ES2471074T3 - Security paper, security document or similar and procedure for manufacturing them - Google Patents

Abstract

Security paper or value document with - a substrate (7) that has a front (2) and a back (5), - a laminate (13a, 12a) applied on the substrate (7) and - an optical structure (8 ), which comprises an upper face (15) and a lower face (14) and an optical element (9) located on the upper face and creates a visually perceptible motif (3) from the upper face (15), - presenting the substrate (7) at least one window (4), characterized in that - the optical structure (8) has on its upper face (15) an ordered set of microlenses (9) and a microstructure (11) that is located below, if you look from the upper face (15), and which together with the ordered array 10 of microlenses (9) generates the motif (3), the microlenses of the ordered array of microlenses (9) being arranged according to a pattern adapted to the microstructure (11) , - the optical structure (8) is located on the back (5) of the substrate (7) with its upper face (15) on the window (4), man it was that the ordered set of microlenses (9) is in the window (4) and the motif (3) can be visually perceived from the obverse (2) through the window (4), and - the laminate (13a, 12a ) is applied on the back (5) and covers the underside (14) of the optical structure (8).

Description

Security paper, security document or similar and procedure for manufacturing them.

The invention relates to security papers or valuable documents with a substrate having a front and a back, with a laminate applied on the substrate and with an optical structure, comprising an upper face, a lower face and an optical element and create a visually perceptible motif from the upper face.

The invention also relates to a production process for security papers or valuable documents, in which a substrate having a front and a back is made available, an optical structure, comprising an upper face, is made available. , a lower face and an optical element and creates a visually perceptible characteristic from the upper face, and a laminate is applied on the substrate.

The objects to be protected are often provided with a security element that allows verifying the authenticity of the object and at the same time serves as protection against illicit reproduction.

Examples of objects to be protected may include security papers, identity documents and valuable documents (such as banknotes, chip cards, passports, identification cards, identity cards, actions, loans, deeds, vouchers). , checks, tickets, credit cards, health cards, ...), as well as product protection elements, such as labels, stamps, packaging.

Security against counterfeiting of a security element is especially large if the security element shows noticeable motifs created by an optical effect that cannot be reproduced with a copied motif.

A combination of microstructural elements with microlenses arranged thereon, which reproduce enlarged microstructural elements, is especially safe against counterfeiting. Here the so-called moire effect can be used. Therefore, such security elements are also called Modulo-Mapping or Moir�-Magnifier. An example of a description of such a security element is found in WO 2008/031170 A1, according to which microlenses and microstructures are produced using a staining varnish. Such optical structures cannot be reproduced with conventional copying processes, since the optical image can be configured in particular so that it depends on the visual angle. In this regard, an orthoparalic effect is known for example.

However, to achieve this security against counterfeiting an optical image is required, so that optical elements are needed, for example in the form of the aforementioned microlens. As a general rule, its reproduction effect requires that optical elements, for example microlenses, have a non-flat surface. For this reason, as a rule the obverse of the optical structure is not flat. Therefore, unwanted reproduction of the optical elements by a surface molding cannot be excluded.

Document DE 4334847 A1 describes a value document according to the preamble of claim 1, with a window on which a diffractive safety element with a transmissive effect is arranged and which can have a diffraction structure. A similar design is known from documents DE 102004014778 A1, DE 102007023560 A1 and WO 2006/021551 A2, which respectively have diffractive structures with a transmissive effect on a window.

From DE 102008029638 A1 a safety element with an ordered set of microlenses is known.

The invention therefore has the objective of perfecting a security element of the type mentioned in such a way that the security against counterfeiting is increased.

This objective is achieved by means of a security paper or value document according to claim 1. It has a substrate that has a front and a back, has a laminate applied on the substrate and has an optical structure, comprising an optical element and which it has a lower face and an upper face and creates a visually perceptible motif from the upper face, the substrate presenting at least one window, the optical structure being located on the back of the substrate on the window, with its upper face facing the front , so that the motif can be perceived visually from the obverse through the window, and the laminate being applied on the reverse and the laminate covering the optical structure on its underside.

The objective is also achieved by means of a production process for security papers or valuable documents according to claim 5. A substrate having a front and a back is made available, an optical structure is made available, comprising a microstructure and an optical element and has an upper face and a lower face and creates a visually perceptible motif from this upper face, and a laminate is applied on the substrate, the substrate being made available, at least one window or providing it with at least one window, the optical structure being located on the back of the substrate on the window, looking at the optical structure towards the obverse with its upper face, so that the motif can be visually perceived from the obverse through the window, and applying the laminate on the back of the substrate so that it covers the optical structure on its underside.

In the following description of the invention, as well as in the definition of the invention that appears above, the different faces of the substrate and of the optical structure are distinguished by different terms. The substrate has an obverse and a reverse, and the optical structure has an upper face and a lower face. This choice of terms serves to differentiate the concepts of the terminal surfaces of the substrate and the optical structure and, moreover, should not mean any technical restriction.

