WO2009127325A1

WO2009127325A1 - Method for producing a security or value document

Info

Publication number: WO2009127325A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/002373
Authority: WO
Inventors: André Gregarek; Manfred Heim; Markus Krombholz; Annett Bähr; Bernhard Wiedner
Original assignee: Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh
Priority date: 2008-04-16
Filing date: 2009-04-01
Publication date: 2009-10-22
Also published as: EP2271501A1; EP2271501B1; ATE546296T1; DE102008019092A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a security or value document, having the process steps: B) preparing a layered compound (14, 18) made of at least one paper substrate (14) having a marking material that can be modified by a laser in a marking region, and a security element (18) present in the marking region that can be attenuated by laser effects, and L) subjecting the layer compound (14, 18) to laser radiation, in order to generate simultaneous and precisely matched attenuation lines (26) in the security element (18) and marks (22) in the paper substrate (18) by modifying the marking material.

Description

Method for producing a security or value document

The invention relates to methods for producing a security or value document and safety or value documents produced by these methods.

Data carriers, such as security, value or identity documents, but also other valuables, such as branded articles, are often provided with security elements for the purpose of security, which permit verification of the authenticity of the data carrier and at the same time serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction. Such security elements can be designed, for example, in the form of a film element glued onto the data carrier, which can be provided with desired security features, such as, for example, embossed structures that are embossed in a lacquer layer and partially metallized.

The security elements are also often formed by a transferred film strip, in which a carrier film is coated with a curable lacquer layer, the lacquer layer is provided with desired security features and then glued together with the carrier film on the disk. The carrier film is subsequently stripped off so that only an extremely thin film layer remains on the data carrier, which practically does not deposit in the end product. In other designs, especially for data carriers with through openings, such as a banknote with a hole, a film to cover the through hole remains on the disk. For this purpose, a composite of a carrier film and a useful film is typically used, wherein the carrier film is removed before or after the application to the disk. Many applications of such film elements or transferred lacquer layers require provisions to prevent the security element from being detached from an original data carrier and applied to another data carrier, for example to simulate its authenticity or authenticity.

Based on this, the object of the present invention is to create security and value documents with a high level of protection against counterfeiting, and in particular to provide security and value documents whose security features are attractively integrated into the visual appearance.

This object is achieved by the manufacturing methods and the safety and value documents of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a method for producing a security or value document, which is characterized by the method steps:

B) providing a layer composite of at least one paper substrate, which is provided with a laser-modifiable marking substance in a marking region, and a laser-weakenable security element present in the marking region, and

L) applying laser radiation to the laminate to simultaneously and accurately create lines of weakness in the security element and by modification of the marker to cause marks in the paper substrate. The security element does not have to be present in the entire marking area and it can also extend beyond the marking area. It is only essential for the present invention that an overlapping region of the marking area and the security element exists, in which the lines of weakness in the security element and the markings in the paper substrate can be generated simultaneously and precisely in register.

The laser parameters are expediently selected when the layer composite is acted upon in step L) such that the weakening of the security element by the lines of weakness exceeds the adhesive force between the security element and the paper substrate. In this case, the strength in the unaltered region of the security element is greater than the adhesive force between security element and paper substrate, while in the region of the weakening lines, the opposite occurs. In a peel attempt, therefore, the security element breaks away from the lines of weakness.

In an alternative design, the strength of the paper is less than that of the security element and the adhesive force between the security element and the paper substrate. In the area of the weakening lines, there is the reverse case, for which it may be necessary in some designs to continue the cut in the paper. In this design, the paper substrate is split in a peel attempt of the security element. In this case, adhesive can be cut out in the region of the weakening lines in order not to remove the color effects of the paper substrate during the cleavage.

Preferably, the paper substrate is coated in step B) with the marker or the marker is in step B) in the volume of Paper substrate introduced. For this purpose, the marking substance can be mixed, for example, in the sheet formation of the paper pulp, the marking substance can be introduced into the paper substrate in a dipping bath, or the paper substrate can be impregnated with the marking substance in a size press.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the security element has a weakened by laser action film layer. The film layer can likewise be provided with a laser-modifiable marking substance, in order to additionally generate identifications in the film layer simultaneously and accurately in step L). For this purpose, the film layer is advantageously coated in step B) with the marker or the marker is introduced in step B) in the volume of the film layer.

Alternatively or in addition to a film layer, the security element may have a weakenable by laser action paint layer. The lacquer layer can likewise be provided with a laser-modifiable marking substance, in order to additionally generate markings in the lacquer layer at the same time and with register accuracy in step L). For this purpose, in step B), the marking substance is advantageously mixed with the paint before application to the paper substrate. Alternatively, the marker can also be applied to the lacquer layer in step B), in particular printed.

In the paper substrate, the film layer and / or the lacquer layer, it is preferred to use laser-modifiable marking substances whose visible color is changed by the action of the laser radiation. In other embodiments, laser-modifiable markers may be used whose infrared-absorbing properties or their magnetic, electrical or luminescent properties is changed by the action of the laser radiation.

