ES2742778T3 - Optically variable security device for a value document - Google Patents

Abstract

Security document for valuable documents (10) comprising a support (12) and, on the latter, a security component (16) comprising at least first (Z1) and second (Z2) zones that produce, respectively , first and second optical effects each having at least two characteristic aspects according to different observation configurations of the component (16), and comprising an image (18), at least partially in relief, obtained by deformation of said component (16) and of said support (10) on which said component (16) is fixed, this image comprising at least a first and a second graphic element (20; 22), an image that extends over the less partially in the two zones (Z1, Z2) and that at least said first (20) and second (22) graphic elements of the image (18) are exposed, respectively, in the first (Z1) and second (Z2 ) areas with the appearance of at least one of The two aspects, respectively, of the first and second optical effects, characterized by the fact that the image (18) is configured so that the first element (20) is hidden with the appearance of the other of the two aspects, respectively, of the first and second optical effects, and that the second element (22) is hidden with the appearance of the other of the two aspects, respectively, of the first and second optical effects, so that, in the same configuration of said configurations of observations, the first graphic element (20) is exposed and the second graphic element (22) is hidden and, conversely, that is, in another same configuration of said observation configurations, the second graphic element (22) is exposed and the first graphic element (20) is hidden.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Optically variable security device for a value document.

The present invention relates to the technical domain of security elements for valuable documents, such as fiduciary or similar documents.

In the sense of the invention, "fiduciary document" means all documents such as banknotes, checks, bank cards, which are used to transmit a sum of money.

"Assimilated document" means all documents issued by a state administration to certify the identity of a person, their rights to drive a vehicle, such as, in particular, the identity card, passport, permit drive, etc. With this expression, any document that serves to authenticate an object of value is also understood, such as, for example, a label attached to a luxury garment. It is also understood any document that serves to authenticate the payment of a tax such as tax stamps.

In the domain of value documents, in particular banknotes, it is known to fix one or more security components, of a varied nature, in order to protect these documents against counterfeiting.

Today there is a strong demand for valuable documents that comprise one or more security components easily identifiable to the naked eye even though they are particularly complex to reproduce in a simple careful observation. Such security components are also designated "first level security".

Generally, a security component of the aforementioned type produces an optical effect consisting of an animation or optical animations, such as contrast sets, color changes, optical illusions, etc.

It is already known, from the prior art, in particular of the international application WO 01/036213, an optical safety component comprising a film stamped with a first zone that produces a rainbow effect according to a first orientation of the component with with respect to a lighting direction, and a second zone that produces a colored effect of a first color according to a first orientation of the component and then of a second different color for an orientation perpendicular to this first orientation.

The complexity of realizing a component of the aforementioned type resides in general in a combination of various printing techniques difficult to reproduce with the reprography material addressed to the general public (scanners, laser or color inkjet printers, etc.) and / or the conventional material of the printing presses. The state of the art can also be illustrated with the documents discussed below herein.

EP 1902855 discloses a security document comprising a laminar zone with a first region of a first color and a second region of a second color. Below these, or even beyond them, a security means, such as a hologram, extend. Thus, the hologram is partially visible through the first and second regions of different colors.

WO 2008/154541 refers to an authentication product such as a tag. A first part of this product consists of a print in sweet size, inked with a latent image, while the second consists of a hologram.

US 6,088,161 deals with a support having a surface with diffractive submicron embossed structures. This is constituted by a series of parallel fillets, although not contiguous. The diffraction effect is homogeneous in each fillet, although different in contiguous fillets.

Finally, WO 95/23350 describes a diffractive surface with bright-looking elements that "light" successively according to the orientation of the observation. These elements are included in a hologram.

The purpose of the present invention is to propose a security device, for example, of the first level, which improves the properties of the known components, although being very difficult to reproduce in order to guarantee a high difficulty of falsification.

