Polycarbonate-based security documents and/or documents of value with a hologram in the card body

Abstract

The invention relates to polycarbonate-based or copolycarbonate-based security documents and/or documents of value which contain at least one hologram integrated in the card body, and to a method for producing such security documents and/or documents of value.

Claims

1. A document of security and/or value, comprising at least one layer (A1) comprising at least a polycarbonate or a copolycarbonate, at least one further layer (A2) comprising at least a polycarbonate or a copolycarbonate, and at least one layer (P) comprising at least one photopolymer formulation and incorporating a hologram, wherein the layer (P) is arranged over a partial area between layers A1 and A2, and the layers A1 and A2, of which at least one layer is of transparent design, are joined at least sectionally to one another, wherein at various locations the layer P has multiple isolated holes and wherein the holes are located in unexposed locations, and the two layers A1 and A2 are at least sectionally joined at these holes, wherein the document has at least one layer (K) having corresponding recesses at the same points as the layer (P), which comprises at least one adhesive.

2. The document of security and/or value as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive in layer K comprises at least one hotmelt adhesive.

3. The document of security and/or value as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive in layer K comprises at least one hotmelt adhesive selected from thermoplastic polyurethanes.

4. The document of security and/or value as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two layers A1 and A2 are at least sectionally joined around the layer P.

5. The document of security and/or value as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hologram is a volume hologram.

6. The document of security and/or value as claimed in claim 1, wherein a writing monomer in the photopolymer formulation comprises at least one monofunctional and/or one polyfunctional urethane (meth)acrylate.

7. The document of security and/or value as claimed in claim 1, wherein the document is a document of identification.

8. The document of security and/or value as claimed in claim 1, wherein a layer S comprising at least a polycarbonate or a copolycarbonate is located between the layer P and the layer A1 or A2, which optionally has no contact to the layer K.

9. A method for producing a document of security and/or value as claimed in claim 1, comprising forming a layer stack of at least the layers A1, P, A2, and K, positioning the layers P and K only over a partial area between the layers A1 and A2, and laminating the layer stack to form a document of security and/or value.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising punching recesses into the layers P and K before forming the layer stack.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the layers A1 and A2 protrude areally around over the layers P and K.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the layer P is applied to a substrate layer S comprising at least a polycarbonate or a copolycarbonate and in the layer stack, one of the two layers, A1 or A2, is joined over a partial area to the layer K, and the other of the two layers, A1 or A2, are joined at least sectionally to the substrate layer S.

13. The document of security and/or value as claimed in claim 1, wherein the layer K has a coating weight of 10 g/m.sup.2 to 100 g/m.sup.2.

14. The document of security and/or value as claimed in claim 1, wherein the layer K has a coating weight of 10 g/m.sup.2 to 100 g/m.sup.2, and wherein the holes comprise holes of various geometry.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings

(2) FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a first inventive document of security or value;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of a second inventive document of security or value;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of a third inventive document of security or value;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic representation of a fourth inventive document of security or value;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of a fifth inventive document of security or value;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic representation of a sixth inventive document of security or value;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic representation of a seventh inventive document of security or value;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a diagrammatic representation of an eighth inventive document of security or value;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a diagrammatic representation of a film coating line for producing a photopolymer;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a diagrammatic representation of an apparatus for generating a hologram in a photopolymer film for an exposure wavelengths of 633 nm (red);

(12) FIG. 11 shows the elliptical form of a hologram written using the apparatus of FIG. 10.

(13) The inventive document of security or value in FIG. 1 comprises a first layer A1 and a second layer A2, each of which may comprise or consist of polycarbonate. In the present case the layer A1 is of transparent design. The layer A2 is nontransparent and has a white color. Disposed over a partial area between the two layers A1 and A2 is a layer P. The layer P comprises or consists of a polypolymer into which a hologram has been introduced by exposure. In the completed state, the layer A1 is joined over the surface to the layer P and sectionally, around the layer P, to the layer A2. Similarly, the layer A2 is joined superficially to the layer P and sectionally, around the layer P, to the layer A1. The assembly may be produced, for example, by lamination of layers A1, A2 and P.

(14) The document of security or value in FIG. 2 corresponds substantially to the embodiment in FIG. 1. The only addition is a layer K comprising an adhesive. The layer K is joined over the full area to the layer P and over a partial area to the layer A2.

(15) The inventive document of security or value in FIG. 3 corresponds substantially to the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2. Additionally present is a layer S, which represents the substrate film of the photopolymer, which in this embodiment is not removed. A layer K may be present optionally. K may preferably be transparent and/or black. The layers S and P are joined over their full area to one another. S is transparent and is joined over a partial area to A1.

