structure of the security element 1 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the one in the Fig. 3 and has been shown and described. As an additional layer, the optical effect layer 7 can also include at least one reflection layer 13. The at least one spacer layer 12 is arranged between the at least one absorber layer 11 and the at least one reflection layer 13. The reflection layer 13 is applied or arranged here on the structures 4 and can in particular be printed and/or vapor-deposited onto them. It is also possible to reverse this order in the optical effect layer so that the absorber layer is arranged on the structures is and furthermore the distance layer and the reflection layer. The arrangement would therefore be in the order structures - absorber layer - spacer layer - reflection layer.

Instead of the above-mentioned reflection layer 13, a further absorber layer can also be provided.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the metal layer 5 of the second region 3 continues into the first region 2, wherein a section of the metal layer 5 which continues into the first region 2 can form a layer of the thin-film element, in particular the reflection layer 13 or the second absorber layer.

It should be mentioned that the layer structure, as well as the arrangement of further layers, depends on the type of attachment of the security element to a security object, since the side of the security element to be viewed after attachment is crucial. Thus, the visible side can be viewed from above as shown in the figures, but it is also possible to view the security element from a visible side from below, for example through a carrier.

At this point it should be noted that the phrase “a layer is applied to something” is to be understood to mean that the layer can be applied directly, or that there is another or between the applied layer and what the layer is applied to There can be several intermediate layers. It should also be noted at this point that one or more intermediate layers can be arranged between the layers described in this document. It is therefore not absolutely necessary that the layers described contact each other. Furthermore, it should be noted that the term layer in this document is to be understood to mean that a layer can also be made up of several sub-layers.

The at least one reflection layer 13 can be at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group of silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, niobium, tin, or nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt -Nickel alloys or at least a high-index dielectric material with a refractive index of greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), carbon (C), indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta ₂ O ₅ ), cerium oxide ( CeO ₂ ), yttrium oxide (Y2O ₃ ), europium oxide (Eu ₂ O ₃ ), iron oxides such as iron (II,III) oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) and iron (III) oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), hafnium nitride ( HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ ), lanthanum oxide (La ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd ₂ O ₃ ), praseodymium oxide (Pr ₆ O ₁₁ ), samarium oxide (Sm ₂ O ₃ ) , antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), high-index organic monomers and/or include high-index organic polymers or be made from at least one of these materials. This applies to all reflection layers 13 described in the exemplary embodiments.

Arranging or applying the optical effect layer 7 or its layers to the structures 4 in the area 2 or the metal layers 5, 9 and/or metal effect layers in the areas 3 and 6 can be done, for example, by a printing process and/or a vapor deposition process or by several of them take place. However, the previously described materials or additives of the reflection layer 13 could also form a component or a layer of the optical effect layer 7. These can in particular be printed or vapor-deposited and thus form their own layer of the optical effect layer 7.

The structures 4 or the structures 8 can be embossed directly into the carrier layer 14. For example, by heating the carrier layer 14 and embossing the structures using an embossing tool, such as an embossing roller.

Another alternative possibility would be to provide a separate additional layer 19 to accommodate the structures 4. The further layer 19 can be applied directly to the carrier layer 14. The further layer 19 is indicated by a dashed line. For example, the further layer 19 can be formed by an embossing lacquer, which is shaped in accordance with the arrangement of the structures 4. This can in turn be done using a molding device or a molding element in an embossing process. The layer 19, in particular an embossed lacquer layer, with the structures formed therein can have a thickness of 0.5 μm to 300 μm, in particular from 0.8 μm to 50 μm, preferably from 1 μm to 10 μm.

The structures 4 are completely or partially covered by the optical effect layer 7, which can optionally be designed as a so-called thin-film element, which has a thin-film structure or can itself be referred to as a thin-film structure. The layer thickness of the individual layers or layers forming the thin-film element is greatly exaggerated and not shown to scale.

