EP1845496A1 - Security element for a data carrier, data carrier comprising such security element, sub-assembly and method for manufacturing a data carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

The element (7) has a substrate (2) arranged on a sample which is visible through a filter. The filter (12) is arranged on the upper side of the layer (3), which is firmly connected with the substrate. A distance of 0.025 multi-meter is present between the sample and the filter. The Moire sample (10) is applied on an upper side (5) of the substrate or on a lower surface of the layer or digital print method. The filter is formed as a grid line. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) semi-finished product for manufacturing of a data carrier and (2) method for manufacturing of semi-finished products or a data carrier.

Description

The invention relates to a security element for a data carrier, in particular a number, legitimacy or identity document, having a substrate on which is arranged at least one moiré pattern which contains a coded pattern or image which is visible through a filter. The invention also relates to a data carrier with such a security element, a semi-finished product for producing a data carrier and a method for producing a data carrier.

Security elements are known, for example, with credit or identity cards and serve to secure them against forgery or imitation or manipulation. Since, however, it is known that counterfeiting methods are constantly improving, it is necessary to provide new security elements which make counterfeiting more difficult. Such security elements should be designed so that they are suitable for mass production and do not affect the requirements for the performance characteristics of the data carrier.

By the WO 2004/036507 and the WO 2006/006063 Security elements have become known in which a moiré pattern is arranged in the document. This pattern is generated by a computer program and does not allow the naked eye to recognize an image. The pattern, however, contains a hidden image that is recognizable when a slide is placed over the moiré pattern containing a particular filter. By moving the film in a designated direction, the now recognizable image moves accordingly continuously. Depending on the design of the moire pattern and the film, various optical effects are possible. For example, in the cited prior art, an embodiment is described in which objects of an image move in different directions. Also possible is an optically flowing transition of an image A into an image B or a color change. Finally, a tilting effect from an image A to an image B and further to an image C, etc. is possible. A forgery is particularly difficult here, since such moiré patterns and in particular band moiré patterns and corresponding filters require a very precise production and also modifies or destroys minor manipulations the effect mentioned.

In the case of the security element according to the invention, it is provided that the filter is arranged on a layer which is fixedly connected to the substrate, a fixed and specific distance being present between the moiré pattern and the filter. In the inventive security element thus the filter is firmly connected to the Moire pattern and thus can not be moved. In contrast to the cited prior art, the hidden image is thus visually recognizable even without additional film. The optical effect achieved is also completely different. The movement of the image is not effected by movement of the filter, but by tilting the security element or the data carrier in which the security element is integrated. What is essential is the said specific distance between the moiré pattern and the filter. When tilted, the image moves continuously rather than in steps. The pattern is incorporated as a whole and not composed of individual images, as is the case with conventional so-called tilt images. However, in the subject invention, two or more patterns or band moiré patterns may be combined. Such tilts are known for example in greeting cards for children and for example in the US 6,288,842 and the EP 1 168 060 A disclosed.

In the case of the security element according to the invention, said distance is determined by the thickness of said layer. The layer may be formed by one or more films. The layer is preferably transparent. The bigger the distance between the moiré pattern and the filter, or the finer the reproduction, the greater the visible movement of the image and the more complex images are possible. The movement of the image does not arise here by a displacement of the above-mentioned film, but by different viewing angles to the surface of said layer.

The substrate is preferably bonded to said layer by lamination. The moiré pattern is preferably printed on the substrate. The filter can also be printed, in particular on the top of said layer. For example, and in particular a screen printing or offset printing is suitable as a printing process.

Said filter is according to an embodiment of the invention, a line filter, which is preferably printed on said layer. Such a line filter can be produced very inexpensively in series. He also has the advantage that he does not change the surface structure and thus a flat surface is possible. The period of the line filter differs from the period of the pattern or moiré pattern, it can be both larger and smaller. A line filter can be made very inexpensively and allows the pattern to be made with a laser beam through it at a constant angle of incidence on the substrate. The pattern may be a pattern, as is common in tilt pictures, or may be a moiré pattern or a band moiré pattern. The substrate consists of a laserable material. It has been found that in this case a very high opacity of the non-transparent parts of this filter is particularly advantageous. Preferably, black, gray or white filters are used. However, other filter colors are conceivable. Also possible is a polarizing filter.

