Security element comprising a lenticular image

Abstract

A security element for securing security papers, value documents and other data carriers, includes a lens grid image with a lens grid of a plurality of micro lenses and a radiation-sensitive motif layer arranged at a distance from the lens grid. The radiation-sensitive motif layer includes, in one motif region, a multiplicity of transparency regions produced by the action of radiation. The radiation-sensitive motif layer has, at least in the motif region, a color partial layer and a contrast partial layer. The color partial layer includes chromophore effect pigments which appear to be colored against the background of the contrast partial layer and which appear to be transparent without a contrast layer.

Claims

1. A security element for securing security papers, value documents and other data carriers, with a lens grid image including a lens grid of a plurality of micro lenses and a radiation-sensitive motif layer arranged at a distance from the lens grid, wherein the radiation-sensitive motif layer in a motif region includes a multiplicity of transparency regions produced by the action of radiation, wherein the radiation-sensitive motif layer has, at least in the motif region, two separate partial layers, a color partial layer and a contrast partial layer, wherein the contrast partial layer of the motif layer is removed in the transparency regions, the color partial layer of the motif layer is preserved in the transparency regions, and the color partial layer comprises chromophore effect pigments that appear to be colored against the background of the contrast partial layer and which appear to be transparent without a contrast layer.

2. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the contrast partial layer is formed by a chromatic or dark printing layer.

3. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the color partial layer includes interference pigments, pearl luster pigments and/or liquid crystal pigments as chromophore effect pigments.

4. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the contrast partial layer and/or the color partial layer is configured in the form of patterns, characters or a code.

5. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the lens grid image shows at least two different appearances from different viewing directions, wherein the transparency regions each are arranged in precise register with the micro lenses of the lens grid, and the radiation-sensitive motif layer outside the transparency regions produced by the action of radiation is opaque and is structured in the motif region in the form of a first motif, so that the first motif is visible as the first appearance when viewing the security element from a first viewing direction through the lens grid.

6. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the radiation-sensitive motif layer is laser-sensitive.

7. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the lens grid has or represents a one-dimensional arrangement of micro lenses or that the lens grid has or represents a two-dimensional arrangement of micro lenses.

8. The security element according to claim 1, wherein a second motif layer is arranged on the side of the radiation-sensitive motif layer facing away from the lens grid, which is structured in the form of a second motif, wherein the second motif is visible as a second appearance when viewing the security element from a second viewing direction through the lens grid and the transparency regions of the radiation-sensitive motif layer.

9. The security element according to claim 8, wherein the second motif layer is formed by a chromatic or dark printing layer.

10. The security element according to claim 8, wherein the second motif layer, apart from the transparency regions produced by the action of radiation, lies completely within the area of the contrast partial layer.

11. The security element according to claim 1, wherein one or several transparent layers are arranged on the side of the radiation-sensitive motif layer facing away from the lens grid, so that an underground lying below the security element is visible as a second appearance when viewing the security element from a second viewing direction through the lens grid and the transparency regions of the radiation-sensitive motif layer.

12. The data carrier with a security element configured according to claim 11, wherein the data carrier is supplied in a partial region with a second motif layer which is structured in the form of a second motif, and that the security element is arranged with the lens grid and the transparency regions above the second motif layer so that the second motif is visible as a second appearance when viewing the security element from a second viewing direction through the lens grid and the transparency regions of the radiation-sensitive motif layer.

13. A data carrier with a security element according to claim 1.

14. A method for manufacturing a security element with a lens grid image, in which a carrier substrate is made available and supplied with a lens grid composed of a plurality of micro lenses and a radiation-sensitive motif layer arranged at a distance from the lens grid, and in the radiation-sensitive motif layer a multiplicity of transparency regions is produced by the action of radiation through the lens grid, wherein the radiation-sensitive motif layer is formed, at least in the motif region, with two separate partial layers, a color partial layer and a contrast partial layer, wherein the contrast partial layer of the motif layer is removed in the transparency regions, the color partial layer of the motif layer is preserved in the transparency regions, and the color partial layer comprises chromophore effect pigments which appear to be colored against the background of the contrast partial layer and which appear to be transparent without a contrast layer.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the lens grid image shows at least two different appearances from different viewing directions, and that in the method the transparency regions in the radiation-sensitive motif layer are produced in precise register with the micro lenses of the lens grid, and the radiation-sensitive motif layer outside of the transparency regions produced by the action of radiation is configured to be opaque and structured in the form of a first motif, so that the first motif is visible as the first appearance when viewing the security element from a first viewing direction through the lens grid.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the radiation-sensitive motif layer is subjected to laser radiation through the lens grid in order to produce the transparency regions.

