WO2019011465A1

WO2019011465A1 - Product or product packaging with structural element

Info

Publication number: WO2019011465A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/000346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Imhof; Astrid Heine; Peter Franz; Thanh-Hao Huynh; Karlheinz Mayer; Raphael DEHMEL
Original assignee: Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology Gmbh
Priority date: 2017-07-10
Filing date: 2018-07-06
Publication date: 2019-01-17
Also published as: RU2736433C1; CN110418721B; EP3651997A1; EP3651997B1; DE102017006507A1; CN110418721A

Abstract

Product or product packaging with a structural element (100), which gives an object a three-dimensional appearance, wherein the structural element (100) comprises: - a reflection image structure (120) of the object, which comprises a relief structure with relief elements (121, 122) in a surface of the product or of the product packaging and a reflective layer (130), wherein the reflection image structure (120) makes the object appear three-dimensional against the surface to the viewer; and - a printed-on, multicoloured colour image (140) of the object, which is arranged in relation to the reflection image structure in such a way that the object appears multicoloured and three-dimensional to the viewer; wherein the colour image (140) and/or the reflective layer (120) are semitransparent.

Description

Product or product packaging with structural element

The invention relates to a product or a product packaging with structural element. The invention also relates to a method for producing the structural element on the product or the product packaging.

To generate a spatial impression for the viewer, it is known, for example, to display an object in perspective, to provide it with shading or to use areas that are deliberately out of focus.

There are now a number of sometimes very complex or technically demanding procedures, such as holograms in various variants to convey a spatial impression. The cost of such technologies is often comparatively high.

For high-security elements, such as security threads, security strips or patches for banknotes, it is known, for example, that the individual reflector elements of a metallized relief structure of reflector elements can be aligned in a motif area in such a way that the observer has the impression of a curved motif. Examples of corresponding applications are WO 2013/007374 AI and WO 2014/060089 A2.

Based on this, the object of the invention is to specify a decorative structural element which can be produced, in particular, inexpensively.

This object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The product or the product packaging with structural element comprises a reflection image structure which generates a three-dimensional appearance of an object. The structural element comprises the reflection image structure of the object and a color image of the object. The reflection image structure comprises a relief structure with relief elements in a surface of the product or the product packaging and a reflective layer. For the viewer, the reflection image structure makes the representation of the object three-dimensional in relation to the surface of the product or the product packaging. The color image is a printed, multicolored color image of the object. It is so arranged to the reflection image structure that for the viewer, the representation of the object appears multicolored and three-dimensional. The color image and / or the reflective layer are semitransparent. The structural element of the product or the product packaging can be produced in a particularly cost-effective manner, since both the reflection image structure and the color image can be produced by printing technology (or by embossing technology and printing technology). In addition, it is more cost effective to provide the reflective layer as a partially printed, reflective layer or as a partially transmitted, reflective layer.

The object is represented by means of the color image and the reflection image structure, which can be selected and produced independently of each other. It is particularly advantageous that the color image can be created with a low positional accuracy to the reflection image structure. In particular, the color image only needs to be arranged with a positional tolerance of up to 0.2 mm, preferably up to 1 mm, to the reflection image structure. The For example, positional tolerance is greater than the lateral size of a relief element.

The color image is preferably an imprinted color image and / or the relief structure is a relief structure (or structure in a surface) produced by embossing. The embossing is preferably carried out in a carrier layer. The carrier layer may be transparent, semitransparent or opaque. The relief structure is produced in particular by means of blind embossing, that is to say, for example, by means of colorless intaglio or intaglio or by embossing or embossing. It would also be conceivable to carry out the embossing and the application of the color image together, in particular in a color-guiding high or low-pressure step.

A semitransparent color image may lie directly on or above the semitransparent or opaque reflection image structure. With a semitransparent reflection image structure, the (semitransparent or opaque) color image may be immediately below or below the reflection image structure. In the case of a relief structure in the upper side of a transparent support layer, the color layer may even lie on the lower side of the transparent support layer.