For this purpose, the invention aims, in particular, a security device for valuable documents consisting of a support and, on the latter, a security component comprising at least one first and second zones that produce, respectively, a first and a second optical effects that each have at least two characteristic aspects according to different observation configurations of the component, and which comprises an image, at least partially in relief, obtained by deformation of said component and of said support on which said component is fixed, this image comprising at least a first and a second graphic elements, an image that extends at least partially in the two areas and which less said first and second graphic elements of the image are exposed, respectively, in the first and second zones with the appearance of at least one of the two aspects, respectively, of the first and second optical effects, characterized by the fact that the image is configured so that the first element is hidden with the appearance of the other of the two aspects, respectively nte, of the first and second optical effects, and that the second element is hidden with the appearance of the other of the two aspects, respectively, of the first and second optical effects, so that, in the same configuration of said configurations of observations, the The first graphic element is exposed and the second graphic element is hidden and, reciprocally, that is, in another configuration of said observation configurations, the second graphic element is exposed and the first graphic element is hidden.

Image, effects and relief play a combined role. Thus, according to the invention, the image acts synergistically with the optical effects generated to produce a play of shadow and light, even of colors, concentrating, diffusing or diffracting the light from a light source.

The invention proposes to take advantage of the luminous variations obtained to cloud, partially or completely expose safety information according to different configurations of observation of the component.

Thus, according to the optical observation configuration of the component, one of the optical effects is preferably combined with one of the parts of the image to produce an effect of ignition or extinction of the referred part.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the image is configured so that the first and second elements are hidden with the appearance of the other of the two aspects, respectively, of the first and second optical effects.

Thus, the appearance of a first aspect linked to one of the optical effects allows one of the graphic elements to be exposed while the appearance of a second aspect allows its disappearance or concealment. By changing the observation configuration, it is therefore possible to expose or hide information contained, for example, in the graphic element in question.

Thus, in the same configuration of said observation configurations, the first graphic element is exposed and the second graphic element is hidden reciprocally, that is, so that, in another same configuration of said observation configurations, the second graphic element is uncovered and the first graphic element is hidden. The information contained in the graphic elements can thus be partially discovered in the same observation configuration.

The aforementioned relief allows to act in combination with the optical effects by locally modifying its optical reflection and diffusion properties.

For example, the relief is determined by relief parameters selected from a relief shape, a depth of relief, a spatial frequency, etc.

Preferably, the depth of relief is between 5 and 150 microns and the relief is made by deformation of the support (stamping).

A safety device according to the invention may further comprise one or the other of the characteristics according to which:

- one of the optical effects has at least three distinct characteristic aspects, a third graphic element of the image is exposed by the appearance of this third aspect in at least one of the two areas;

- the image is formed at least partially in relief, without ink;

- the relief of the image is determined by relief parameters selected from a relief shape, a relief depth, a spatial frequency;

- the relief is formed by dry stamp printing;

- the image is formed, at least partially, by means of a latent image of single or multiple type; - when at least one of the optical effects acts according to at least one preferred direction, the image comprises at least one frame oriented according to a highlighted direction selected with respect to the priority direction of action of the optical effect to obtain an optical synergy;

- the image comprises a background, the background has a plot oriented according to a first remarkable direction and at least one of the graphic elements has at least one frame oriented according to a second remarkable direction;

- the graphic element has at least two frames oriented in two different remarkable directions; - the image frames are formed in relief;

- at least one of the optical effects is generated by a diffractive network that has at least one corresponding diffraction priority address, for example, to an order of diffraction of the network, at least one of the effects being said, by example, a characteristic rainbow appearance;

- at least one of the effects produces a first colored aspect of a first color and a second colored aspect of a second color;

- at least one of the effects is generated by a color subtraction filter by diffraction;

- at least one of the effects is generated by a volume hologram that produces an animation effect capable of simulating a displacement of a part of the image based on an observation configuration of the component;

- the part of the image is positioned, for example, in alignment with another part of the image so that the two parts complement each other according to an orientation of the component;

- the two zones of the structure together form a pattern, for example, the two zones are arranged alternately;

- the relief of the image is formed by embossing during a hot or cold transfer stage of a marking film having said areas that produce said optical effects respectively. The object of the invention is still a valuable document, such as a banknote comprising a security device according to the invention.

