Security inlay having a UV coating for an identity document and method for producing a security inlay having a UV coating for an identity document

Abstract

A security inlay having optically recognizable characters for an identity document comprises a first transparent layer and a second transparent layer. A color coating is situated on the first transparent layer. Furthermore, a first UV color coating, which reflects at least UV light at least in a first wavelength range, is situated on the first layer and/or on the color coating. The first and second transparent layers are connected to one another. A first portion of the optically recognizable characters is formed by blackened sections in at least one of the layers. A second portion of the optically recognizable characters is formed by the color coating. A third portion of the optically recognizable characters is formed by the UV color coating. The first and the second portions of the optically recognizable characters reflect visible light. The third portion of the optically recognizable characters reflects UV light.

Claims

1. A security inlay having optically recognizable characters for an identity document, said security inlay comprising: a first transparent layer, a second transparent layer, a color coating which is located on the first transparent layer and is transparent to infrared light and which is formed from colors cyan, magenta and yellow, and a first UV color coating which is located on the first transparent layer and/or on the color coating and which reflects at least UV light in a first wavelength range, wherein the first and second transparent layers are bonded together, at least one of the first and second transparent layers comprises blackened sections, a first portion of the optically recognizable characters is formed by the blackened sections, a second portion of the optically recognizable characters is formed by the color coating, a third portion of the optically recognizable characters is so formed by the UV color coating that the first and the second portion of the optically recognizable characters reflect visible light and the third portion of the optically recognizable characters reflects at least UV light in the first wavelength range, wherein the color coating and the blackened sections complement one another to form a complete image, and a lacquer layer applied to the first transparent layer and/or to the color coating that is located on the first transparent layer and/or to the first UV color coating, wherein the lacquer layer includes nanoscale luminophores that are configured to reflect UV light of a predetermined wavelength.

2. The security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a second UV color coating which is located on the first transparent layer, and/or on the color coating, and/or on the first UV color coating and which reflects at least UV light of a second wavelength range, so that a fourth portion of the optically recognizable characters is formed by the second UV color coating.

3. The security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first UV color coating reflects UV light of the first wavelength range and a third wavelength range, wherein the reflected UV light of the first and third wavelength ranges imparts to an observer a different color impression, and/or the second UV color coating reflects UV light of the second wavelength range and a fourth wavelength range, wherein the reflected UV light of the second wavelength range and the reflected UV light of the fourth wavelength range impart different color impressions to an observer.

4. The security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second transparent layers is blackened by an action of at least one beam of laser light.

5. The security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a transparent cover layer, and/or an insert which comprises at least a first opaque insert layer, and/or a third transparent layer, which is configured to be blackened by laser light, and/or a fourth transparent layer, which is configured to be blackened by laser light, and/or a first background color coating located on the second layer, and/or a second background color coating located on the third layer.

6. The security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 5, wherein the insert comprises: a second opaque insert layer, and/or an arrangement of electronic components including an antenna module and/or an RFID chip.

7. The security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth transparent layers comprises a hologram element, and/or wherein at least one hologram element is arranged between two of the first, second, third and fourth transparent layers or between one of the first, second, third and fourth transparent layers and the insert, and/or wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth transparent layers is bonded with a further one of the first, second, third or fourth transparent layers and/or the cover layer and/or with the insert by lamination.

8. The security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 5, wherein the transparent cover layer and/or at least one of the transparent layers include nanoscale luminophores which are configured to reflect UV light of a predetermined wavelength.

9. The security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 5, wherein the color coating and/or the first UV color coating and/or a second UV color coating and/or the first background color coating and/or the second background color coating are formed from solvent-containing, pigment-based, inks, wherein the solvent-containing, pigment-based, inks are suitable for dissolving and at least partially penetrating a surface of polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate during an application process, and/or the color coating and/or the first UV color coating and/or the second UV color coating and/or the first background color coating and/or the second background color coating comprise silicon, silicon dioxide, mica, titanium oxide and/or tin oxide forensic markers.

10. The security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second transparent layers is manufactured from polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate.

11. The security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lacquer layer is transparent to visible light and/or infrared light and/or UV light, and/or at least a portion of the lacquer layer comprises a manufacturing material of methacrylate, polyester acrylate or urethane acrylate, and/or the lacquer layer comprises a heat- and/or UV-curable manufacturing material.

12. The security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lacquer layer covers the color coating and/or the first UV color coating, so that the color coating and/or the first UV color coating are completely enclosed between the first transparent layer and the lacquer layer.

13. The security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first transparent layer comprises a depression, wherein the color coating and/or the first UV color coating and/or the second UV color coating are located at least partially in a region of the depression, and wherein the depression is filled with a heat- and/or UV-curable polymer material, or with the lacquer layer, so that at least a portion of the color coating and/or of the first UV color coating and/or of the second UV color coating are enclosed by the first transparent layer and the polymer material or the lacquer layer, and wherein the polymer material or the lacquer layer comprises nanoscale luminophores, which reflects UV light.

