A label (1) of this invention includes an optical function layer (13) configured to pass light of a certain wavelength, a light absorption layer (15) facing the optical function layer (13) and configured to absorb the light of the wavelength, and a light scattering layer (12) intervening between the optical function layer (13) and the light absorption layer (15) and including hollow bodies configured to scatter the light of the wavelength. The light scattering layer (12) is configured to raise a transmittance at the wavelength upon receiving external heat.

An optically variable surface pattern is made available, having at least two partial areas with reflection elements, wherein the reflection elements of the first partial region on the one hand and the reflection elements of the second partial region on the other hand reflect impinging light in different reflection directions. The first partial region is so covered with a first glazing ink layer that a viewer, upon a change of the viewing angle at which the viewer views the optically variable surface pattern, sees the first partial region glow in a first color upon reaching a first viewing angle. The second partial region glows in a second color that is different from the first color upon reaching a second viewing angle.

The present invention relates to the field of the protection of security documents, especially banknotes, against illegal actions such as robbery or theft. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of ink compositions for producing irreversibly magnetically induced images or patterns, said inks comprising multichromal microspheres, preferably bichromal microspheres (1) that are orientable upon application of a magnetic field and that comprise at least a first portion (2) comprising one or more dyes and/or pigments and at least a second portion (3) comprising one or more magnetic or magnetizable materials, wherein said microspheres (1) comprise as the first portion a core (2) having a surface and comprising the one or more dyes and/or pigments and as the second portion a partial coating (3) covering at least a portion of the surface of said core (2) and comprising the one or more magnetic or magnetizable materials.

The present invention relates to the field of the protection of security documents, especially banknotes, against illegal actions such as robbery or theft. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of ink compositions for producing irreversibly magnetically induced images or patterns, said inks comprising multichromal microspheres, preferably bichromal microspheres (1) that are orientable upon application of a magnetic field and that comprise at least a first portion (2) comprising one or more dyes and/or pigments and at least a second portion (3) comprising one or more magnetic or magnetizable materials, wherein said microspheres (1) comprise as the first portion a core (2) having a surface and comprising the one or more dyes and/or pigments and as the second portion a partial coating (3) covering at least a portion of the surface of said core (2) and comprising the one or more magnetic or magnetizable materials.

A security device is provided, including a first transparent layer having an optically variable effect generating relief structure formed in a surface thereof; a reflection enhancing layer extending over the relief structure and following the contour of the relief; and a second transparent layer extending over the reflection enhancing layer, the lateral extent of the second transparent layer being less than the whole area of the security device and corresponding to the lateral extent of the reflection enhancing layer. The first and/or second transparent layer includes one or more optically effective substances such that the appearance of the optically variable effect generated by the relief structure is different when viewed through the first transparent layer compared with when viewed through the second transparent layer, at least under illumination at a wavelength at which at least one of the optically effective substance(s) is visible.

A security device is provided, including a first transparent layer having an optically variable effect generating relief structure formed in a surface thereof; a reflection enhancing layer extending over the relief structure and following the contour of the relief; and a second transparent layer extending over the reflection enhancing layer, the lateral extent of the second transparent layer being less than the whole area of the security device and corresponding to the lateral extent of the reflection enhancing layer. The first and/or second transparent layer includes one or more optically effective substances such that the appearance of the optically variable effect generated by the relief structure is different when viewed through the first transparent layer compared with when viewed through the second transparent layer, at least under illumination at a wavelength at which at least one of the optically effective substance(s) is visible.

A security element for manufacturing value documents, such as banknotes, checks or the like, has an upper side making available several micro images, in particular for a lens magnification arrangement. Each micro image is formed by a micro cavity structure having a multitude of micro cavities disposed side by side, the micro cavities have an extension of 0.5 to 3 μm respectively in a spatial direction disposed parallel to the upper side. The micro cavity structure is optically reflective or highly refractive on its surface, so that on the surface at least partial reflection takes place, and for each micro image micro cavities of at least a first and a second type are present, which differ by an aspect ratio of the micro cavities, whereby each micro image is structured by the at least two different types of micro cavities.

A security element for manufacturing value documents, such as banknotes, checks or the like, has an upper side making available several micro images, in particular for a lens magnification arrangement. Each micro image is formed by a micro cavity structure having a multitude of micro cavities disposed side by side, the micro cavities have an extension of 0.5 to 3 μm respectively in a spatial direction disposed parallel to the upper side. The micro cavity structure is optically reflective or highly refractive on its surface, so that on the surface at least partial reflection takes place, and for each micro image micro cavities of at least a first and a second type are present, which differ by an aspect ratio of the micro cavities, whereby each micro image is structured by the at least two different types of micro cavities.

A display member according to this invention includes a plurality of pixels. At least one of the plurality of pixels includes a relief structure formation layer including a first region configured to display a predetermined color on a condition, and a second region different from the first region, a first layer made of a first material, and covering at least the first region, and a second layer made of a second material different from the first material, and covering the first layer. The display member displays an image based on a distribution of the first region on the condition that the display member is observed in the oblique direction, and displays an image based on a distribution of the second region on a condition that the display member is observed with transmitted light.

A display member according to this invention includes a plurality of pixels. At least one of the plurality of pixels includes a relief structure formation layer including a first region configured to display a predetermined color on a condition, and a second region different from the first region, a first layer made of a first material, and covering at least the first region, and a second layer made of a second material different from the first material, and covering the first layer. The display member displays an image based on a distribution of the first region on the condition that the display member is observed in the oblique direction, and displays an image based on a distribution of the second region on a condition that the display member is observed with transmitted light.