The paper substrate and the security element are advantageously provided with different laser-modifiable markers, so that different effects, in particular different color effects, occur in the paper and in the security element. If both a paper substrate, a film layer and a lacquer layer are provided, then all three elements can be provided with laser-modifiable marking substances, in particular with different marking substances.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the different marking substances are coordinated with one another such that the modification of the marking substance present in the paper substrate requires a higher laser energy than the modification of the marking substance present in the security element. However, it is also possible that the modification of the marker present in the paper substrate requires less laser energy than the modification of the marker present in the security element, in particular because the laser radiation is attenuated by the passage through the security element. It will be understood that the tagging agents will generally match their threshold energies, the proportion of film and paper markers, and film thickness, based on the desired appearance of the finished security element.

To generate the lines of weakness and to modify the marking substance, laser radiation in the infrared spectral range is preferably used, in particular laser radiation of a CCb laser at a wavelength between 9.2 and 11.4 μm, typically at about 10.6 μm. Also the Use of a Nd: YAG laser with a wavelength of 1.064 μm is an advantage.

The security element is advantageously weakened along the lines of weakness to 50% or less, preferably 30% or less, of the thickness outside the lines of weakness. It is understood that the respective required weakening of the film material, the film thickness and the properties of the adhesive bond between paper substrate and film element depends. If the security element is designed in the form of a transferred lacquer layer, the required weakening depends on the lacquer material, the lacquer thickness and the connection between the lacquer layer and the paper substrate. In an alternative design, the security element along the lines of weakness is provided with local vulnerabilities. In this case, the security element along the weakening lines in particular even perforated, the layer thickness of the security element so area wise can be reduced to zero.

The invention also encompasses a security or value document which can be produced in the described manner and has a layer composite comprising at least one paper substrate which is provided with a laser-modifiable marking substance in a marking area and a security element which is weakenable by laser action in the marking area Laserbeaufschlagung accurately register lines of weakness in the security element and by modification of the marker identifications are introduced in the paper substrate.

In a second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a method for producing a security or value document, which is characterized by the method steps: B) providing a layer composite of at least one paper substrate which is provided in a marking region with a first laser-modifiable marking substance, and a film element which is provided in the marking region with a different, second laser-modifiable marking substance, and

L) applying laser radiation to the layer composite in order to produce markings in the paper substrate and in the film element simultaneously and accurately by modification of the marking substances.

Preferably, the paper substrate is coated with the marking substance in step B), or the marking substance is introduced into the volume of the paper substrate in step B). For this purpose, the marker can be mixed, for example, in the sheet formation of the paper pulp, the marker can be introduced into the paper substrate in a dip or the paper substrate can be impregnated in a size press with the marker. Also, the film element is preferably coated in step B) with the marker or the marker is introduced in step B) in the volume of the film layer.

In an advantageous variant of the method, first and second laser-modifiable marking substances are used whose visible color is changed by the action of the laser radiation. The color changes of the first and second laser-modifiable marking substance are preferably matched to one another such that

the markings in the composite after laser application appear in a combination color and the markings appear when peeling off the sheet member from the paper substrate, respectively, with colors different from the combination color.

In a likewise preferred embodiment, it is provided that the second laser-modifiable marking substance is made transparent by the action of the laser radiation, so that

the markings in the layer composite after the laser application appear in a target color and

when the film element is detached from the paper substrate, the marking in the paper substrate appears in the target color and the marking in the film element appears transparent.

The transparency of the second marking substance can be achieved in particular by removal or destruction of the marking substance or conversion into a transparent modification. For modifying the marking substances, laser radiation in the infrared spectral range is preferably used, in particular laser radiation of a CO ₂ -

Lasers at a wavelength between 9.2 and 11.4 microns. Surprisingly, a non-destructive marking of the layer composite of paper and film element can take place with a CCb laser, even though the radiation of the CO 2 laser is actually absorbed by the film material.

The introduced markings can have both a closed and an open contour in all aspects of the invention. The invention also encompasses a security or value document which can be produced according to the second aspect of the invention and has a layer composite of at least one paper substrate which is provided with a first laser-modifiable marking substance in a marking region and a film element which can be laser-modified in the marking region with a different, second laser modifier Marking substance is provided, wherein by laser exposure by modification of the marking substances accurately registering markings in the paper substrate and in the film element are introduced.

In all the embodiments described, laser-modifiable effect pigments can be used as the laser-modifiable marker. Such effect pigments are available to the person skilled in the art with different properties, in particular with regard to their body color, the color change under laser action, the threshold energy and the required laser wavelength. Also, effect pigments which do not (only) change their visible color upon laser irradiation but their infrared-absorbing, magnetic, electrical or luminescent properties are known to the person skilled in the art. The modification of the effect pigments can be carried out with laser radiation in the ultraviolet, visible or infrared spectral range, in particular with a CO 2 laser having a wavelength between 9.2 and 11.4 μm.

