Data carrier

Translation of description of equivalent WO 0020225 A1

disk

The invention relates to a data carrier, such as securities, bank note, identity card or the like, which is provided in a predetermined area with an embossing.

It has long been customary to securities, such as stocks, to have an imprint. Such, introduced in the paper embossing is commonly referred to as blind embossing. It even common principles of German Stock Exchanges for the Printing of Securities ( "Exchange Rules") have been developed, which establish certain basic conditions for the shape and design of such coins. So the coinage must under these exchange Guidelines provided in a particular predetermined area of ​​the security be . Since these coins serve as anti-counterfeiting feature, they must, according to the Börsenricht- lines not only the shape of a letter have, but they must, preferably represent a complicated pattern as possible using guilloches to hinder counterfeiting.

The advantage of such blind embossing lies in the simple verifiability that can purely tactile done without additional aids. Moreover arise when considering the embossing due to light / shadow effects special three-dimensional optical impressions. However, the visibility of the embossing in diffuse or dim lighting is severely limited.

The invention therefore addresses the problem of proposing a data carrier with an embossing, which has an increased visual sense. The solution of this problem stems from the characteristics of the main claim. Further developments are subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, at least part of the embossing has to have the shape of an inclined plane. That is, the embossing height or depth falls, based on the remaining surface of the data carrier, from continuously from a maximum value along a predetermined direction, slowly. The drop in the embossing height or depth follows this with preferably a simple mathematical function, such as a line, a parabola or a hyperpigmentation, wherein the continuous drop in the form of a straight line - is preferred - the classic case of an inclined plane. For this reason, "inclined plane" used but which should not be limited only to the classic straight drop, but also all the other possibilities of the descending course includes below for the inventive waste of Prägehöhe- or deep the term. The embossing can take place so that the embossed patterns to the unembossed data carrier surface are raised or form recesses. a combination of the two within a stamping is possible. the lateral dimensions and the embossing height or depth of the embossing are such that they beugungsop- are not effective table.

According to a preferred embodiment, the embossing of multiple faces in the form of inclined planes. In this way, too formative information from several inclined planes are assembled. At around the embossing height variation within a sub-area and the embossing height differences between different sub-areas are additional to the usual light and shadow effects for human eye aas easily perceptible contrasts that make the entire embossing conspicuous and thus easier perceptible. Since using the patches in Form alphanumeric characters, patterns or other pictorial representations can be generated by inclined planes, it is possible to produce very complex and intricate embossing pattern, increase the counterfeit security addition. The dimensions of the single oblique planes must simply be selected so that each level at normal viewing distance for the human eye is clearly visible without aids. Here, all used inclined planes of the same type of height profile, ie the Prägehöhen- / -tiefenverlauf is equal in all areas, for example, linear or parabolic. But also any mixtures of different inclined planes can be used, not only can vary the shape of the height profile, but also individual parameters within a profile. So inclined planes can be used for example, which do have all the embossing height profile in the form of a straight line, varying the angle of inclination of this straight line, however. However, each has at least one embossment

Partial surface or inclined plane whose angle of inclination is compared with the data carrier surface of less than 10 ° and having a lateral dimension in the direction of the largest gradient of more than 1.5 mm. In a curved embossing height profile which does not have the shape of a straight line, the slope angle between the disk surface and the straight line is defined, which follows from the connecting line between the starting point and the point with the maximum embossing height or depth.

The maximum embossing height or depth which may be up to 250 microns, does not necessarily have to be identical for all inclined planes. To increase the protection against forgery further, the inclined planes more patterns can be superimposed. only embodiments be selected with high embossed For reasons of clarity of the following discussion and having inclined planes with a straight vertical profile.