Brief description of the figures

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent when considering the description given below, made in reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 represents a value document such as a banknote comprising a security component according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figures 2A and 2B represent the safety component of Figure 1 according to two different points of view;

- Figure 2C represents a detailed view of a part of the image;

- Figures 3A to 3C represent the safety component according to a second embodiment of the invention, according to, respectively, three different views;

- the 3D figure represents a detailed view of a part of the image;

- Figure 4 represents the safety component according to a third embodiment of the invention; and FIGS. 5A to 5C represent the security component according to a fourth embodiment of the invention according to, respectively, with three different views, it being understood that, in this embodiment, no protection is claimed.

Detailed description of at least one preferred embodiment of the invention

A value document has been represented in Figure 1. This value document is designated with general reference 10. In the example described, value document 10 is a banknote. As a variant, the document 10 can be a passport, a driver's license or any other document that may require a security.

Document 10 comprises a support 12, made of a material comprising, for example, essentially paper, plastic or a combination of the two. Obviously, the invention is not limited to a particular material for the support. The support material can also have a multilayer structure, and if necessary it can consist of several layers laminated together.

As illustrated in Figure 1, document 10 further comprises a security component 16 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Component 16 according to this first embodiment is illustrated in detail in Figures 2A and 2B.

According to the invention, the security component 16 comprises a first Z1 and a second Z2 zones that produce, respectively, a first and a second optical effect. The first and second optical effects are capable of presenting, each of them, at least two characteristic aspects according to different observation configurations of component 16. In the illustrated example, the two aspects are well differentiated which allows an observer to distinguish easily.

In the sense of the invention, an observation configuration is defined by a set of observation parameters, such as, for example, an orientation of the component 16 with respect to an observation direction, a relative position of a light source, the dimension of the source, the emission wavelengths of the source, its emission power, and so on.

Thus, the first effect, for example, has a first aspect according to first and second observation configurations (Figure 2A) and a second aspect according to a third observation configuration (Figure 2B). For example, the first and second configurations correspond, respectively, with observation directions 24A, 24B angularly separated by a quarter turn, for example, inclined at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the plane comprising component 16. The third configuration It corresponds to a schematic flush observation with reference 24C.

In the example described and illustrated with the figures, the optical effects vary particularly according to predefined orientations of the component 16 in relation to a light source S schematically represented in the figures with a sun and, more precisely, with respect to a lighting direction (not indicated in the figures).

Obviously, the light source S can emit a directional or diffuse beam. Although the invention is not limited thereto, it is particularly well suited for use with a diffuse visible (eg, white) polychromatic light that illuminates the safety component.

Obviously, in a variant, the light source S may comprise a wavelength spectrum outside the visible domain (typically defined between 0.4 and 0.7 microns) for example in the ultraviolet domain of the wavelength spectrum less than 0 , 4 microns or the infrared domain of the wavelength spectrum beyond 0.7 microns. In this case, it is generally necessary to use a specific detector to observe optical security.

For example, the optical effects act, each of them, according to at least one priority direction whose orientation depends, for example, in particular, on the main lighting direction of the S source.

In the described example, the first optical effect associated with the zone Z1 is generated by a diffractive network that produces at least a first characteristic rainbow aspect according to at least one flush observation direction 24C (Figure 2B) and at least one second non-diffractive aspect, for example, off gray, according to at least one other direction of observation, for example, according to address 24A or 24B (Figure 2A).

Thus, preferably, the first optical effect has at least one priority direction of action that is linked, in the case of a diffractive network, in particular with the direction of a diffraction order of this network. The observation direction 24C is determined in this example, in particular by the lighting direction of the component 16 and coincides, for example, substantially, with an address of a network diffraction order.

Thus, the diffractive network preferably has at least one preferred diffraction direction that determines the observation direction 24A and 24B of the rainbow aspect of the first effect. This diffraction direction is defined, in turn, for example, with respect to the reference lighting direction of the S source.

In an intrinsically known manner, a diffractive network is formed, in general, by a regular arrangement of identical diffractive elements. Each of the elements diffracts the incident light in all directions and each diffracted beam in one direction interferes with the other radii that diffract in the same direction. The network allows to produce a chromatic dispersion that causes the appearance of an observable rainbow according to at least one direction of observation.

