DE102017130588A1 - value document - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a document of value, such as a banknote (1), a check, a credit or other payment card, an identification card or the like, which has a front (9) and a back (10), in plan view at least from the front ( 9) shows a representation (3) which can be seen with the unaided eye, has certain dimensions (B, H) in plan view and has a substrate body (2) which has the specific dimensions (B, H) in plan view and at least one of them transparent film (11, 12) is constructed, which also has the specific dimensions (B, H) in the plan view, wherein the representation (3) recognizable from the front (9) by a first, at least partially metallized embossed structure (14) is, which is arranged on one side of the first film (9) and a laterally, ie transversely to the top view direction, a varying profiling and / or metallization, wherein the first, at least partially metallized embossing a second, at least partially metallized embossed structure (14) on one of the back (10) facing the back of the film is formed and at least one of the metallized embossed structures (14) with a leveling cover layer (22 ) is covered.

Description

The invention relates to a document of value such as a banknote, a check, a credit or other payment card, a badge or the like, which has a front and a back, in plan view at least from the front shows a recognizable with the unaided eye view, in the plan view has certain dimensions and has a substrate body which has the particular dimensions in plan view and is constructed of at least one transparent film, which also has the specific dimensions in the plan view, wherein the recognizable from the front view by a first, at least partially metallized embossed structure is produced, which is arranged on one side of the first film and has a laterally, ie transversely to the top view direction, a varying profiling and / or metallization.

The invention further relates to a document of value, such as a banknote, a check, a credit card or other payment card, a passport card or the like, which has a front and a back, shows in plan view at least from the front an identifiable with the unaided eye representation, in the plan view has certain dimensions and has a substrate body which has the certain dimensions in the plan view and is composed of a first and a second transparent film, which also have the specific dimensions in the plan view and which are interconnected by an intermediate layer, so in that the insides of the foils face one another and the outer sides of the foils away from the intermediate layer, wherein the outer side of the first foil faces towards the front side and the outer side of the second foil toward the rear side, the representation recognizable from the front side being indicated by a first, at least partially metallized embossed structure eugt, which is arranged on the inside of the first film, and laterally, ie transversely to the top view direction, a varying profiling and / or metallization has.

For value documents, such as banknotes, foil-based security features, eg. As holograms, optically variable elements and / or transparent window can be used. They are produced on foil and later applied to the banknote paper. Film elements give banknotes additional security against counterfeiting, but are difficult with regard to the registration accuracy of the printed image and the watermark. There is also the risk that foil elements will come off when a banknote is being circulated.

From the WO 2016/096095 A1 is a generic document of value known, which is composed entirely of a film body. The film body consists of two films which are interconnected via an intermediate layer. At the sides facing the intermediate layer, the films each carry subwavelength structures. All optical views presented by the value document are generated by these sub-wavelength structures. Other imaging elements are deliberately excluded.

Currently, there are banknotes with different substrates. Paper, polymer and mixed forms of paper and polymer in the form of so-called hybrid banknotes are known. For each type of banknote, special process steps are required to apply security elements to the banknote paper or to generate security notes when the banknotes are printed on the banknote paper. For polymer banknotes, color retention during circulation is problematic.

The problems and requirements mentioned do not exist only with regard to bank notes, i. H. paper or foil-based documents of value, but also for payment cards or identification cards. The term "value document" is therefore understood here to include sheet-like value documents, such as banknotes, checks, etc., as well as relatively rigid value documents, eg. B. security, ID or payment cards.

The invention has for its object to provide a document of value, in which film-based security elements can be easily combined with security elements that are generated by displaying images, etc., Another object of the invention is to provide a document of value that is particularly durable while in circulation.

The invention is defined in independent claims 1 and 6. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

The invention provides a document of value which consists entirely of a film body. The value document has certain dimensions in plan view. The film body has the same dimensions in plan view. From the front is a representation recognizable. This is produced by a first, at least partially metallized embossed structure. The embossed structure has a varying profiling and / or metallization transversely to the direction of the top view.