According to a development of the invention, the moiré pattern is produced after connecting the substrate to the layer with a laser. This allows personalization by appropriate design of the pattern. It can thus be generated for each security element an individual pattern. For this purpose, the filter is applied to the layer, for example, as mentioned above imprinted. This filter is here designed so that it is laser-transparent. The same applies to the material of the layer. This layer is thus not only transparent, but also transparent to laser beams. Below the laser-transparent layer, a laser-capable material is arranged, which discolored upon impact of the laser beams and thereby the pattern can be formed. As already mentioned, this pattern or moiré pattern can be personalized here. In principle, the same movement sequences as mentioned above are possible in this embodiment. Due to the comparatively low resolution of laser systems, the best effect is achieved with a tilting movement. It is also advantageous that a continuous movement or a tilting effect of two or more patterns can be achieved without the angle of incidence of the laser beam on the substrate having to be changed. These movements or a continuous movement or a tilting effect are achieved without the use of a lenticular grid, as shown in the EP 0 219 012 is described.

According to a development of the invention, the filter is formed by a lenticular grid, which can be produced for example by an embossing process on top of said layer. The lens structure of said filter also has the said distance from the pattern, which is arranged in the interior of the security element. The lens structure acts as a filter which reveals the said hidden image of the pattern so that it is visually directly visible. Also in this case, the image moves continuously when the security element is tilted. However, two or more band moiré patterns may be combined. The lens structure can be applied either directly during lamination or in a subsequent embossing process.

A particularly high security against counterfeiting can be achieved if the pattern is a moiré pattern and in particular a band moiré pattern.

Further advantageous features emerge from the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings.

Figur 1

schematisch ein Schnitt durch einen Datenträger mit einem erfindungsgemässen Sicherheitselement,

Figur 2

schematisch ein Schnitt durch einen Datenträger mit einem Sicherheitselement gemäss einer Variante,

Figur 3

schematisch ein Schnitt durch einen Datenträger mit einem Sicherheitselement gemäss einer weiteren Variante,

Figur 4

eine Draufsicht auf ein Linienfilter und

Figur 5

schematisch ein Schnitt durch ein Sicherheitselement zur Illustration der Beziehung zwischen der Moiré-Auflösung und dem Abstand zwischen dem Filter und dem Band-Moiré-Muster.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1

1 is a schematic section through a data carrier with a security element according to the invention;

FIG. 2

1 is a schematic section through a data carrier with a security element according to a variant,

FIG. 3

1 is a schematic section through a data carrier with a security element according to a further variant,

FIG. 4

a plan view of a line filter and

FIG. 5

schematically a section through a security element to illustrate the relationship between the moiré resolution and the distance between the filter and the band moiré pattern.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a data carrier 1 which is, for example, a credit card or identity card, an identity card or a so-called data tag in a passport or otherwise a document. The data carrier 1 has a substrate 2 which, for example, is a film made of plastic, for example polycarbonate or else a suitable material. A layer 3 is connected to the substrate 2, for example by the layer 3 being laminated onto the substrate 2. The layer 3 is fixed and preferably inseparably connected to the substrate 2. The layer 3 may also be single or multi-layered. It is transparent at least in the area of a security element 7. The layer 3 has an upper side 4, to which in principle a further transparent layer not shown here or a transparent lacquer or the like can be applied. This upper side 4 is preferably parallel to a lower side 6 of the substrate 2.