Instead of laser-modifiable effect pigments, it is also possible to use a pigment-free laser-modifiable marker. Pigment-free marking substances can also be applied to the carrier or introduced into the carrier volume, for example as a stitch or printing ink. With pigment-free marking materials, a coating of high transparency can be produced, into which a permanent and high-contrast marking can be introduced by laser action at high speed. Pigment-free marking substances can be modified by laser radiation in the ultraviolet, visible or infrared spectral range, for example with the 10.6 μm radiation of a CCV laser. Concrete, non-limiting examples of pigment-free laser-modifiable marking substances are given in the publications WO 02/101462 A1, US Pat. No. 4,343,885 and EP 0290 750 B1, the disclosure of which is incorporated into the present description to this extent.

The security element and / or the paper substrate can also be provided with two or more different effect pigments, which can be arranged in particular in the form of a pattern. The color effects can then appear to the viewer according to the pattern with different color and / or different effect width. It is also possible to use different superimposed layers with marking substances. Depending on the power of the laser can then the upper

Stripped layers and the color of the underlying markers are exposed. For example, one marker may be provided in volume and another marker in a surface coating of the paper substrate. At lower laser energy, only a color change is then effected in the surface marking agent, while at higher laser energy the surface marking agent is removed and a color change is effected in the bulky label.

The methods according to the invention can be used, in particular, for securing film strips applied to banknotes or other data carriers, foil patches or for securing film composite banknotes. As described above, in some designs, the carrier withdrawn film of the film element, so that only a thin secured layer is present on the disk.

The designs according to the invention can in particular also be combined with perf o rations of the paper substrate having a color effect, as described in the German patent application DE 10 2007 030 946.7 and the disclosure of which is incorporated in the present description.

Further exemplary embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures, in the representation of which a representation in terms of scale and proportions has been dispensed with in order to increase the clarity.

Show it:

1 is a schematic representation of a banknote with a tamper evident film strip with a security feature according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the film strip of FIG. 1 in the area of the security feature; FIG.

3 for schematically explaining the principle according to the invention in (a) the spatial energy distribution of a marking laser beam, and in (b) schematically a cross section through the bank note with the tamper evident film strip of FIG. 1 in the area of the security feature, FIG. 4 is a detail view of a tamper evident film strip according to another embodiment of the invention,

5 shows in (a) schematically the spatial distribution of the thermal energy arising during marking, and in (b) a cross section through a banknote with a further, tamper evident film strip according to the invention,

Fig. 6 further color effects according to the invention in paper substrate and

Film element, wherein in (a) and (b) the relevant partial areas are illustrated in the laser application, and (c) to (i) illustrate different embodiments of the invention,

7 shows a cross section through a tamper-proof layer composite according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 8 shows (a) a plan view of the layer composite of FIG. 7 and FIG

(b) and (c) show top views of the separated paper substrate and the separated film element after peeling off the film element,

9 shows a cross section through a tamper-evident layer composite according to another embodiment of the invention, FIG. 10 shows (a) a plan view of the layer composite of FIG. 9 and FIG

11 shows a further exemplary embodiment according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the markings introduced by the laser radiation project beyond the strip of foil provided with lines of weakness into the paper substrate, and

12 shows in (a) to (c) views as in FIG. 8 for a layer composite according to the second aspect of the invention with markings projecting beyond the film strip into the paper substrate.

The invention will now be explained using the example of security elements for banknotes. 1 shows a schematic representation of a banknote 10 with a continuous opening 12, which is covered with a film strip 14. The film strip 14 is coated with a UV varnish, are embossed in the embodiment partially metallized diffraction structures.

In order to prevent abusive detachment of the film strip 14 from the banknote 10 and subsequent application of the detached strip to another carrier, the layer composite formed from the paper substrate 18 of the banknote and the foil strip 14 is provided with a security feature 16 which has lines of weakness in FIG the film strip 14 and a matched colored marking in the paper substrate 18 encompassed. The lines of weakening of the film strip 14 prevent the strip 14 from being easily removed from an original banknote and transferred to a false banknote, since the film strip tears along the lines of weakness when attempting to remove it. The weakening of the film strip 14 is combined with a matched colored marking in the paper substrate 18 and thus visually integrated into the design of the banknote 10. In addition, the weakening lines, as shown in Fig. 2, in addition to be combined with a mark in the film strip 14 and in other embodiments with a Kenn- drawing in a transferred or present in a film strip paint layer.

With reference to the detailed illustration of the security feature 16 in FIG. 2, the weakening of the film strip 14, in addition to the registered marking in the paper substrate 18, is additionally combined with a likewise matched but differently colored marking in the film strip 14. Thus, FIG. 2 shows a section of the star-shaped motif element 20 of FIG. 1, which has a two-colored edge 22, 24. The edge of the motif element 20 shows on the one hand narrow lines 22 of a first color, blue in the exemplary embodiment, which are formed by a blue marking in the paper substrate 18. The narrow blue lines 22 are framed by wider lines 24 of a second color, red in the exemplary embodiment.