(16) The embodiment in FIG. 4 structurally likewise resembles the document in FIG. 1. The difference here is that the layer P has the same dimensions as the layers A1 and A2 and, furthermore, has circular punched recesses running around its marginal regions. The sectional joining of the layers A1 and A2 is accomplished here through these recesses.

(17) Shown in FIG. 5, in turn, is a variant of the embodiment in FIG. 4, in which additionally a partial-area layer S is present above the layer P in the drawing. This layer S has the same dimensions as the layers A1, A2 and P. Furthermore, congruently to the layer P, circular recesses are punched out in its marginal regions. The layers S and P are joined to one another over the full area. The layers A1 and A2 are joined sectionally through the recesses in the layers S and P.

(18) The embodiment in FIG. 6 is again a variant of the document in FIG. 5. Here additionally, beneath the layer P in the drawing, is a layer K, which in turn comprises an adhesive. The layer K has the same dimensions as the layers A1, A2, P and S, and, furthermore, congruently with respect to the layers P and S, it has circular recesses punched in its marginal regions. The layer K is joined over the full area to the layers P and A2. The layers A1 and A2 are joined sectionally through the recesses in the layers S, P and K.

(19) The embodiment in FIG. 7 is again a variant of the document in FIG. 5. Here, above the layer P in the drawing, is a layer K, which in turn comprises an adhesive. In this embodiment, K is transparent. The layer K has the same dimensions as the layers A1, A2, P and S, and, furthermore, congruently with respect to the layers P and S, it has circular recesses punched in its marginal regions. The layer K is joined over the full area to the layers P and A1. The layers A1 and A2 are joined sectionally through the recesses in the layers S, P and K.

(20) FIG. 8, lastly, shows an inventive document of security or value with a layer A2, in which a depression is formed, whose dimensions correspond to those of the layer P. When the layers are joined, this reduces too great a pressure being exerted on the layer P, which might adversely affect the quality of the hologram in the layer P. In the document there is additionally a transparent layer K, whose dimensions coincide in turn with those of the layer P. The layers P and K are joined over the full area.

(21) In general, A1 and A2 may also consist of a plurality of individual layers.

EXAMPLES

(22) Materials Used

(23) Materials Used for the Holographic Media:

(24) Component D: Fascat 4102 0.07%, urethanization catalyst, butyltin tris(2-ethylhexanoate), product of Arkema GmbH, Dsseldorf, Germany. Byk 310 (silicone-based surface additive from BYK-Chemie GmbH, Wesel, 25% strength solution in xylene) 0.3% Component E: C. I. Basic Blue 3 (converted to bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate salt) 0.26%, Safranin O (converted to bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate salt) 0.13% and Astrazon Orange G (converted to bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate salt) 0.13% with CGI 909 (experimental product from BASF SE, Basel, Switzerland) 1.5%, dissolved as solution in 5.8% ethyl acetate. Percentages are based on the overall formulation of the medium. Component F: ethyl acetate (CAS No. 141-78-6). Component G: Desmodur N 3900, commercial product of Bayer MaterialScience AG, Leverkusen, Germany, hexane diisocyanate-based polyisocyanate, iminooxadiazinedione fraction at least 30%, NCO content: 23.5%. Carrier substrate: Makrofol DE 1-1 CC 175 m (Bayer MaterialScience AG, Leverkusen, Germany).
Materials Used for the ID Card Constructions: Film 1: Platilon M 2204 AC-T, black; commercial product from Epurex Films GmbH & Co. KG, Walsrode, Germany, grammage 15 g/m.sup.2 (the PE carrier film was peeled off prior to the experiments). Film 2: Makrofol ID 4-4; 010207 (white); commercial product of Bayer MaterialScience AG, Leverkusen, Germany, layer thickness 250 m. Film 3: Makrofol ID 6-2 (transparent, lacerable), commercial product of Bayer MaterialScience AG, Leverkusen, Germany, layer thickness 100 m. Photopolymer film produced as described below under Production of holographic media on a film coating line.

Preparation Procedures for Further Materials Used for the Holographic Media

Preparation of Component A

(25) A 1 l flask was charged with 0.18 g of tin octoate, 374.8 g of -caprolactone and 374.8 g of a difunctional polytetrahydrofuran polyether polyol (equivalent weight 500 g/mol OH) and this initial charge was heated to 120 C. and maintained at that temperature until the solids content (fraction of the non-volatile constituents) was 99.5 wt % or more. It was then cooled to give the product as a waxy solid.