In the described example, the network comprises a plurality of strokes that extend according to a longitudinal direction that determines the priority direction of diffraction.

In this first embodiment, the second effect associated with the zone Z2 produces a first colored aspect of a first observable color according to one of the configurations and a second colored aspect of a second observable color according to another of the configurations. In the example described, the first color is green and the second color is red.

Preferably, the second optical effect associated with the second zone Z2 is generated by a color subtraction filter by diffraction. This second optical effect is produced, for example, by a diffraction network structure that has predefined network parameters so that the diffractive structure is configured to separate an incident polychromatic light into at least one pair of angularly adjacent adjacent reflected beams. and contrasting colors.

In the case of this second optical effect of color change, the diffractive network preferably has two priority directions of action that correspond to each of the contrasting colors. In addition, the red and green beams, preferably, are angularly separated, for example, by an angle of 90 °.

In other words, to observe the color change of the zone Z2, it is necessary to rotate the component 16 a quarter of a turn, or even make a quarter-turn rotation of the observation direction 24A of the component 16 towards the direction of observation 24B (figure 2A).

In addition, the second optical effect has, for example, a third aspect that does not differ in a third observation configuration corresponding to the flush observation 24C (Figure 2B).

By network parameter, it is understood, for example, a number of strokes per unit length, a physical profile of the network structure, an orientation of the network strokes, etc.

According to the invention, the security component 16 comprises an image 18 that extends, at least partially, in the two zones Z1 and Z2.

In the application as a whole, "relief image obtained by deformation of the component and of the support on which said component is fixed" means a graphic representation formed by a single graphic element or several graphic elements that, in the latter case, They can be separated from each other.

In this example, component 16 has a general parallelepipedic shape and zones Z1 and Z2 extend over the entire surface of component 16. However, as a variant, zones Z1 and Z2 can only partially occupy the surface of component 16 .

In the examples described in this application, the first and second zones Z1 and Z2 are arranged between them to form an alternate pattern, for example, oblique scratches as illustrated in the different figures. In the example illustrated in the figures, zones Z1 and Z2 are adjacent. However, in a variant not illustrated in the figures, zones Z1 and Z2 may be spatially separated or partially overlap. Obviously, in another variant, the arrangement of zones Z1 and Z2 can be varied: for example, the zones can form concentric discs, overlays of geometric shapes, etc.

According to the invention, image 18 is structurally configured to act with the first and second optical effects. Thus, in accordance with the invention, the image 18 acts so that at least a first 20 and a second 22 graphic elements of the image 18 are exposed, respectively, in the first and second zones Z1 and Z2. The action of exposing elements 20 and 22 is linked in particular with the appearance of at least one of the two aspects, respectively, of the first and second optical effects.

For example, graphic elements 20 or 22 comprise alphanumeric characters. In a variant not illustrated, the graphic elements comprise microinscriptions, geometric figures, drawings, portraits, etc.

In the described example, to act with the optical effects, the image 18 is formed, at least partially, in relief. Preferably, the relief of the image 18 is determined by relief parameters selected from a relief shape, a depth of relief, a spatial frequency, etc.

Under these conditions, this relief, in addition to being perceived visually, is also tactile, which reinforces the safety of the component.

For example, the relief is formed by dry stamp printing. For this stamping, for example, a typical sweet size printing process without ink can be used to obtain a stamping dry.

Thus, the deformation of the surface thanks to a plate engraved with different frames, different lines, with reserve (areas without frame) or latent image (perpendicular frame, for example, to the global background frame), allows to reflect the incident light rays very differently than if they impacted on a flat element.

Thanks to these deformations, the zones Z1 and Z2 become more matt (less bright) by means of the implementation of the "dry seal" and, therefore, the extinguishing / ignition effect of the optical effects in a synergy effect.

Preferably, the image 18 comprises at least one frame oriented according to a highlighted direction selected according to at least one of the priority directions of action of the optical effect considered to obtain an optical synergy. For example, the remarkable direction coincides substantially with at least one of the priority directions of the optical effect considered.

