EP3041685B1 - Security document having at least one security element which comprises a structure, and method for the production thereof - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a security document having at least one security element comprising a structuring and to a method for producing a security element comprising a structuring on a security document, such as a security paper, value document, banknote or the like.

From the DE 10 2009 024 987 A1 a film composite banknote according to the preamble of claim 1 is known, which consists of a base paper between two plastic films. These two outer plastic films are attached to the base paper with an adhesive. Between the plastic film and the adhesive layer, a hologram patch is introduced.

From the DE 10 2011 114 211 A1 For example, a value document substrate which receives a security thread between an intermediate layer of a polymer film and a paper layer having a through opening is known.

From the WO 2011/057739 A1 discloses a method of making a colored microwell security document. In a deposited on a support embossable layer micro-wells and a hologram structure are introduced. Subsequently, in a separate step, an aluminum layer is applied, which in turn is covered with a protective lacquer to etch the previously applied aluminum layer in the region of the microwells, so that subsequently a color layer can be applied exclusively to the microwells. Such colored microwells are used in particular for banknotes to increase the security against counterfeiting.

Furthermore, it is known that security elements formed as a hologram are provided by a so-called hologram patch for application to a security document. For this purpose, a protective film is removed from the hologram and by means of a hot-melt bond, in particular a hot foil application, attached to the security document. It is disadvantageous that the security feature can be removed or replaced by a subsequent heat on the hot melt adhesive. Alternatively, such security elements can also be applied to the security document by means of a one- or two-component adhesive, with a certain pressure on the security element having to be exerted for adequate attachment, which, however, has its limits in order to prevent the hologram structure from being exerted by the pressure damage or alter. As a result, a lower adhesive strength is achieved by means of such a one- or two-component adhesive, which in turn facilitates facilitated detachment.

From the DE 41 32 476 A1 there is known a structure of a hologram on a support which has a precursor for smoothing the surface of the support to close the pores of the support. On this a radiation-curing impression is provided, which in turn receives a metallization, which is covered by a protective lacquer.

From the DE 100 13 410 A1 For example, a passport with a security element is known, which is laminated in an upper and lower laminate layer of polycarbonate. For this purpose, an adhesive layer is applied on the first polycarbonate layer, through which a first polymer layer of the security element is held. On this first polymer layer, a metallic layer is applied, which in turn is enclosed by a second lacquer layer to the first polymer layer.

The invention is therefore based on the object to propose a security document and a method for its production, in which the security against counterfeiting is further increased.

This object is achieved by a security document having the features of claim 1. This security document has a carrier, which is provided with a flowable layer for smoothing the surface of the carrier, at least in a planar extension of the security element, on it an adhesive layer which adheres thereto carries a metallic layer, which is covered by a protective layer and at least the metallic layer is provided with a structuring, which forms the security element, wherein a lacquer layer is applied as a protective layer, which extends at least over the structuring. This structure of the security document makes it possible for a structuring, in particular a security element designed as a hologram, to be applied directly to the carrier in successive steps in a printing or processing system, that is to say an integration of the security feature during production of the security document. A separate application of the structuring, in particular of the hologram, is no longer necessary. Subsequent detachment of the structuring can be made more difficult. As a result of this successive sequence of operations and the resulting structure, even standard fluctuations in the exact positioning of a structuring on the support of the security document can be considerably reduced or avoided.

The flowable layer applied to the support is preferably a primer printing layer. As a result, this primer printing layer can be applied in a simple manner and, for example, also be in the form of a color.

The adhesive layer preferably consists of a one-component adhesive. In particular, a printing ink having an adhesive property is provided, which has at least one such adhesive force, in order to enable adherence of the subsequently applied metallic layer.

The metal layer to be applied to the adhesive layer is preferably applied over the full area of the adhesive layer. Alternatively or additionally, this metal layer can be provided with a specific design or pattern, such as a guilloche, a lettering or the like. Advantageously, then the applied structure of the adhesive layer on the applied Metal layer adapted so that only the desired structure of the metal layer adheres to the adhesive layer.

The metallic layer may be silver-glossy or colored. An adaptation to the design of the security document is thereby possible.