Preparation of Component B1

(phosphorus thioyltris(oxy-4,1-phenyleniminocarbonyloxyethane-2,1-diyl)triacrylate)

(26) In a 500 ml round-bottomed flask, 0.1 g of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 0.05 g of dibutyltin dilaurate (Desmorapid Z, Bayer MaterialScience AG, Leverkusen, Germany) and also and 213.07 g of a 27% strength solution of tris(p-isocyanatophenyl) thiophosphate in ethyl acetate (Desmodur RFE, product of Bayer MaterialScience AG, Leverkusen, Germany) were introduced and heated to 60 C. Then 42.37 g of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate were added dropwise and the mixture was held further at 60 C. until the isocyanate content had dropped below 0.1%. This was followed by cooling and by complete removal of the ethyl acetate under reduced pressure. The product was obtained in the form of a partially crystalline solid.

Preparation of Component B2

(2-({[3-(methylsulfanyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}oxy)ethyl prop-2-enoate)

(27) In a 100 ml round-bottomed flask, 0.02 g of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 0.01 g of Desmorapid Z and 11.7 g of 3-(methylthio)phenyl isocyanate were introduced and introduced and heated to 60 C. Then 8.2 g of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate were added dropwise and the mixture was held further at 60 C. until the isocyanate content had dropped below 0.1%. This was followed by cooling. The product was obtained in the form of a pale yellow liquid.

Preparation of the Additive C

(bis(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7-dodecafluoroheptyl)-(2,2,4-trimethylhexane-1,6-diyl)biscarbamate)

(28) In a 2000 ml round-bottomed flask, 0.02 g of Desmorapid Z and 3.60 g of 2,4,4-trimethylhexane 1,6-diisocyanate (TMDI) were introduced and heated to 70 C. Then 11.39 g of 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7-dodecafluoroheptan-1-ol were added dropwise and the mixture was held further at 70 C. until the isocyanate content had dropped below 0.1%. This was followed by cooling. The product was obtained in the form of a colorless oil.

(29) Production of holographic media on a film coating line

(30) Described below is the continuous production of holographic media in the form of films from inventive and noninventive photopolymer formulations.

(31) Production took place using the film coating line described in FIG. 9.

(32) FIG. 9 shows the diagrammatic construction of the coating line used. The reference numerals for the individual components in FIG. 9 are as follows: 1 reservoir container 2 metering device 3 vacuum degassing device 4 filter 5 static mixer 6 coating device 7 forced-air dryer 8 carrier substrate 9 liner layer

(33) To produce the photopolymer formulation, 304.3 g of component A (polyol) in a stirring vessel were admixed in steps with a writing monomer mixture of 138 g of component B1 and 138 g of component B2, with 191 g of additive C, 0.60 g of component D, 2.55 g of BYK 310 and 101 g of component F, and these components were mixed. Then 66.5 g of component E were added to the mixture in the dark and the composition was mixed so as to give a clear solution. If necessary, the formulation was heated at 60 C. for a short time in order to bring the ingredients into solution more rapidly. This mixture was introduced into one of the two reservoir containers 1 of the coating line. Introduced into the second reservoir container 1 was component G (polyisocyanate). Both components were then conveyed to the vacuum degassing device 3, in each case by the metering devices 2, in a ratio of 942.2 (components A to F) to 57.8 (component G), and degassing was carried out. From there, they were then each passed through the filter 4 into the static mixer 5, where the mixing of the components to give the photopolymer formulation took place. The liquid material obtained was then supplied in the dark to the coating device 6.

(34) The coating device 6 in the present case is a slot die, with which the skilled person is familiar. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for a doctor blade system to be employed. Using the coating device 6, the photopolymer formulation was applied at a processing temperature of 20 C. to a Makrofol DE 1-1, (125 m) and dried in a forced-air dryer 7 for 5.8 minutes at a crosslinking temperature of 80 C. This gave a medium in the form of a film, which was then provided with a polyethylene film liner layer 9, 40 m thick, and was wound up.

(35) The layer thickness obtained in the film was between 18 m.

(36) Production of Reflection Holograms in the Photopolymer:

(37) Apparatus as per FIG. 10 was used to introduce a hologram by exposure into the photopolymer. These holograms were monochromatic holograms with a 633 nm laser wavelength. To produce them, sections of the film were cut off in the dark, the lining film was removed, and the films were laminated bubble-free with the photopolymer side downwards onto a glass of size 5075 mm and thickness 1 mm. The glasses used were Corning glasses from Schott AG, Mainz, Germany.