In a first variant of the invention, the substrate body is constructed from at least one transparent film and carries the first embossing structure on the front side of the film facing the front. A second, at least in sections metallized embossed structure is formed in this first variant on a rear side facing the film back. At least one of the metallized embossed structures is covered with a leveling covering layer.

In one embodiment, the embossing structure has microlenses, as are known for moire magnifiers.

In embodiments, the embossed structure may be partially, i. H. in sections, be designed as a sub-wavelength structure and have a periodicity of 150 nm to 500 nm or aperiodisch be formed with feature sizes of 150 nm to 500 nm.

In embodiments, at least one opaque section is provided between the first and second embossing structures. This may have a laterally structured opacity.

In a second variant of the substrate body is additionally constructed of a second transparent film, which also has the particular dimensions in plan view. The two films are connected to one another via an intermediate layer so that inner sides of the films face away from one another and outer sides of the films from the intermediate layer. The outer side of the first film faces towards the front side, the outer side of the second film towards the rear side of the substrate body. The first metallized embossed structure is arranged on the inside of the first film and has microlenses or micromirrors.

In embodiments of the second variant, the value document shows in plan view from the back another, recognizable with the unaided eye representation. This is produced by a second, at least partially metallized embossed structure, which is arranged on the inside or outside of the second film. This second embossing structure likewise has, at least in sections, a laterally varying profiling and / or metallization.

In embodiments of the first or second variant, the first and the second embossing structure form a window in opposite regions, in which the representation by the first embossing structure with the further representation by the second embossing structure is supplemented in a view of a motif. Optionally, the first and second embossing structures in the region of the window can have an asymmetrical profile, and in reflection produce a motif that disappears in perusal.

For all embodiments, the first embossing pattern may be formed at least in one area as a microstructure having a period of 500 nm to 2 μm, which may be, for example, 2 nm. B. represents a hologram or a picture with tilting or movement effect.

The invention uses surface-structured bank notes over the entire area, which show a viewer a representation which is produced by embossing structures. The conventional printed image of a value document, for example a banknote, is reproduced by the embossing structure with the lateral variation of profile / periodicity. The embossed structures provide the representation not only in specular reflection, but z. They are designed so that the representation over a wide viewing angle range, which is almost or completely equal to that of a conventional printed image, recognizable.

The fact that the printed image of the document of value is reflected by full-surface embossed structures, the conventional printing process in banknote production is superfluous. The embossed structure is covered in the first variant and thus robust against environmental influences. In the second variant, it lies in the interior of the substrate body. In addition, all desired security features such as holograms, micromirrors etc. can be produced in a single embossing step. Furthermore, supervisory / see-through effects are easily realized in windows. The production of the value document is thus significantly simplified. The appearance of the first diffraction order increases the security against counterfeiting over conventional banknotes.

In one embodiment, the representation is produced by the embossed structure, which is arranged on the film in the viewing direction overhead and on the inside there. In order to avoid an effect by the film lying down in the viewing direction, it is preferable for the intermediate layer to be at least partially opaque. In the sections provided with an opaque intermediate layer, the representation is then effected exclusively by the embossed structure on the film lying overhead in the direction of viewing. Of course, it is possible to laterally structure the interlayer in terms of opacity, for example to create a deliberate interaction between supervisory and see-through effects.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, both films are provided on their insides with metallized embossed structures with microlenses and / or micromirrors, ie the value document also shows in plan view from the back another, recognizable by the unaided eye representation by a second, at least partially metallized Embossed structure is produced, which is arranged on the inside of the second film and which is at least partially formed as a sub-wavelength structure with laterally varying profiling and / or periodicity. The outer side of the second film forming the rear side and the rear side of the intermediate layer facing the second side are preferably free of imprints which contribute to the wide representation. A value document designed in this way then generates a representation exclusively on the front side and on the back side, exclusively by the embossed structure. Even a value document designed in this way no longer requires any printing process during the production.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second embossing structures form a solid in opposite regions. For this window, the metallization of the embossed structures is relevant. In the window area preferably no metallization is provided. This can be achieved in that the metallization is not applied from the beginning in the window area or that a metallization is subsequently removed again in the window area, for example by ablation with a laser or the use of a so-called wash ink. Both means are known to those skilled in the art.