17. A security element for securing security papers, value documents and other data carriers, with a lens grid image including a lens grid of a plurality of micro lenses and a radiation-sensitive motif layer arranged at a distance from the lens grid, wherein the radiation-sensitive motif layer in a motif region includes a multiplicity of transparency regions produced by the action of radiation and a multiplicity of contrast regions, wherein the radiation-sensitive motif layer has, at least in the motif region, two separate layers, a color partial layer and a contrast partial layer, the color partial layer comprising chromophore effect pigments that appear to be colored against the background of the contrast partial layer and which appear to be transparent without a contrast layer, the color partial layer appearing to be colored against the background of the contrast partial layer in the contrast regions, wherein the contrast partial layer of the motif layer is removed in the transparency regions, such that the transparency regions appear to be transparent, and the color partial layer of the motif layer is preserved in the transparency regions.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further embodiment examples as well as advantages of the invention will be explained hereinafter with reference to the figures, in whose representation a rendition that is true to scale and to proportion has been dispensed with in order to increase the clearness.

(2) There are shown:

(3) FIG. 1 in a schematic representation a banknote with a security element according to the invention including a tilt image with two different appearances,

(4) FIG. 2 schematically the layer structure of the security element of FIG. 1 in cross section,

(5) FIG. 3 a plan view of the security element of FIG. 2 without the lens grid and thus without the focusing effect of the micro lenses,

(6) FIGS. 4 to 7 the manufacture of the security element of FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein (a) shows a respective intermediate step in the manufacture of the security element and (b) shows the appearance of the respective intermediate product in plan view without the lens grid and thus without the focusing effect of the micro lenses,

(7) FIG. 8 schematically a security element according to the invention in which the second motif layer has been dispensed with,

(8) FIG. 9 a security element with a precisely registered tilt effect according to a further embodiment example of the invention in cross section,

(9) FIG. 10, including FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), the appearance of the security element of FIG. 9 from two viewing directions,

(10) FIG. 11 a security element with a precisely registered tilt effect according to a further embodiment example of the invention in cross section, and

(11) FIG. 12, including FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), the appearance of the security element of FIG. 11 from two viewing directions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

(12) The invention will now be explained by the example of security elements for banknotes. FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a banknote 10 which is supplied with a security element 12 according to the invention in the form of a transfer element adhesively bonded thereto. In the embodiment example, the security element 12 represents a tilt image which, depending on the viewing direction, shows one of two different appearances 14A, 14B.

(13) However, the invention is not limited to the transfer elements for banknotes shown for illustration purposes, but can also be used, for example, for security threads, broad security strips or covering foils that are arranged above an opaque region, a window region or a continuous opening of a data carrier.

(14) Returning to the representation of FIG. 1, the two appearances in the embodiment example are formed by a two-color representation 14A of the value number “50” and a representation 14B of two, colored rectangles, but it will be appreciated that the appearances in practice represent typically more complex motifs, such as geometric patterns, portraits, codes, numbering, architectural, technical or natural motifs. Upon tilting 16 the banknote 10 or a corresponding change in the viewing direction, the appearance of the security element 12 changes back and forth between the two appearances 14A, 14B.

(15) While lens grid images with tilt images are known as such, the present invention makes available a specially configured lens grid image in which the represented motifs are introduced into the motif layer of the lens grid image in a particularly simple and yet highly accurate manner.

(16) FIG. 2 schematically shows the layer structure of the security element 12 according to the invention in cross-section, wherein only the parts of the layer structure required for the explanation of the functional principle are represented. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the security element 12 without the lens grid and thus without the focusing effect of the micro lenses.

(17) FIGS. 2 and 3 show the finished security element 12, but the detailed description of the manufacture of the security element with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 also is particularly helpful for understanding the complex layer structure and the interaction of the individual layers.

(18) The security element 12 includes a carrier substrate 22 in the form of a transparent plastic foil, for example of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foil approximately 20 μm thick. The carrier substrate 22 has opposing first and second main areas, wherein the first main area is supplied with a lens grid 24 of a plurality of substantially cylindrical micro lenses 26.

