Abstract
Provided is a data carrier comprising a card body, wherein the card body is configured to interact with impinging electromagnetic radiation (R) such, that a laser marking (M1) having a first appearance (A1) is generated in the card body in the region of impingement. The data carrier further comprises at least one protection element that is configured to interact with impinging electromagnetic radiation (R) such, that a laser marking (M2) having a second appearance (A2) is generated in the card body, wherein said second appearance (A2) differs from the first appearance (A1).
Claims
1. A data carrier (1) comprising a card body (2), wherein the card body (2) is configured to interact with impinging electromagnetic radiation (R) such, that a laser marking (M1) having a first appearance (A1) is generated in the card body (2) in region of impingement, wherein the data carrier (1) further comprises at least one protection element (3), wherein the at least one protection element (3) is configured to interact with impinging electromagnetic radiation (R) such, that a laser marking (M2) having a second appearance (A2) is generated in the card body (2), wherein said second appearance (A2) differs from the first appearance (A1).
2. The data carrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protection element (3) is configured to generate one or more gases upon an interaction with electromagnetic radiation (R).
3. The data carrier (1) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one protection element (3) is configured to diffract and/or scatter and/or deflect impinging electromagnetic radiation.
4. The data carrier (1) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one protection element (3) is configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation (R), preferably electromagnetic radiation (R) being in the ultraviolet region and/or in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and/or wherein the at least one protection element (3) is configured to exhibit an adhesive force or no adhesive force.
5. The data carrier (1) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one protection element (3) comprises at least one of a laser reactive pigment, laser reactive additive, and laser reactive colorant.
6. The data carrier (1) according to claim 5, further comprising at least one personalization item that is an alphanumeric character or an image, and wherein the personalization item comprises the at least one protection element (3) and an ink, preferably an inkjet ink.
7. The data carrier (1) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one protection element (3) comprises at least one of waxes, silicone-containing materials, UV absorbers such as 2-hydroxyphenyl-s-triazines and their derivatives, IR absorbers, and thermosets, preferably curable thermosets such as a compound comprising UV-curable [meth]-acrylates, epoxides and/or vinylethers.
8. The data carrier (1) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one protection element (3) is provided in the form of a dot grid (11) on the card body (2), wherein the dots (12) constituting the grid preferably comprise a varnish and the at least one protection element (3).
9. The data carrier (1) according to claim 8, wherein the data carrier (1) comprises one or more cover layers (4a, 4b, . . . ) that are arranged on the card body (2), and wherein the at least one protection element (3) is provided in the one or more cover layers (4a, 4b, . . . ) and/or on the one or more cover layers (4a, 4b, . . . ), and wherein the one or more cover layers (4a, 4b, . . . ) preferably comprise at least one of a varnish, an ink layer, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, in particular amorphous polyester and/or co-polyester and/or semi-crystalline polyester.
10. The data carrier (1) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one protection element (3) is provided as an imprint in a surface (5a, 5b, . . . ) of the one or more cover layers (4a, 4b) and/or as one or more particles that are incorporated into the one or more cover layers (4a, 4b), the one or more particles preferably being nanoparticles, particularly preferably silicon dioxide and/or titanium dioxide.
11. The data carrier (1) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one protection element (3) is provided between at least two subsequently arranged cover layers (4a, 4b, . . . ) in one or more regions (6a, 6b, . . . ), wherein the adhesive force exerted by the at least one protection element (3) to the at least two subsequently arranged cover layers in said one or more regions is smaller than an adhesive force exhibited between other regions (7a, 7b, . . . ) between the at least two subsequently arranged cover layers where no protection element (3) is present.
12. The data carrier (1) according to claim 11, wherein a surface (8) of the card body (2) facing the one or more cover layers (4a, 4b, . . . ) comprises one or more elevations and recesses (9a, 9b), and/or wherein one or more diffractive elements are provided in one or more of the cover layers, and/or wherein one or more visual elements (10), preferably one or more colour images, particularly preferably one or more inkjet colour images, are provided in one or more of the cover layers (4a, 4b, . . . ).
13. The data carrier of claim 1 is embodied in a security document that is one of an identity card, a passport, a credit card, or a bank note.