It is also possible to provide in the region of the window on both inner sides of the foils metallized embossed structures, which each show a motif in plan view from the front and the back and release parts of the window so that the embossed structures complement one another in a view to a motif ,

In a simplest case, the intermediate layer and / or covering layer can consist of a dielectric, with which the inner sides of the films are laminated. It is also possible to design the value document as a so-called hybrid value document, for example as a hybrid banknote, if the intermediate layer comprises a banknote paper. Particularly preferred here is a banknote paper which has a watermark, wherein the embossed structures form a window in the region above the watermark. This will make the watermark visible through the window.

A colored effect of the representation can be achieved by the fact that on the film or the films is a color layer or the film is colored / are. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to color the intermediate layer.

Banknotes are examples of value documents that are individualized. You have a serial number. In the value document according to the invention, this serial number can be generated particularly simply by omitting, for example, the metallization in a pattern or subsequently removing it, so that the value document is individualized. It is therefore preferred that the metallization be omitted or removed in a pattern individualizing the value document, in particular in a pattern representing a serial number.

Within the meaning of this description, metallization is to be understood as meaning a coating which consists of metal or contains the metal. Also, a layer structure is possible, which consist of a composite layer, which has metal deposits. But it can also consist of a multi-layer structure in which one or more layers are metallic.

For the production of the document of value by means of embossing methods, direct exposure techniques, for. B. with the help of a laserwriter in question. The original of the embossed structure is written via direct exposure with the help of a laserwriter in a photoresist coated substrate and then removed the exposed portion of the photoresist. More elaborate methods of original manufacture, such as electron beam or focused ion beam exposure techniques, allow for a particularly fine embossed structure design. The thus exposed original can then be galvanically molded and thus an embossing stamp can be produced as a master, with which an embossing cylinder for embossing a film web is produced. Finally, the structure is replicated by means of an embossing process, for example in UV varnish on film or directly (for example by hot stamping in the surface of the film). Alternatively, a nanoimprint method can be used.

Subsequently, the metallization of the embossed film surface, z. B. with a reflection layer and / or a color effect effecting structure, for. B. an interference layer structure, and / or a color layer, for. B. a color fix coating. Among others, electron beam vapor deposition, sputtering or thermal evaporation under vacuum are possible. Finally, the film is laminated together with the intermediate layer.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the specified combinations but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

• 1 eine Draufsicht auf eine Banknote und
• 2 bis 5 Schnittdarstellungen für verschiedene Ausführungsformen von Prägestrukturen der Banknote der 1.

The invention will be explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which also disclose features essential to the invention. Show it:

• 1 a top view of a banknote and
• 2 to 5 Sectional views of various embodiments of embossing structures of the banknote of 1 ,

1 schematically shows a surface over the entire surface with an embossed structure banknote 1 consisting of a substrate body 2 is constructed, which has a height H and a width B. The substrate body 2 is provided in a first embodiment on inner surfaces each having an embossed structure, the z. B. at least partially micromirror and / or microlenses provides. In other embodiments, the embossed structures are formed on both sides of the same film. Both will be described below with reference to the sectional views of 2 to 5 , which show different embodiments of the embossed structure, explained in more detail.

The banknote 1 , which is an example of a value document, presents to a viewer from the front who in 1 is shown, a representation 3 ready as it is customary for banknotes. The representation 3 can, for example, have a graphically designed background 4 , a moire picture 5 , a hologram 6 , an indication of value 7 and a serial number 8th include. Also it is possible to have a window 19 in which the banknote is partially transparent. In the window 19 For example, see-through effects may be present, ie, a motif visible on the front side is supplemented with a motif visible on the back in view of another motif.

