CN100349754C - Multilayer body with a first laser-sensitive layer and a second laser-sensitive layer and method for generation of a multilayer image in said multilayer body - Google Patents

Abstract

A multilayer body is presented which has two laser-sensitive layers (4, 32). The multilayer body is a laminate consisting of an overlapping film (30, 32), an embedded layer (90, 90) and another overlapping film (30, 30), the upper overlapping film (30) having a The layered structure is attached there by gluing a heat-pressed film. The layer structure consists of a paint layer (5c), a reflective layer (5r), a laser-sensitive layer (4), a background layer (5) and an adhesive layer (6). A diffractive and/or holographic structure (5b) is formed in the lacquer layer (5c), reflective layer (5r) and laser-sensitive layer (4). The second laser-sensitive layer consists of an overlapping film (32) with added carbon. A laser-sensitive, in particular colored, image component can be produced in the upper laser-sensitive layer (4) by laser treatment and another, in particular grayscale, can be produced in the carbon-added layer (32) arranged below it. Laser-sensitive image components of class images. Laser-sensed multilayer images are formed in this way.

Description

Multilayer body with a first laser-sensitive layer and a second laser-sensitive layer and method for producing multilayer images in such a multilayer body

technical field

The invention relates to a multilayer film, in particular a transfer film or a laminate film, or as a composite layer consisting of laminated at least one superimposed film and especially an insert layer (Inlet) with a laser-sensitive layer Multi-layer body. Secondly, the invention relates to a method for producing multilayer patterns in such multilayer bodies.

Background technique

Objects known to consist of laser-sensitive materials. Different structures of plastic bodies are known from WO 96/35585, also as solid bodies or coatings, which each contain mixtures of different pigments, on which the plastic bodies or coatings are marked in color by laser treatment.

In WO 98/19868 a method is described for processing with yellow, magenta and cyan pigments which are activated by UV light in a first process step and are only whitened in a subsequent second process step.

Also known in DE19955338 is a method for producing colored markings by laser treatment using a mixture of cyan, magenta and yellow pigments, wherein these pigments are activated by red, green and blue laser light. Whitened selectively. This method is described for plastic bodies made of materials with the mixture in question.

It is also known from WO 94/12352 to produce colored markings with lasers of different wavelengths on plastic bodies which contain a pigment mixture and can be produced as a solid body or as a coating. Colors are produced by causing the pigments to change their color during laser treatment through color transitions. A method is known from EP0327508 in which a laser-sensitive pigment A and a laser-insensitive pigment B are contained in two separate overlapping layers, or alternatively in a common layer, and the pigment A is whitened by laser treatment. The laser treatment thus results in a colored marking, but it only contains the color change of Pigment A, so that at most only two-color graphics are obtained.

Known from EP0190997B1 is a method in which an additive is contained in a plastic layer or plastic plate forming the covering layer of a metal platelet, which should change color during laser treatment, and should not be reversed from one color to another One, or turn black.

From DE 37 38 330 A1 a method is known for marking a surface with a laser in a pigmented coating, in which the pigments of the pigmented coating change their internal molecular structure at different temperatures and provide different colors. A specific surface temperature is locally achieved by laser irradiation, whereby colored laser markings are obtained.

GB2240948A also introduces a laser marking method for ID cards. Here laser marking takes place by removing layers of different colors. The resulting laser marks then appear as colored marks.

DE4131964A1 describes a laser marking of multilayer films with metal layers and hologram structures. Marking takes place by partial destruction of the metal layer with the hologram.

From EP0420261 a hot embossed film with a hologram is known, which is adapted to individual requirements for counterfeiting protection by laser treatment. It uses laser beams to change the material or color, or to remove parts of the film layer structure.

EP0219011B1 describes a special method for laser marking of ID cards. In this way black markings are made by means of a laser in the various transparent layers of the card. In this way a parallax image is obtained in mutually interacting transparent layers.

Contents of the invention

The object of the present invention is to produce a multilayer body which, by means of laser treatment, guarantees a particularly high forgery-proof property and which in particular can be marked by laser induction. The object of the present invention is to create a method for producing novel composite laser-sensitive markings.

