SECURITY ELEMENT WITH MACHINE-READABLE FEATURES

Abstract

A security element has machine-readable magnetic security features in the form of at least two magnetic materials which have different magnitudes of coercive force and which are provided as a mixture in at least one printing ink that is applied onto a carrier substrate, wherein the at least one printing ink is provided in at least two regions on the security element with the same thickness and/or different thicknesses, and a defined mixture ratio of the at least two magnetic materials with different magnitudes of coercive force is provided in the at least one printing ink.

Claims

1: A security element (18) with machine-readable, magnetic security features (3, 4) in the form of at least two magnetic materials of different coercivity, which are present as a mixture in at least one printing ink (2), which is applied to a carrier substrate (1), wherein the at least one printing ink (2) is provided in at least two regions on the security element (18) in the same and/or different thickness, and a defined mixing ratio of the at least two magnetic materials (3, 4) of different coercivity is present in the at least one printing ink (2).

2: The security element (18) according to claim 1, wherein the at least two magnetic materials (3,4) are a high-coercivity magnetic material and a low-coercivity magnetic material.

3: The security element (18) according to claim 1, wherein different printing inks (2) have different mixing ratios of the at least two magnetic materials (3, 4) of different coercivity.

4: The security element (18) according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of magnetic regions are formed by providing the at least one printing ink (2) on the carrier substrate (1).

5: The security element (18) according to claim 4, wherein each magnetic region is formed by exactly one printing ink (2) and adjacent magnetic regions preferably have different printing inks.

6: The security element (18) according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of identical and/or different printing inks (2) are arranged directly adjacent to one another on the carrier substrate (1) and thus form a magnetic region group, wherein preferably a plurality of magnetic region groups are provided which are arranged at a distance from one another, preferably at a constant distance from one another.

7: The security element (18) according to claim 6, wherein the printing inks (2) of a magnetic region group have different thicknesses, wherein the thicknesses preferably proceed in an increasing or decreasing manner from one side of the magnetic region group to the opposite side.

8: The security element (18) according to claim 1, wherein the mixing ratio of high-coercivity magnetic material and low-coercivity magnetic material is 20:1 to 1:20.

9: The security element (18) according to claim 1, wherein either regions with material of high coercivity or regions with material of low coercivity are additionally present on the security element (18).

10: The security element (18) according to claim 1, wherein the security element (18) has a full-surface or partial opaque layer (5, 6) on one side of the carrier substrate (1) below and/or above the printing inks (2).

11: The security element (18) according to claim 10, wherein the opaque layer has recesses in the form of letters, numbers, characters, patterns, symbols or lines.

12: The security element (18) according to claim 10, wherein the opaque layer is a reflective layer (5) or a colored, black or white printed layer (6).

13: The security element (18) according to claim 1, wherein the security element (18) comprises further security features.

14: The security element (18) according to claim 10, wherein the opaque layer (5, 6) and/or the further security features are applied true to register and/or with register accuracy to the at least one printing ink (2).

15: The security element (18) according to claim 10, wherein the opaque layer and/or the further security features are provided on a second carrier substrate and are bonded to the magnetic regions (2) by lamination or lining with the layer structure.

16: A data carrier or value document, comprising the security element according to claim 1.

17: The data carrier or value document according to claim 16, wherein the security element (18) in the form of a thread, strip or patch is at least partially embedded in the data carrier or value document or applied to the data carrier or value document.

Description

[0054] FIGS. 1 to 12a show embodiments of the security element according to the invention.

[0055] The numbers mean the following in the figures: [0056] 1 The carrier substrate [0057] 2 Magnetic regions/printing ink [0058] 3 Proportion of high-coercivity magnetic material in the printing ink, from which the magnetic region is formed [0059] 4 Proportion of low-coercivity magnetic material in the printing ink from which the magnetic region is formed [0060] 5 An opaque layer in the form of a reflective layer [0061] 6 An opaque layer in the form of a black, white, grey or colored printing layer [0062] 7 Recesses in the opaque layer [0063] 8 A transparent protective layer [0064] 9 A lacquer layer having a diffractive structure [0065] A release layer [0066] 11 A dielectric spacer layer [0067] 12 An absorber layer [0068] 13 An adhesive layer [0069] 14 An LC layer [0070] A primer or undercoat layer [0071] 16 A printed color-changing layer with interference pigments [0072] 17 A laminating adhesive layer [0073] 18 Security element [0074] 19 Regions with low/high-coercivity material

[0075] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 shows a security element 18 comprising a carrier substrate 1 made of a plastic film, for example PET, to which an opaque layer in the form of a reflective layer 5 with recesses 7 is applied. The recesses 7 may be in the form of letters, numbers, characters, patterns, symbols or lines.