The wide red lines 24 are formed by a marking in the film strip 14 that has been matched to the narrow blue lines 22. The weakening lines in the film strip 14 coincide here with the narrow blue marking lines 22 in the paper substrate 18, so that the pattern element 20 contains a total of three perfectly matched elements, namely the narrow blue lines 22, which have an identification mark. Forming in the paper substrate 18, for the second with these lines 22 in supervision congruent lines of weakness in the film strip 14 and thirdly the wide red lines 24, which form an identification in the film strip 14.

In order to produce this perfect registration of the two markings and the weakening lines, the paper substrate 18 and the film strip 14 were each provided with laser-modifiable effect pigments, which show the desired color change to blue or red when exposed to laser radiation. The first effect pigments are applied to the paper substrate 18, for example printed on, or can be introduced into the volume of the paper substrate 18. The latter can already take place during papermaking by admixture of the effect pigments to the pulp during sheet formation or else subsequently in a dip bath or by impregnation in the size press. The second effect pigments provided in the film strip 14 can also be applied to the film layer or introduced into the volume of the film layer.

As effect pigments which change their visible color by the action of laser radiation, for example, thermoreactive color pigments, such as, for example, the dye SEC TCM 1180 or ultramarine blue obtainable from Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc., are suitable. Instead of the effect pigments described by way of example, it is also possible to use a pigment-free laser-modifiable marker, as described in more detail above.

To illustrate the principle of the invention, FIG. 3 (a) schematically shows the substantially Gaussian spatial energy distribution 30 of a laser marker beam, and FIG. 3 (b) schematically illustrates a corresponding one Cross section through the banknote 10 with the tamper evident film strip 14 in the area of the security feature 16 after the laser application.

In an inner region of the laser profile, the cutting region 32, the laser energy exceeds the threshold energy E ₁ required for cutting the film strip 14. In the exemplary embodiment, this energy also represents the reaction energy of the first effect pigments present in the paper substrate 18, at which point the color change to blue takes place. With E ₂ , the reaction energy of the present in the film strip 14 second effect pigments is called, when exceeded the desired color change to red.

As can be seen immediately from FIG. 3 (a), in an outer region of the laser beam profile, the film marking region 34, the laser energy lies between the reaction energy E ₂ required for the color change of the second effect pigments and the energy Ei required for cutting, so that In this region 34, a color change of the second effect pigments is induced, but the film strip is not cut. When the film strip 14 is subjected to the laser beam 30, therefore, the wide red lines 24 of FIG. 2 are produced in the film marking area 34, as shown in FIG. 3 (b).

On the other hand, in the inner cutting region 32, the laser energy is above both the threshold energy Ei required for film cutting and above the reaction energy required for the color change of the first effect pigments, so that in this region 32 weakening lines 26 are produced in the film element 14 and, on the other hand, a color change of first effect pigments of the paper substrate 18 is induced. In the laser With the laser beam 30, the narrow blue lines 22 of FIG. 2 are generated in the region 32 in addition to the lines of weakness 26. Since the identification lines 22, 24 and the lines of weakness 26 are generated simultaneously by different portions 32, 34 of the same laser beam 30, they are arranged in perfect registration.

It is understood that the threshold energy required to cut the film strip 14 in the general case can also deviate from the reaction energy of the first effect pigments. The weakening lines 26 and the narrow marking lines 22 can then have different widths.

The laser parameters during the application are selected so that the weakening of the film strip 14 by the lines of weakness 26 exceeds the adhesive force between the film strip 14 and the paper substrate 18. This ensures that the film strip 14 breaks in a detachment attempt, starting from the weakening lines 26 into individual parts. Typically, the film element 14 is thinned along the lines of weakness 26 to one third or less of the layer thickness d present outside the lines of weakness 26, the required weakening naturally being dependent on the film material, the film thickness and the adhesive bond properties between the paper substrate and the film element.

Instead of uniformly reducing the layer thickness of the film element along the lines of weakness 26, the lines of weakness may also be formed in the form of perforation lines, as shown in FIG. The square motif element 40 shown there in sections has a bichromal edge, which is composed of a narrow continuous line 42 and a wide broken line 44. In the narrow Line regions 42, the edge of the pattern element 40 appears with the second color, in the exemplary embodiment, red, in the wide line segments 44, the edge is bicolor, each with a narrow line element 46 in the first color, in the exemplary embodiment, blue, of a wide line segment 48 of the second color, in this case red, is framed. In the areas of the narrow blue line segments 46 of the film strip 14 is perforated, its thickness there so reduced to zero, while the film 14 is in the areas where there is only a narrow red line 42, unhurt. In other designs, the layer thickness in the perforated areas is not reduced to zero, but local weak spots with reduced layer thickness are produced along the lines of weakness.

In order to produce such a perforation, the layer composite of film strips 14 and paper substrate 18 can be acted upon, for example, with a marking laser beam of varying intensity over time. When writing the narrow red line regions 42, the maximum laser energy lies between E ₁ and E ₂ , so that although the reaction energy of the second effect pigments exceeded, the energy required to cut the film 14 is not reached. For writing the two-color line segments 46, 48 and generating the perforation openings, the laser energy is increased to a value above E ₁ , so that, as described in FIG. 3, the film 14 cut and register exactly both a narrow blue marking 46 in the paper substrate 18 as well as a wide red marking 48 in the film element 14 are generated.