14. A method for producing a security inlay having optically recognizable characters for an identity document, comprising the steps: providing a first transparent layer, providing a second transparent layer, producing a first portion of the optically recognizable characters by first and second blackened portions in at least one of the first and second transparent layers, by a beam of laser light, producing a second portion of the optically recognizable characters by applying to the first transparent layer a color coating which is transparent to infrared light and is formed from colors cyan, magenta and yellow, wherein the color coating and the first and second blackened sections complement one another to form a complete image, producing a third portion of the optically recognizable characters by applying to the first transparent layer and/or to the color coating a first UV color coating which reflects at least UV light in a first wavelength range, and applying a lacquer layer to the first transparent layer and/or to the color coating that is located on the first transparent layer and/or to the first UV color coating, wherein the lacquer layer includes nanoscale luminophores that are configured to reflect UV light of a predetermined wavelength.

15. The method for producing a security inlay as claimed in claim 14, further comprising the step: producing a fourth portion of the optically recognizable characters by applying to the first transparent layer and/or to the first color coating and/or to the first UV color coating a second UV color coating which reflects UV light in a second wavelength range.

16. The method for producing a security inlay as claimed in claim 15, wherein for producing the color coating and/or the first UV color coating and/or the second UV color coating there are used solvent-containing, including pigment-based, inks that dissolve and at least partially penetrate a surface of the first transparent layer, which is manufactured from polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate, and/or the first and second transparent layers are bonded together by lamination.

17. The method for producing a security inlay as claimed in claim 14, further comprising at least one of the steps: producing a depression in the first transparent layer by pressing and/or embossing and/or milling, filling the depression with a transparent heat- and/or UV-curable polymer material or with the lacquer layer, providing a cover layer, and bonding the first transparent layer with the cover layer.

18. A production device for producing a security inlay for an identity document, said production device comprising: a laser device which is arranged and configured to produce blackened sections in a first and/or a second transparent layer by a beam of laser light, and a printing device which is arranged and configured to apply to the first transparent layer a color coating which is transparent to infrared light and is formed from colors cyan, magenta and yellow, wherein the printing device is further arranged and configured to apply at least a first UV color coating to the first transparent layer and/or to the color coating, wherein the laser device and the printing device are so equipped that the color coating and the blackened sections complement one another to form a complete image, and wherein the printing device is further arranged and configured to apply a lacquer layer to the first transparent layer and/or to the color coating that is located on the first transparent layer and/or to the first UV color coating, or wherein a lacquering device is arranged and configured to apply the lacquer layer to the first transparent layer and/or to the color coating that is located on the first transparent layer.

19. The production device for producing a security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 18, further comprising: a laminating device which is arranged and configured to bond together the first transparent layer and at least one further layer.

20. The production device for producing a security inlay for an identity document as claimed in claim 19, wherein the laminating device is further arranged and configured to bond together the first transparent layer and a cover layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features, properties, advantages and possible modifications will become apparent for a person skilled in the art from the following description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the figures each show schematically and by way of example a security inlay for an identity document having optically recognizable characters, or a portion of such a security inlay. All the features described and/or depicted thereby show the subject-matter disclosed herein on their own or in any desired combination. The dimensions and proportions of the components shown in the figures are not to scale.

(2) FIG. 1A-1B show schematically and by way of example the layer structure of a security inlay for an identity document in an exploded diagram.

(3) FIG. 2A-2D show schematic examples of the arrangement of a color coating on a first transparent layer and of blackened sections in one or more transparent layer(s).

(4) FIG. 3A-3C show exemplary embodiments of a security inlay for an identity document which comprise a first portion of optically recognizable characters and a second portion of optically recognizable characters.

(5) FIG. 4A-4F show exemplary embodiments of a security inlay for an identity document which comprise a depression in the first transparent layer.

(6) FIG. 5A-5G show exemplary embodiments of a security inlay for an identity document which comprise at least one UV color coating.

(7) FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a security inlay for an identity document which comprises a first, second, third and fourth portion of optically recognizable characters and also a depression in the first transparent layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIG. 1A shows by way of example a layer structure for a security inlay 100 for an identity document. The layer structure can comprise, for example, as shown in FIG. 1A, a cover layer 10, a first transparent layer 20, a second transparent layer 30, an insert 40, a third transparent layer 50 and a fourth transparent layer 60. The insert 40 is arranged between the second transparent layer 30 and the third transparent layer 50, so that it completely separates the second and third transparent layers from one another and in each case lies completely against the surfaces of the second transparent layer 30 and the third transparent layer 50. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, the insert 40 is arranged parallel to the transparent layers 20, 30, 50, 60.

(9) In alternative embodiments, the security inlay can also comprise a printed lacquer layer (not shown) in addition or alternatively to the cover layer 10 shown in FIG. 1A. In embodiments which comprise a printed lacquer layer instead of a cover layer 10, the lacquer layer is arranged analogously to the cover layer 10 and performs the protective function thereof for the surface of the security inlay.

(10) A prefabricated first background color coating 32 and a prefabricated second background color coating 52 are located, as shown in FIG. 1A, on the second transparent layer 30 and the third transparent layer 50. The first background color coating 32 is located on the surface of the second transparent layer 30 that faces towards the cover layer 10. The second background color coating 52 is located on the side of the third transparent layer 50 that faces away from the cover layer 10.

(11) The first background color coating 32 and the second background color coating 52 are printed onto the second and onto the third transparent layer 30, 50, respectively, by offset printing. The background color coating 32 is thus arranged between the color coating 22 and the blackened sections 34.

(12) FIG. 1B shows an alternative exemplary layer structure to FIG. 1A for a security inlay 110 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, the insert 42 is configured and arranged to be located in a depression of the second transparent layer 30 and a depression of the third transparent layer 50. In contrast to the example shown in FIG. 1A, the insert 42 has in a cross-section a smaller extent than the transparent layers enclosing the insert.