[0076] Magnetic regions 2 spaced apart from each other are applied to the reflective layer 5. The magnetic regions 2 have the same distance between each other and thus do not form any coding.

[0077] The coding results from the composition of the magnetic regions 2 and their sequence.

[0078] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, regions 19 of low-coercivity material and magnetic regions 2 of a printing ink having fixed proportions 4 of low-coercivity printing ink and fixed proportions 3 of high-coercivity printing ink are applied. The ratio in this exemplary embodiment is 1:1, but other mixing ratios within the range of 1:20 to 20:1 according to the invention are also possible.

[0079] A hidden magnetic coding is formed by the magnetic regions 2 from the printing ink with fixed proportions of both low-coercivity and high-coercivity material.

[0080] The recesses 7 in the reflective layer 5 may also be designed in accurate register with the magnetic-layer-free regions.

[0081] Alternatively, a black, white or colored printing layer 6 may be provided in place of the reflective layer 5.

[0082] In an embodiment not shown, the reflective layer 5 or the printing layer 6 with recesses 7 may also be provided on the side of the carrier substrate opposite the magnetic regions 2.

[0083] FIG. 1a illustrates an embodiment analogous to FIG. 1 in which regions 19 of high-coercivity material are provided instead of regions 19 of low-coercivity material.

[0084] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which a reflective layer 5 with recesses 7 is applied to a carrier substrate 1, which may consist of a transparent, semi-transparent or opaque plastic film.

[0085] On the reflective layer 5, magnetic regions 2 which are spaced apart from each other are applied, each of which is made of a printing ink having fixed proportions of high-coercivity material 3 and low-coercivity material 4. The ratio of high-coercivity material 3 to low-coercivity material 4 in this exemplary embodiment is 4:1.

[0086] The magnetic regions 2 have the same distance from each other, the coding results from the fixed proportions of both low-coercivity and high-coercivity material of the printing ink.

[0087] In an embodiment not shown, the magnetic regions 2 may be applied with different thicknesses, which additionally results in different remanences.

[0088] Alternatively, a black, white or colored printing layer 6 may be provided in place of the reflective layer 5.

[0089] In an embodiment not shown, the reflective layer 5 or the printing layer 6 with recesses 7 may also be provided on the side of the carrier substrate opposite the magnetic regions 2.

[0090] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which magnetic regions 2 are printed with different mixing ratios of low-coercivity material 4 and high-coercivity material 3. In the illustrated embodiment, two printing inks with different mixing ratios are shown, but 3 or more printing inks with different mixing ratios of the magnetic materials can also be used. The magnetic regions 2 are arranged so that they are equally spaced from each other.

[0091] A reflective layer 5 with recesses 7 is arranged above and below each of the magnetic regions 2, wherein the recesses in the two reflective layers are arranged true to register with one another. In the magnetic-layer-free regions, the recesses 7 of the two reflective layers 5 can be seen in transmitted light.

[0092] On the one hand, the coding results from the mixture of the specified proportions of both low-coercivity and high-coercivity material of the respective magnetic regions 2 as well as the different mixing ratios in the printing inks used.

[0093] Alternatively, a black, white or colored printing layer 6 may be provided in place of the reflective layer 5.

[0094] In an embodiment not shown, the reflective layer 5 or the printing layer 6 with recesses 7 may also be provided on the side of the carrier substrate 1 opposite the magnetic regions 2.

[0095] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment according to the invention in which printing inks (and thus magnetic regions 2) with the same mixing ratio of high-coercivity and low-coercivity materials 3, 4 with different thicknesses and the same width are printed directly adjacent to one another on the partially applied reflective layer 5 with recesses 7 present on a carrier substrate 1, whereby several magnetic region groups are formed. Between each of the three magnetic region groups shown, magnetic-layer-free regions are provided.

[0096] The mixing ratio of low-coercivity material 4 and high-coercivity material 3 of each printing ink of each magnetic region group is 1:1 in this exemplary embodiment. The different thicknesses of the printing inks result in different remanences within the magnetic region groups consisting of four adjacent printing inks of different thicknesses.

[0097] In an alternative embodiment thereto, a security element may comprise only a single magnetic region group.