The color image itself-in particular in its multicolor-can be designed in such a way that it additionally supports the three-dimensional impression generated by the reflection image structure for the viewer, for example by shades, changes in hue or similar graphic design means.

In preferred embodiments, the reflection image structure comprises a reflective layer which is produced in particular by means of a printing process. is witnesses. Since the reflective layer is semitransparent, it can also be referred to as a reflection-enhancing layer. The reflective layer can be applied before or after the introduction (in particular embossing) of the relief structure - in particular over the whole area. As a reflective layer, a high refractive or a metallic layer could be used. Preferably, the reflective layer is created by printing a paint (or a paint) with metallic pigments. The metallic pigments are nanoscale pigments or planar pigments, in particular with an average length in the range of 0.5 to 10 μm. The flat pigments can be rigid or flexible enough to conform to the relief structure. Much less cost-effective would be to evaporate the reflective layer (CVD, PVD).

The reflective layer is particularly preferably produced by means of a printing process (for example offset, screen printing), then printed in color using a printing process and then (blind) embossed. Alternatively, the reflective layer is first embossed and then printed in color. In further preferred embodiments, the reflective layer is applied to the carrier layer as a film application (for example as a hot or cold transfer film) or as a laminated metallic layer. It is then printed in color using a printing process and (optional before or after printing).

Advantageously, the structural element on the front side shows the multicolored and three-dimensional representation of the object. The structure element can on the rear side show the viewer another object or the same object in another representation. On the back side, for example, a further color image and / or a further reflection image structure are provided on an opaque carrier layer. On a transparent or semitransparent carrier layer, underneath the color image and the reflection image structure, either the another color image, which cooperates with the reflection image structure, or a further reflection image structure, which cooperates with the color image, are present. The color image (F), the reflection image structure (R) and the further element, as color image (F2) or reflection image structure (R2), may be present together on one side or distributed on the front and back of the carrier layer (FR / F2; / R2; F / R F2; R / F R2). For example, a transparent carrier layer can be provided with only one reflection layer, the front color image and another back color image, so that on the front side a curved representation of the object (for example an apple) and on the reverse an inverted curved representation of another object (such as an aquarium glass from above) arises.

In particularly preferred embodiments, during a movement, such as tilting and / or turning, of the structural element, the multicolor predetermined by the color image remains unchanged. The hue, ie the a * and b * values in a LAB color space, remains unchanged; the brightness, ie the L value, can change. The reflection image structure shows the viewer a changing reflection behavior when tilting and / or rotating the structural element. In particular, the reflection image structure is adapted so that the highlight migrates on the three-dimensional appearing object.

The structural element can also comprise further relief structure regions. The relief structure and / or the reflective layer are provided in the region of the reflection image structure and in another area. In a first area, the relief structure forms the reflection image structure. The further area comprises a relief-structured partial area which adjoins or surrounds the area of the reflection image structure. The relief Structured subregion is preferably a relief-structured, unbound subregion or a differently relief-structured subregion, for example with other relief element types. The further region may comprise a limited relief structure-free and reflective subregion. This subregion preferably adjoins the relief-structured subregion or is surrounded by the relief-structured subregion. The relief-structure-free surface is in the form of a character or motif. It is preferably arranged at a distance from the region of the reflection image structure so as not to weaken the recognizability of the object in the region. In another embodiment, the limited relief-structure-free area (partial area) surrounds a relief-structured area (partial area). The surrounding relief structured surface or its outer contour can be particularly highlighted.