Those skilled in the art will find without difficulty a relative orientation of the image frame with respect to one of the priority action directions of the optical effect considered to offer optimum optical synergy.

For example, image 18 is formed, at least partially, by a latent image, preferably of a simple type. The latent image is arranged in alignment with the first optical effect, for example. The orientation of the part with frame is, for example, 90 ° with respect to the frame of the diffractive network that produces the first optical effect or, eventually, parallel to this frame.

In the first embodiment illustrated by Figures 2A and 2B, the image 18 is formed by a type relief with positive and negative effect. For example, image 18 is generated with a sweet carving plate, engraved (not shown) or a stamping cliché or any other engraved tool. As a variant, the image can comprise a background without a plot and at least one of the graphic elements can have at least one part with a plot, oriented in a remarkable direction.

In the example, the background or the background of the image 18 has a frame while the graphic elements 20 and 22 are without frame as illustrated in Figure 2C. To form this image 18, the engraved plate comprises a weft part in order to form the background and a non-weft part of substantially flat surface to form the graphic elements. The background frame defines a remarkable direction 25 of orientation of this frame that corresponds to the orientation of the lines 23 of the frame.

In this first embodiment, the first graphic element 20 forms a first "TECH" character string that extends in the first zone Z1, and the second graphic element 22 forms a second "DCBE" character string that extends in the second zone Z2.

The background frame is formed, for example, by a plurality of engraved lines, and is as illustrated in detail in Figure 2C, and the remarkable direction 25 of this frame corresponds to the orientation of the lines 23. Preferably, this Remarkable direction is substantially aligned with the priority action direction of the optical effect considered.

According to a first orientation of the component 16 illustrated by means of Figure 2A, the first zone Z1 has a non-diffractive dull appearance while the second zone Z2 has a colored appearance of a first color, for example, green. The first character string 20 does not appear according to this orientation while the second string 22 is exposed by the colored appearance of the second optical effect and gives the impression of lighting.

When the observer rotates a quarter of a turn in its plane as illustrated in Figure 2A, in the direction 24B, the positions of the source S and the component 16 being unaltered, the first zone Z1 retains its dull, non-diffractive appearance. On the other hand, the second zone Z2 changes color in a very marked way, for example, turning from green to red so that the characters “DCBE” remain visible, although they change color from green to red.

When the observation direction, corresponding, for example, to the flush observation 24C, coincides with one of the priority directions of the first optical effect, the background frame acts in combination with the first optical effect (Figure 2B). The first optical effect produces in this direction of flush observation, a rainbow aspect that will have the effect of exposing the first character string 20 "TECH" (Figure 2B) thanks to the particular relief structure of the image 18 in the area Z1.

The first graphic element 20 of the image 18 then becomes visible by the action of the plotted background when the appearance of the rainbow appearance takes place while the second graphic element 22 of the image 18 is hardly visible to the naked eye even almost invisible.

Preferably, the image 18 is configured so that the first 20 and second 22 elements are hidden with the appearance of the other of the two aspects, respectively, of the first and second optical effects.

Thus, in this first embodiment, the first element 20 is clouded with the appearance of the non-diffractive aspect of the first optical effect and the same occurs with the second element 22 which is also clouded with the extinction of the color of the second optical effect.

On the other hand, in this first embodiment, in the same observation configuration, for example, the one illustrated in Figure 2B, the first graphic element 20 is exposed and the second graphic element 22 is hidden contrary to the observation configurations illustrated in figure 2A.

In Figures 3A to 3D an optical component 16 is shown in accordance with a second embodiment. In these figures, the elements analogous to those in Figures 1 to 2C have identical references.

In this second embodiment, image 18 is a multiple latent image. For example, image 18 comprises a background 28 having a frame oriented according to a first remarkable direction 30 (Figure 3D).

In addition, preferably, one of the graphic elements has at least one frame oriented in a remarkable direction. Thus, at least one of the graphic elements 20 or 22 has a plot oriented in accordance with a second remarkable address 32 other than the first direction 30.

In a variant not illustrated in the figures, the background plot 28 and the plot of the graphic element 20 or 22 are oriented in the same remarkable direction and are offset relative to each other according to a direction substantially transverse to this remarkable direction. For example, the frames are periodic with the same period and the offset between the two frames corresponds to a half-period.