The security element 7 consists of a band moiré pattern 10 or a conventional moiré pattern, which is arranged on an upper side 5 of the substrate 2 or on an underside of the layer 3 and a filter 12, which is in particular a line filter. As shown in FIG. 1, the filter 12 is at a distance from the band moiré pattern 10 above it arranged. It consists according to FIG. 4 of opaque lines 14 and transparent likewise line-shaped parts 15. The opaque lines 14 have a comparatively very high opacity and are applied on the upper side 4, for example by analog printing method, in particular screen printing or offset printing, or for example digital printing method. The lines can also be inserted as additional elements between the substrate 2 and the layer 3. According to FIG. 4, the opaque parts 14 and the transparent parts 15 may be straight and mutually parallel parts, but they may also be formed as other mathematically describable shapes, such as circles or spirals or wavy lines. However, the distances between the opaque parts 14 of the filter are the same here.

The tape moiré pattern 10 is printed on the top 5 of the substrate or printed on the bottom 6 of the layer 3 or inserted between the substrate 2 and the layer 3. For the disclosure regarding the formation and production of the band moiré pattern, reference is made to these two documents. In the case of the present invention, however, this band moiré pattern 10 is not viewed through an applied film but through the filter fixedly and spaced from the band moiré pattern 10. The band moiré pattern 10 contains an image, which is hidden in itself and is visible through the filter 12. If the data carrier 1 is tilted, this image moves continuously. For example, the data carrier 1 can be tilted so that the viewing direction changes from line L1 to line L2. When viewed in the direction of the line L1, an image A (not shown here) becomes visible here, for example, while when viewed in the direction of the line L2 an image B (not shown here) is visible. When changing from one direction to the other, the pattern moves continuously from position A to position B. The optical effect thus differs substantially from the known tilt effect, in which either an image A or an image B is visible. When security element 7 thus takes place during tipping a flowing or continuous transition. For this to be possible, the arrangements shown in FIG. 5 are required. At a viewing angle of 90 °, which is indicated in Figure 5 by the two arrows 17 and 18, a viewer 19 should be one third of a moire Tile Period visible. This third corresponds here to 2r and the Moiré Tile Period 6r. One third is a guideline, as the optical effect is also dependent Moire design. Also important is the distance h between the band moiré pattern 10 and the filter 12. If this distance h is 0.1 mm, then it is equal to 0.1 mm. Since it is one sixth of the base band period, the base band period is thus at most 0.6 mm in order to obtain a good optical effect. The Base Band Period (also known as Moire Tile Period) is the height of the pattern repeating in a band moiré pattern. A band moiré pattern image consists of repetitive identical patterns. The smaller the distance h, the finer the band moiré pattern 10 should be to obtain a satisfactory optical effect. The distance h is at least 0.025 mm and preferably at least 0.05 mm. Preferably, the distance h is 0.1 mm or larger.

FIG. 2 shows a data carrier 1 'which likewise has a substrate 2' and a layer 3 '. The layer 3 'is also fixedly connected to the substrate 2', for example by lamination. The filter 12 may be the same as mentioned above. The filter 12 is here in particular also a line filter which has been applied to the layer 3 ', for example by a screen printing or offset printing method. The data carrier 1 'has a security element 8, in which a band moiré pattern 11 is provided, which was produced only after the bonding of the layer 3' to the substrate 2 'with a laser. In order for the band moiré pattern 11 to be made with a laser, the filter 12 is designed so that it is laser-transparent. This also applies to the layer 3 '. The substrate 2 'is made of a laserable material. Such materials are known per se and are discolored when incident laser beams. The effect and the conditions are similar or the same as explained above in FIGS. 1 and 5 for this security element. A significant advantage of this security element 8 is that it can be made individually and personal. The band moiré pattern 11 may include, for example, an identification number or other personal information of the owner of the data carrier 1 '. The band moiré pattern 11 is preferably produced only during the personalization of the data carrier 1 '. At the same time 8 other data can be applied outside the security element, for example, printed or also applied with a laser. The data carrier 1 'is thus first produced only with the filter 12. There is thus produced a semi-finished product which the band moiré pattern 11 does not yet contain. This semifinished product can be stored until the data carrier 1 'is personalized and in particular the band moiré pattern 11 is produced as mentioned with a suitable laser device.