The production of embossing according to the invention can be carried out with any embossing tool. Preferably, however, it is produced by the intaglio printing process. For this, the embossing patterns are engraved by known processes in a metal plate. A computer-controlled method for manufacturing such intaglio printing plates is described for example in the JO 97/48555. During the printing process, the paper is pressed into the depressions of the engraved metal plate and permanently deformed in this way. To create a blind embossing, these printing plates are not filled during printing with color, but are only used to the document material, such as paper to deform, ie emboss.

According to a preferred embodiment, the embossing of multiple faces in the form of inclined planes, which are directly adjacent and whose pitch runs contrary to one another. The planes can be arranged side by side, so that in a predetermined direction drops an inclined plane, while the next arranged inclined plane in this direction rises in a wedge shape.

According to a further embodiment, the inclined planes can also adjoin one another such that they would be quasi overlap or penetrate in their extension. Two adjoining inclined planes thereby form for example a V-shaped vertical profile. Several, for example, three or four directly adjoining inclined planes may be arranged and aligned with each other to form a pyramid.

Advantageously, a data carrier are also provided with a plurality of spaced imprints. According to a preferred embodiment, in particular adjacent embossing is at least an inclined plane across multiple, away continues.

According to a further preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the embossment in the form of an inclined plane, and the embossed area of ​​the data carrier is additionally provided with at least one layer or a layer sequence, whose visual impression varies depending on the viewing angle. Optically variable materials such as interference layers, liquid crystal layers or layers having the diffraction structures, show at the viewing angle changes, a color change game that can not be reproduced by means of copying. They are therefore often used as a copy protection elements. If you see such layers in the embossing of the invention provides, as a clearly perceptible change in the viewing angle is given due to the height profile of the inclined planes. That is, occur along the height profile of the embossing on color differences that highlight the embossed against the unembossed surroundings and thus make more perceptible.

A similar effect occurs when be provided in the area of ​​the embossing according to the invention, high-gloss, such as metallic layers. Because the glancing angle, the high-gloss layers appear very bright and luminous, while they are perceived darker and less brilliant in all other corners. On approximately the height profile of therefore inclined planes appear at a certain viewing angle specific areas of embossed bright and shiny, while other areas are perceived darker. In this way, an additional contrast is generated, which can emerge minting more.

The above-mentioned optically variable layers can be applied to the disc by any known method. They can be prepared, for example, on a separate carrier and then transferred by a transfer process to the disk. In this case, the prepared carrier material is brought via an adhesive layer in contact with the data carrier and may incur under heat and pressure with the data carrier. Subsequently, the support is peeled off, while the transferred layer remains on the disk.

Depending on transmitting material, the carrier material in the preparation must be provided with different layer sequences. In the case of diffraction structures, for example, the support material is usually provided with a plastic layer, in which the diffraction structures are embossed in the form of a relief. Subsequently, this relief is vapor-coated with a thin aluminum layer, and finally covered with an adhesive layer. However, it can also be provided further layers on the support material under certain circumstances and transmitted to the data carrier. Various methods for the preparation of support materials with optically variable layers are known from the prior art, for example from DE 2907186 C2, US Pat No. 3,858,977, EP 0 420 261 Al, EP 0435029 B.

However, the layers may also be provided as ink layers. In this case, the optically variable effect contain erzeugen- the layers pigments, the usual printing ink binding agents are admixed and knife-coated or printed on the disk. Interference layer pigments, for example, are sold by Merck under the name IRIODINE^® or by the company BASF under the name PALIOSECURE^® marketed.

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the figures reflect not true to scale, but only the Veran- trative act of invention.

Show it:

Fig. 1 Sketch of an inventive data carrier,

Fig. 2 is cross section through the disk according to the invention along A - B in Figure 1.

Fig. 3 Sketch of an embossment of the invention in plan view,

Fig. 4 cut along A - B in FIG. 3;

Fig. 5 Sketch a imprint invention in plan view,

Fig. 6 is sectional view taken along A - B in Fig. 5.