Advantageously, the lacquer layer, which extends at least over the structuring, in particular over the metallic layer forming the hologram, extends over the entire carrier and seals the carrier.

Such a lacquer layer can be monochrome or multicolored, in particular translucent, formed and, for example, also represent an iris profile.

The security feature is preferably designed as an embossed hologram.

The object on which the invention is based is furthermore achieved by a method for producing a security element comprising a structuring on a security document, in which the carrier is fed to a first of several printing and / or processing stations of a processing system, so that this successively several pressure - And / or processing stations passes, initially a flowable layer is applied at least for smoothing the surface of the support at least the planar extension of the security element accordingly, then in a subsequent processing station, an adhesive layer is at least partially applied to the flowable layer, following a film with fed to a metallic layer and the metallic layer is applied to the adhesive layer and the metal layer-bearing film is peeled off, so that in a subsequent Bearbeitungsu Ngsstation either structuring into the metal layer and then applying a flowable protective layer or the application of a flowable protective layer on the metallic layer and then the patterning in the protective layer and the metal layer is introduced. By such a procedure is a complete integration in the Production of a structuring, in particular of a hologram formed security element in the security document possible. By means of such an inline method, additional operations and process steps can be dispensed with in comparison to a heating foil application known from the prior art and a faster production can be made possible. In addition, a consistent quality in the hologram structuring for the security feature can be given.

It is preferably provided that the metallic layer is applied to a cold foil or cold stamping foil, in particular vapor-deposited, and is fed to the processing station for processing. As a result, adhesion of the metallic layer to the adhesive layer can take place without additional introduction of heat, which in turn results in energy savings.

The metallic layer is preferably introduced with an embossing roll, embossing plate or embossing sleeve in a processing station. As a result, a microembossing of the metallic layer in an inline process can be carried out in a simple manner. Embossed structures of less than 10 μm, preferably in a range of 0.2 to 2.0 μm, are preferably introduced. This further allows for improved integration.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that after the application of the metallic layer, a drying of the metallic layer with at least the adhesive layer is carried out by means of a UV or IR radiation.

Furthermore, a UV-drying or water-based lacquer is applied as a flowable protective layer. This in turn allows easy processing in a printing process. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a plurality of flowable layers with different refractive index and / or color are applied. As a result, a variant-rich design of the security element can be made possible in a simple manner.

It is preferably provided that the carrier is fed as web or roll goods of the processing plant, so that it can pass through the individual printing and / or processing stations. After the introduction the structuring can be done singling. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the carriers are applied individually on a conveyor belt and passed through the processing system by means of the conveyor belt.

• Figur 1 eine schematische Ansicht auf ein Sicherheitsdokument mit einem Sicherheitselement,
• Figur 2 eine schematische Schnittansicht entlang der Linie I-I in Figur 1 und
• Figur 3 eine schematische Darstellung von aufeinander folgenden Prozessschritte eines Herstellungsverfahrens für ein Sicherheitsdokument gemäß Figur 1.

The invention and further advantageous embodiments and developments thereof are described in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings and explained. The features to be taken from the description and the drawings can be applied individually according to the invention individually or in combination in any combination. Show it:

• FIG. 1 a schematic view of a security document with a security element,
• FIG. 2 a schematic sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. 1 and
• FIG. 3 a schematic representation of successive process steps of a manufacturing process for a security document according to FIG. 1 ,

In FIG. 1 is a top view of a security document 11, which has at least one security element 12. Such a security document 11 may, for example, be a security paper such as a banknote, a personalization data page, certificates, vouchers, checks, tickets, identification cards. Furthermore, such a security document 11 can be part of a value document, such as in passports. Likewise, such a security document 11 may be part of a credit card, identity card or the like, which are integrated in one or more at least partially enveloping protective layers, such as, for example, a PC layer. It may also be provided that such security documents 11 is a label seal or part of an adhesive tape for packaging.

In FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view along the line II of the security document according to FIG. 1 shown, from which a Structure of the security document 11 with the security element 12 shows.