In addition to the modification of the effect pigments or of the pigment-free marking substance by the laser radiation itself, a modification of the marking substance by the heat generated during laser beam cutting is also suitable. FIG. 5 (a) illustrates this in connection with the laser application. stationary spatial distribution 50 of the heat energy in the paper substrate 18. With E ₁ , the threshold energy required for cutting the film strip 14 is again denoted, with E ₃ the reaction energy of the first effect pigments present in the paper substrate 18. The foil strip in this embodiment is not provided with effect pigments.

As can be seen immediately from FIG. 5 (a) and the cross-section of FIG. 5 (b), the heated region 54, in which the reaction energy of the first effect pigments is exceeded and therefore a color change in the paper substrate 18, can be significantly over extend the cutting region 52 so that narrow lines of weakness 56 can be combined with wide marking lines 58 in the paper substrate 18. It is understood that effect pigments in the paper which react to the heat generated can be combined with effect pigments or thermo-reactive dyes in the film strip, which react to the laser radiation itself. In this way, it is possible, for example, in addition to the weakening lines 56 to produce broad marking lines in the paper substrate and, in comparison thereto, narrow marking lines in the film element

However, the marking lines in the paper substrate 18 may also be formed wider than the lines of weakness, even if the marker in the paper reacts to the laser radiation itself. This can be achieved, for example, with such markers and such laser energies in which the laser energy, although no longer sufficient to cut the film strip, but still enough light penetrates through the film strip to trigger the desired color change of the marker in the paper. Instead of a film element, the weakening lines described can also be introduced into a lacquer layer transferred to a paper substrate. For this purpose, a thin lacquer layer can be applied to a carrier foil, embossed with a desired structure and partially or completely metallized. The coated carrier film is adhered to a paper substrate and the carrier film is peeled off so that only the embossed and optionally metallized coating layer remains on the paper substrate. By providing weakening lines according to the invention while simultaneously marking the paper substrate, the possibility of removing such lacquer layers, for example, from a genuine banknote and transferring it to a counterfeit banknote, is effectively prevented because the weakened lacquer layer inevitably destroys in such a transfer attempt starting from the lines of weakness becomes.

Depending on the desired design, the effects described can be used with transparent or opaque film elements or with transparent or opaque paint layers. If the weakening lines in the film or the lacquer are difficult to recognize, the color effect of the paper substrate and the color of the film element or of the lacquer can be matched to one another. For example, a paper substrate having a marker that has a color change to red may be combined with a red colored transparent film element. After the laser application, the red coloration of the film element is reduced or removed in the region of the weakening lines. At the same time, however, graded red marking lines were created in the paper substrate, so that the lines of weakness are not or only with difficulty recognizable in the case of intact layer composite.

In addition to the effects already described, a large number of further color effects are inherent in the layered composite of paper substrate and film substrate. element, a selection being shown in FIG. For all effects, a transferred lacquer layer can be used instead of a foil element.

The further color effects are based on the observation that the markers used in addition to the already described threshold energy EM, which exceeds a color change, generally also have a higher destruction threshold ED, when exceeded, the marker is removed or destroyed. If, therefore, the maximum energy of the laser beam lies above the destruction threshold ED, SO, three subregions can be distinguished within the beam profile. In a first subarea in which the laser energy exceeds the destruction threshold ED, the marking substance is destroyed or eroded and thereby related to the environment first color effect generated. In a second subregion, in which the laser energy lies between the reaction threshold EM and the destruction threshold ED, the desired color change of the marking substance takes place, so that a second color effect occurs there. In the area below the reaction threshold EM, the marker is not changed and no color effect is generated.

When using a first marker A with marker threshold AM and destruction threshold AD in the paper substrate 18 and a second marker B with marker threshold BM and destruction threshold BD in the film element 14, the five subsections 61-65 shown schematically in FIG Laser beam 60 from the portion 61 to the portion 65 has decreasing laser energy. In the schematic representation of FIG. 6, the width of the partial regions is shown in each case the same size for the sake of clarity. The subregions are set so that the laser energy in the inner subregions 61 and 62 the energy required for cutting the film 14, so that the generated lines of weakness 68 have the width of the portions 61 and 62, as shown in Fig. 6 (b). For the sake of simplicity, the weakening lines in FIG. 6 are always completely drawn through the film element, even if they generally have a certain residual thickness in practice, as described above.

6 (c) shows first the case already described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3, in which the laser energy in the subregions 61 and 62 lies between AM and AD, so that the marking substance A there has a color change, but not destroyed or removed. In the partial region 63, the laser energy lies between BM and BD, SO that the marker B has a color change there, but is not destroyed or removed. Outside the subregions 61-63, the laser energy lies below the reaction thresholds of both markers, so that no color effect is produced there.