In the example illustrated in Figure 3D, the graphic element 22 comprises a first part 22A with a frame, oriented according to a second remarkable direction 32 different from the first 30, and a second part 22B with a frame, oriented according to a third remarkable direction. 34 different from the first 30 and the second 32 outstanding addresses. In addition, the second 32 and the third 34 addresses are perpendicular to each other.

For example, the second graphic element 22 comprises a first "DCBE" character string and a second "TECH" character string. Thus, in this embodiment, the bottom 28 of the image 18 has a frame oriented according to a first remarkable direction 30, the first chain "DCBE" presents a frame oriented according to the second remarkable direction 32 and the second chain "TECH ”Presents a plot oriented according to the third remarkable address 34.

In addition, preferably, the second optical effect associated with the zone Z2 acts in at least two priority directions. These addresses are, for example, angularly separated from each other by a quarter turn.

For example, in the first observation configuration illustrated by means of Figure 3A, defined in particular by an observation direction 26A, the first optical effect of the zone Z1 has a rainbow appearance and the second optical effect of the zone Z2 has a non-diffractive dull appearance.

In this configuration, the first graphic element 20 "DCBE" of the first zone Z1 is exposed by the appearance of the rainbow appearance of the first optical effect. For example, the first graphic element 20 "DCBE" has a frame oriented in a remarkable direction that corresponds to one of the priority directions of the second optical effect. In contrast, the second graphic element 22 is hidden by the appearance of the non-diffractive off aspect of the second optical effect.

In a second observation configuration illustrated by means of Figure 3B, in particular defined by address 26B, the second optical effect has a first colored appearance of a first color, for example, green. The first character string "DCBE" of the graphic element 22 having a frame oriented in accordance with the second remarkable address 32 coinciding substantially with the first priority action direction of the second optical effect is exposed. The other character string "TECH" of this same graphic element 22 is, instead, clouded since it has a frame oriented according to the third remarkable direction 34, which does not coincide with the preferred direction of the second optical effect.

Finally, in a third observation configuration illustrated by means of Figure 3C, in particular defined by the observation direction 26C, the second optical effect has a second colored aspect of a second color, for example, red. The first graphic element 20 of the image 18 present in the zone Z1 is, however, clouded, since the first optical effect always presents a non-diffractive dull appearance in this direction of observation. In contrast, in this configuration, the second string "TECH" of the second Graphic element 22 is exposed by the red coloration of the second optical effect.

In figure 4 a third embodiment is shown. In this third embodiment, the image 18 consists of a third graphic element 28. This third graphic element 28 is printed, for example, in offset, flexography, screen printing, typography, sweet carving with or without ink, and so on. The third graphic element 28 is invariable regardless of the observation configuration of component 16. Preferably, this third graphic element 28 is arranged in alignment with respect to the other graphic elements so that it complements the other graphic elements 20 or 22, for example, to provide information. For example, in this figure, the graphic element 22 and the graphic element 28 positioned in alignment with respect to each other in the second zone Z2 have been represented.

A fourth embodiment (which, however, is not part of the present invention) is shown in Figures 5A to 5C. In this fourth embodiment, the first zone Z1 has, for example, one of the optical effects described herein above, for example, the first optical example. As a variant, the first zone Z1 may comprise the second optical effect described above herein.

In this embodiment, the second zone Z2 generates a volume hologram that produces an animation effect capable of simulating a displacement of a part of the image based on an orientation of component 16.

Thus, as illustrated in Figure 5A, according to a first orientation, the first graphic element 20 appears and the character string "TECH" is exposed, for example, by the rainbow aspect of the first optical effect.

According to a second orientation of the component 16 illustrated in Figure 5B, the second graphic element 22 is exposed. This second graphic element 22 gives the impression of moving through the variation of the inclination of the component 16 according to the dates indicated in the figure.

Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 5C, the part of the image that can be moved is positioned in alignment with another part of the image so that the two parts complement each other according to an orientation of the component. Thus, in this orientation, the graphic element 20 is exposed simultaneously with the graphic element 22, and the two elements are complemented by a slight inclination of the component 16.