The representation of the layer structure for the security element 12 as well as the layer thicknesses are only examples and serve for illustration without being reproduced to scale. The security document 11 may, in a simplest embodiment, consist of a carrier 14 on which the security element 12 is applied, which comprises a structuring 21, such as an embossed structure or a hologram structure. The carrier 14 may be formed from a security paper, a film or a composite element. On the carrier 14, a first flowable layer 16 is applied, which is for example a primer printing layer. This serves for smoothing and closing the surface of the carrier 14, so that a flat surface is provided for receiving subsequent layers. This first flowable layer 16 advantageously extends at least in the area of the planar extent of the security element to be formed 12. An adhesive layer 18, which may be formed as a one- or multi-component adhesive, is applied to this flowable layer 16. In particular, the adhesive layer 18 may be used as a color having a high Tac, that is, an adhesive property. On this adhesive layer 18, a metallic layer 20 is applied, which according to the embodiment in FIG. 2 the structuring 21 has. At least on the metallic layer 20, a protective layer 23 is applied, which fills the structuring 21 of the metallic layer 20. This protective layer 23 may even completely cover the adjacent areas of the carrier 14 or the carrier 14. This protective layer 23 may be formed as a lacquer, which may also be applied as a print layer and is preferably also printable, so that the carrier 14 can be completely sealed.

At the in FIG. 2 illustrated sectional view of the security element 12 is a structuring 21 in the metallic layer 20, in particular for the preparation of a prior to the application of the protective layer 23 Hologram, introduced. Alternatively it can be provided that the structuring 21 is introduced after the application of the protective layer 23 in the metal layer 20, in which case the structuring 21 is also present in the protective layer 23.

The individual layers to be applied to the carrier 14 can all be one printing ink. These can be applied with rollers, doctor blades or the like.

In FIG. 3 is an example of an inline method for producing the security document 11 according to the Figures 1 and 2 shown. FIG. 3 schematically shows a processing plant 28, in particular a printing press with a plurality of printing units, which has, for example, five processing stations 33 to 37, in successive steps, the security document 11 in the structure according to FIG. 2 manufacture.

First, in a first step, the carrier 14, which is preferably provided as a web, is supplied to a first processing station 33 in which the flowable layer 16 is applied to the carrier 14 at least to the extent of the surface extension of the security element 12. In this as well as the processing stations described below, in which flowable layers are applied, it may be, for example, a flexographic, offset, Letterset- or screen printing process.

In a subsequent processing station 34, the adhesive layer 18 is applied to the flowable layer 16. This can be applied over the whole area for the structure 21 to be produced subsequently. Likewise, the adhesive layer 18 can be partially applied with a pattern or a design, so that then only partially the metallic layer 20 adheres to the adhesive layer 18.

In a subsequent processing station 35, a cold foil or cold stamping foil 19 with the metallic layer 20 is fed to the carrier 14. On this film 19, the metallic layer 20 is applied, especially vapor-deposited. The film 19 is peeled off and the metallic layer 20 is applied to the adhesive layer 18.

Subsequently, in a further processing station 36, the structuring 21 is introduced, for example, by means of a pressure roller or pressure plate. The intended for structuring 21 micro-embossing can be done with a flexo or embossing. Subsequently, in a processing station 37, the protective layer 23 is applied to seal at least the metallic layer 20.

In an alternative embodiment of the manufacturing process for the security document 11, the processing stations 37, 36 may also be arranged reversed, so that first the protective layer 23 is applied and then the embossing is introduced into the protective layer 23 and metallic layer 20. The introduction of the structuring 21 may involve the introduction of an embossing hologram as well as a guilloche or the like.