14. A method of producing a data carrier (1), comprising the steps of: Providing a card body (2); Providing at least one protection element (3); wherein the card body (2) is configured to interact with impinging electromagnetic radiation (R) such, that a laser marking (M1) having a first appearance (A1) is generated in the card body (2) in the region of impingement, wherein the at least one protection element (3) is configured to interact with impinging electromagnetic radiation (R) such, that a laser marking (M2) having a second appearance (A2) is generated in the card body (2), wherein said second appearance (A2) differs from the first appearance (A1).
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the at least one protection element (3) is added to at least one of a varnish, an ink layer, polycarbonate, PVC, and polyester, in particular amorphous polyester and/or co-polyester and/or semi-crystalline polyester, so as to form a mixture, and wherein said mixture is applied onto the card body (2).
16. The method according to claim 15, and wherein at least one of a varnish, an ink layer, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, and polyester, in particular amorphous polyester and/or co-polyester and/or semi-crystalline polyester are applied onto the card body (2) so as to form one or more cover layers (4a, 4b, . . . ), and wherein the at least one protection element (3) is formed as an imprint in a surface (5a, 5b, . . . ) of the one or more cover layers (4a, 4b, . . . ).
17. The method according to claim 16, and wherein at least one of a varnish, an ink layer, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, and polyester, in particular amorphous polyester and/or co-polyester and/or semi-crystalline polyester are applied onto the card body (2) so as to form two or more cover layers (4a, 4b, . . . ), and wherein the at least one protection element (3) is at least partially provided between at least two subsequently arranged cover layers (4a, 4b, . . . ).
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. In the drawings,
[0034] FIG. 1a shows a plan view on a data carrier comprising an original laser marking in the form of an image;
[0035] FIG. 1b shows a plan view on data carrier comprising an original laser marking in the form of an image and a forged laser marking in the form of glasses;
[0036] FIG. 1c shows a plan view on a data carrier comprising an original laser marking in the form of an image, at least one protection element, and a forged laser marking in the form of glasses;
[0037] FIG. 1d shows a plan view on a data carrier comprising an original laser marking in the form of an image, at least one protection element according to a further embodiment, and a forged laser marking in the form of glasses;
[0038] FIG. 2 shows an exploded sectional view through a data carrier comprising an original laser marking and a protection element during an attempt of forgery;
[0039] FIG. 3 shows an exploded sectional view through a data carrier according to another embodiment comprising an original laser marking and a protection element according to another embodiment during an attempt of forgery;
[0040] FIG. 4 shows an exploded sectional view through a data carrier according to another embodiment comprising an original laser marking and a protection element according to another embodiment during an attempt of forgery;
[0041] FIG. 5 shows a plan view on a surface of a data carrier comprising a protection element in the form of a dot grid.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] FIGS. 1a to 1d shall illustrate the effect of the invention. Namely, FIG. 1a depicts a data carrier 1 comprising a card body 2 that has a laser marking M1 in the form of an image. The image M1 corresponds here to a photograph that could be provided in a security document such as a passport or identity card. This data carrier 1 corresponds to an original, i.e. a genuine data carrier 1. In the absence of one or more protection elements 3 according to the invention, a forger can manipulate said laser marking M1 in the form of the image by adding further elements. This situation is depicted in FIG. 1b, wherein a forger has added a further laser marking M2 in the form of glasses. Since the original laser marking M1 and the forged laser marking M2 are of a same appearance A1, A2, here of a sharp and well defined structure, there is a high risk that the forgery will not be detected. However, in the presence of at least one protection element 3 according to the invention, the forged laser marking M2 will be readily recognizable as a forged laser marking as it is of a different appearance A2 than the original laser marking M1, see FIGS. 1c and 1d. Namely, a forgery of the data carrier 1 comprising a protection element 3 according to FIG. 1c results in bubbling, bulging, blurry and fuzzy effects and a forgery of the data carrier 1 comprising a protection element 3 according to FIG. 1d results in a laser marking M2 having a “bleeding” appearance A2, respectively. With respect to FIGS. 2 to 4 the elements causing these effects are explained in greater detail.