(13) The insert 40, 42 can comprise a single or a plurality of optically active, in particular transparent, insert layers. If the insert 40, 42 in a variant further comprises an antenna module and/or an RFID chip (not shown), the insert 40, 42 must comprise at least two optically active insert layers.

(14) FIG. 2A shows by way of example a layer structure for a security inlay 200 having a color coating 22. The color coating 22 is located on the surface of the first transparent layer 20 that faces towards the cover layer 10. (The color coating 22 is shown with a significant vertical exaggeration in the schematic drawing, in order to be visible in cross-section.) The first transparent layer 20 and the color coating 22 are protected by the cover layer 10 from negative environmental influences, for example the penetration of moisture or mechanical damage such as scratches.

(15) The color coating 22 is formed by a color imprint of the base colors cyan, magenta and yellow. By combining the base colors, a so-called cmy-black can also be formed, which arises by superimposing the base colors. In a variant, the color coating 22 can also comprise black color components which are transparent to infrared light.

(16) For an observer viewing the security inlay 200 composed of a plurality of layers from the direction of the cover layer 10, the color coating 22 is visible against the background color coatings 32 and 52.

(17) FIG. 2B shows a security inlay 210 for an identity document having optically recognizable characters. In addition to the color coating 22, the first transparent layer 20 shown has the blackened sections 24.

(18) The first transparent layer 20, the second transparent layer 30, the third transparent layer 50 and the fourth transparent layer 60 are manufactured from a polycarbonate material and comprise carbon-containing additives which form the blackened sections under the action in particular of laser light. The blackened sections can be formed in a desired intensity by regulating the intensity and duration of action of the laser light.

(19) The color coating 22, which is formed of the base colors cyan, magenta and yellow, and the blackened sections 24 complement one another, at least from the perspective of an observer, to form a complete image. The black portions of the complete image are thereby formed by the blackened sections 24, so that the color coating 22 does not have to comprise black components.

(20) In another embodiment, the color coating 22, at least from the perspective of the observer, can completely conceal the blackened sections 24 of the first transparent layer 20, so that only the color coating 22 is visible to the observer. For example, a blackened section 24 can be completely concealed by a cmy-black color coating 22.

(21) FIG. 2C shows a security inlay 220 for an identity document having optically recognizable characters. In addition to the color coating 22, the second transparent layer 30 shown has the blackened sections 34.

(22) The blackened sections 34 shown, at least from the perspective of the observer, are optically distinguishable from the blackened sections 24 shown in FIG. 2B only with difficulty or not at all. The manufacture and the properties of the blackened sections 34 correspond to the blackened sections 24 as described in connection with FIG. 2B. The same applies analogously to blackened sections in the third transparent layer 50 and/or the fourth transparent layer 60. (Not shown)

(23) FIG. 2D shows a security inlay 230 for an identity document having optically recognizable characters, which comprises both blackened sections 24 in the first transparent layer 20 and blackened sections 34 in the second transparent layer 30. The blackened sections are located in different regions beneath the color coating 22.

(24) In other embodiments (not shown), the blackened sections can overlap and/or complement one another from the perspective of the observer.

(25) Both the blackened sections 24 and the blackened sections 34 can contribute to the black portion of a complete image which an observer of the security inlay perceives optically, and can also be partially or completely concealed by the color coating 22. The partial or complete optical concealing of the blackened sections 24, 34 by the color coating 22 from the perspective of the observer of the security inlay can be effected in particular by a cmy-black portion of the color coating 22.

(26) An advantage of a security inlay 230 as shown in 2D is that it is difficult for an observer to determine in which transparent layer a blackened section is located, without damaging the security inlay 230. Counterfeiting of the security inlay is thus made more difficult.

(27) FIG. 3A shows a security inlay 300 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document. The security inlay shown in FIG. 3A comprises a first transparent layer 20 and a second transparent layer 30, each of which is manufactured from polycarbonate with carbon-containing additives. On the first transparent layer 20 there is located a color coating 22.

(28) The first transparent layer 20 further has a plurality of blackened sections 24 which have purposively been formed by the action of a beam of laser light on the carbon-containing additives contained in the first transparent layer 20.

(29) In other embodiments (not shown), those layers which do not comprise blackened sections can, for example, also be manufactured from polycarbonate without carbon-containing additives.

(30) The color coating 22 is located on the surface of the first transparent layer 20 and is formed by a color imprint of the base colors cyan, magenta and yellow. (The color coating 22 is shown with a significant vertical exaggeration in the schematic drawing, in order to be visible in cross-section.)

(31) The color coating 22 shown in FIG. 3A does not contain blackened sections, is transparent to infrared light and reflects visible light.

(32) The color coating 22 and the blackened sections 24 complement one another, at least from the perspective of an observer, to form a complete image. The black portions of the complete image are thereby formed by the blackened sections 24. The blackened sections 24 reflect both visible light and infrared light.

(33) The blackened sections 24 thus form a first portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 300, and the color coating 22 forms a second portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 300.

(34) During irradiation of the security inlay 300 with visible light, the complete image formed jointly by the first portion of the optically recognizable characters and the second portion of the optically recognizable characters is visible to an observer. During irradiation of the security inlay 300 with only infrared light, only the first portion of the optically recognizable characters is visible to an observer.