(38) The beam of a laser (emission wavelength 633 nm) is expanded to a diameter of 3-4 cm by means of an optional expansion lens (AF) and the collimating lens (CL), which is positioned after the shutter S. The diameter of the expanded laser beam is determined in this case by the aperture of the opened shutter. A non-uniform intensity distribution is deliberately ensured in the expanded laser beam. Accordingly, the edge intensity P.sub.R is only half the intensity P.sub.Z in the center of the expanded laser beam. P is to be understood here as power/area. The expanded laser beam first passes through a glass plate set up at an oblique angle to the beam, serving as a shearing plate (SP). On the basis of the upwardly reflected interference pattern generated by the two glass surface reflections of the SP, it is possible to ascertain whether the laser is emitting stably in single mode. In that case of dark and light stripes can be seen on a matt panel placed above the SP. Only if emission is in single mode are holographic exposures performed. In the case of the DPSS laser, the single mode can be achieved by adjustment of the pump flow. The expanded beam passes through the holographic medium (P), set up at an oblique angle of approximately 15this part forms the reference beambefore being then reflected back into P by the object (O) arranged parallel to P. This part then forms the signal beam of the Denisyuk arrangement.

(39) The interference of signal beam and reference beam in P generates the hologram in the holographic medium. O consists of a metal plate covered with white paper, with the paper side P facing forward. Located on the paper is a square grid produced by black lines. The edge length of one square is 0.5 cm. This grid is imaged as well in the hologram during the holographic exposure of P.

(40) The average exposure dose E.sub.ave is set through the opening time t of S. For a fixed laser power I, therefore, t represents the parameter proportional to E.sub.ave. Since the intensity distribution of the expanded laser beam is non-uniform (bell-shaped), there is variation in the local dose E for generating the hologram in P. Together with the oblique placement of P and O with respect to the optical axis this leads the written hologram to possess an elliptical form, as shown in FIG. 11.

(41) Given that O is a diffuse reflector, the hologram is easily reconstructed by illumination with a point light source (e.g. pocket lamp or LED lamp).

(42) Production of ID Cards According to Variant 1:

(43) The holograms are placed next to one another on a sheet of approximately DIN A4 size (up to 48 holograms, depending on size).

(44) Equal-size sheets of film 1 and film 2 were provided.

(45) The films were stacked in the following order from top to bottom: photopolymer film with the photopolymer layer facing film 1 film 1 film 2

(46) The film stack above was subsequently fixed by means of thermal spot welding at the 4 corners of the film sheets.

(47) Next, all of the holograms on the film sheet were fixed by the same welding method at one or two points, preferably outside the visible hologram.

(48) The three-ply film packets were then cut by kiss cutting. Punching took place here from the side of the holograms, down to the ply of film 2. The unfixed parts of holograms and film 1 were removed as a coherent net. This left film 2, with the regularly arranged holograms, and sections of film 1 fixed on film 2.

(49) Subsequently, the ultimate construction of the ID card was assembled (from top to bottom):

(50) film 3

(51) film 2 with fixed holograms and part-sections of film 1

(52) film 2 as replacement for the core material of the card

(53) film 3

(54) The film construction was then laminated, using the following laminating parameters, on a card press from Brckle, model LA63:

(55) Press preheated to 175 C.

(56) Insertion of the films.

(57) Heating under pressure: 8 minutes, 15 N/cm.sup.2

(58) Heating under pressure: 2 minutes, 240 N/cm.sup.2

(59) Cooling under pressure: 15 minutes, 240 N/cm.sup.2

(60) Removal of the films.

(61) Following lamination, the cards were punched from the sheet.

(62) Production of ID Cards According to Variant 2:

(63) The holograms are placed next to one another on a sheet of approximately DIN A4 size (up to 48 holograms, depending on size).

(64) Equal-size sheets of film 1 were provided.

(65) The films were stacked in the following order: hologram with the photopolymer layer facing film 1 film 1

(66) The film stack above was subsequently fixed by means of thermal spot welding at the 4 corners of the film sheets.

(67) Next, the two-layer film packets were punched by means of band steel cutting. This produced apertures in the dark regions of the holograms and in the corresponding regions of film 1. At these points, it was later possible, during lamination of the ID card body, for the melted polycarbonate to press through and for the PC-to-PC assembly to come about.

(68) Subsequently, the ultimate construction of the ID card was assembled (from top to bottom):

(69) film 3

(70) assembly of hologram and film 1

(71) film 2 as replacement for the core material of the card

(72) film 3

(73) The film construction was then laminated, using the following laminating parameters, on a card press from Brckle, model LA63:

(74) Press preheated to 175 C.

(75) Insertion of the films.

(76) Heating under pressure: 8 minutes, 15 N/cm.sup.2

(77) Heating under pressure: 2 minutes, 240 N/cm.sup.2

(78) Cooling under pressure: 15 minutes, 240 N/cm.sup.2

(79) Removal of the films.

(80) Following lamination, the cards were punched from the sheet.