The multilayer body according to the invention is formed as a multilayer film or as a composite layer laminated by at least one overlapping film and an insert layer,

With a first layer with a laser-sensitive material—hereinafter referred to as the first laser-sensitive layer, and a second layer with a laser-sensitive material—hereinafter referred to as the second laser-sensitive layer, the first laser-sensitive layer and the second laser Sensitive layers are arranged at least partially overlapping each other, wherein it is set,

The laser-sensitive material of the first laser-sensitive layer has a pigment which can be whitened by the action of laser radiation or changes its color by the action of laser radiation with a color transition, and the laser-sensitive material of the second laser-sensitive layer have a pigment which can be whitened by the action of laser radiation or whose color can be changed by the action of laser radiation with a color transition, or the laser-sensitive material of the second laser-sensitive layer has an additive material which The material can be blackened by the action of laser radiation,

Furthermore, it is assumed here that laser-induced multilayer images of complex compositions can be generated by:

A) a polychromatic laser-sensitive image component can be produced in the first laser-sensitive layer and a black mark can be produced in the second laser-sensitive layer, and/or

B) a specific background layer is arranged at least partially between the laser-sensitive layers as an intermediate layer and acts in the form of a barrier layer which is impermeable to the laser radiation used to produce the laser-sensitive marks in the laser-sensitive layer of.

The fact that the multilayer body has a first laser-sensitive layer and a second laser-sensitive layer, in which differently designed laser-sensitive image components can be produced, results in the possibility of producing a composite laser-sensitive multiple layer image. In the laser-sensitive layer with laser-sensitive pigments, a colored laser-sensitive image component can be produced, which can be designed multiple times when using corresponding laser-sensitive pigment mixtures of two or three whitenable pigment components. color images or full-color images. Another laser-sensitive material can be used in another laser-sensitive layer, i.e. another pigment mixture or a material with added carbon or carbon black, in which a different color marking can be produced during laser treatment, in particular are multicolor tinted images or black marks, especially grayscale images.

The different laser-sensitive layers can be arranged more or less, in particular only partially overlapping one another, and can be made more or less in some cases only partially permeable. When the laser processing of different laser-sensitive layers is specifically controlled respectively, specific different image components can be generated by laser induction, and they can be assembled into any complex multi-layer image.

If the layer structure contains diffractive and/or holographic structures in addition to several laser-sensitive layers, these result, for example, in combination with different laser-sensitive image components arranged in different layers, resulting in different visual effects at different viewing angles , then multi-layer images with particularly interesting visual effects can be obtained.

The method according to the invention for producing a multilayer image in a multilayer body, wherein the multilayer image consists of a plurality of laser-induced image components, wherein in the first laser-sensitive layer of the multilayer body by means of a first laser condition The first laser-induced image component is generated under the action of laser radiation, where the first layer is marked by a polychromatic laser; and in the second laser-sensitive layer of the multilayer body by means of laser radiation under second laser conditions The effect is to generate the second laser-sensitive image component, where the second layer is marked by a monochromatic black laser, and the first and second laser-sensitive layers are partially overlapped with each other, and a pair of laser-sensitive layers is arranged between each laser-sensitive layer. The radiopaque layer.

Preferred embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In order to be able to produce the desired laser-sensitive markings as selectively as possible in the individual laser-sensitive layers during laser irradiation, the laser-sensitive layers can be made in such a way that they are only sensitive under certain laser conditions, for example only under certain laser conditions. laser wavelength or incident angle. In addition, a special background layer can also be arranged between the laser-sensitive layers as an intermediate layer, which acts as a barrier layer for certain laser radiation, eg depending on the laser wavelength, angle of incidence, etc. In a preferred embodiment, such a background layer which acts as a barrier layer can also be formed only locally, that is to say the laser-sensitive layer arranged above it is only located below a partial area, in particular only in the area below the laser-sensitive marking. . Other special effects can also be obtained by only partially arranging such barrier layers and intermediate layers, that is, for example, laser-sensitive markings are obtained only in the upper laser-sensitive layer in the region with the intermediate layer during laser irradiation, and not in the absence of In the region with the intermediate layer, different laser-sensitive markings superimposed on each other are obtained in the two laser-sensitive layers as combined markings. Particularly interesting visual effects are obtained if the laser-sensitive materials of the layers are different such that, for example, colored markings are produced in one layer and black markings in another layer, especially grayscale images.