The substrate body 2 with the height H and the width B is made up of at least one film of the same dimensions as the sectional views of 2 to 4 , the embodiments for the banknote 1 show, reveal more. The sectional views of the 2 to 4 differ with respect to the embodiment of the banknotes. They have in common that an embossed structure is provided, which includes microlenses in some variants. In the embodiments of the 2 to 4 the substrate body comprises two foils, in the embodiment of FIG 5 a slide.

In the sectional view of 2 is a top 9 , in the 1 can be seen above, and a back 10 lies down. The substrate body 2 includes a first foil 11 whose outwardly facing surface is the front side 9 forms, and a second film 12 whose outside is the back 10 forms. Between the first slide 11 and the second film 12 is located as an intermediate layer, a dielectric 13 ,

On the inside of the first slide 11 is a first embossed structure 14 formed and on the inside of the second film 12 a second embossed structure 15 , The embossed structures are formed with laterally varying structure and / or metallization. More specifically, depending on the embodiment, they comprise a different selection of microlenses 16 that with one in an intermediate layer 17 arranged microimage structure 18 cooperate and form, for example, a known Moire Magnifier to the Moire image 5 to create. Next, in the embossed structure 14 a hologram structure or other microstructure 24 be provided. Also it is possible to have a mirror structure 20 form, which consists of differently inclined micromirrors and thus produces a tilting effect. Furthermore, the embossed structures may also have subwavelength structures 21 having laterally varying profile and / or laterally varying periodicity. Details for the execution of the sub-wavelength structure can be found in the already mentioned references: DE 102011115589 A1 . WO 2012/156049 A1 . WO 2014/023415 A1 . DE 102009012300 A1 . Y. Yu, L. Wen, S. Song, and Q. Chen, "Transmissive / Reflective Structural Color Filters: Theory and Applications," Journal of Nanomaterials, vol. 2014, Article ID 212637, 17 pages, 2014. doi: 10.1155 / 2014/212637 and H. Lochbihler, "Colored images generated by metallic subwavelength gratings," Opt. Express. 17, 12189-12196 (2009) , With regard to the construction of the subwavelength structures, the disclosure content of these publications is fully incorporated here.

The microstructures 24 Their structure differs farther from the subwavelength structures 20 , which have structure widths in the range of the light wavelength. The microstructures 24 are significantly longer (from 0.6 microns) and produce z. B. diffractive effects, while causing the sub-wavelength structures interference effects of light waves.

The choice of different embossing structures may vary depending on the embodiment and desired design for the banknote 1 respectively. In particular, the in 2 taken assignment to the slides 11 and 12 purely exemplary.

For many embossed structures, it is necessary that the embossed structures are metallized to produce an effect or an image. In the area of the window 19 this metallization has been removed after application or not present from the beginning. The distance can z. B. by means of a laser or using a wash. The same applies to an individualization of the banknote 1 through the serial number 8th , which is also produced by an individual removal of the metallization.

The first embossing structure 14 on the inside of the first slide 11 is when looking from the front 9 visible and form the representation 3 . So z. B. Both the background 4 , as well as the picture 5 and the value 7 - either alone or in conjunction with conventional printed images on the outside of the film. The hologram 6 is z. B. generated by a portion of the embossed structure, which has a suitable periodicity. Holograms are known to be formed by grating regions or microstructures having periods of 0.6 to 2 μm.

The first and second slide 11 and 12 are transparent. Preferably, they are each a plastic film. In the production of the substrate body 2 become the slides 11 and 12 with the embossed structures 14 and 16 embossed and subsequently provided with the metallization, for example by a vapor deposition process. Next, place the two slides over the interlayer containing the dielectric 13 forms, interconnected, for example by a lamination. The dielectric 13 may be preferably a polymer.