(19) The thickness of the carrier substrate 22 and the curvature of the focusing lens areas of the micro lenses 26 are matched to one another in such a manner that the focal length of the micro lenses 26 substantially corresponds to the thickness of the carrier substrate 22. The focal plane of the micro lenses 26 then substantially coincides with the second, opposite main area of the carrier substrate 22. As explained above, however, in some embodiments it can also be useful not to let the focal plane coincide with the second main area of the carrier substrate, for example in order to produce particularly thin security elements.

(20) Arranged on the second main area of the carrier substrate 22 there is a laser-sensitive motif layer 30 which, in the embodiment example shown, is composed of two partial layers, namely a color partial layer 32 including chromophore effect pigments and a black contrast partial layer 34. Specifically, the color partial layer 32 in the embodiment example is an Iriodin® ink, that is to say a printing ink with mica-based pearl luster pigments. In the embodiment example, the contrast partial layer 34 is formed by a black printing ink. Without a contrast layer in the background, the color partial layer 32 with the pearl luster pigments appears transparent and practically does not appear when viewed. In the regions in which the contrast partial layer is present and forms a dark background, the pearl luster pigments, on the other hand, appear with strong chromaticity and saturated colors.

(21) The motif layer 30 also includes a multiplicity of parallel, line-shaped transparency regions in the form of line-shaped cutouts 40, which were produced in the manner described in more detail below in precise register with the micro lenses 26 of the lens grid 24. The regions of the motif layer 30 between the cutouts 40 form retained material regions 42, which are also configured to be line-shaped and in precise register with the micro lenses 26. In the embodiment example, the line-shaped cutouts 40 and the line-shaped material regions 42 have the same width, but in general the cutouts and the material regions can also have different widths.

(22) In the retained material regions 42, the motif layer 30 is opaque and structured in the form of a first motif, in the embodiment example in the form of the value number “50”. Specifically, the color partial layer 32 represents the number “50” with the colored appearance of the pearl luster pigments against a dark background, while the regions in which only the contrast partial layer 34 is present, form a non-colored, black environment for the value number “50”.

(23) Due to the focusing effect of the micro lenses 26, a viewer looks from a first viewing direction 50 respectively at the retained material regions 42 of the motif layer 30 and therefore perceives the colored value number “50” in front of a dark environment as the appearance 14A. The cutouts 40 are not visible from the viewing direction 50, so that the representation of the value number “50” appears over the full area for the viewer.

(24) From a second viewing direction 52, on the other hand, due to the focusing effect of the micro lenses 26, the viewer looks at the cutouts 40 in the motif layer 30, so that the motif layer 30 is not visible from this viewing direction and the perceived appearance depends on the further embodiment of the security element in the cutouts 40. In the embodiment example shown, on the side of the motif layer 30 facing away from the lens grid 24, there is a second motif layer present in the form of a printing layer 60 which is structured in the form of a second motif. As a second motif, a simple motif composed of two differently colored rectangles 62, 64 is shown for illustration purposes, but it will be appreciated that also monochrome or any complex multicolored motifs can also be produced here as desired.

(25) When viewing from the second viewing direction 52, the viewer therefore looks through the cutouts in the first motif layer 30 respectively at the second motif layer 60 and therefore perceives the two, colored rectangles 62, 64 as the appearance 14B.

(26) The security element 12 typically includes further layers 66, such as protective, covering or additional functional layers, which, however, are not essential in the present case and are therefore not described in detail. One or several of the further layers 66 can be opaque and form a background for the representation of the second motif layer 60, or the further layers can be transparent or translucent and allow a view through the security element 12 in some regions if the second motif layer is not full-area.

(27) The second motif layer 60 can be full-area or, as in the embodiment example of FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be present only partially itself and therefore in the regions outside the motif layer 60 allow a view onto an underground layer lying below the security element 12. The underground layer can be formed, for example, by the substrate of the banknote 10 (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 2) or another data carrier on which the security element 12 is applied. The underground layer can be monochrome or structured itself and, for example, include information that can be recognized in the cutouts 40 from the viewing direction 52. The security element 12 can also be present in a window region of a data carrier, so that the transparent regions lying outside the motif layer 60 represent see-through regions in the security element 12.

(28) The manufacture of the security element 12 will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, wherein the figure part (a) of the figures in each case shows an intermediate step in the manufacture of the security element and the figure part (b) shows the appearance of the respective intermediate product in plan view without the lens grid 24 and thus without the focusing effect of the micro lenses 26.

