EP3075561A1 - Multicolor security element with effect colours - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-colored security element for documents of value, bank notes or the like is described, which has a substrate (1) with a top side, at least one color layer (2) on the upper side, which has a first print pattern (2 '), at least one first effect dye layer the first print pattern (2 ') is arranged, and which has a second print pattern (3') different from the first print pattern (2 ') and at least one second effect dye layer (4) which is arranged above the first print pattern (2') , and which has a third print pattern (4 ') different from the first and second print patterns (2', 3 '), wherein the second print pattern (3') and the third print pattern (4 ') partially overlap so that an overlap area (5 ) between second and third printed pattern (3 ', 4'). The first printing pattern (2 ') is structured in the overlapping area (5). The first and second effect dye layers (3, 4) have multilayer interference pigments and / or LC pigments whose mixed color is masked in the overlap region (5) by the first print pattern (2 ').

Description

The invention relates to a multicolored security element for documents of value, banknotes or the like, comprising a substrate having a top side, at least one color layer on the upper side, which has a first print pattern, at least one first effect dye layer, which is arranged above the first print pattern and one from the first Print pattern has a different second print pattern, and has at least one second effect dye layer disposed over the first print pattern and having a third print pattern other than the first and second print patterns, the second print pattern and the third print pattern partially overlapping such that an overlap area between the second print pattern overlaps and third print pattern.

For value documents, such as bank notes, etc., printed security elements are known. They have the advantage that they can be applied when printing the value document. For such printed security elements, effect colors which produce an optically variable effect are known. An example of effect dyes are dyes with multilayer interference pigments or LC pigments. Effect dyes are usually screen printed. From the EP 2185363 B1 It is known that effect dyes can also be printed one above the other, so that there is an overlap area between adjacent areas printed with effect dyes. In this way, more complex security features can be created. Further, it describes this document as advantageous to print effect dyes on a colored background.

The invention is based on the object, a multi-colored security element of the type mentioned, as it is known for example from the above EP 2185363 B1 is known to further develop to the effect that a particularly difficult to emulate security element is easier to manufacture.

This object is achieved by a security element for documents of value, banknotes or the like, which has a substrate with a top side, a color layer on the upper side, which has a first print pattern, a first effect dye layer, which is arranged above the first print pattern and one of the first Print pattern has different second print pattern; and a second effect dye layer disposed over the first print pattern and having a third print pattern other than the first and second print patterns, wherein the second print pattern and the third print pattern partially overlap such that an overlap area exists between the second and third print patterns, and the first one Printed pattern is structured in the overlapping area, so that thereby produce the first and the second effect dye layer in the overlapping area a color impression that is different from those that have the first and the second effect dye layer outside of the overlap area.

The effect dyes are particularly preferably dyes with LC pigments. These LC pigments consist for example of liquid-crystalline polymers, such as, for example WO 97/19818 A1 or EP 0 435 029 A3 are known. Particularly preferred cholesteric liquid crystals are used, wherein the first effect dye layer right-handed liquid crystals and the second effect dye layer left-handed liquid crystals or vice versa.

According to the invention, the at least one first and the at least one second effect dye layer are formed such that they overlap in an overlap region. Under the effect dye layers is at least one color layer. It interacts with the respectively overlying effect dye layer, so that the two layers define the color impression, which can be seen in plan view. The effect dye layers overlap in an overlap area. Under this overlap area, the dye layer is formed differently by being patterned there. The structuring causes, in the overlapping area, the color layer lying under the effect dye layers to have a different effect on the color impression than outside the overlapping area. As a result, the color impression of the effect dye layers in the overlapping area, which would be a mixed color impression, is no longer visible or only much less visible. The register requirements for an e.g. As small overlap as possible are loosened. It is sufficient if the registration accuracy is smaller than the size of the structuring of the color layer.

In order to make the effect particularly strong, it is preferable not to structure the color layer outside the overlap area, ie to keep it uniform.

The invention achieves that the mixed color, which would have the overlapping effect dye layers in the overlap region, is particularly little or not perceptible, so that in the security element dominates the color impression that the effect dye layers have on their own. This is because in the overlapping area of the effect dye layers, the underlying color layer is formed differently because the first print pattern is patterned there. As soon as the overlap area of both effect color fabrics is above a structured or screened background area (ie no 100% full surface), it is barely visible. The structured (eg gridded) background area virtually eliminates the tolerances of both effect colors and camouflages the overlap.

The structuring of the first print pattern, i. the different type of formation of the color layer under the overlap region can be realized in a particularly simple manner by virtue of the fact that the first print pattern of the color layer below the overlap region has a recess through which the substrate or a layer located below the color layer remains free. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to structure the first print pattern under the overlap area by a screening. This makes it possible to provide the overlapping area with a tint of the color provided by the color layer.