To the front 9 and the back 10 to take the usual for films gloss, which is further enhanced by the metallization of the embossed structures are in non-illustrated embodiments, the outer surfaces of the films 11 . 12 provided with a matting, for example in the form of a coating that produces a slightly scattering surface.

To prevent, when viewed from the front, the embossed structure 15 on the second film, it is preferable to use the intermediate layer 17 opaque design. this shows 3 , The opacity of the material between the embossed structures 14 and 15 Ensures that when viewing the front 9 only the embossed structure 14 Contributes to the presentation, when viewed from the back 10 only the embossed structure 15 , The opacity can be achieved, for example, by an opaque intermediate layer 17 , preferably a opaque white or a colored adhesive layer or laminating layer, be realized. In a further embodiment, the opaque layer 17 be provided with a locally varying opacity.

Indicates the structural body 2 the banknote 1 a window 19 on, is the opaque layer 17 of course in this area through a transparent window 23 interrupted, like it 4 shows.

5 shows an embodiment with only one foil 11 , on both sides with the embossed structures 14 . 15 is provided. In this case, at least one of the embossed structures with a cover layer 22 Covered which leveled the top. Also shows the embodiment of the 5 in that the embossed structure can have a gap on one of the two sides or on both sides by no embossing. When using refractive microlenses 16 is a cover with a leveling coating disadvantageous because the lens effect could be nullified. A leveling is possible when reflective lenses are used, so micro concave mirror. For producing the substrate body 2 the embossed structures are preferably prepared in one operation in a double embossing system. In general, the production of the value document comprises the following steps:

First, the relief structure for an original having the dimensions of the document of value is produced, for example, the height H and the width B of the banknote 1 , This relief structure is generated for example by means of a laser writing process or a mask process in a photoresist. A stamp is then produced from the original structure as a master, for example by copying the relief structure into a nickel mold by means of galvanic molding or into a photopolymer. With the help of this stamp now an embossing cylinder is produced, which replicates the relief structure of the original on the surface of the embossing cylinder. Usual steps for producing a stamping cylinder are the galvanic impression of a replica in nickel and drawing the structured nickel foil on a stamping cylinder.

With the embossing cylinder produced in this way, the original structure is then molded on a plastic film web in a continuous process many times side by side in UV varnish or by means of a hot stamping process into the film. The so-embossed film web contains transversely to the web direction lines in which several areas of width B and height H are adjacent. The lines are repeated along the film web. The so-embossed film web is then coated with a thin metal layer, preferably aluminum, silver, chromium, copper, gold or alloys thereof. Also, semi-metal layers, for example, silicon, germanium, carbon and silicon oxide (preferably with a Si: O ratio of less than one). As coating processes, high-vacuum vapor deposition by means of vapor deposition or sputtering or other coating processes are suitable.

In this way, film webs for the first film 11 and possibly the second film 12 manufactured.

In the case of the two-part variant, these are then joined on their insides, ie those sides which contain the metallized embossed structures. In this case, an internal substrate, such as a banknote paper can be laminated. Subsequently, the bank notes thus produced 1 isolated by cutting.

The production of demetallisierten areas or a window takes place before joining the two films. For example, it is possible to print the film webs with a wash ink at the corresponding locations where windows are to be located later, before the metallization is carried out. After metallization, the material and paint are removed by a washing process, as known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the metallization can be removed by irradiation with suitable laser radiation. That way, even the serial numbers can 8th embedded in the film, the material is preferably one-sided in one of the serial number 8th corresponding pattern removed. The contrast arises later by the view of the inside of the backside film or on the inner substrate or dielectric.