(29) Referring first to FIG. 4, a carrier substrate 22 is made available in the form of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foil approximately 20 μm thick and on a first main area is supplied, preferably by embossing, with a lens grid 24 of a plurality of substantially cylindrical micro lenses 26 with a width b=15 μm. Then an Iriodin® printing layer with mica-based pearl luster pigments with a weight per unit area of 1.5 g/m.sup.2 is printed in the form of the number “50” in the desired original size on the opposite, second main area of the carrier substrate 22 as color partial layer 32. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 4(b), after this method step, the color partial layer 32 structured in the form of the value number “50” is present on the carrier substrate 22.

(30) Subsequently, as the second partial layer of the motif layer 30, a black printing layer 34 is printed over the full area of the structured color partial layer 32, as represented in FIG. 5(a). It is important here that the black printing layer 34 forms a contrast layer for the pearl luster pigments of the color partial layer 32, and these therefore appear strongly colored against the background of the printing layer 34. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 5(b), after this method step the motif layer 30 with the colored value number “50” (reference numeral 32) is present in front of a dark background 34. The printing layer 34 can in particular be printed with a motif-shaped outline, for example as a circular disk, star or the like. The term “full area” means that the printing layer is not configured as a grid but fills the entire area within its outline.

(31) In the next method step, from a predetermined direction, the area of the motif layer 30 is subjected through the lens grid 24 over a large area to near-infrared laser radiation 70, as shown in FIG. 6(a). The laser radiation 70 is focused by the cylindrical micro lenses 26 in a line shape onto the motif layer 30 arranged on the second main area of the carrier substrate 22 and there ablates the color partial layer 32 and the black contrast partial layer 34, so that line-shaped cutouts 40 are created in the motif layer 30.

(32) Black printing layers such as the contrast partial layer 34 show a high level of absorption for laser radiation in the near infrared and can be ablated with a wide range of laser parameters without any problems. The color partial layer 32 with the effect pigments is also removed in the embodiment example either by its own absorption or at least by the heat produced during the absorption of the laser radiation by the adjacent black printing layer 34. However, even in variants in which the color partial layer 32 is not physically removed, it no longer appears to be present to the viewer after the laser subjection, since the color partial layer 32 after the ablation of the contrast partial layer 34 behind it practically no longer appears due to its transparency. Configurations that utilize this effect are described in more detail below.

(33) In order to be able to cleanly ablate the partial layers, the ink particles of the color partial layer and the contrast partial layer should be easily transportable. The foil is therefore advantageously not resting on a substrate with the layers to be ablated but is lasered “in suspension”. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 6(b), after this method step, the motif layer 30 with the colored number “50” (reference numeral 32) and the dark background 34 is still present only in the retained material regions 42. Between the material regions 42, the laser subjection created transparency regions 40 in which the intermediate product is transparent.

(34) In one variant of the invention, the security element 12 can already be led to the final production after this method step and, for example, be supplied with a transparent protective layer on the second main area, as described in more detail below in connection with FIG. 8. In the invention variant of the present embodiment example (FIG. 7(a)), on the other hand, a second motif layer 60 is printed onto the first motif layer 30 supplied with cutouts 40, which is structured in the form of a second motif with two colored rectangles 62, 64. After this method step, the security element now has two structured motif layers 30 and 60, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the motifs of which are each visible from the viewing directions 50, 52 (FIG. 2). As far as is visible upon viewing, both motifs are also arranged in precise register with the micro lenses 26 of the lens grid 24, although only a single laser subjection step was required for their production.

(35) In the variant shown in FIG. 8, the second motif layer 60 was dispensed with and at most transparent layers, for example a transparent protective or covering layer and/or a transparent adhesive layer, were applied to the first motif layer 30. The resulting security element 80, when viewed from a first viewing direction, shows the first motif already described above, formed by the first motif layer 30, and from a second viewing direction reveals a view of an underground layer in the cutouts 40 of the first motif layer 30.

(36) In this manner, it is particularly easy to produce data carriers with tilt images which show a general, generic motif from a first viewing direction and an individualized motif from a second viewing direction. For example, the security element 80 can be intended for use in identification documents 82 and, with its motif layer 30, can show a national coat of arms as the first, generic motif. Since the security element 80 itself only shows the generic motif “national coat of arms”, it can be employed unchanged for all identification documents 82 of the same type.

(37) A motif present in a data region 84 of the identification document 82, for example a passport photo of the owner, serves as the individualized motif. This individualized motif is different for each identification document 82. The security element 80 is now adhesively bonded with the data region 84 with the cut-out motif layer 30, 40 so that the national coat of arms of the motif layer 30 is visible from the first viewing direction and the individualized motif of the data region 84 is visible from the second viewing direction.