The main operational aspects of a component according to the invention will now be described with reference, for example, to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 2A to 2C.

An observer wishes to authenticate the value document, that is, the banknote 10. To do this, it causes a rotation of the banknote 10 in order to observe various aspects produced by the optical effects. Depending on the aspect generated by the optical effects, graphic elements appear or disappear with the movements caused by the observer. The observer then quickly authenticates the value document the more easily the better the changes in the appearance of the optical effects. On the other hand, due to the complexity of realization, a document of value of this type is hardly falsifiable.

Although the invention has been described by way of examples in reference to the attached figures, it is understood that, to those skilled in the art, numerous modifications may occur without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

Other optical effects can be practiced within the framework of this invention. Thus, at least one of the effects can produce a characteristic metallic effect, for example, of aluminized, copper or gold type.

Claims (17)

1. Security device for valuable documents (10) comprising a support (12) and, on the latter, a security component (16) comprising at least one first (Z1) and second (Z2) areas that produce , respectively, first and second optical effects each having at least two characteristic aspects according to observation configurations other than component (16), and comprising an image (18), at least partially in relief, obtained by deformation of said component ^{(16) and of said support (10) on which said component (} 16 ^{) is fixed , this image comprising at} least a first and a second graphic elements (20; 22), an image that extends at least partially in the two zones (Z1, Z2) and that at least said first (20) and second (22) graphic elements of the image (18) are exposed, respectively, in the first (Z1) and second (Z2) areas with the appearance of at least one of the two aspects, respectively, of the first and second optical effects, characterized in that the image (18) is configured so that the first element (20) is hidden with the appearance of the other of the two aspects, respectively, of the first and second optical effects, and that the second element (22) is hidden with the appearance of the other of the two aspects, respectively, of the first and second optical effects, so that, in the same configuration of said configurations of observations, the first graphic element (20) is exposed and the second graphic element (22) is hidden and, reciprocally, that is, in another configuration of said observation configurations, the second graphic element (22) is at discovered and the first graphic element (20) is hidden. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein one of the optical effects has at least three distinct characteristic aspects, a third graphic element of the image (18) is exposed by the appearance of this third aspect in at least one of the two zones (Z1, Z2). 3. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the image (18) is formed at least partially in relief, without ink. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the relief of the image (18) is determined by relief parameters selected from a relief shape, a relief depth, a spatial frequency. 5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the relief is formed by dry stamp printing. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the image (18) is formed, at least partially, by a latent image of a single or multiple type. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, when at least one of the ^{optical effects} acting ^{according to at least one priority direction, the image (} 18 ^{) comprises at least one frame} oriented according to a highlighted direction selected with regarding the priority direction of action of the optical effect to obtain an optical synergy. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the image (18) comprises a background (28), the background (28) has a weft oriented according to a first remarkable direction (30) and at least one of the elements Graphs (22, 22A, 22B) present at least one plot oriented according to a second remarkable direction (32, 34). 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphic element (22, 22A, 22B) has at least two frames oriented in two distinct remarkable directions. 10. Device according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the image frames (18) are formed in relief. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the optical effects is generated by a diffractive network that has at least one priority diffraction direction, corresponding, for example, to an order of diffraction of the network, being said at least one of the effects, for example, a characteristic rainbow appearance. 12. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the effects produces a first colored aspect of a first color and a second colored aspect of a second color. 13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the effects is generated by a color subtraction filter by diffraction. 14. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the effects is generated by a volume hologram that produces an animation effect suitable for simulating a displacement of a part of the image (18) as a function of an observation configuration of the component (16), remaining said part of the image positioned, for example, in alignment with another part of the image (18) so that the two parts complement each other according to an orientation of the component (16). 15. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the two zones (Z1, Z2) together form a pattern, for example, the two zones are arranged alternately. 16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the relief of the image (18) is formed by embossing during a hot or cold transfer stage of a marking film having said areas (Z1; Z2) that produce said optical effects respectively. 17. Value document (10), such as a banknote, characterized in that it integrates a security device according to any of the preceding claims.