A particularly noticeable security element is achieved when the second print pattern surrounds the third print pattern, so that the overlap area frames the third print pattern. The printing with effect dyes is thus subdivided into an inner area and an outer area surrounding the inner area, and the structuring of the first printed pattern forms the frame around the inner area. This frame may e.g. be asymmetrically designed to simulate a 3D effect in the nature of a relief contour.

Effect colors often have a perspective color effect. In order to produce a particularly good marking of the overlapping area even for an oblique view, it is preferable to choose the width of the structured area larger than that of the overlapping area, moreover, a production-related variation of the position of the overlapping area is also intercepted. The first print pattern is thus structured so that it is laterally over protrudes beyond the overlap region, preferably the width in which the color layer is structured, for example, recessed or screened, twice as wide as the overlap region.

An additional safety effect can be achieved by providing an additional overlap area between the two effect dye layers below which the dye layer, i.e. the first print pattern, is not patterned, i. is uniform. Such an additional overlap area then has a different color impression than the effect dyes alone and also as the overlap area under which the color layer is structured. In plan view, four different color impressions are thus produced with the aid of two effect dyes, namely the color impressions of the effect dyes alone (with the underlying color layer), the color impression in the overlap area (with structured color layer) and the color impression in the additional overlap area (with the underlying color layer).

The security element can in particular be designed as a security thread, tear-open thread, security tape, security strip, patch, film element or as a label. In particular, the security element can be used for a security card or a document of identification (eg passport). The security element can be part of a precursor that can not yet be processed to a value document, which, in addition to the security element according to the invention, can also have further authenticity features (such as, for example, luminescent substances provided in the volume). Under value documents here on the one hand the security element having documents understood. On the other hand, value documents can also be other documents and objects which can be provided with the security element according to the invention, so that the value documents have non-duplicable authenticity features, as a result of which an authenticity check is carried out is possible and at the same time unwanted copies are prevented. Chip or security cards, such as Bank or credit cards are other examples of a value document.

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.

Fig. 1a und 1b

eine Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform eines Sicherheitselementes, wobei 1a eine Draufsicht und 1b eine zugehörige Schnittdarstellung zeigt.

Fig. 2a und 2b

Darstellungen ähnlich denen der Fig. 1a und 1b einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines Sicherheitselementes,

Fig. 3a und 3b

Darstellungen ähnlich denen der Fig.1a und 1b einer dritten Ausführungsform eines Sicherheitselementes,

Fig. 4a und 4b

Darstellungen ähnlich denen der Fig.1a und 1b einer vierten Ausführungsform eines Sicherheitselementes und

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung ähnlich der der Fig. 1a einer fünften Ausführungsform eines Sicherheitselementes.

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. For better clarity, a scale and proportioned representation is omitted in the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1a and 1b

a representation of a first embodiment of a security element, with 1a a plan view and 1b shows an associated sectional view.

Fig. 2a and 2b

Representations similar to those of Fig. 1a and 1b a second embodiment of a security element,

Fig. 3a and 3b

Representations similar to those of 1a and 1b a third embodiment of a security element,

Fig. 4a and 4b

Representations similar to those of 1a and 1b a fourth embodiment of a security element and

Fig. 5

a representation similar to that of Fig. 1a a fifth embodiment of a security element.

Fig. 1a shows a plan view of a security element; 1b shows shows an associated sectional view. The security element is formed on a substrate 1. On an upper side of the substrate 1 is a color layer 2, which can be applied for example by a conventional offset printing. The color layer is a background for over disposed effect dyes. It is therefore hereinafter also referred to in part as the background layer. Above this background layer are two effect dye layers 3 and 4 which are applied so as to overlap with each other in an overlap area 5. The necessary printing processes are from the EP 2185363 B1 known.

The top view of 1a shows the corresponding printing patterns, wherein the printing pattern of a corresponding layer by the same reference numeral with the addition of an apostrophe is designated. The color layer 2 is applied in a first printed pattern 2 ', which in the plan view of Fig. 1a is indicated only by dashed lines for a still to be explained recess 6a. The first print pattern 2 'of the color layer 2 is covered by the effect dye layers 3 and 4, since the color layer 2, as already mentioned, forms a background layer.

The first effect dye layer 3 is applied in a second print pattern 3 ', which is executed in the frame-shaped manner in the described embodiment. This frame-shaped, second printing pattern 3 'surrounds an inner region in which the second effect dye layer 4 is arranged in a third printed pattern 4'. Second printing pattern 3 'and third printing pattern 4' are sized so that they overlap in an overlap area having, for example, a width B1.

The color layer 2 acting as a background layer has a structuring under this overlapping area 5, in the exemplary embodiment in the form of a recess 6a, which in the illustrated embodiment has a width B2 that is greater than the width B1, particularly preferably exactly twice as wide.