(38) FIGS. 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of a security element 90 according to the invention with a precisely registered tilt effect, for the manufacture of which the clearly different absorption of the color partial layer 32 and the contrast partial layer 34 is utilized in a targeted manner. With reference first to the cross-sectional representation of FIG. 9, the security element 90 is constructed in principle like the security element 12 of FIG. 2 and includes a carrier substrate 22, which is supplied on one main area with a lens grid 24 and on the opposite main area with a first, laser-sensitive motif layer 30. In a motif-shaped partial region 92, a second motif layer 94 is arranged above the first motif layer 30.

(39) The first motif layer 30 is composed of two partial layers, namely a color partial layer 32 including chromophore effect pigments, for example a printing ink with mica-based pearl luster pigments, and a black contrast partial layer 34 which is formed by a black printing ink.

(40) The color partial layer 32 was printed onto the carrier foil 22 as a motif 100 in the form of the continuous writing “fünfzigeuro” [“fiftyeuros”] (FIGS. 10(a), 10(b)), as described in principle for FIG. 4. Then the contrast partial layer 34 was printed on as a continuous layer in the form of a second motif, in the embodiment example in the form of a circular disk 102 (FIG. 10(a)). The cross section in FIG. 9 shows a region of the security element 90 within the printed circular motif 102.

(41) The sequence of layers 32, 34 was then subjected over a large area to NIR laser radiation through the lens grid 24, as described in principle for FIG. 6, wherein the laser parameters are selected such that only the black contrast partial layer 34, but not the color partial layer 32, which is largely transparent to the laser radiation, is ablated by the laser radiation. Due to the significantly higher absorption of the black contrast partial layer 34, such laser parameters can always be found without any problems. If the laser power is not raised too far above the stripping threshold of the contrast partial layer 34, the heat conduction to the color partial layer 32 is also kept sufficiently low to prevent the color partial layer 32 from being stripped off. As a result, after this method step, the motif layer 30 is present on the one hand with non-removed color partial layer 32 and with partially removed contrast partial layer 34. Specifically, the contrast partial layer 34 is ablated in the transparent regions 40 and is retained in the material regions 42, while the color partial layer 32 is preserved in both regions 40, 42.

(42) Then, in a partial region 92 of the circular motif 102, a second motif layer 94 is applied in the form of a also black printing layer in the form of a further motif, in the embodiment example in the form of a star 104 (FIG. 10(b)). Further protective, covering or functional layers can follow, but are not essential for the present explanation.

(43) The resulting appearance of the security element 90 from two viewing directions 106, 108 is illustrated in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), respectively.

(44) From a first viewing direction 106, due to the focusing effect of the micro lenses 26 within the circular motif 102, the viewer looks at the respective material regions 42 in which the contrast partial layer 34 was retained. There, the contrast partial layer 34 represents a dark background for the writing 100 “fünfzigeuro” formed by the color partial layer 32, so that the writing appears with saturated colors against the dark background of the circular motif 102, as illustrated in FIG. 10(a). In the region 112 outside the circular motif 102, the dark background is missing, so that any color partial layer 32 that may be present there remains practically invisible.

(45) From a second viewing direction 108, on the other hand, due to the focusing effect of the micro lenses 26, the viewer looks at the respective transparency regions 40 of the circular motif 102, in which the contrast partial layer 34 has been removed, but the color partial layer 32 has been retained. In the partial region 92, which is configured in the form of the star motif 104, the second motif layer 94 forms a dark background for the writing 100, so that the colored writing “fünfzigeuro” is still visible there. In the region 114 outside the star motif 104, however, there is no dark background layer present from this viewing direction, so that the color partial layer 32 does not appear there (FIG. 10(b)). The area region previously occupied by the circular motif 102 is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 10(b).

(46) As a result, when tilting from the first viewing direction 106 into the second viewing direction 108, the security element 90 shows a tilt effect from the circular motif 102 to the star motif 104 with the writing 100 arranged in precise register within the motifs 102, 104, which is always visible in practically the same place.

(47) In some configurations, the color partial layer 32 can be slightly bleached or its color effect changed by the laser subjection when removing the contrast partial layer 34, so that the color impression of the writing 100 in the star motif 104 differs from the color impression of the writing 100 in the circular motif 102. The perfect registration of the writing in both viewing directions is unaffected.