The matting can be produced on the film web by laminating a scattering layer on the outside or by plasma melting of the film surface.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

bill

2

substrate body

3

presentation

4

background

5

Moiré image

6

hologram

7

declaration of value

8th

serial number

9

front

10

back

11

first slide

12

second foil

13

dielectric

14

first embossed structure

15

Second embossing structure

16

microlenses

17

interlayer

18

Micrograph structure

20

micromirror

21

subwavelength

22

topcoat

23

window

24

microstructure

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2016/096095 A1 [0004]
• DE 102011115589 A1 [0036]
• WO 2012/156049 A1 [0036]
• WO 2014/023415 A1 [0036]
• DE 102009012300 A1 [0036]

Cited non-patent literature

• Y. Yu, L. Wen, S. Song, and Q. Chen, "Transmissive / Reflective Structural Color Filters: Theory and Applications," Journal of Nanomaterials, vol. 2014, Article ID 212637, 17 pages, 2014. doi: 10.1155 / 2014/212637 and H. Lochbihler, "Colored images generated by metallic subwavelength gratings," Opt. Express. 17, 12189-12196 (2009) [0036]

Claims (10)

Value document, such as a banknote (1), a check, a credit or other payment card, a badge or the like, which has a front (9) and a back (10), in plan view at least from the front (9) with a 3 shows a plan view of certain dimensions (B, H) and has a substrate body (2) which in plan view has the specific dimensions (B, H) and consists of at least one transparent film (11 , 12) is constructed, which in the plan view also the specific dimensions (B, H), wherein the front side (9) recognizable representation (3) by a first, at least partially metallized embossed structure (14) is generated, the one side of the first film (9) is arranged and has a laterally, ie transversely to the top view direction, a varying profiling and / or metallization, characterized in that the first, at least partially metallized embossing pattern a second, at least partially metallized embossed structure (14) on one of the back (10) assigning the back of the film is formed and at least one of the metallized embossed structures (14) with a leveling cover layer (22 ) is covered. Value document after Claim 1 , characterized in that the embossing structure (14) comprises microlenses (16) and / or micromirrors (20). Value document after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the embossed structure (14) is formed in sections as a sub-wavelength structure (21) and there has a periodicity of 150 nm to 500 nm or aperiodisch formed there with a feature size of 150 nm to 500 nm. Value document according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that between the embossed structures (14, 15) at least one opaque portion (17) is provided. Value document after Claim 4 , characterized in that the portion (17) has a laterally structured opacity. A value document, such as a banknote, a check, a credit or other payment card, an identification card or the like, which has a front (9) and a back (10), in plan view at least from the front (9) one with the unaided eye 3), has certain dimensions (B, H) in the plan view, and has a substrate body (2) which has the specific dimensions (B, H) in plan view and consists of a first and a second transparent film (11 , 14), which also have the particular dimensions (B, H) in the plan view, and which are interconnected by an intermediate layer so that inner sides of the foils face each other and outer sides of the foils away from the intermediate layer, the outer side of the first Foil (11) to the front (9) and the outside of the second film (12) to the back (10) out points, the recognizable from the front (9) representation (3) by a first, at least absc metallized embossed structure (14) is produced, which is arranged on the inside of the first film (9), and laterally, ie transversely to the top view direction, a varying profiling and / or metallization has, characterized in that the embossing structure (14) microlenses ( 16) and / or micromirror (20). Value document after Claim 6 , characterized in that the value document (1) in plan view of the back (10) shows a further recognizable with the unaided eye representation, that of the back (10) recognizable representation generated by a second, at least partially metallized embossing structure (15) is, which is arranged on the inside or outside of the second film (12), at least partially a laterally varying profiling and / or metallization. Value document according to one of Claims 1 to 5 or after Claim 7 , characterized in that the first and second embossing structure (14, 15) in opposite areas forming a window (19) in which the representation by the first embossing structure (14) with the further representation by the second embossing structure (15) in phantom added to a motif. Value document after Claim 8 , characterized in that the first and second embossing structure (14, 15) in the region of the window (19) have an asymmetrical profile, and generate in reflection a motif which disappears in a transparent view. Value document according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the first embossing structure (14) is formed at least in one region as a microstructure (24) with a period of 500 nm to 2 μm, which constitutes a hologram.

Images