The overlap region 5 of the width B1 results in an overlap between the effect dye layers in the outer region of the second printed pattern, which can be regarded as the main motif. The second print pattern 3 'provides a first hue generated by the interaction of the effect dye of the first effect dye layer 3 with the dye of the color layer 2. In the overlapping area of the two effect dye layers 3 and 4, the structuring of the first print pattern 2 ', for example in the form of the recess 6a, results in a color impression by the third print pattern 4'. which would actually result from the mixture of effect dyes, hardly recognizable. The optional width difference on the one hand has the advantage that the masking of the mixed color impression in the overlap area 5 is maintained even with an oblique view of the security element. On the other hand, the distance between the outer dashed line forms the Fig. 1a and the outer edge of the overlap region 5 as well as between the inner dashed line and the inner edge of the overlap region 5 a margin of safety during printing. Even with register or register fluctuations, the overlap area 5 is reliably masked. This always produces a clear suppression or reduction of the mixed-color impression in the overlapping area 5, and the areas of the first and second printing patterns 2 ', 3', which are outside the overlap area 5, are clearly visible. The third printing pattern 4 'is also thus particularly strikingly framed by the structuring of the substrate (printing pattern 2' of the ink layer 2).

The Fig. 2a and 2b show a modification of the embodiment of the Fig. 1a and 1b in that the first print pattern 2 'of the color layer 2 has a screening 6b below the overlap area 5. Again, optionally the width B2 is greater than the width B1.

The screen 6b may be a line or dot screen, with a preferred area coverage of 50%. For example, using an indirect high pressure process, positive lines may be 0.04 mm and negative lines 0.08 mm thick. For offset printing, for example, the corresponding values are 0.03 mm and 0.05 mm. That for the embodiment of the 1a and 1b The same applies analogously to the embodiments of Fig. 2a and 2b ,

The Fig. 3a and 3b and 4a and 4b show further developments of the security element of Fig. 1a and 1b and 2a and 2b in that an additional overlap region 7 is provided between the first effect dye layer 3 and the second effect dye layer 4, which forms an information pattern 7 'in plan view. Under this additional overlap region 7, the color layer 2 acting as a base is not further structured, ie, formed the same way as under the sections of the effect dye layers 3 and 4 outside the overlap region 5. As a result, the mixed-color impression deliberately softens or is suppressed in the overlap region 5 and which makes the information pattern 7 'easily recognizable.

Fig. 5 shows a modification of the security element to the effect that in the Fig. 1a . 2a . 3a and 4a shown frame, the first print pattern 2 'forms around the inner region of the third print pattern 4', is now formed asymmetrically. As a result, the frame generates a 3D effect by highlighting the framed area of the third printing pattern 4 'in the manner of a relief.

In addition to the above-described embodiments, it is also possible to pattern the coloring layer 2 in sections under the second printing pattern 3 'by fine negative lines or micro-writing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

substratum

2

coat of paint

2 '

first print pattern

3

first effect dye layer

3 '

second print pattern

4

second effect dye layer

4 '

third print pattern

5

overlap

6a

recess

6b

scanning

B1, B2

width

7

additional overlap area

7 '

information patterns

Claims (8)

Security element for value documents, banknotes or the like having a substrate (1) having an upper side, at least one color layer (2) on the upper side, which has a first printed pattern (2 '), at least one first effect dye layer (3) arranged above the first print pattern (2 ') and having a second print pattern (3') different from the first print pattern, at least one second effect dye layer (4) arranged above the first print pattern (2 ') and having a third print pattern (4') different from the first and second print patterns (2 ', 3'), wherein the second print pattern (3 ') and the third print pattern (4') partially overlap so that an overlap area (5) exists between the second and third print patterns (3 ', 4'), characterized in that - The first print pattern (2 ') in the overlapping area (5) is structured and thereby producing a mixed color impression, the first and second effect dye layers (3, 4) in the overlap area (5) and different from the color impressions having the first and second effect dye layers (3, 4) outside the overlap area (5), is suppressed or diminished. A security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the first print pattern (2 ') is structured in the overlap area (5) by having a recess (6a) through which the substrate (1) or under the first print pattern (2') layer is left free. A security element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first printed pattern (2 ') is structured in the overlapping area (5) by having a screening (6b) in the overlapping area (5). A security element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second print pattern (3 ') surrounds the third print pattern (4') and the first print pattern (2 ') forms a frame for the third print pattern (4'). Security element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the recess (6a) and / or the screening (6b), in which the first printing pattern (2 ') is structured, projects laterally beyond the overlap region (5). A security element according to claim 5, characterized in that the recess (6a) and / or the screening (6b), in which the first printing pattern (2 ') is structured, is twice as wide as the overlapping region (5). The security element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second print pattern (3 ') and the third print pattern (4') also overlap in an additional region of overlap (7), wherein the first print pattern (2 ') under the additional overlap (7) is not structured. A security element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first printed pattern (2 ') outside the overlapping area (7) is uniform and unstructured where it lies under the first or second effect dye layer (3, 4).

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