3 shows a data carrier 1 "which has a substrate 2" and a layer 3 ". The data carrier 1" is provided with a security element 9, which consists of a band moiré pattern 16 and a filter 13. The band moiré pattern 16 may be formed the same as the pattern 10 or 11 and is thus likewise integrated in the data carrier 1 "The layer 3" is likewise transparent and may be single-layered or multi-layered. The filter 13 is designed here as a lens structure. This can be embossed either directly when laminating the layer 3 "or in a subsequent embossing process on the top of the layer 3". As can be seen, the filter 13 is applied to a portion of the top of the layer 3 "and above the band Moire pattern 16. The filter 13 thus does not extend over the entire top, as is the case with the known tilt images Filter 13 is also integrated directly into the data carrier 1 "in this case. In this case, too, a smooth movement of an image becomes visible when tilting the data carrier 1. The conditions here are essentially the same as explained above with reference to FIGS.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

disk

2

substratum

3

layer

4

top

5

Top side (substrate)

6

Bottom (substrate)

7

security element

8th

security element

9

security element

10

Moire patterns

11

Moire patterns

12

line filter

13

lenticular

14

opaque part

15

transparent part

16

Moire patterns

17

arrow

18

arrow

19

observer

H

distance

r

half visible part of the Moire Tile Period

L1

line

L2

line

Claims (23)

Security element for example for a data carrier, in particular a number, legitimacy or identity document, with a substrate (2, 2 ', 2 ") on which at least one pattern (10, 11, 16) is arranged, which is separated by a filter (12, 13) is visible, characterized in that the filter (12, 13) on a layer (3, 3 ', 3 ") is arranged, which is fixedly connected to the substrate (2, 2', 2"), wherein between the pattern (10, 11, 16) and the filter (12, 13) a distance (h) of at least 0.025 mm is present. A security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance (h) between the pattern (10, 11, 16) and the filter (12, 13) is at least 0.05 mm. A security element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said distance (h) is at least 0.025 mm and at most 1 mm, preferably at most 0.84 mm. A security element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filter (12, 13) on an upper side (4) of said layer (3, 3 ', 3 ") is arranged. Security element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filter (12, 13) is designed as a line grid. Security element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the filter (12, 13) is formed by a lens structure. Security element according to claim 6, characterized in that the lens structure is embossed. Security element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filter (12) on the layer (3, 3 ') is printed. Security element according to claim 8, characterized in that the filter (12) is applied in an analog printing method, in particular screen printing or offset printing method or a digital printing method, in particular thermal printing method or digital printing method. A security element according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the filter (12) is a line filter, the opaque parts (14) having a comparatively high opacity. Security element according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the moiré pattern (10, 11, 16) on an upper side (5) of the substrate (2, 2 ', 2 ") or on an underside of the layer (3, 3 ', 3 ") is applied in an analog or digital printing process. Security element according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the pattern (11) is made with a laser. Security element according to claim 12, characterized in that the filter (12) is laser-permeable. A security element according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the pattern (11) contains an individual part for a personalization. Security element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filter (12) is a polarizing filter. A security element according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the pattern is a moiré pattern and in particular a band moiré pattern. Security element according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the pattern (10, 11, 16) is inserted as an additional element between two layers (2, 3). A data carrier with a security element according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a body which is essentially formed by the substrate (2, 2 ', 2 ") and the layer (3, 3', 3") , A data carrier according to claim 15, characterized in that it is a number, legitimacy or ID card or a data page in a passport. Semi-finished product for producing a data carrier according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that it comprises a substrate (2 ') and a fixedly connected thereto layer (3') and that on a top (4) of this layer (3 ') a filter (12) is arranged, which is provided for a security element (8), said filter (12) laser transparent, the layer (3 ') for laser light transparent and the substrate (2') at least partially laser markable. A process for producing a semi-finished product or a data carrier, which has a security element according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the filter (12) is made to be laser-transparent and that the pattern passes through the filter (12) a laser is made. A method according to claim 21, characterized in that the filter (12) is a line filter. A method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the pattern is lasered at a constant angle of incidence.

Images