In the case of the above-described in-line method for producing the security document 11, it is also possible to integrate a quality control at the same time in order to check the proper application or introduction of the structuring 21 onto the metallic layer 20. For example, simultaneously with the introduction of the structuring 21 onto the metallic layer 20 adjacent to the security element 12, a test embossed structure can be applied to the carrier 14 or, in the alternative embodiment of the production method, to the protective layer 23. The positioning of this test embossed structure can be provided on the security document 11 as desired and preferably outside the metallic layer 20. Advantageously, a field is provided on the security document 11 for applying the test embossed structure. Such a test embossing structure may be a diffraction grating, which may be formed for example as a sine grid, as a rectangular grid or as an asymmetric grid. By means of a sensor, a diffraction efficiency of the test embossed structure can be measured after the introduction of the test embossed structure and the structuring 21. The sensor measures the brightness of the diffracted Signal of the test-embossed structure and compares this detected signal with a predetermined expected value or minimum value. As soon as the signal detected by the sensor is above the expected value or the minimum value, for example, the introduction of the structuring 21 can be found to be "good". If the signal is below the expected value or the minimum value, this security element 11 is marked as "bad" and sorted out before further processes. The test embossed structure is preferably introduced simultaneously with the introduction of the structuring 21. Alternatively, the test embossing structure can also be connected downstream of the introduction of the structuring 21. By integrating the sensor, an in-line quality check during the production of the security documents 11 can be made possible.

Due to such an inline method for producing a hologram, in particular as an embossed hologram, formed security element 12 in a security document 11 increased accuracy in the arrangement and positioning of the security element 12 within the carrier 14 against a separately laminated or laminated hologram. In addition, an increased protection against counterfeiting can be achieved by the cold application, since a simple detachment by the heat of the structuring due to the protective layer 23 located above it is considerably more difficult.

Claims (14)

1. A security document having at least one security element (12) comprising a structuring (21), said security document comprising a support (14) on which a fluid layer (16) is applied for at least smoothing the surface of the support (14) in at least the surface extension of said security element (12), such that at least on portions thereof an adhesive layer (18) and a metallic layer (20) applied thereon are provided together with a protective layer (23) covering said metallic layer (20), with the structuring (21) being added at least to the metallic layer (20) and the structuring (21) forming the security element (12), with the protective layer extending at least over said structuring (21), characterised in that said protective layer (23) is applied in the form of a varnish layer.
2. The security document as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the fluid layer (16) is a primer printing layer.
3. The security document as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the adhesive layer (18) is a single component adhesive or a multicomponent adhesive, in particular a printing colour having an increased adhesive property.
4. The security document as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the metallic layer (20) is applied all-over or according to a pattern, in particular a guilloche or a lettering, or both.
5. The security document as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the metallic layer (20) is shiny silvery or coloured.
6. The security document as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the varnish layer is plain-coloured or multi-coloured, in particular translucent.
7. The security document as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the security element (12) is an embossed hologram.
8. A method for providing a security document (11) with a security element (12) comprising a structuring (21), in particular as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7,

   - in which a support (14) is supplied to a first one of a plurality of printing and/or processing stations (33 to 37) of a processing unit (28),

   - in which in processing station (33) a fluid layer (16) is applied at least with respect to the surface extension of the security element (12) for smoothing the surface of the support (14),

   - in which in the subsequent processing station (34) an adhesive layer (18) is applied at least on portions of the first fluid layer (16),

   - in which in a further subsequent processing station (35), a film (19) which supports a metallic layer (20) is supplied and the metallic layer (20) is applied onto the adhesive layer (18), whereupon the film (19) supporting the metallic layer (20) is peeled off,

   - in which in a further processing station (36), a structuring (21) is added to the metallic layer (20) and then, in a subsequent processing station (37), a fluid protective layer (23) is applied, or

   - in which, once the application of the metallic layer (20) has been accomplished, the fluid protective layer (23) is applied to the metallic layer (20) in a processing station (37) and then, in a subsequent processing station (36), the structuring (21) is added to both the protective layer (23) and the metallic layer (20).
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the metallic layer (20) is supplied on a cold stamping film (19).
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the structuring (21) is added to the metallic layer (20) using an embossing sleeve, an embossing roller or a printing roller.
11. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that subsequent to the adding of the metallic layer (20) to the adhesive layer (18), a drying step using UV or IR radiation is performed in a further processing station.
12. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the fluid protective layer (23) is formed of a plurality of layers having each a different index of refraction.
13. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the consecutive steps of the processing stations (33 to 37) are performed in an in-line process in which the support (14) is provided in the form of a continuous web and is cut into individual security documents (11) upon leaving the last processing station (36, 37).
14. A utilisation of the security document (11) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 as an identity document or a document of value, in particular an identification card, a personalisation data page, an identity card, or a security element for products, in particular labels or certification badges.

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