[0098] FIG. 4a shows an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 4, with the difference that at least one magnetic region group is formed by printing inks having a different mixing ratio of high-coercivity and low-coercivity materials 3, 4 than printing inks of other magnetic region groups.

[0099] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4b, one or more magnetic region groups may be formed by printing inks having mutually different mixing ratios of high-coercivity and low-coercivity materials 3, 4.

[0100] The printing inks 2 of a magnetic region group can also be applied in such a way that they each have a decreasing or increasing thickness when viewed in one direction, wherein the increase or decrease in thickness can also take place in a progressive manner, as shown in FIG. 4c. Alternatively, however, the thickness of the printing inks or magnetic regions can be formed in such a way that neither a progression nor a step-shaped, continuous increase or decrease is formed in this respect, as is shown in FIG. 4d.

[0101] Alternatively, instead of the partially applied reflective layer 5, a black, white or colored printing layer 6 may also be partially applied.

[0102] In an embodiment not shown, the reflective layer 5 or the printing layer 6 with recesses 7 may also be provided on the side of the carrier substrate opposite the magnetic region groups.

[0103] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the magnetic region groups are applied with respective printing inks having a fixed mixing ratio of low-coercivity material 4 and high-coercivity material 3 in different widths and different thicknesses spaced apart from each other on the partially applied reflective layer 5 with recesses 7 present on a carrier substrate 1. Magnetic-layer-free regions are provided between the three magnetic region groups shown. The mixing ratio of low-coercivity material 4 and high-coercivity material 3 per printing ink is 2:1 for each magnetic region group in this exemplary embodiment. The different thicknesses of the printing inks result in different remanences within the three magnetic region groups. In accordance with the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 4d, the mixing ratios and thicknesses of each ink can also be varied in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0104] Alternatively, a black, white or colored printing layer 6 may be provided in place of the reflective layer 5.

[0105] In an embodiment not shown, the reflective layer 5 or the printing layer 6 with recesses 7 may also be provided on the side of the carrier substrate 1 opposite the magnetic region groups.

[0106] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment according to the invention, in which a protective layer 8 is provided between the reflective layer 5 and the layer with magnetic regions/printing inks 2. Such a protective layer optionally prevents mutual interference between the magnetic layer and the reflective layer, for example by corrosion, when the security element 18 is exposed to moisture. Two different printing inks are used for the magnetic regions 2, each with a different mixing ratio of low-coercivity material 4 and high-coercivity material 3.

[0107] Alternatively, a black, white or colored printing layer 6 may be provided in place of the reflective layer 5.

[0108] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, an embossed lacquer layer 9 is applied to a carrier substrate 1 made of a transparent plastic film, which is provided with a first partially applied reflective layer 5 with recesses 7a. A protective layer 8 is applied to this layer 5, and magnetic regions 2 which are spaced apart from one another are applied to this protective layer, for which two different printing inks are used, each having a different mixing ratio of low-coercivity material 4 and high-coercivity material 3. Subsequently, a protective lacquer layer 8 is again applied, and a second reflective layer 5 having recesses 7b is again applied to this protective lacquer layer 8. The recesses 7b in this second reflective layer 5 are situated such that the recesses 7a in the first reflective layer are at least partially visible. The security element is provided with an adhesive layer 13 on both sides in order to improve the anchoring in a value document.

[0109] Alternatively, a black, white or colored printing layer 6 may be provided in place of the first and/or second reflective layer 5.

[0110] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which a release layer 10 is applied to a transparent carrier substrate 1 and a thin-film element with a color-shift effect, consisting of an absorber layer 12, a dielectric spacer layer 11 applied thereto and a reflective layer 5 with recesses 7, is applied to this release layer.

[0111] A transparent protective layer 8 is applied over this layered structure, on which spaced-apart magnetic regions 2 consisting of a printing ink with fixed proportions of low-coercivity material 4 and high-coercivity material 3 are printed.

[0112] Subsequently, a second transparent protective layer 8 is applied, on which in turn a second reflective layer 5 with recesses 7 is situated.

[0113] An adhesive layer 13 is applied to the entire structure, by which the security element can be fixed to an object. The carrier substrate 1 is then peeled off.

[0114] The security element shows a color-shift effect and a hidden magnetic coding.

[0115] Alternatively, a black, white or colored printing layer 6 may be provided in place of the second reflective layer 5.