The Fig. 5 shows a possible layer and/or layer structure of the security element 1 comprising the structures 4 and the optical effect layer 7 as well as the area 3. The carrier layer 14 is also indicated. The optical effect layer 7 comprises a layer 20 which has or forms a high refractive index (HRI = High Refractive Index). The layer 20 is arranged closer to the structures 4 or immediately adjacent to them. At this point, however, it should also be explicitly pointed out that, regardless of training, situation 20 can only be an optional design and further training.

In the Fig. 5 It is also shown that the structures 4 are formed on a further layer 19, but the further layer 19 is not applied directly to the carrier layer 14. For this purpose, an intermediate layer 21 can be provided, which is formed, for example, by an adhesion promoter, a primer, an adhesive or the like.

Furthermore, an optical effect layer 7 designed as a thin-film element can also be designed as a color-shifting layer or comprise a color-shifting layer. Any variations of the optical effects are also possible through appropriate combinations of different layers or layers. This makes it possible, for example, for a color-shifting effect to occur when the light source moves and/or the observation angle changes in the optical effect layer 7 designed as a color-shifting layer or in the color-shifting layer.

Furthermore, in addition to the optical effect layer 7, metallic pigments and/or magnetic pigments and/or fluorescent pigments and/or fluorescent substances and/or color pigments and/or dyes can be provided.

The metallic pigments in the optical effect layer 7 can be from the group of Al and/or Cu and/or Ag and/or Au and/or Ni and/or Cr and/or Pt and/or Pd and/or TiO ₂ and/or Cr oxides and/or ZnS and/or ITO and/or Bi oxide and/or ATO and/or FTO and/or ZnO and/or Al ₂ O ₃ and/or Zn chromate and/or Fe oxides and/or CuO can be selected. To form a printed image as an optical effect layer 7 or a layer thereof, the metallic pigments can be mixed into an ink, for example.

The metallic pigments, in particular Al and/or Cu and/or Ag and/or Au and/or Ni and/or Cr and/or Pt and/or Pd and/or TiO ₂ and/or Cr oxides and/or ZnS and /or ITO and/or Bi-oxide and/or ATO and/or FTO and/or ZnO and/or Al ₂ O ₃ and/or Zn chromate and/or Fe oxides and/or CuO and/or color-shifting interference pigments and /or SiO ₂ pigments can also be added to a lacquer, which together form the optical effect layer 7 or a layer thereof.

The optical effect layer 7 can also contain color-shifting pigments, for example. In the Fig. 6 one of the color-shifting pigments 16 is shown as a detail in a greatly enlarged view. The color-shifting pigments 16 can each comprise at least one absorber layer 11, at least one spacer layer 12 made of a dielectric material and at least one reflection layer 13. In the present exemplary embodiment, the individual layers of the color-shifting pigment 16 are arranged one above the other in layers. In this case, the spacer layer 12 is arranged between the reflection layer 13 and the absorber layer 11.

However, it would also be possible to choose a physical arrangement of the layers relative to one another in which the reflection layer 13 is arranged on the inside and is surrounded by the spacer layer 12, in particular completely enclosed. The spacer layer 12 can in turn be surrounded by the absorber layer 11, in particular completely enclosed by it, as indicated.

This ensures that a color-shifting effect is created when the light source moves and/or the observation angle changes in the optical effect layer 7 by means of the color-shifting pigments 16.

It would also be possible to provide a separate intermediate layer, such as an adhesion promoter layer or layer, a primer layer or primer layer or the like, between the structures 4 forming the first region and the optical effect layer 7. This allows the arrangement or application of the optical effect layer 7 on the Structures 4 can be done either directly and/or with the interposition of their own, additional intermediate layer.

The optical effect layer 7 preferably has at least one layer 18 that enhances the color effect on a side 17 facing away from a visible side. The color-shifting layer 18 can be used to enhance the color-shifting effect, for example when using color-shifting pigments 16 or a liquid crystal layer. From the user's perspective, the layer 18 that enhances the color effect lies behind the color-shifting pigments or the liquid crystal layer.

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that in order to better understand the structure, elements have sometimes been shown out of scale and/or enlarged and/or reduced in size.