(48) Instead of the black printing layers 34, 94, printing layers with other colors can also be used, wherein darker or stronger color tones, for example a strong red, a dark blue or a deep green, emphasize the effect pigments better. In combination with the color effect of the effect pigments, a colored mother-of-pearl shimmer with a combination of the color of the contrast partial layer 34 or the second motif layer 94 and the color of the effect pigments of the color partial layer 32 is created.

(49) An alternative configuration to the embodiment example of FIGS. 9 and 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 with reference to the security element 120, which shows closely related visual effects, but has a different layer structure and is manufactured in a different manner.

(50) With reference first to the cross-sectional representation in FIG. 11, the security element 120 includes a carrier substrate 22 which is supplied with a lens grid 24 on one main area and with a first, laser-sensitive motif layer 30 on the opposite main area.

(51) The laser-sensitive motif layer 30 is composed of two partial layers, namely a color partial layer 32 in the form of a printing ink with mica-based pearl luster pigments, and a black contrast partial layer 34 which is formed by a black printing ink. As in the configuration of FIG. 9, the color partial layer 32 was printed on as a motif 100 in the form of the continuous writing “fünfzigeuro” (FIGS. 11(a), 11(b)). Then the contrast partial layer 34 was printed as a continuous layer in the form of a second motif, in the embodiment example in the form of a circle 102 (FIG. 12(a)). The cross section in FIG. 11 shows a region of the security element 120 within the printed circular motif 102.

(52) Then the layer sequence 32, 34 was subjected to NIR laser radiation through the lens grid 24, wherein, as in the configuration of the FIGS. 9 and 10, the laser parameters can be selected so that only the black contrast partial layer 34 is ablated, but not the color partial layer 32, which is largely transparent to the laser radiation. In contrast to the configuration of FIGS. 9, 10, however, the motif layer 30 is subjected to laser radiation over a large area over the full area of the circular motif 102. Rather, the motif layer 30 is not subjected to laser irradiation in a partial region 122 of the circular motif 102, which is configured in the form of a star 104. The motif layer is subjected to laser irradiation only in the region 124 which lies outside the partial region 122.

(53) The resulting appearance of the security element 120 from two viewing directions 106, 108 is illustrated in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b) and substantially corresponds to the appearance described in connection with FIGS. 9, 10.

(54) From a first viewing direction 106, due to the focusing effect of the micro lenses 26 within the circular motif 102, the viewer looks respectively at those material regions 42 that either lie within the non-subjected region 122 or in the subjected region 124, but in which the contrast partial layer 34 was retained. Within the circular motif 102, the contrast partial layer 34 therefore represents a dark background for the writing “fünfzigeuro” formed by the color partial layer 32, so that the writing 100 appears with saturated colors against the dark background of the circular motif 102, as shown in FIG. 12(a). In the region 112 outside the circular motif 102, the dark background is missing, so that any color partial layer 32 that may be present there remains practically invisible.

(55) From a second viewing direction 108, on the other hand, due to the focusing effect of the micro lenses 26 within the circular motif 102 in the region 124, the viewer looks at the transparency regions 40 revealed through lasering, in which the contrast partial layer 34 has been removed. Since there is no dark background layer present in the region 124, the color partial layer 32 cannot be recognized by the viewer. In the non-subjected partial region 122, which is configured in the form of the star motif 104, no transparency regions were produced, so that the contrast partial layer 34 there represents a dark background for the writing 100 and said writing therefore appears in color to the viewer. As a result, the star motif 104 with the colored writing “fünfzigeuro” is visible from the viewing direction 108.

(56) When tilting from the first viewing direction 106 into the second viewing direction 108, there is a tilt effect from the circular motif 102 to the star motif 104 with the writing 100 arranged in each case in precise register within the motifs 102, 104, which is always visible in the same place.

(57) The variant of FIGS. 11, 12, compared to the variant of FIGS. 9, 10, requires a stronger lateral control of the laser radiation, since only the region 124 outside the star motif 104 is subjected to laser radiation. On the other hand, the setting of the laser parameters in this variant is not critical, since during the subjection in the transparent regions 40 not only the contrast partial layer 34 can be removed, but also the color partial layer 32 along with it.

(58) A motif, such as the star motif, can also be produced by a shaped laser beam, as described in more detail in EP 3015279 A1, for example. In particular, the cross section of the laser beam in these variants corresponds to the motif. A plurality of micro lenses of the lens grid is subjected simultaneously to the laser beam with the motif-shaped beam cross section.