[0116] In FIG. 8a, a primer or undercoat layer 15 is applied to a metallic carrier substrate 1. On this transparent primer or undercoat layer, magnetic region groups are applied which are composed of magnetic regions/printing inks 2 applied directly adjacent to each other with a fixed mixing ratio of high-coercivity and low-coercivity materials 3, 4 having different thicknesses and the same width. Magnetic-layer-free regions are provided between the magnetic region groups. A thin film structure with a color-shift effect consisting of a partially applied reflective layer 5, a full-surface dielectric spacer layer 11 and an absorber layer 12 is provided above the magnetic region groups. The partially applied reflective layer 5 is applied true to register. i.e. in a defined position, to the respective adjacent magnetic regions 2.

[0117] The security element shows a partial color-shift effect as well as a hidden magnetic coding.

[0118] According to an embodiment not shown, the dielectric spacer layer 11 and/or the absorber layer 12 may also be partially applied, preferably true to register with the partially applied reflective layer 5.

[0119] In the embodiment of the security element shown in FIG. 9, a dark colored or black printing layer 6 with recesses 7 is applied to a transparent carrier substrate 1. Magnetic regions 2 are applied to this printing layer, for which two printing inks with different mixing ratios of high-coercivity material and low-coercivity material 3, 4 are used. A liquid crystal layer (LC layer) 14 is applied to this structure with a protective layer 8 interposed therebetween. In those regions where the magnetic regions 2 and/or the printing layer are located under the LC layer 14, a color-shift effect can be seen due to the dark color of these regions.

[0120] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment analogous to FIG. 8a, in which a lacquer layer with a diffractive structure 9 is additionally applied to the color-shift thin-film structure. The diffractive structure is provided with a partially applied reflective layer 5.

[0121] The security element shows a partial color-shift effect and additionally a diffractive effect as well as a hidden magnetic coding.

[0122] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment in which a protective layer 8 and then a reflective layer 5 with recesses 7 are applied to a metallic carrier substrate 1. True to register with the reflective regions, magnetic regions 2 with a fixed mixing ratio of low-coercivity material 4 and high-coercivity material 3 are applied directly adjacent to one another in different widths and different thicknesses, thus forming mutually spaced-apart magnetic region groups. Between the three magnetic region groups shown, magnetic-layer-free regions are provided which are arranged true to register with the recesses in the reflective layer 5. The mixing ratio of low-coercivity material 4 and high-coercivity material 3 in this exemplary embodiment is 2:1. A colored printing layer 6 is applied to each of the magnetic region groups, also true to register with the magnetic regions and the reflective layer 5.

[0123] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, a reflective layer 5 or alternatively a printing layer 6 is applied to a carrier substrate 1. Magnetic regions 2 are applied to this layer 5/6, for which two different printing inks are used, each with a defined mixing ratio of low-coercivity material 4 and high-coercivity material 3.

[0124] A protective layer 8 is applied over the magnetic regions, on which a black reflective layer 5 or a partial black printed layer 6 is applied. This layer 5 or 6 has recesses 7 which may be in the form of letters, characters, patterns, symbols, lines and/or the like.

[0125] Against this layered structure, an LC layer 14 provided on a second carrier substrate is laminated by means of a laminating adhesive and the second carrier substrate is then peeled off. The layered structure can then be provided with an adhesive layer 13. The color-shift effect of the LC layer 14 is only visible in those regions in which the LC layer 14 is situated above the black reflective layer 5 or the black printing layer 6.

[0126] The security element shows a partial color-shift effect and a hidden magnetic coding.

[0127] FIG. 12a also shows an embodiment with a partial color-shift effect, but this is produced by using a printing ink with interference pigments 16. The structure is essentially the same as that shown in FIG. 12, but in this case the ink with interference pigments can be applied directly to the protective layer.

[0128] Instead of a protective layer 8 made of a lacquer, as shown in the exemplary embodiments, a thin polymeric protective film can be used, which is bonded to the structure by means of a laminating adhesive

[0129] It is understood that the mixing ratios of low-coercivity material 4 and high-coercivity material 3 given in the exemplary embodiments are merely provided by way of example, and other mixing ratios within the range of 1:20 to 20:1 according to the invention can be used in each exemplary embodiment. Likewise, the individual magnetic regions 2 can always have different mixing ratios as well.

[0130] The security elements according to the invention are suitable, optionally after appropriate finishing in the form of threads, strips or patches, for at least partial embedding in or application to data carriers, in particular value documents such as identity cards, cards, banknotes or labels, seals and the like. Furthermore, the security elements according to the invention in the form of a strip or patch can also be used to close an aperture in a data carrier.