The most general case is illustrated in FIG. 6 (d): There, the laser energy lies in the partial region 62 between AM and AD, in the partial region 61 even above AD, SO such that the marker A shows a color change in the partial region 62 and is removed in the central partial region 61 or destroyed. The color effect of the central portion 61 of the weakening line 68 is therefore different from the color effect of the outer portions 62 of the weakening line. Furthermore, the laser energy lies in the partial region 64 between BM and BD, in the partial region 63 even above BD, SO such that the marker B shows a color change in the outer partial regions 64 and is removed or destroyed in the inner partial regions 63. The color effect in the outer parts 64 of the marking of the film element 14 therefore differs from the color effect of the inside Parts 63 of the label. Outside the subregions 61-64, the laser energy lies below the reaction thresholds of both markers, so that no color effect is produced there. It is understood that the various color effects can be combined with body colors of the paper substrate and the film element itself, so that the designer a variety of design options for the markings are provided.

In the variant of FIG. 6 (e), in contrast to the variant of FIG. 6 (d), the laser energy lies in the subarea 61 as well as in the subarea 62 below AD, SO such that only one color effect is present in the region of the weakening lines 68 , namely the desired color change of the marker A results. In the variant of FIG. 6 (f), the laser energy lies in both partial regions 61, 62 above the destruction threshold AD. Even there there is only a color effect in the region of the weakening lines 68, which is caused by the destruction or removal of the marking substance A.

The variant of FIG. 6 (g) differs from the variant of FIG. 6 (c) in that the laser energy lies above AD in both the partial region 61 and the partial region 62, so that the marker A is present in the entire region the weakening lines 68 is removed.

The variants of FIGS. 6 (h) and (i) represent modifications of the variants of FIGS. 6 (d) and (e), in which the laser energy in the subregion 63 lies between BM and BD and, moreover, that through the film element 14 passing and reaching the paper substrate 18 laser energy is still above AM, so that not only a change in color in the film element 14, but also a change in color in the paper substrate 18 takes place in the subregion 63. A further aspect of the invention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. In experiments of the inventors, it has been found that it is possible, in a layer composite 70 consisting of a paper substrate 72 and a film element 74 (FIG. _1), in which the paper substrate and the film element in a marking region 75 with a first and a second, respectively Iaser-modifiable marking material are provided to generate identifications in the paper substrate 72 and in the film element 74 simultaneously and accurately by laser irradiation without cutting the film element 74 during laser cutting. Such a nondestructive marking of paper and film was surprisingly possible, in particular with a CCh laser whose radiation is actually absorbed by the film material at a wavelength of 10.6 μm.

To protect the layer composite 70 against manipulation, the paper substrate 72 is provided in the marking region 75 with a first marking substance, which undergoes a color change to a first color, red in the exemplary embodiment, when laser is applied, so that a red marking 76 results in the paper. The film element 74 is provided in the marking area with a second marking substance, which undergoes a color change to a semi-transparent second color 78, in the exemplary embodiment blue, when laser is applied, so that a blue marking 78 results in the film element.

Since the two markings 76, 78 are generated simultaneously by the same laser beam, they lie in the composite layer 70 in registration and congruent one above the other, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 (a). When viewed in supervision, the combined marking 76, 78 appears with the combination color of the first and second color, which in the embodiment shown results in magenta (= red + blue). Will that be now Foil member 74 is peeled off paper substrate 72, the indicia 76 on the then separate paper substrate 72 becomes red in color (Fig. 8 (b)), while indicia 78 appear on the then separated film member 74 in its blue color (Fig. 8 (c)).

In order to successfully readjust the visual appearance of the layer composite 70 by transferring the film element 74 to another paper substrate, the peeled film element 74 with its marking 78 would have to be applied congruently to a red marking 76, which is due to the fine structures which are achieved by means of laser application can, is extremely difficult. By the proposed measure, therefore, a very high security against forgery of the jointly marked layer composite 70 is achieved.

The principle of the invention of the second aspect of the invention can also be realized by color removal of a marker, as explained with reference to the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10. The layer composite 90 of FIG. 9 in this case contains a paper substrate 92, which is provided in a marking area 95 with a first marking substance which shows a color change from a first color, for example blue, to a second color, for example yellow, upon laser exposure. The layer composite further contains a transparent film element 94 applied in the marking area 95 with a second marking substance which has a third color, for example red, and which can be removed by laser application.

By applying the layer composite 90 with the radiation of a CO2 laser, markings 96, 98 can then be produced in the paper substrate 92 and the film element 94 at the same time and with register accuracy, without to destroy or cut the film element 94. Outside of the markers 96, 98, the observer sees a combination color of the blue color of the first marker and the red color of the second marker, so that the marker area 95 shows a magenta background.

In the area of the combined marking 96, 98, the first marking substance of the paper substrate 92 appears yellow after the color change, while the second marking substance of the film element 94 has been removed and the film thus appears transparent. Overall, the combined identifier 96, 98 thus appears yellow to the observer against a magenta background, as shown schematically in FIG. 10 (a).