The reflection image structure includes a plurality of reflective relief elements. The reflective relief elements of the reflection image structure are typically of a first type of relief element. The relief elements of the relief structure lie in a common relief structure level. Although the reflection image structure generates a three-dimensional representation of the object, it is an overall flat structure-in particular without a height relevant to the object. The relief height of the reflection image structure corresponds to the maximum height of the relief demente. The relief elements have in particular a flat reflective surface, wherein the relief elements can differ by their inclination and azimuth angle. Preferably, the relief elements are mosaic-like, so full of space, arranged. A plurality of similarly formed relief elements forms the relief structure in the first area. The orientation (eg inclination and azimuth angle) of the relief elements is chosen as a function of their lateral position such that a falling light is reflected on the relief elements in the same direction in which the three-dimensional object would reflect the light. In particular, the reflection image structure produces a domed, three-dimensional representation of the object, which in reality would have a curved surface. The reflective relief elements have a minimum size of more than ΙΟμηι, preferably more than 30 μπι, in particular more than ΙΟΟμηι, but are at most 1 mm in size. The minimum size, for example a width, a diagonal, a diameter or an edge length (honeycomb shape) of a relief element, is measured laterally, ie in relation to the relief structure plane. The height of the relief elements (embossing height) is at most 300 μιη, preferably at most 150 μπι, more preferably at most 100 μπι, and is in particular in the range of 10 to 120 μητι, preferably 25 to 100 μιη, particularly preferably 25 to 50 μπ. The aspect ratio (height to width) is preferably 1: 1.3. The area of the relief elements located be- see 100 microns ² and 1 mm ^2, preferably between 900 μιη ² υι Ι 250,000 μπι ^2, in particular between 10,000 and 250,000 μιη ² μπι ^2, more preferably between 90,000 and 250,000 microns ² μιη. ²

The reflective relief elements of the reflection image structure differ in one or more of the parameters:

- Spatial orientation of the relief element, in particular angle of inclination and / or azimuth angle, and

- Structure height of the relief element. The structural element preferably further comprises at least relief elements of a second type of relief element. The second type of relief element differs with respect to one or more of the parameters of the first type of relief element:

- Outer contour of the relief element, and / or - Size of the relief element, and / or

- Reflectance of the relief element.

The relief elements of the second type of relief element may also differ in one or more of the parameters:

- Structure height of the relief element. A structural element may additionally comprise an optically variable element. In particular, the optically variable element can be present in a second partial area. The optically variable subregion of the further region preferably adjoins the relief-structured subregion or is surrounded by it. The optically variable element may be formed at least partially by the relief structure. The optically variable element exhibits a tilting effect, thus representing a subject, such as a sign, pattern or object, only in a predetermined tilting or rotation angle range. For example, linear relief elements can be present in a second area, which is local on an edge of the relief element - by a print, a surface variation (such as matting) or additional embossing elements

- are modified.

The structural element is created directly on a product or a product packaging. The relief structure is preferably introduced into the surface of the product or the product packaging. The structural element serves as a marking for the product. In the present case, the product is an end product or a product for an end user (or user). The structural element is not easy to replicate. This applies in particular if, in addition to the three-dimensional and colored representation, further areas with relief structures and / or optically variable elements are included. It can also be referred to as a simple security element.

A method for producing a structural element of a product or a product package, which produces a three-dimensional appearance of an object, comprises the following steps. A reflection image structure of the object is created, wherein a relief structure is introduced into the surface of a product or a product package. The relief structure with relief elements lies in particular in a relief structure level. The reflection image structure makes the representation of the object three-dimensional appear to the viewer. A multicolored color image of the object is created, which is arranged to the reflection image structure, that for the viewer, the representation of the object appears multicolored and three-dimensional.

As already stated, the order in which the color image and the reflection image structure or parts thereof are created can be chosen differently. Thus, for example, a carrier layer can already be reflective (or metallized) or a carrier layer can be printed with reflective ink (in particular with metallic nano- or platelet pigments) (for example by screen printing). The color image can be printed on the reflective layer (eg in offset printing) and then provided with the relief structure by embossing. Alternatively, the relief structure is introduced into the reflective layer and then the color image is printed (for example by inkjet printing). Alternatively, a carrier layer may be first embossed and then provided with the reflective layer and the color image. the. Screening, offset, intaglio, inkjet or digital printing are particularly suitable as printing methods for printing the color image. Different color components, such as RGB components, can be printed consecutively in several print sub-steps.