(35) FIG. 3B shows a further development of the security inlay 310 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document. The further development shown in FIG. 3B comprises all the described features of FIG. 3A. In addition, in FIG. 3B the second transparent layer 30 also comprises at least one blackened section 34. The blackened section 34, analogously to the blackened sections 24, is formed by irradiation of the second transparent layer 30 with laser light.

(36) Analogously to the blackened sections 24, the blackened section 34 also complements the color coating 22, at least from the perspective of the observer, to form a complete image. The black portions of the complete image are formed in the variant shown in FIG. 1B both by the blackened sections 24 and by the blackened section 34. The blackened section 34, together with the blackened sections 24, forms the first portion of the optically recognizable characters which reflects both visible and infrared light.

(37) FIG. 3C shows a further development of a security inlay 320 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document. The further development shown in FIG. 3C comprises all the described features of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

(38) As compared with FIGS. 3A and 3B, FIG. 3C further comprises a cover layer 10, an insert 40, a third transparent layer 50, a fourth transparent layer 60, a first background color coating 32 and a second background color coating 52.

(39) The first background color coating 32 is located on the surface of the second transparent layer 30 that faces towards the cover layer 10. The second background color coating 52 is located on the surface of the third transparent layer 50 that faces away from the cover layer 10.

(40) In other embodiments (not shown), a number of further background color coatings can be located on the transparent layers and/or the insert.

(41) The cover layer 10 shown in FIG. 3C is transparent to visible light and/or infrared light, while the insert 40 shown is opaque to visible and infrared light.

(42) In a further development (not shown), one of the transparent layers 20, 30, 50, 60 and/or the insert 40 can comprise a hologram element which is visible to an observer of the security inlay 320 and has a visual-holographic effect. The visual-holographic effect can be optically recognizable both under visible light and under invisible light, in particular under infrared and/or ultraviolet light.

(43) In a variant, the hologram element can be transparent to UV light.

(44) The hologram element, at least from the perspective of an observer, can at least partially overlap with a portion of the optically recognizable characters.

(45) In a further development, the hologram element can also be arranged between the transparent layers 20, 30, 50, 60 and/or the insert 40. In particular, the hologram element can be arranged between the first transparent layer 20 and the second transparent layer 30 or between the second transparent layer 30 and the insert 40.

(46) The insert 40 is arranged between the second transparent layer 30 and the third transparent layer 50, so that it completely separates the second and third transparent layers from one another and in each case lies completely against the surfaces of the second transparent layer 30 and the third transparent layer 50. In the example shown in FIG. 3C, the insert 40 is arranged parallel to the transparent layers 20, 30, 50, 60.

(47) In another further development (not shown), the insert 40 can have at least two optically active insert layers which enclose an RFID chip and/or an antenna element.

(48) FIGS. 4A and 4B show by way of example a layer structure for a security inlay 400, 410 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document having a depression.

(49) The security inlays 400, 410 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B each comprise a first transparent layer 20 and a second transparent layer 30, which are each manufactured from polycarbonate with carbon-containing additives.

(50) In other embodiments (not shown), those layers which do not comprise blackened sections can also be manufactured, for example, from polycarbonate without carbon-containing additives. The first transparent layer 20 shown in FIG. 4A has a depression. The depression can have a depth, for example, of from 40 to 80 μm. The second transparent layer 30 has the blackened sections 34, which is located at least partially beneath the depression from the perspective of an observer of the security inlay 400. The blackened sections 34 are formed by the action of a beam of laser light on the carbon-containing additives contained in the second transparent layer 30.

(51) FIG. 4B shows, in addition to the features shown in FIG. 4A, the color coating 22, which is located in the depression of the first transparent layer 20. The color coating 22 is formed by a color imprint of the base colors cyan, magenta and yellow. The color coating does not protrude from the depression. (The color coating 22 is shown with a significant vertical exaggeration in the schematic drawing, in order to be visible in cross-section.)

(52) In one exemplary embodiment (not shown), the contour of the depression can be substantially adapted to the graphical information which is formed jointly by the first portion of the optically recognizable characters and the second portion of the optically recognizable characters.

(53) The color coating 22 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B does not contain black color components, is transparent to infrared light and reflects visible light.

(54) The color coating 22, which is formed of the base colors cyan, magenta and yellow, and the blackened sections 34 complement one another, at least from the perspective of an observer, to form a complete image. The black portions of the complete image are thereby formed by the blackened sections 34. The blackened sections 34 reflect both visible light and infrared light.

(55) The blackened sections 34 thus form a first portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 400, 410, and the color coating 22 forms a second portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 400, 410.

(56) During irradiation of the security inlay 400, 410 with visible light, the complete image formed jointly by the first portion of the optically recognizable characters and the second portion of the optically recognizable characters is visible to an observer. During irradiation of the security inlay 400, 410 with only infrared light, only the first portion of the optically recognizable characters is visible to an observer.

(57) FIG. 4C shows by way of example a layer structure for a security inlay 420 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document having a depression which is filled with a polymer material. The polymer material can in particular be a lacquer material.

(58) FIG. 4C contains all the features of FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4C further shows a polymer material 26, which is located in the depression of the first transparent layer 20. The polymer material 26 shown is transparent to visible and invisible, in particular ultraviolet or infrared, light and is heat-curable.

(59) In one embodiment (not shown), the polymer material can comprise an additive which reflects UV light in a first and/or in a second wavelength range, in particular color pigments which reflect UV light.