List of reference symbols

1

Security element

2

first area

3

second area

4

Structures

5

metal layer

6

third area

7

optical effect layer

8th

Structures

9

metal layer

10

Image motif

11

absorber layer

12

Distance layer

13

Reflective layer

14

Backing layer

15

protective layer

16

color-shifting pigments

17

opposite side

18

reinforcing layer

19

another layer

20

Position

21

Interlayer

Claims (25)

Security element (1), in particular for securities, security paper or security objects, such as banknotes, ID cards, credit cards,
wherein the security element (1) has at least a first region (2) with structures (4), wherein at least one color-shifting optical effect layer (7) which causes a color-shifting effect when viewed from a first side of the security element is provided in the at least one first region and the structures (4) are completely or partially covered by the at least one optical effect layer (7), characterized in that it has at least a second area without a visible color shift effect when viewed from the first side, wherein in the second area (3) at least one Metal layer (5) and / or metal effect layer is applied over the entire surface or partially. Security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one metal layer (5) and/or metal effect layer of the at least one second region (3) and the at least one optical effect layer (7) are attached on the same side or on different sides of the security element, wherein the at least one metal layer (5) and/or metal effect layer of the at least one first region (3) and the color-shifting optical effect coating (7) are simultaneously visible to a viewer. Security element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least a third area is provided without a visible color shift effect when viewed from the first side, with at least one metal layer (9) and/or metal effect layer over the entire surface or partially in the at least one third area (6). is applied, wherein the at least one metal layer (9) and/or metal effect layer of the third region (6) is made of a different metal or a different alloy and/or a different color than the metal layer (5) and/or metal effect layer of the second region ( 3) is produced, wherein the at least one metal layer (5) and/or metal effect layer of the at least one second region (3) and the at least one metal layer (9) and/or metal effect layer of the at least one third region (6) and the color-shifting optical effect coating (7) of the at least one first area (2) are simultaneously visible to a viewer. Security element according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the structures (4) of the at least one first region (2) are achromatic and/or reflective and/or refractive and/or diffractive and/or micromirrors and/or at least forming a hologram and/or Include structures forming microlenses. Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one second region (3) has structures, the structures of the at least one second region (3) being completely or partially covered by the metal layer (5) and/or metal effect layer of the at least one second Area (3) are covered, wherein the structures of the at least one second area (3) preferably comprise achromatic and / or reflective and / or refractive and / or diffractive and / or micromirrors and / or at least a hologram-forming and / or microlens-forming structures . Security element according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the at least one third region (6) has structures (8), the structures (8) of the at least one third region (6) being completely or partially covered by the metal layer (9). and/or metal effect layer of the at least one third region (6), the structures (8) of the at least one third region (6) preferably being achromatic and/or reflective and/or refractive and/or diffractive and/or micromirrors and/or comprise at least one hologram-forming and/or microlens-forming structures (8). Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical effect layer (7) is designed as a thin-film element and has at least one absorber layer (11) and at least one spacer layer (12). Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical effect layer (7) designed as a thin-film element further comprises at least one reflection layer (13) and/or a second absorber layer, wherein the at least one spacer layer (12) is arranged between the at least one first absorber layer (11) and the at least one reflection layer (13) and/or the at least one second absorber layer. Security element according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one reflection layer (13) or at least one of the absorber layers is applied to the structures (4), in particular printed and/or vapor deposited. Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one metal layer (5) of the at least one second region (3) continues into the first region (2). Security element according to claim 10 and one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a section of the metal layer (5) which continues into the first region (2) forms a layer of the thin-film element, in particular the reflection layer (13) or the second absorber layer. Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical effect layer (7) contains color-shifting pigments, in particular interference pigments, or liquid crystal pigments Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical effect layer (7) has metallic pigments and/or magnetic pigments and/or color pigments and/or dyes. Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical effect layer (7) has at least one layer (18) which reinforces the color shift effect on a side (17) facing away from a visible side. Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical effect layer (7) is printed and/or vapor-deposited onto the structures (4). Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical effect layer (7) has at least one liquid crystal layer, in particular a cholesteric liquid crystal layer. Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in addition to the optical effect layer (7), an optically non-linear layer or an optically non-linear layer and/or a layer which contains fluorescent pigments and/or fluorescent substances is present. Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element (1) is equipped with further color-shifting layers, in particular layers with color-shifting pigments or liquid crystals and / or with machine-readable features, the machine-readable features being in particular magnetic coding, electrical conductive layers, substances that absorb and/or re-emit electromagnetic waves. Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element (1) has additional layers, which additional layers include in particular protective lacquers, heat sealing lacquers, adhesives, primers and/or films. Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a carrier layer (14) made of a plastic, in particular the plastic being formed from a translucent and/or thermoplastic plastic, and that the carrier layer preferably contains at least one of the materials from the group polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), monoaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone, (PEEK) polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone ( PSU), polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystalline polymers (LCP), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), polyoxymethylene (POM) , acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl cholride (PVC) ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene fluoroterpolymer (EFEP), cellulose or lignin-based plastics, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA ), thermo-plastic starch (TPS), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and/or at least one recycled and/or biodegradable and/or marine degradable plastic and/ or mixtures and/or co-polymers of these materials or is made from at least one of these materials. Security element according to one of claims 7 to 20, characterized in that the at least one absorber layer (11) comprises at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group of nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium , aluminum, silver, copper and / or alloys of these materials or is made from at least one of these materials. Security element according to one of claims 8 to 21, characterized in that the at least one reflection layer (13) is at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group of silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, niobium, tin, or nickel, titanium, Vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt-nickel alloys or at least a high-index dielectric material with a refractive index of greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), carbon (C), indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta ₂ O ₅ ), ceria (CeO ₂ ), yttrium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ ), europium oxide (Eu ₂ O ₃ ), iron oxides such as iron (II,III) oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) and iron (III) oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ ), lanthanum oxide (La ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd ₂ O ₃ ), praseodymium oxide (Pr ₆ O ₁₁ ), samarium oxide (Sm ₂ O ₃ ), antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide ( SiC), silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), high-index organic monomers and/or high-index organic polymers or at least one made of these materials. Security element according to one of claims 7 to 22, characterized in that the at least one spacer layer is a low-refractive dielectric material with a refractive index less than or equal to 1.65, in particular selected from the group of aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ), metal fluorides, for example magnesium fluoride (MgF ₂ ), aluminum fluoride (AlF ₃ ), cerium fluoride (CeF ₃ ), sodium aluminum fluorides (e.g. Na ₃ AlF ₆ or Na ₅ Al ₃ F ₁₄ ), silicon oxide (SIO _x ), silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ), neodymium fluoride (NdF3 ), lanthanum fluoride (LaF ₃ ), samarium fluoride (SmF ₃ ), barium fluoride (BaF ₂ ), calcium fluoride (CaF ₂ ), lithium fluoride (LiF), low-refractive index organic monomers and/or low-refractive index organic polymers or at least a high-refractive index dielectric material with a refractive index larger as 1.65, in particular selected from the group zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), carbon (C), indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide ( Ta ₂ O ₅ ), cerium oxide (CeO ₂ ), yttrium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ ), europium oxide (Eu ₂ O ₃ ), iron oxides such as iron (II,III) oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) and iron (III) oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ ), lanthanum oxide (La ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd ₂ O ₃ ), praseodymium oxide (Pr ₆ O ₁₁ ), samarium oxide (Sm ₂ O ₃ ), antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ) , tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), high-index organic monomers and/or high-index organic polymers or is made from at least one of these materials. Security element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one metal layer (5) and/or metal effect layer of the at least one second region (3) is a metal effect paint and/or a metal effect paint and/or a metal effect ink and/or a metallic material, in particular selected from the group of silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, niobium, tin, or nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt-nickel alloys. Security feature according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal layer (5) and/or metal effect layer of the at least one second region (3) is a partial metal layer (5) and/or metal effect layer and through which at least one metal layer (5) and/or or metal effect layer a portrait, a landscape abstract geometric symbol, logo or an alphanumeric symbol and/or an icon and/or a coding and/or a sequence of characters is represented.

Images