Further exemplary embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures, in the representation of which a representation in terms of scale and proportions has been dispensed with in order to increase the clarity.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a structural element in plan view, Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the structural element in cross section, and

Fig. 3 shows a structural element together with other relief structures in plan view.

FIG. 1 shows a structural element of the product or the product packaging in a top view. The structural element comprises a reflection image structure 120 of an object, for example an apple, and a color image 140 of the object.

The cross section of the structural element 100 is shown in FIG. A carrier layer 110, for example a transparent packaging film, is provided with a relief structure 120. On the carrier layer 110, a reflective layer 130, for example, a metal layer is disposed. On the Metal layer is the color layer of the multicolor color image 140. The color layer 140 is formed semitransparent. As an illustration, in this example, it comprises three differently colored areas 141, 142 and 143. The observer views the structural element 100 from above. The individual relief elements 121, 122 of the relief structure are aligned such that the reflection image structure 120 generates a convex three-dimensional representation of the object for the viewer. The principle of such alignment is known from WO 2013/007374 Al and WO 2014/060089 A2. The semitransparent color image 140 above the reflection image structure 120 produces a colored and three-dimensional image of the object for the viewer.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the relief elements 121, 122, 125 may be formed as honeycomb or regular hexagons. The relief elements 121, 122 of the relief image structure 120 contain as a numerical indication of the inclination angle of the relief element 121.122. Around an uneven relief element relief elements are each arranged in rings with an inclination angle of 10, 25, 40, 60 and 40 degrees. The inclination is oriented in each case in the direction of the central relief element (azimuth angle). Relief elements 125 lying outside of the relief image structure 120 are optional and would be aligned in this example.

The differently colored areas 141, 142, 143 of the color image are selected by their color and arrangement so that they additionally support the three-dimensional impression of the object. The color image is preferably a true color image, that is to say it can comprise any desired color value levels-not just regionally. The color (or hue) can be created from primary colors, such as CYMK. In particular, scale colors are used. The use of spot colors, for example with effect pigments, is conceivable. It can also be seen in both figures that the color image and the reflection image structure can be designed independently of one another for the object. A raster of the reflection image structure is independent of a raster of the color image. The position of the grid to one another and / or an exact arrangement of the color image to the reflection image structure is not significant for the three-dimensional multicolor representation of the object. Changes can thus be implemented cost-effectively and no exacting requirements are placed on the positional accuracy in the production process.

Some variants will be briefly indicated with reference to FIG. If the reflection layer 130 is semitransparent, the color layer 140 could also be below the reflection layer 130. The relief structure can be created by embossing. Advantageously, the carrier layer 110 is embossed directly, and then reflection layer 130 and the color layer 140 are applied. Alternatively, the existing reflection layer and / or color layer is coined. If the carrier layer 110 is transparent, the structural element shows on the rear side (viewed from below in FIG. 2) an inversely curved reflection image of the object. By semi-transparent or opaque back-printing, for example, the observer of the back side could be provided with a differently colored representation of the object (red-shaded instead of green-shaded apse). If the back print is semitransparent, the curvature would also be inverse on the reverse side (the red apple, arched on the front side out of the relief structure plane, appears as a green apple, arched behind the relief structure plane). FIG. 3 shows an expanded structural arrangement 200 on a carrier layer 110, in which the structural element 100 is combined with further elements or partial areas 220, 230, 240. The further elements 220, 230, 240 can be produced in particular in the same operation, in particular likewise by means of embossing (and optionally color imprinting). The mosaic-like relief structure in the region of the structural element 100 is combined with a different, in this case linear, relief structure 221 in a second region 220. The second region 220 may surround or abut the first region 100 of the feature. Especially the outer contour of the object can be emphasized by the change of the relief element type. A first reflecting subarea 240 of the second area 220 is free of relief, ie unstructured in its height. The boundaries of the relief-free portion 240 are indicated by dashed lines. The relief-free portion 240 is independent of the viewing angle a specular, possibly monochrome printed on area.