The invention also provides that the optical structure that creates the particularly safe motive against counterfeiting is applied on the back of the security element so that its upper face, and with it the motif created by the optical structure, can be seen through of a window provided in the security element if viewed from the front of the security element. At the same time, from the back of the substrate the optical element is covered by the laminate. This arrangement allows the optical element (which for example comprises a Moir�-Magnifier or a Modulo-Mapper or other optical effect structures) to be housed in a security element. The underside of the optical structure is covered, which makes access for illicit reproduction difficult, for example by a molding. In addition, in this way the underside of the optical structure is protected against mechanical and chemical influences.

The same applies to the upper face of the optical structure. it is inside the window and, therefore, is also very difficult to mold. At the same time it is protected against fouling or the like, which is particularly advantageous in the case of the optical elements provided on the upper face that protrude in the space, for example in the case of the microlens elements.

The optical structure has optical elements on its upper face. These optical elements are an ordered set of microlenses that cooperates with microstructures located below, if viewed from the upper face. In this way it is possible to make a Moir�-Magnifier or Modulo-Mapping element in the optical structure, as disclosed in WO 2009/000528. Such elements are, according to the invention, very safe against counterfeiting. As regards the 3D structure, the structure disclosed in DE 102009056 934 can be used in particular.

To increase the security against counterfeiting, it is possible to color or configure the microstructures in color that, by means of the laminate, are housed on the underside of the optical structure. This can be done by a fill color, as described in WO 2005/052650, microprinting in gravure, as described in DE 102006029852, or by filling with nanoparticles or nanostructures. It is also possible to provide the microstructures with a transparent or semi-transparent metallization or a layer system that causes color-dependent chromatic properties (so called Color-Shift). It is also possible to house the microstructures with a varnish system, which between the microstructures and the housing has a refractive index difference of at least 0.3.

The optical structure can be provided with special preference in the form of a band produced separately, which is then applied on the substrate. In order to increase security against counterfeiting it is at the same time advantageous to provide at other points of this band, in addition to the optical structure, an additional security element, for example an additional hologram. This is then visible only from the back, since it is not on the window.

Of course, a band having several optical structures can also be used, if several suitable windows are correspondingly configured in the substrate.

The covering according to the invention of the optical structure on the back of the substrate has the additional advantage that such a band is easy to print, since a uniform print receiving layer is available.

The security element may be configured in particular as a security thread, a tear thread, a security strip, a security band, a patch or a label for application on a security paper, value document or the like.

The term "security paper" means in particular the previous stage not yet suitable for circulating a document of value, which, in addition to the security element according to the invention, can also have, for example, additional authenticity characteristics (such as example luminescence substances provided in the volume). Documents of value are understood here as part of documents produced from security papers. On the other hand, the value documents can also be other documents and objects that can be provided with the security feature according to the invention so that the value documents have authenticity characteristics that cannot be copied, thereby making it possible to verify the authenticity and at the same time unwanted copies are prevented.

The production process according to the invention can be perfected so that the described preferred configurations and embodiments of the security element are produced.

It is understood that the characteristics mentioned above and those that are still to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations indicated, but also in other combinations or individually, without abandoning the scope of the present invention.

The invention is explained in more detail below, by way of example, by means of the attached drawings, which also reveal essential features of the invention. They show:

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 Figure 1 a top view of a banknote with a security element 1, from the front,

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 Figure 2 a view from above, from the back,

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 Figure 3 a section along the line A-A of Figure 2 and

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 Figure 4 a section along the line B-B of Figure 2.

10 For ease of representation, the figures are not made to scale. In addition, in some cases the shaders have not been drawn, in order to be able to represent the structure of the corresponding security element with greater clarity. On the other hand, the elements that are functionally and / or structurally the same or corresponding in the different embodiments carry the same respective reference in all the figures, to avoid repetitions in the description. In the description, one face is called front and the other side is reverse. For differentiation purposes,

One side of the optical structure is called the lower face and the other upper face. This convention serves only to facilitate understanding and is not intended to be a limitation in terms of the structure and / or application of the security element.

Figure 1 shows a top view of a banknote 1, seen from its obverse 2. On the obverse 2 of the banknote 1 a motif 3 can be seen, which is located in a window 4 of the banknote 1.

20 Figure 2 shows the banknote 1 from its back 5. On this back 5 a band 6 is applied, which, among other things, covers the window 4. This band 6 comprises an optical structure, which is explained below. by means of the sectional representation of Figure 3, which shows a section along the line AA of Figure 2. In the figure, the position of the optical structure, and thereby of the window 4, is scratched.

Banknote 1 is built on a substrate 7 in which window 4 is practiced (for example by

Die cut), preferably after applying a sheet on the obverse 2. However, this laminate is only necessary if a corresponding sheet is desired on the obverse. For the rest, the structure of the obverse 2 is not important for the security element described here. The band 6 is then applied on the back 5 of the substrate 7, such that the optical structure 8 is located on the window 4.