(60) In a further development (not shown), the polymer material can comprise forensic markers, in particular silicon, silicon dioxide, mica, titanium oxide and/or tin oxide.

(61) The polymer material 26 located in the depression of the first transparent layer 20 is flush with the surface of the first transparent layer 20, so that the entire surface of the first transparent layer 20 and of the polymer material 26 is a planar surface without raised or depressed portions.

(62) FIG. 4D shows by way of example a layer structure for a security inlay 430 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document having a depression which is filled with a polymer material.

(63) FIG. 4D contains all the features of FIG. 4C. In addition, FIG. 4D shows the blackened sections 24 in the first layer 20. The blackened sections 24 in the first transparent layer 20 and the blackened sections 34 in the second transparent layer 30 are located, from the perspective of the observer, in different regions beneath the color coating 22.

(64) In other embodiments (not shown), the blackened sections can overlap and/or complement one another from the perspective of the observer.

(65) The blackened sections 24, analogously to the blackened sections 34, are formed by irradiation of the first transparent layer 20 with laser light.

(66) Both the blackened sections 24 and the blackened sections 34 can contribute to the black portion of a complete image which an observer of the security inlay perceives optically, and can also be partially or completely concealed by the color coating 22. The partial or complete optical concealing of the blackened sections 24, 34 by the color coating 22 from the perspective of the observer of the security inlay can in particular be effected by a cmy-black portion of the color coating 22.

(67) FIG. 4E shows a further development of a security inlay 440 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document. The further development shown in FIG. 4E comprises all the described features of FIG. 4D.

(68) FIG. 4E, compared to FIG. 4D, further comprises a cover layer 10, an insert 40, a third transparent layer 50, a fourth transparent layer 60, a first background color coating 32 and a second background color coating 52.

(69) In particular in exemplary embodiments of the security inlay in which the color coating is enclosed completely by the polymer material, which in particular can be a lacquer material, and the first transparent layer, a transparent cover layer can be dispensed with. In these exemplary embodiments, the first transparent layer can represent the outermost layer of the security inlay.

(70) The first background color coating 32 is located on the surface of the second transparent layer 30 that faces towards the cover layer 10. Furthermore, the first background color coating 32 is arranged between the color coating 22 and the blackened section 34. The second background color coating 52 is located on the surface of the third transparent layer 50 that faces away from the cover layer 10.

(71) In other embodiments (not shown), a number of further background color coatings can be located on the transparent layers and or the insert.

(72) In embodiments in which the security inlay comprises a printed lacquer layer as an alternative or in addition to the cover layer 10, the depression can be filled with the lacquer material from which the lacquer layer is at the same time formed. In other words, the lacquer layer and the material which fills the depression can be integrally formed in these embodiments and in particular introduced/applied by a printing process into the depression or to the first transparent layer (not shown).

(73) In a further development, the polymer material or lacquer material can comprise nanoscale luminophores which reflect UV light of a predetermined wavelength. If the security inlay is illuminated with UV light of the predetermined wavelength, the UV light reflected by the polymer material or lacquer material (or by the luminophores contained therein) conceals for an observer the color coating located therebeneath or the blackened sections located therebeneath/the optical characters located therebeneath.

(74) The cover layer 10 shown in FIG. 4E is transparent to visible light and infrared light, while the insert 40 shown is opaque to visible light and infrared light.

(75) The insert 40 is arranged between the second transparent layer 30 and the third transparent layer 50, so that it completely separates the second and third transparent layers from one another and in each case lies completely against the surfaces of the second transparent layer 30 and the third transparent layer 50. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4E, the insert 40 is arranged parallel to the transparent layers 20, 30, 50, 60.

(76) In a further development (not shown), one of the transparent layers 20, 30, 50, 60 and/or the insert 40 can comprise a hologram element which is visible to an observer of the security inlay 440 and has a visual-holographic effect. The visual-holographic effect can be optically recognizable both under visible light and under invisible light, in particular under infrared and/or ultraviolet light.

(77) The hologram element can at least partially overlap with a portion of the optically recognizable characters, at least from the perspective of an observer.

(78) In other further developments (not shown), the hologram element can also be arranged between the transparent layers and/or the insert. In particular, the hologram element can be arranged between the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer or between the second transparent layer and the insert.

(79) In another further development (not shown), the insert 40 can have at least two opaque insert layers which enclose an RFID chip and/or an antenna element.

(80) FIG. 4F shows an alternative further development of the security inlay 450 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document. The further development shown in FIG. 4F comprises all the described features of FIG. 4E, apart from the insert 40. The insert 42 shown is configured and arranged to be located in a depression of the second transparent layer 30 and a depression of the third transparent layer 50. In contrast to the example shown in FIG. 4E, the insert 42 has in a cross-section a smaller extent than the transparent layers 30, 50 enclosing the insert.

(81) FIG. 5A shows a security inlay 500 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document having a first UV color coating 28.

(82) The security inlay 500 shown in FIG. 5A comprises a first transparent layer 20 and a second transparent layer 30 which are each manufactured from polycarbonate with carbon-containing additives. On the first transparent layer 20 there is located a color coating 22.

(83) In other embodiments (not shown), those layers which do not have blackened sections can, for example, also be manufactured from polycarbonate without carbon-containing additives.

(84) The first transparent layer 20 further has a plurality of blackened sections 24 (only one blackened section 24 is shown schematically as a representative), which have purposively been formed by the action of a beam of laser light on the carbon-containing additives contained in the first transparent layer 20.