FIG. 1 shows an inventive data carrier 1, in this case a bank note. They shall look usually made of paper, the wool fibers from tree and / or synthetic fibers was prepared. According to the invention this Banknote an embossed area on 2. This embossed area 2 may additionally be provided with one or more optically variable layers which can be applied to the bank note 1 before or after the embossing process.

FIG. 2 shows a section along A - B through the imprint 2. The imprint 2 accordingly consists of an inclined plane 3. The embossing height profile along the arrow 4 is straight. However, it could also have a different shape. Preferably, the embossing height profile can however be described by a simple mathematical function.

In FIG. 3, an embossment 5 is shown in plan view has the shape of a bar. This embossment 5 is composed of four directly adjoining partial areas 6, 7, 8, 9, wherein the partial areas 6, 7, 8 have the shape of an inclined plane and are juxtaposed. The arrows indicate analogous to FIG. 2 to the direction of the embossing height increase. From this it is clear that the inclined planes of the sub-spaces 6, 7 and 7 and 8 are arranged opposite to each other. The portion 9, however, is not affected in the form of an inclined plane, but has a constant embossing height.

The sections 6, 8, 9 could also be referred to as an edge contour and section 7 of the fill area of ​​a character, for example, the letter "I". This type of decomposition of a to be embossed alphanumeric or pictorial representation in an edge contour and an area fill has to be particularly advantageous proven. in this case, both the edge contour and the patch surface at least a partial region in the form of an inclined plane, wherein the inclined planes of the edge contour and the fill area are arranged in opposite directions to each other. Fig. 4 schematically shows a section along A -. B in Figure 3, to illustrate the arrangement and orientation of the inclined planes or the course of the embossing height profile. The inclined plane of the portion 7 thereby falls from a maximum embossing height value to the level of the unembossed data carrier. At this range, the embossed constant embossing height portion 9 connects. In the background, the inclined plane of the partial region 6 is in addition to seeing that is concealed in the left pane of the inclined plane of the portion 7 and is therefore shown in dashed lines in this area.

Fig. 5 shows a further erfindungsgmäße embodiment of an embossment 10. In this case, the embossment 10 12 is also made of two subregions 11, together, but in contrast to the portions shown in Fig. 3 are not adjacent to each other, but virtually overlap each other reasonable are arranged. The inclined planes of the sections 11, 12 but are also in this case, as indicated by the arrows, positioned opposite to each other.

The course of the embossing height profile of this embossing 10 shows the section along A - B, which is shown in Fig. 6. Here it becomes clear that the inclined planes of the sections 11, 12 cut and the embossing 10 is replaced by a quasi-V-shaped embossing height profile. The dashed areas 13, 14 were only drawn to indicate the theoretical development of the individual inclined planes in the partial regions 11 and 12 without the overlap.

Since the viewing angle along the section line changes relatively strong, the viewer perceives the imprint at a fixed point of observation under distinctly different angles of incidence, as indicated in Fig. 6. Because of this result to-be additional contrasts that highlight the characteristics and thus make more readily apparent to the eye.

This effect may be exacerbated by the area of ​​the embossing is provided with an optically variable layer. Preferably, an optically variable printing ink is used for this layer, which consists of a binder and optically variable pigments substantially. As optically variable pigments are, for example interference layer or liquid crystal pigments that show when the viewing angle changes, a color change. If these colors applied to the inclined planes, so the viewer perceives the color of each portion 11, 12 true under a different angle of incidence, that is present due to the embossing height profile, the portions of the embossing for the viewer at a distinctly different viewing angle, so that color differences de occur within the imprint that improve the visual sense of the embossment.

Of course, a plurality of different printing inks or printing ink can be used with several different pigments optically variable. The printing inks can be applied by any method. Preferably, however, a screen printing method is used.

The data carrier can be made of any embossable material consist, but preferably paper is used in any composition. However, plastic films or multi-layer laminates of different materials, such as are used for example in ID cards and passports, can be provided with an embossing according to the invention.