The present invention relates to an optically variable security element for securing valuable articles, having a substrate having opposing first and second main surfaces and, arranged on the first main surface, an optically variable pattern that comprises an embossing pattern and a coating. The coating comprises at least one imprinted line grid and a background layer that contrasts with the line grid. The embossing pattern comprises a two-dimensional grid of elevated and/or depressed embossing elements. Both are combined in such a way that substantially on every embossing element lies at least one line segment of a line in the line grid, and at least one of the parameters position of the line segment on the embossing element, orientation of the line segment on the embossing element and form of the line segment varies location dependently across the dimension of the optically variable pattern. Due to the line grid, a movement effect, especially a pump or rotation effect, is created when the security element is tilted.

The present invention relates to an optically variable security element for securing valuable articles, having a substrate having opposing first and second main surfaces and, arranged on the first main surface, an optically variable pattern that comprises an embossing pattern and a coating. The coating comprises at least one imprinted line grid and a background layer that contrasts with the line grid. The embossing pattern comprises a two-dimensional grid of elevated and/or depressed embossing elements. Both are combined in such a way that substantially on every embossing element lies at least one line segment of a line in the line grid, and at least one of the parameters position of the line segment on the embossing element, orientation of the line segment on the embossing element and form of the line segment varies location dependently across the dimension of the optically variable pattern. Due to the line grid, a movement effect, especially a pump or rotation effect, is created when the security element is tilted.

A subwavelength grating displaying a colored image exhibiting a color corresponding to a grating period of a subwavelength grating in reflection directions including a specular reflection direction. A relief surface displaying a reflection image in monochromatic reflected light in reflection directions including a direction different from the specular reflection direction. An optical element has a first state in which neither a colored image nor a reflection image is displayed, a second state in which the colored image is mainly displayed, and a third state in which the reflection image is mainly displayed. A plane in which the optical element is disposed and a plane including a line of sight of an observer form an observation angle therebetween. The optical element is observed in any of the first, second and third states according to the observation angle.

An optically variable security element is provided for protecting objects of value. The reflective area region includes two independent relief structures, which are arranged at different levels in the z-direction and form a lower-level relief structure and a higher-level relief structure. The higher-level relief structure is supplied with a first reflection-enhancing coating following the relief profile, and the lower-level relief structure is supplied with a second reflection-enhancing coating following the relief profile. The first reflection-enhancing coating is formed in the visible spectral range with a reflection and transmission in the visible spectral range, so that the higher-level relief structure shows a first optically variable effect in a first color, and the lower-level relief structure shows a second optically variable effect through the first reflection-enhancing coating, wherein the second optically variable effect shows itself in a second, different color.

An optically variable security element is provided for protecting objects of value. The reflective area region includes two independent relief structures, which are arranged at different levels in the z-direction and form a lower-level relief structure and a higher-level relief structure. The higher-level relief structure is supplied with a first reflection-enhancing coating following the relief profile, and the lower-level relief structure is supplied with a second reflection-enhancing coating following the relief profile. The first reflection-enhancing coating is formed in the visible spectral range with a reflection and transmission in the visible spectral range, so that the higher-level relief structure shows a first optically variable effect in a first color, and the lower-level relief structure shows a second optically variable effect through the first reflection-enhancing coating, wherein the second optically variable effect shows itself in a second, different color.

Provided is an information display medium that can enhance a forgery prevention effect. An information display medium (100) includes a light reflection layer (20) made of a metal or a metallic oxide and partially or fully placed on one surface of a substrate, and the light reflection layer (20) includes a first region (30) where first information is displayed by either of or a combination of an outline shape and a shape of an uneven region, and a second information display region (21a) where identification information formed by partial material removal of the light reflection layer (20), the second information display region being set to partially or fully overlap with the light reflection layer (20) where the first information is displayed in the first region (30).

A manufacturing process that allows for the transfer of labels formed from polarizer film to end-use products. The polarizer film is covered by a masking layer that is typically die cut to create the labels from the continuous sheet of film. Here, an additional covering layer (or layers) of a relatively stiff material is disposed over the masking layer. The addition of the covering layer results in the processed polarizer film being less susceptible to damage (related to unwanted bending) during further processing and/or shipment. Advantageously, the covering layer improves the ability to remove individual labels from the film, particularly with respect to attempting to peel off the thin masking layer.

A manufacturing process that allows for the transfer of labels formed from polarizer film to end-use products. The polarizer film is covered by a masking layer that is typically die cut to create the labels from the continuous sheet of film. Here, an additional covering layer (or layers) of a relatively stiff material is disposed over the masking layer. The addition of the covering layer results in the processed polarizer film being less susceptible to damage (related to unwanted bending) during further processing and/or shipment. Advantageously, the covering layer improves the ability to remove individual labels from the film, particularly with respect to attempting to peel off the thin masking layer.

An optical device is formed by hot stamping a demetallized hologram to an optically variable foil or to a coating of optically variable ink. In another embodiment a hologram is hot stamped to a banknote or document printed with a color-shifting ink.

Techniques are described in which articles (e.g., security documents, traffic signage and personal protective equipment) are formed to include an infrared absorptive material. In some instances, the infrared absorptive material includes a reduced tungsten oxide, such as cesium tungsten oxide, calcium tungsten oxide, potassium tungsten oxide, or the like, and exposed to radiation such that one or more regions of the security document has a modified appearance, thereby providing a visual marking or information on the article. Example articles include at least one layer including a polymer and an infrared absorptive material including a reduced tungsten oxide. The layer includes a radiation-treated region that exhibits a first appearance under visible light and at least one non-radiation-treated region that exhibits a second, different appearance under visible light. The at least one radiation-treated region may be formed by exposing the at least one radiation-treated region to infrared light to change at least one property of the reduced tungsten oxide in the radiation-treated region compared to the reduced tungsten oxide in the non-radiation-treated region. The first appearance may be whiter than the second appearance.