(85) The color coating 22 is located on the surface of the first transparent layer 20. (The color coating 22 is shown with a significant vertical exaggeration in the schematic drawing, in order to be visible in cross-section.)

(86) The color coating 22 shown in FIG. 5A does not contain black color components and reflects visible light and UV light.

(87) In other embodiments (not shown), the color coating 22 can be transparent to UV light.

(88) The color coating 22, which is formed from the base colors cyan, magenta and yellow, and the blackened sections 24 complement one another, at least from the perspective of an observer, to form a complete image. The black portions of the complete image are thereby formed by the blackened sections 24.

(89) The blackened sections 24 thus form a first portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 500, and the color coating 22 forms a second portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 500.

(90) FIG. 5A further shows a first UV color coating 28, which is located on the color coating 22. The first UV color coating 28 is transparent to visible light and reflects UV light of a first wavelength and forms a third portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 500. (The UV color coating 28 is shown with a significant vertical exaggeration in the schematic drawing, in order to be visible in cross-section.)

(91) During irradiation of the security inlay 500 with visible light, the complete image formed jointly by the first portion of the optically recognizable characters and the second portion of the optically recognizable characters is visible to an observer. During irradiation of the security inlay 500 with UV light of a first wavelength, the third portion of the optically recognizable characters is visible to an observer.

(92) FIG. 5B shows a further development of the security inlay 510 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document having a first UV color coating 28. The further development shown in FIG. 5B comprises all the described features of FIG. 5A. In addition, in FIG. 5B the second transparent layer 30 also comprises at least one blackened section 34. The blackened section 34, analogously to the blackened sections 24, is formed by irradiation of the second transparent layer 30 with laser light.

(93) The blackened sections 34 of the second transparent layer 30 form together with the blackened sections 24 of the first transparent layer 20 the first portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 510.

(94) The blackened sections 34 shown in FIG. 5B of the second transparent layer 30 are not concealed by the color coating 22 from the perspective of the observer. The blackened sections 34 of the second transparent layer 30 that are shown are optically recognizable, analogously to the blackened sections 24 in the first transparent layer 20, but do not overlap with the color coating 22. In the embodiment variant shown in FIG. 5B, the blackened sections 34 of the second transparent layer 30 form a separate optically recognizable character consisting only of blackened sections.

(95) FIG. 5B further shows that a portion of the first UV color coating 28 is located on the color coating 22 and a portion of the first UV color coating 28 is located on the surface of the transparent layer 22. The third portion of the optically recognizable characters, which are formed by the UV color coating 28, thus only partially overlaps the first or second portion of the optically recognizable characters.

(96) FIGS. 5C and 5D show by way of example further embodiments of a security inlay 520, 530 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document having a first UV color coating 28.

(97) FIG. 5C, analogously to FIG. 5A, shows the first transparent layer 20, the blackened sections 24, a second transparent layer 30, the color coating 22 and the first UV color coating 28. Analogously to FIG. 5A, a first portion of the optically recognizable characters is formed by the blackened sections 24, a second portion of the optically recognizable characters is formed by the color coating 22, and a third portion of the optically recognizable characters is formed by the first UV color coating 28.

(98) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5C, the third portion of the optically recognizable characters overlaps the first portion of the optically recognizable characters, while the second portion of the optically recognizable characters is not overlapped. Thus, during irradiation of the security inlay 520 with visible light, a non-overlapping arrangement of the first and second portions of the optically recognizable characters is visible to the observer. During irradiation of the security inlay 520 with UV light of a first wavelength, an overlapping arrangement of the first, second and third portions of the optical characters is visible.

(99) FIG. 5D, analogously to FIG. 5A, shows the first transparent layer 20, the blackened sections 24, a second transparent layer 30, the color coating 22 and the first UV color coating 28. Analogously to FIG. 5A, a first portion of the optically recognizable characters is formed by the blackened sections 24, a second portion of the optically recognizable characters is formed by the color coating 22, and a third portion of the optically recognizable characters is formed by the first UV color coating 28.

(100) The blackened sections 34 shown in FIG. 5D of the second transparent layer 30 are not concealed by the color coating 22 from the perspective of the observer. The blackened sections 34 of the second transparent layer 30 that are shown are optically recognizable, analogously to the blackened sections 24 in the first transparent layer 20, but do not form a complete image together with the color coating 22. In the embodiment variant shown in FIG. 5D, the blackened sections 34 of the second transparent layer 30 form an optically recognizable character formed only of blackened sections.

(101) Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5D, only a portion of the color coating 22 is covered by the first UV color coating 28. However, the blackened sections 24 of the first transparent layer are completely covered.

(102) Accordingly, during irradiation of the security inlay 530 with visible light, there is visible to the observer an overlapping arrangement of the first and second portions of the optically recognizable characters and also an arrangement of the first portion of the optically recognizable characters that does not overlap with the second portion of the optically recognizable characters.

(103) During irradiation of the security inlay 530 with UV light of a first wavelength, an overlapping arrangement of the first, second and third portions of the optical characters is visible.

(104) FIGS. 5E and 5F show a of the security inlay 540, 550 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document having a first UV color coating 28 and a second UV color coating 29.

(105) The security inlay 540, 550 shown in FIGS. 5E and 5F comprises a first transparent layer 20 and a second transparent layer 30 which are each manufactured from polycarbonate with carbon-containing additives. On the first transparent layer 20 there is located in each case a color coating 22.