In a second subregion 230, an optically variable element with a tilting effect is formed by the relief structure. The linear relief structure 220 additionally embossed in the partial area on a flank, so that, depending on the viewing angle, the partial area 230 can be perceived as an independent area. The local modification 231 of the subarea can be effected by means of printing or embossing. Corresponding solutions for the subarea 230 are described in more detail, for example, in WO 2013/045055 A1. List of Reference Numerals 100 Structural element

110 carrier surface

120 reflection image structure

121, 122, 125 relief elements

130 reflection layer

140 color image

141, 142, 143 color ranges

200 structural element carrier

220 linear relief elements

230 Modified linear relief elements 240 Relief-free area

Claims

Patent claims

A product or product packaging comprising a structural element (100) which generates a three-dimensional representation of an object, the structural element (100) comprising:

a reflection image structure (120) of the object, which comprises a relief structure with relief elements (121, 122) in a surface of the product or the product packaging and a reflective layer (130), the reflection image structure (120) for the viewer representing the object with respect to the surface appears three-dimensional; and

- An imprinted, multicolored color image (140) of the object, which is arranged to the reflection image structure, that for the viewer, the representation of the object appears multicolored and three-dimensional;

wherein the color image (140) and / or the reflective layer (120) are semitransparent.

2. product or product packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflective layer (130) is a partially printed, reflective layer or a partially transmitted, reflective layer.

3. product or product packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the relief structure and / or the reflective layer in the region of the reflection image structure (120) and in a wider range are provided.

4. Product or product packaging according to claim 3, characterized in that the further region comprises a relief-structured partial region (220) which adjoins or surrounds the region of the reflection image structure (120), wherein the relief-structured partial region (220) is preferably non-colored and / or differently relief is structured.

5. product or product packaging according to one of claims 3 to 4 characterized in that the further region comprises a limited relief efstrukturfreien and reflective portion (240), which is preferably adjacent to the relief structured portion (220) or surrounded by this ,

6. Product or product packaging according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the further region comprises an optically variable partial region (230) which preferably adjoins or is surrounded by the relief-structured partial region (220).

7. Product or product packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that the optically variable partial region (230) is formed by a local modification of the relief structure of the relief-structured partial region (220).

8. product or product packaging according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the relief elements (121, 122) of the reflection image structure of a first relief element type and the relief structure further comprises at least relief elements (221) of a second type of relief element.

9. product or product packaging according to claim 8, characterized in that

the relief element types differ in one or more of the parameters:

- Outer contour of the relief element, and / or

- Size of the relief element, and / or

- Reflectance of the relief element.

10. product or product packaging according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the relief structure is an embossed in the carrier layer of the product or the product packaging structure;

and / or that the color image is designed such that it additionally supports the three-dimensional impression generated by the reflection image structure for the viewer.

11. Product or product packaging according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that when tilting and / or rotating the product or the product packaging

- The reflection image structure (120) for the viewer generates a changing reflection behavior and / or

- The given by the color image (140) predetermined multicolor remains unchanged.

12. Product or product packaging according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the reflective relief elements of

Reflection image structure in one or more of the parameters differ:

- Spatial orientation of the relief element, in particular angle of inclination and / or azimuth angle,

- Structure height of the relief element.

13. product or product packaging according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the reflective relief elements (121, 122) have a lateral size of more than 30μπι, in particular more than ΙΟΟμιτι.

14. A method for producing a structural element of a product or a product packaging, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, which comprises a three-dimensional appearance of an object, comprising:

Creating a reflection image structure (120) of the object,

wherein a relief structure with relief elements (121, 122) is introduced into the surface of a product or a product package, and wherein a reflective layer (130) is applied,

wherein the reflection image structure makes the representation of the object appear three-dimensional to the viewer; and

Imprinting a multicolored color image (140) of the object, which is arranged in such a way to the reflection image structure, that for the observer the representation of the object appears multicolored and three-dimensional,

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the color image (140) is printed with a position tolerance of 0.2 mm, preferably up to 1 mm to the reflection image structure (120).