[0043] That is, FIGS. 2 to 4 in each case depict a data carrier 1 that comprises a card body 2. The card body 2 in turn comprises several layers 13, 14, 15 that are stacked on top of each other. To this end the layers 13, 14, 15 correspond to layers that are well-known in the state of the art. Moreover, at least one of the layers, here the top layer 13 of the card body 2, comprises a material that is configured to interact with electromagnetic radiation such that a laser marking is generated. This layer 13 is therefore referred to as processing layer. In the present example said processing layer 13 is made of a transparent polycarbonate film. Below the processing layer 13 there is arranged a layer 14 being made of an opaque polycarbonate film. Below said opaque film 14 there is again arranged a transparent layer 15 made of a polycarbonate film. Hence, the card body 2 depicted in these embodiments consists of three layers 13, 14, 15 that are subsequently arranged along an extension direction E, wherein the uppermost layer 13 is constituted by the processing layer. The data carriers 1 according to FIGS. 2 to 4 differ from one another especially in their protection element 3. In these examples, the protection elements 3 have been added to the data carrier 1 after the data carrier 1 has been provided with its original laser marking M1 having a first appearance A1.
[0044] The data carrier 1 according to FIG. 2 comprises a cover layer 4a that is arranged on an uppermost surface 8 of the data carrier 1, here on a top surface 8 of the processing layer 13. The cover layer 4a is made of at least one of a varnish, an ink layer, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, and polyester and comprises a protection element 3 in the form of an imprint 5a in its top surface 8. Said imprint 5a is typically made by using an embossing stamp with patterns having gratings in the dimensional scale to influence impinging radiation R and is configured to diffract, scatter and deflect impinging electromagnetic radiation R in the event of a subsequent counterfeiting laser marking. Due to this diffraction, scattering, deflection, etc. it is no longer possible to generate a laser marking that has the same appearance as the original laser marking. Instead, a blurry and fuzzy laser marking such as the glasses M2; A2 depicted in FIG. 1c is generated. Said cover layer 4a additionally comprises visual elements 10 in the form of an original inkjet color image. If a forger tries to get rid of the protection element 3 by removing the cover layer 4a, the visual elements 10 would be destroyed, thereby making the attempt of forgery evident. Further elements that make a removal of the protection element 3 obvious are, for example, the provision of a diffractive element in the cover layer 4a, wherein said diffractive element causes light diffractive visual effects that are indicative of the presence of the protection element 3. The diffractive visual effects are typically in the wavelength of the visible light and the protection element in the wavelength of the impinging radiation R. They can be partly in the same range of wavelength. Typically, they are located on the surface in an alternating way.
[0045] The data carrier 1 according to FIG. 3 comprises a cover layer 4a that is arranged on an uppermost surface 8 of the data carrier 1, here again on the top surface 8 of the processing layer 13. The cover layer 4a is made of at least one of a varnish, an ink layer, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, and polyester and comprises a protection element 3 that is provided within the cover layer 4a. Said protection element 3 can correspond to a laser reactive medium and/or to a perturbing medium that perturbs an impinging beam of electromagnetic radiation R. The laser reactive medium according to the former case is configured to generate one or more gases upon an interaction with electromagnetic radiation R and corresponds to at least one of a laser reactive pigment, laser reactive additive, and laser reactive colorant. Hence, if a forger irradiates electromagnetic radiation R in an attempt of forgery, the laser reactive medium generates gases which lead to bubbles and bulges in the data carrier 1. This laser reactive medium can be incorporated into the material that constitutes the cover layer 4a. However, it is likewise conceivable to add the laser reactive medium to another component that is introduced into the data carrier 1, such as into the inkjet ink that is used for generating the visual elements 10 constituting an inkjet color picture, for example. The perturbing medium according to the latter case is configured to diffract and/or scatter and/or deflect impinging electromagnetic radiation R and corresponds to one or more particles, preferably nanoparticles such as silicon dioxide and/or titanium dioxide nanoparticles that are incorporated into the cover layer 4a. In an attempt of forgery the irradiated electromagnetic radiation R will be perturbed by said particles such, that the generation of a well-defined or sharp laser marking is prevented. Instead, a blurry and fuzzy laser marking is produced. In order to enhance the attachment of the cover layer to the card body 2 of the data carrier 1 a surface 8 of the card body 2 facing the cover layer 4a, here the top surface 8 of the processing layer 13, comprises several elevations and recesses 9a, 9b. This irregular surface structure enhances an adhesive force established between the cover layer 4a and the processing layer 13. Besides, if the cover layer 4a comprises a visual element 10 made of an ink as it is presently the case, then said surface structure 9a, 9b also acts as an ink anchorage as it enhances an attachment of the ink to the surface 8 of the processing layer 13. It should be noted that such an irregular surface structure can likewise be present in the data carrier 1 according to FIG. 2 or 4.