(106) The first transparent layer 20 further has a plurality of blackened sections 24 which have been formed by the action of a beam of laser light on the carbon-containing additives contained in the first transparent layer 20.

(107) Analogously thereto, the second transparent layer 30 has a plurality of blackened sections (only one blackened section is shown schematically) which have been formed by the action of a beam of laser light on the carbon-containing additives contained in the second transparent layer 30.

(108) The color coating 22 shown in FIGS. 5E and 5F does not contain black color components and reflects visible light and UV light. In other embodiments (not shown), the color coating 22 can be transparent to UV light and/or also comprise black color components, which are transparent to infrared light.

(109) The color coating 22, which is formed of the base colors cyan, magenta and yellow, and the blackened sections 24 complement one another, at least from the perspective of an observer, to form a complete image. The black portions of the complete image are thereby formed at least partially by the blackened sections 24.

(110) The blackened sections 24 and the blackened sections 34 form a first portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 540, 550, and the color coating 22 forms a second portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay. The blackened sections 34 of the second transparent layer 30 are not concealed by the color coating 22 from the perspective of the observer. The blackened sections 34 of the second transparent layer 30 that are shown are optically recognizable, analogously to the blackened sections 24 in the first transparent layer 20, but form separate optically recognizable information which is spatially separate from the optically recognizable information that can be perceived under visible light by the observer as a result of the combination of the blackened sections 24 with the color coating 22. The blackened sections 34 can form, for example, optically recognizable text information (e.g. names, addresses, personal data) and in other embodiments (not shown) can be overlapped by the first and/or second UV color coating.

(111) FIGS. 5E and 5F further show a first UV color coating 28 which is located on the color coating 22. The first UV color coating 28 is transparent to visible light and reflects UV light of a first wavelength and forms a third portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 540, 550.

(112) FIGS. 5E and 5F additionally show a second UV color coating 29 which is transparent to visible light and reflects UV light of a second wavelength. The second UV color coating 29 forms a fourth portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 540, 550.

(113) In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5E, both first UV color coating 28 and the second UV color coating 29 are located on a portion of the color coating 22. In other exemplary embodiments (not shown), the first UV color coating 28 and/or the second UV color coating 29 can only partially overlap the color coating 22.

(114) In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5F, the first UV color coating 28 is located on the color coating 22 and the second UV color coating 29 is located on the UV color coating 28.

(115) During irradiation of the security inlay 540, 550 shown in FIGS. 5E and 5F with visible light, the complete image formed jointly by the first portion of the optically recognizable characters and the second portion of the optically recognizable characters is visible to an observer. In addition, the first portion of the optical characters, which is not overlapped by the second portion of the optical characters, is also visible.

(116) During irradiation of the security inlay 540, 550 with UV light of a first wavelength, the third portion of the optically recognizable characters is visible to an observer.

(117) During irradiation of the security inlay 540, 550 with UV light of a second wavelength, the fourth portion of the optically recognizable characters is visible to an observer.

(118) FIG. 5G shows a security inlay 560 having the color coating 22, the first UV color coating 28 and the second UV color coating 29. The first UV color coating 28 and the second UV color coating 29 are multicolored UV color coatings in FIG. 5G. The first UV color coating 28 and the color coating 22 are located on the first transparent layer 20. The second UV color coating 29 is located on the color coating 28. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5G, the color coating 22 reflects visible light and UV light. Of course, embodiments of the security inlay 560 are also possible in which the color coating 22, the first UV color coating 28 and the second UV color coating 29 do not overlap one another, so that the color coating 22, the first UV color coating 28 and the second UV color coating 29 are each applied directly to the first transparent layer 20 without overlying one another.

(119) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5G, the third portion of the optically recognizable characters formed by the first UV color coating 28 shows to the observer of the security inlay 560 during irradiation of the security inlay 560 with UV light of a first wavelength, for example, a facial image of an owner of the security inlay 560. The same facial image can be shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5G jointly by the first portion of the optically recognizable characters, which is formed by the blackened sections 24, and the second portion of the optically recognizable characters, which is formed by the color coating 22.

(120) Thus, during irradiation of the security inlay 560 with visible light, the facial image consisting of the first and second portions of the optically recognizable characters is visible. During irradiation of the security inlay 560 with UV light, the facial image consisting of the first and second portions of the optically recognizable characters and in addition the same facial image consisting of the third portion of the optically recognizable characters are visible. The facial images can thus be compared with one another, which, for example, makes it difficult for unauthorized parties to replace the facial image.

(121) In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5G, the second UV color coating 29 is bifluorescent and forms a fourth portion of the optically recognizable characters, which form additional security features. Thus, during irradiation of the security inlay 560 with UV light having a wavelength of 313 nm, the second UV color coating 29 shows to the observer of the security inlay 560 a security feature with a red color impression. During irradiation of the security inlay 560 with UV light having a wavelength of 365 nm, the security inlay 560 shows to the observer a security feature with a blue color impression.

(122) FIG. 6 shows a security inlay 600 having optically recognizable characters for an identity document having a depression, a first UV color coating and a second UV color coating.

(123) FIG. 6 shows a cover layer 10, a first transparent layer 20, a second transparent layer 30, an insert 42, a third transparent layer 50 and a fourth transparent layer 60.