When the film member 94 is peeled off the paper substrate 92, the indicia 96 on the then separate paper substrate 92 is still visible in its yellow color, but now appears against the blue background of the marking area 95, as shown in Fig. 10 (b) , On the then separate film element 94, the marking 98 now appears transparent against a red background, as shown in Fig. 10 (c).

Here, too, results in a transfer attempt of the film element, the hardly overcome difficulty, the detached film element 94 with the transparent marking 98 congruent to a label 96 of the type shown in Fig. 10 (b), so that for the composite layer 90 also a very high counterfeit security is achieved.

In a modification of the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10, the color effect of the first marker and the color of the second Marking fabric coordinated so that the combination color of the first color of the first marker and the color of the second marker corresponds to the second color of the first marker after the color change. For example, the first marker may exhibit a color change from blue to magenta upon laser exposure and the second marker may be red.

In the layer composite 90, the laser-induced markings 96, 98 then appear magenta (magenta of the first marker + transparency of the film element) against a magenta background (blue of the first marker + red of the second marker) and are therefore virtually invisible in the intact layer composite.

However, when the film member 94 is peeled off the paper substrate 92, the indicia 96 on the then separated paper substrate 92 appear magenta in front of a blue background and on the then separated film member 94 transparent against a red background, as shown in Figs. 10 (b) and Fig 10 (c) is shown schematically.

The use of mixed colors is of course also possible in the above-described designs with weakening lines. The security element does not have to be completely severed for this purpose since the laser application can lead to the transparency of the security element or the feature substance can be introduced into the volume of the security element. In particular, security elements with lines of weakness can be produced in this way, in which the lines of weakness in the initial state are virtually invisible. 11 shows a further exemplary embodiment 100 according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the markings 104 introduced by the laser radiation project beyond the strip of foil 102 provided with lines of weakness into the paper substrate 106. As already explained in connection with FIG. 2, the lines of weakness in the film strip can be combined with registered markings in the film strip and in the underlying paper substrate. These adjusted elements of the identification strips lying in the foil strip 102 are shown together in FIG. 11 for the sake of simpler representation as a light line 108.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11, the marking 104 now projects beyond the region of the film strip 102 and extends into the paper substrate 106. Since the marking sections 110 are produced in the paper substrate 106 with the same laser beam as the marking strips 108 located in the film strip 102, they are perfectly aligned with these on the side. This lateral registration results in additional protection of the applied foil strip. As the tag 104 passes into the paper substrate 106, the color intensity and / or the width of the tag 104 may change as it is partially laser-printed on the film strip 102 and partially directly on the paper substrate 106.

Also, the color of the tag 104 itself may change during the transition, especially if a multi-layered design is used. For example, a first marker may be incorporated into the volume of the paper substrate 106 and a second marker may be printed on the surface of the paper substrate 106. The laser energy during cutting can then be adjusted so that it can be removed in the region outside the foil strip 102 for removing the second feature substance of the surface layer and for inducing a color change of the first marking. sufficient in the region of the film strip 102 after the passage through the film still incident on the paper laser energy is sufficient only to induce a color change of the present on the surface of the second marker.

The described effect can also be exploited in film composite banknotes in the region of openings of the films. The effect can be further used in non-destructive marking according to the second aspect of the invention, as shown in FIG.

In this case, similar to FIGS. 7 and 8, a layer composite 120 consisting of a paper substrate 122 and a film element 124 is provided and the paper substrate and the film element are provided in a marking area with a first or second laser-modifiable marking substance. Labeling sections 126 and 128 are produced by laser irradiation in perfect lateral fit, with only marking of the paper substrate 122 taking place in the marking sections 126, while identifications in the paper substrate 122 and in the registration section 128 in the manner already described in FIG the film element 124 are produced without cutting the film element 124 thereby.

For example, the paper substrate 122 is provided in the marking region with a first marking substance, which undergoes a color change to a first color, red in the exemplary embodiment, when laser is applied, so that a red marking 130 results in the paper. The film element 124 is provided in the marking area with a second marking substance, which upon laser application, a color change to a semi-transparent second color, blue in the embodiment, experiences, so that there is a blue marking 132 in the film element.

In the plan view shown in FIG. 12 (a), the combined marking in the region of the foil element 124 (identification section 128) appears with the combination color of the first and second colors, in this case red + blue = magenta. Outside the film element, in the marking section 126, the marking appears red.

When the film element 124 is peeled off the paper substrate 122, the indicia 130 on the then separate paper substrate 122 become completely red (Fig. 12 (b)), while the indicia 132 on the then separated film element 124 are blue in color appears (Fig. 12 (c)).

Exceeding the range of the security element on the one hand has the advantage that the security element can be better integrated into the paper substrate, since the label from the paper substrate on the security element overlaps. On the other hand, the side-fitted identification section 126 provides additional protection since this identification part remains in the paper substrate even when the paper is split when the security element is detached.