[0046] The data carrier 1 depicted in FIG. 4 comprises two cover layers 4a, 4b that are arranged above one another. The lower cover layer 4a is attached to the uppermost surface 8 of the card body 2, here the top surface 8 of the processing layer 13, as it is the case in the data carrier 1 according to FIG. 2. In the data carrier 1 according to FIG. 4 the two cover layers 4a, 4b again comprise at least one of a varnish, an ink layer, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, and polyester. Furthermore, the protection element 3 is arranged between the two cover layers 4a, 4b. In particular, the protection element 3 is arranged in sections such that in some regions 6a, 6b between the two cover layers 4a, 4b a protection element 3 is present whereas in other regions 7a, 7b no protection element 3 is present. In the latter case the two cover layers 4a, 4b preferably lie directly on top of one another. An adhesive force established between the cover layers 4a, 4b is lower in the regions 6a, 6b in which the protection element 3 is present as compared to the regions 7a, 7b where no protection element 3 is present. It is even conceivable that no adhesive force is established between the cover layers 4a, 4b in the regions 6a, 6b in which the protection element 3 is present. In this case, the two cover layers 4a, 4b are held together by the adhesion exerted in the regions 7a, 7b having no protection element 3. Hence, it can be said that the protection element 3 providing a low adhesive force or no adhesive force results in a bonding weakness between the cover layers 4a, 4b. In any case, the protection element 3 is furthermore configured to absorb impinging electromagnetic radiation R. Because of the strong absorption properties an increased local heating of the protection element 3 and a resulting material combustion of the material constituting the protection element 3 is achieved. This so-called “bleeding” can manifest itself by black stripes as depicted in FIG. 1d, for example. The protection element 3 preferably comprises waxes, silicone-containing compounds and thermosets that are mixed with one or more compounds selected from UV absorbers, IR absorbers. It is noted that the cover layers 4a, 4b, in the present example only the cover layer 4a, can also comprise visual elements 10 such as original inkjet color images that optionally comprise a laser reactive medium and/or perturbing particles as described above.
[0047] The data carriers 1 discussed to this end in each case comprise a protection element 3 that is added onto or provided within a cover layer 4a, 4b, wherein the cover layer 4a, 4b is a layer that extends over an entire surface of the card body 2, in particular over the entire top surface 8 of the processing layer 13. However, it is likewise conceivable that said layer 4a, 4b extends only partly over the surface 8 of the card body 2. Moreover, instead of on or within a cover layer 4a, 4b, the protection element 3 could also be provided in a patterned manner, i.e. in a discontinuous manner. For example, the protection element 3 in the form of a laser reactive medium and/or perturbing particles could be mixed with a varnish that is then distributed over the uppermost surface 8 of the card body 2, in particular the top surface 8 of the processing layer 13, see FIG. 5.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0048] 1 data carrier [0049] 2 card body [0050] 3 protection element [0051] 4a, 4b cover layer [0052] 5a, 5b imprint [0053] 6a, 6b region [0054] 7a, 7b region [0055] 8 surface [0056] 9a elevation [0057] 9b recess [0058] 10 visual element [0059] 11 dot grid [0060] 12 dots [0061] 13 layer [0062] 14 layer [0063] 15 layer [0064] R electromagnetic radiation [0065] M1 laser marking [0066] M2 laser marking [0067] A1 first appearance [0068] A2 second appearance [0069] E extension direction