(124) In alternative embodiments, the security inlay can also comprise a printed lacquer layer (not shown) in addition or alternatively to the cover layer 10 shown in FIG. 6. In embodiments which comprise a printed lacquer layer instead of a cover layer 10, the lacquer layer is arranged analogously to the cover layer 10 and performs the protective function thereof for the surface of the security inlay.

(125) The insert 42 is located in a depression of the second transparent layer 30 and in a depression of the third transparent layer 50.

(126) The first transparent layer 20, the second transparent layer 30, the third transparent layer 50 and the fourth transparent layer 60 are manufactured from a polycarbonate material and comprise carbon-containing additives which form blackened sections under the action in particular of laser light. The blackened sections can be formed in a desired intensity by regulating the intensity and duration of action of the laser light.

(127) The first transparent layer 20 has a plurality of blackened sections 24, which have been formed by the action of a beam of laser light on the carbon-containing additives contained in the first transparent layer 20.

(128) Analogously thereto, the second transparent layer 30 has a plurality of blackened sections 34 (only one blackened section is shown schematically), which have been formed by the action of a beam of laser light on the carbon-containing additives contained in the second transparent layer 30.

(129) In a further development (not shown), one of the transparent layers 20, 30, 50, 60 and/or the insert 40 can comprise a hologram element which is visible to an observer of the security inlay 440 and has a visual-holographic effect. The visual-holographic effect can be optically recognizable both under visible light and under invisible light, in particular under infrared and/or ultraviolet light.

(130) The hologram element can overlap, at least from the perspective of an observer, with a portion of the optically recognizable characters.

(131) In other further developments (not shown), the hologram element can also be arranged between the transparent layers and/or the insert. In particular, the hologram element can be arranged between the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer or between the second transparent layer and the insert.

(132) In one exemplary embodiment (not shown), the hologram element can at least partially overlap with the third and/or fourth portion of the optically recognizable characters.

(133) In another further development (not shown), the insert 42 can have at least two opaque insert layers which enclose an RFID chip and/or an antenna element.

(134) FIG. 6 further shows a first background color coating 32 and a second background color coating 52. The first background color coating 32 is located on the surface of the second transparent layer 30 that faces towards the cover layer 10. The second background color coating 52 is located on the surface of the third transparent layer 50 that faces away from the cover layer 10.

(135) The first transparent layer 20 shown in FIG. 6 has a depression.

(136) FIG. 6 further shows a color coating 22 which is located in part in the depression of the first transparent layer 20. (The color coating 22 is shown with a significant vertical exaggeration in the schematic drawing, in order to be visible in cross-section.)

(137) The color coating 22 is formed by a color imprint of the base colors cyan, magenta and yellow.

(138) The color coating 22 shown in FIG. 6 does not have black color components, is transparent to infrared light and reflects visible and ultraviolet light.

(139) The color coating 22 and the blackened sections 24, 34 complement one another, at least from the perspective of an observer, to form a complete image. The black portions of the complete image are thereby formed by the blackened sections 24, 34. The blackened sections 24, 34 reflect both invisible, in particular ultraviolet and infrared, light and visible light.

(140) FIG. 6 further shows a polymer material 26 which is located in the depression of the first transparent layer 20. The polymer material 26 shown is transparent to visible and invisible, in particular ultraviolet or infrared, light and is heat-curable.

(141) In one embodiment (not shown), the polymer material can comprise an additive which reflects UV light in a first and/or in a second wavelength range, in particular color pigments which reflect UV light.

(142) In a further development (not shown), the polymer material can comprise forensic markers, in particular silicon, silicon dioxide, mica, titanium oxide and/or tin oxide.

(143) The polymer material 26 located in the depression of the first transparent layer 20 is flush with the surface of the first transparent layer 20, so that the overall surface of the first transparent layer 20 and of the polymer material 26 forms a planar surface without raised or depressed portions.

(144) The transparent polymer material located in the depression encloses, together with the first transparent layer 20, a portion of the color coating 22.

(145) FIG. 6 further shows a first UV color coating 28 which is located on the color coating 22. The first UV color coating 28 is transparent to visible and infrared light and reflects UV light of a first wavelength.

(146) FIG. 6 additionally shows a second UV color coating 29 which is transparent to visible and infrared light and reflects UV light of a second wavelength. The second UV color coating 29 is located on the first UV color coating 28.

(147) The blackened sections 24, 34 thus form a first portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 600, and the color coating 22 forms a second portion of the optically recognizable characters of the security inlay 600. The first UV color coating 28 forms a third portion of the optically recognizable characters, and the second UV color coating 29 forms a fourth portion of the optically recognizable characters.

(148) Thus, if the security inlay 600 is irradiated with visible light, the first and second portions of the optically recognizable characters are visible to the observer, wherein the first and second portions of the optically recognizable characters partially overlap and thus form a complete image.

(149) If the security inlay 600 is irradiated with infrared light, only the first portion of the optically recognizable characters is visible to the observer.

(150) If the security inlay 600 is irradiated with UV light of a first wavelength, the third portion of the optically recognizable characters is visible.

(151) If the security inlay 600 is irradiated with UV light of a second wavelength, the fourth portion of the optically recognizable characters is visible.

(152) It will be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments described hereinbefore are not exhaustive and do not limit the subject-matter disclosed herein. In particular, it is clear to the person skilled in the art that he can combine the described features with one another as desired and/or can omit different features without thereby departing from the scope of the subject-matter disclosed herein.