In principle, the laser energy can be varied, depending on whether the security element or only the paper substrate is applied. However, register tolerances may arise between the marking sections on the paper and the security element. It is understood that the lasering of paper and film need not be symmetrical about the centerline of the film. Even the lasered pattern itself can be asymmetric.

Claims

Patent claims

1. A method for producing a security or value document, characterized by the method steps:

L) applying laser radiation to the layer composite in order simultaneously and precisely to create lines of weakness in the security element and by modification of the marking substance markings in the paper substrate.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser parameters in the loading of the layer composite in step L) are selected so that the weakening of the security element by the lines of weakness exceeds the adhesive force between the security element and paper substrate.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesion between security element and paper substrate and the strength of the

Security element both greater than the strength of the paper substrate are selected and the laser parameters in the application of the layer composite in step L) are selected so that the weakening of the security element in the region of the weakening lines, the strength of the Paper substrate exceeds the adhesive force between the security element and paper substrate or the strength of the security element.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized marked, that the paper substrate in step B) is coated with the marker, in particular, that the marker is printed in the marking area.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized marked, that the marker in step B) is introduced into the volume of the paper substrate, in particular, that the marker is mixed in the sheet formation of the paper pulp that the marker in a dip is introduced into the paper substrate or that the paper substrate is impregnated in a size press with the marker.

6. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the security element has a weakenable by laser action film layer.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the film layer is also provided with a lasermodif izierbaren marker to produce in step L) additionally at the same time and register-accurate markings in the film layer.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the film layer is coated in step B) with the marker, in particular that the marker is printed.

9. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the marker in step B) is introduced into the volume of the film layer.

10. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the security element has a weakened by laser coating paint layer.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the lacquer layer is also provided with a laser-modifiable marker, to generate in step L) additionally simultaneously and register-accurate markings in the lacquer layer.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that in step B) the marker the paint before application to the

Paper substrate is admixed.

13. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the marking substance in step B) applied to the lacquer layer, in particular is printed.

14. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that laser-modifiable markers are used whose visible color is changed by the action of the laser radiation.

15. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that laser-modifiable markers used be whose infrared-absorbing properties are changed by the action of the laser radiation.

16. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that laser-modifiable markers are used whose magnetic, electrical or luminescent properties are changed by the action of the laser radiation.

17. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the paper substrate and the security element are each provided with different laser-modifiable markers.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the different marking substances are coordinated with one another such that the

Modification of the marker present in the paper substrate requires a higher laser energy than the modification of the marker present in the security element.

19. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that for generating the weakening lines and for modifying the marker laser radiation in the infrared spectral range is used, in particular laser radiation of a CO 2 laser at a wavelength between 9.2 and 11.4 microns or laser radiation of a Nd: Y AG laser at a wavelength of 1.064 μm.

20. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the security element along the Schwächungsli- is weakened to 50% or less, preferably 30% or less of the thickness outside the lines of weakness.

21. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the security element along the weakening lines provided with local weak points, in particular perforated.

22. A method for producing a security or value document, characterized by the method steps:

B) providing a layer composite of at least one paper substrate which is provided in a marking region with a first laser-modifiable marking substance, and a film element which is provided in the marking region with a different, second laser-modifiable marking substance, and

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the paper substrate is coated in step B) with the first marker, in particular, that the first marker is printed.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the first marker in step B) is introduced into the volume of the paper substrate, in particular, that the marker is mixed in the sheet formation of the paper pulp that the marker in a Immersion bath is introduced into the paper substrate or that the paper substrate is impregnated in a size press with the marker.

25. The method according to at least one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the film element is coated in step B) with the second marker, in particular, that the second marker is printed.

26. The method according to at least one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the second marker in step B) is introduced into the volume of the film layer.

27. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that first and second laser-modifiable marking substances are used whose visible color is changed by the action of the laser radiation.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that the color change of the first and second laser-modifiable marking substance are matched to one another such that

the markings in the composite after laser application appear in a combination color and

- The labels appear in a peel of the film element from the paper substrate in each case with different colors of the combination color.

29. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that the second laser-modifiable marker is made transparent by the action of the laser radiation, so that

- the markings in the composite after laser application appear in a target color and

30. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that laser radiation in the infrared spectral range is used for modifying the marking substances, in particular laser radiation of a CO 2 laser at a wavelength between 9.2 and 11.4 μm or laser radiation of one Nd: Y AG laser at a wavelength of 1.064 μm.

31. Secure hot or value document, producible according to one of claims 1 to 21, with a layer composite of at least one paper substrate, which is provided in a marking area with a laser-modifiable marker, and a present in the marking area, weakenable by laser security element, wherein Laserbeaufschlagung accurately register lines of weakness in the security element and by modification of the marker identifications are introduced in the paper substrate.

32. security or value document, producible according to one of claims 22 to 30, with a layer composite of at least one paper substrate, which in a marking area with a first laser modifiable a marking element is provided, and a film element which is provided in the marking region with a different, second laser-modifiable marking substance, wherein by laser application by modification of the marking substances accurately identifications are incorporated in the paper substrate and in the film element.