An improved polymeric sheet material for use in making polymeric security documents such as banknotes is provided. The inventive polymeric sheet material has one or more integrated and/or applied optical security devices. Polymeric security documents made using these improved polymeric sheet materials are also provided.

The invention relates to a multilayer body with a carrier film, a partial reflective layer, arranged on the surface of the carrier film, which is at least partially transparent in a first area and opaque in a second area, a partial decorative layer, arranged on a surface of the carrier film and/or the side of the decorative layer facing away from the carrier film, which is present in a third area and not present in a fourth area,
wherein the first area overlaps the third area and the second area overlaps the third and the fourth areas. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing such a multilayer body, a security element with such a multilayer body and a security document with such a security element.

The invention relates to a multilayer body with a carrier film, a partial reflective layer, arranged on the surface of the carrier film, which is at least partially transparent in a first area and opaque in a second area, a partial decorative layer, arranged on a surface of the carrier film and/or the side of the decorative layer facing away from the carrier film, which is present in a third area and not present in a fourth area,
wherein the first area overlaps the third area and the second area overlaps the third and the fourth areas. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing such a multilayer body, a security element with such a multilayer body and a security document with such a security element.

An information recording medium is formed by laminating a transparent protective layer and a base material having laser color-developing properties. The information recording medium includes an intermediate layer that is disposed between the transparent protective layer and the base material. In the information recording medium, the intermediate layer includes a diffraction structure layer that has a diffraction structure, and a first reflective layer that reflects visible light and is destroyed when irradiated with a laser beam. Light, when incident from a transparent protective layer side, causes a diffracted light pattern to appear in the diffraction structure layer so as to be observable from the transparent protective layer side. A laser beam, when applied from the transparent protective layer side, passes through the diffraction structure layer, destroys the first reflective layer, and develops color in the base material.

An information recording medium is formed by laminating a transparent protective layer and a base material having laser color-developing properties. The information recording medium includes an intermediate layer that is disposed between the transparent protective layer and the base material. In the information recording medium, the intermediate layer includes a diffraction structure layer that has a diffraction structure, and a first reflective layer that reflects visible light and is destroyed when irradiated with a laser beam. Light, when incident from a transparent protective layer side, causes a diffracted light pattern to appear in the diffraction structure layer so as to be observable from the transparent protective layer side. A laser beam, when applied from the transparent protective layer side, passes through the diffraction structure layer, destroys the first reflective layer, and develops color in the base material.

An optical security element to limit counterfeiting. The element includes a lens array with a first side and a second planar side opposite the first side. A plurality of lenses are formed on the first side of the lens array, and an ink layer is provided proximate the second planar side. The ink layer provides an interlaced image, which includes a matrix of frame or image elements under each of a plurality of lens sets or virtual lenses, each of which includes at least four lenses arranged in a grouping with an equal or unequal number of lenses on a side (e.g., a 2 by 2 array or a 2 by 3 array). The interlaced element are arranged in non-sequential order in two interlacing axes (e.g., via non-sequential interlacing in both directions) to be distributed throughout an area under the at least four lenses rather than under a single lens.

An optical security element to limit counterfeiting. The element includes a lens array with a first side and a second planar side opposite the first side. A plurality of lenses are formed on the first side of the lens array, and an ink layer is provided proximate the second planar side. The ink layer provides an interlaced image, which includes a matrix of frame or image elements under each of a plurality of lens sets or virtual lenses, each of which includes at least four lenses arranged in a grouping with an equal or unequal number of lenses on a side (e.g., a 2 by 2 array or a 2 by 3 array). The interlaced element are arranged in non-sequential order in two interlacing axes (e.g., via non-sequential interlacing in both directions) to be distributed throughout an area under the at least four lenses rather than under a single lens.

A security document includes a first leaf having a first polymer substrate and a first reinforcement layer attached or formed with the first leaf. An outer leaf is attached to the first leaf along a fold line and is located between the first leaf and a cover. The first reinforcement layer extends along the first leaf at least partially along the fold line and at least partially away from the fold line on both sides of the fold line. The security document also has methods of manufacturing such a security document and a plurality of such security documents.

A security document includes a first leaf having a first polymer substrate and a first reinforcement layer attached or formed with the first leaf. An outer leaf is attached to the first leaf along a fold line and is located between the first leaf and a cover. The first reinforcement layer extends along the first leaf at least partially along the fold line and at least partially away from the fold line on both sides of the fold line. The security document also has methods of manufacturing such a security document and a plurality of such security documents.

A method for manufacturing a portable data carrier by means of a continuous manufacturing method, comprises the steps: providing at least one foil as a rolled good, unrolling at least one first foil, with at least a first foil being coated at least partly with an adhesive on at least one side, with at least the first foil being scored on at least one side along at least one creasing edge, with at least the first foil being folded up in precise fit along at least one creasing edge and bonded, with the foil being folded up in the direction of the side which is coated with adhesive, with the side coated with adhesive being arranged on the opposite side of the foil which has at least one scored creasing edge along which it is folded.