The optical element 8 of the band 6 has the following structure. On its upper face 15 it has microlenses 9,

30 which have been produced, for example, by embossing a suitable plastic layer. The microlenses 9 are on a distance material 10, which is optically transparent and is made, for example, also by a plastic sheet. On the back of the lower face 14 of the optical element 8 opposite the upper face 15 are microstructural elements 11. The geometric arrangement or configuration of the microstructural elements 11 and the pattern in which the microlenses are arranged 9 are �n mutually adapted from such

35 so that, observed from the upper face, they result in a noticeable motive. Thus, the optical element 8 can, for example, make one, already known, Moir� magnifying glass (Moir�-Magnifier).

Once the band 6 is applied on the back 5 of the substrate 7 in such a way that the optical structure 8 is located with its upper face 15, that is to say the face with the microlenses 9, on the window, a reverse is provided on the back 5 laminated by a coating varnish 12a and a sheet 13a. This laminate is applied on the reverse side 5, of

40 such that the lower face 14 of the optical structure 8 is covered, that is, it is not exposed. The laminate by means of the coating varnish 12a and the sheet 13a can correspond here to the laminate by means of a coating varnish 12b and a sheet 13b on the obverse 2 of the banknote 1.

Figure 4 shows a sectional representation similar to that of Figure 3, but along the line BB of Figure 2, that is to say in a section plane that does not extend through the optical structure 8. As shown Figure 4, in these areas the band 6 is essentially composed exclusively of the sheet that serves as a spacer 10 in the area of the optical structure. Additionally, a hologram structure 16 is configured on the sheet which, with adequate transparency of the laminate (layers 12a and 13a), can be seen from the back 5 of the banknote 1. Thus, the band 6 produces not only a visible motif on the obverse, which is generated by the optical structure 8, but at the same time also a motive made available on the reverse

50 using the hologram structure 16.

Claims (8)

1. Security paper or value document with

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a substrate (7) having an obverse (2) and a reverse (5),

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a laminate (13a, 12a) applied on the substrate (7) and

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an optical structure (8), comprising an upper face (15) and a lower face (14) and an optical element (9) located on the upper face and creates a visually perceptible motif (3) from the upper face (15) ,

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presenting the substrate (7) at least one window (4), characterized in that

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the optical structure (8) has on its upper face (15) an ordered set of microlenses (9) and a microstructure (11) that is located below, if viewed from the upper face (15), and that together with the ordered array of microlenses (9) generates the motif (3), the microlenses being of the ordered array of microlenses

(9) arranged according to a pattern adapted to the microstructure (11),

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the optical structure (8) is located on the back (5) of the substrate (7) with its upper face (15) on the window (4), so that the ordered set of microlenses (9) is in the window (4) and the motif (3) can be perceived visually from the front (2) through the window (4), and

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The laminate (13a, 12a) is applied on the back (5) and covers the underside (14) of the optical structure (8).

2.

Security paper or value document according to claim 1, wherein the optical structure (8) forms a Moir� magnifying glass (Moir�-Magnifier).

3.

Security paper or value document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical structure (8) additionally comprises a hologram (16).

Four.

Security paper or value document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical structure (8) is part of a band (6) that extends over the back (5) of the security element (1).

5.

Production procedure for security papers or valuable documents, in which

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a substrate (7) having a front (2) and a back (5) is made available,

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an optical structure (8) is made available, comprising an upper face (15), a lower face (14) and an optical element (9) located on the upper face (15) and creates a visually perceptible motif (3) from the upper face (15),

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a laminate (13a, 12a) is applied on the substrate (7),

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the substrate (7) made available has at least one window (4) or is provided with at least one window (4),

characterized because

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the optical structure (8) is provided on its upper face (15) with an ordered set of microlenses (9) and a microstructure (11) that is located below, if viewed from the upper face (15), and that together with the ordered set of microlenses (9) generates the motif (3), the microlenses of the ordered set of microlenses (9) being arranged according to a pattern adapted to the microstructure (11),

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The optical structure (8) on the back (5) of the substrate (7) is placed with its upper face (15) on the window (4), so that the ordered set of microlenses (9) is in the window ( 4) and the motif (3) can be perceived visually from the front (2) through the window (4), and

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the laminate (13a, 12a) is applied on the back (5) and so that it covers the lower face (14) of the optical structure (8).

6.

Production method according to claim 5, wherein the optical structure (8) is configured as a Moir� magnifying glass (Moir�-Magnifier).

7.

Production method according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the optical structure (8) is additionally provided with a hologram (16).

8.

Production method according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the optical structure (8) is configured in a band (6), which is placed on the back (5) of the security element (1).

 REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION The list of references cited by the applicant is only for the utility of the reader, not being part of the European patent documents. Even when references have been carefully collected, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all responsibility in this regard.  Patent documents cited in the description

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WO 2008031170 A1 [0006] • DE 102008029638 A1 [0009]

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DE 4334847 A1 [0008] • WO 2009000528 A [0016]

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DE 102004014778 A1 [0008] • DE 102009056934 [0016]

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DE 102007023560 A1 [0008] • WO 2005052650 A [0017]

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WO 2006021551 A2 [0008] • DE 102006029852 [0017]