Description of drawings

The accompanying drawings indicate:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a transfer film with two kinds of laser sensitive layers;

Fig. 2 one has the sectional view of the embodiment of the laminated film of transfer film corresponding structure as in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a transfer film with two laser-sensitive layers of varying layer order;

Figure 4. An exploded view of a laminate consisting of multiple overlapping films and embedded layers, where two laser-sensitive layers are also present;

The sectional view of another embodiment of Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 is used to represent the cross-sectional view of the embodiment in Fig. 5 of laser processing;

Figure 7 Top view of the laser-sensed image of the embodiment in Figures 5 and 6.

Detailed ways

The heat-pressed film shown in FIG. 1 is a multilayer body with two laser sensitive layers 4 formed on both sides of a reflective layer 5r. By means of laser processing of the multilayer body, different laser-sensitive markings can be inserted in the laser-sensitive layer, so that a combined laser-sensitive multilayer image is produced. The same applies accordingly for the lamination film shown in FIG. 2 , which corresponds to the transfer film in FIG. 1 in terms of its layer structure. The same applies accordingly for the hot embossed film shown in FIG. 3 , which has a different layer structure, but likewise has two laser-sensitive layers 4 , 4 a. The laminate shown in Fig. 4 also has two laser-sensitive layers, i.e. layer 4, which are arranged on the bottom surface of the upper overlapping film 30 in a heat-pressed film pasted there; and layer 32, which is formed as a separate addition overlapping films.

The structure of a single multilayer body, and the laser processing with which it is possible to produce laser-sensed image components for full-color images will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Secondly, a method of how to generate a gray-scale image as a component of a laser-sensed image in another laser-sensitive layer is introduced.

In the film in Figure 1 the layers are arranged in the following order:

Substrate layer 1 , separation layer 2 , protective layer 3 , laser-sensitive layer 4 , reflection layer 5 r , laser-sensitive layer 4 , additional lacquer layer 5 and adhesive layer 6 . The laser sensitive layer 4 formed on both sides of the reflective layer 5r can be made the same, that is, the reflective layer is arranged in this overall laser sensitive layer. But the laser-sensitive layer can also be made differently. A diffractive structure 5b is formed in the region where the laser-sensitive layer 4 and the reflective layer 5r adjoin each other. As another option, the structure 5b can also be made into a hologram structure. In the exemplary embodiment, increased security against forgery is achieved by the fact that two laser-sensitive layers adjoin the diffractive or holographic structure, which layers can be designed identically or differently. The optional lacquer layer 5 is designed here as a transparent layer or a bright carrier layer. Alternatively, the varnish layer 5 and the adhesive layer 6 can also be dispensed with, while the second laser-sensitive layer 4 shown below the reflection layer 5r in FIG. 1 is designed as a laser-sensitive adhesive layer.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a laminated film having a layer sequence corresponding to the structure of a heat-pressed film. It comprises a so-called overlay film 30 , a laser-sensitive layer 40 , an intermediate layer 50 forming the background layer (which is optional) and an adhesive layer 60 which is likewise optional. The laser-sensitive layer 40 is arranged on both sides of the reflective layer 50r in a manner corresponding to the laser-sensitive layer 4, wherein the two laser-sensitive layers are made different or identical in a manner corresponding to FIG. 1 . Like the hot embossed film in FIG. 1, a diffractive and/or hologram structure 50b is correspondingly provided in the laminated film of FIG. Inside.

During the laser treatment of the hot-pressed film in FIG. 1 or the laminated film in FIG. 2 , laser-sensed image components are produced in each overlapping laser-sensitive layer, which are located in different layers. The laser treatment is preferably carried out after the film concerned has been attached to the substrate, that is, by irradiating the film attached to the substrate from the outside. As an alternative, however, it is also possible to laser treat the film before gluing. In this case laser irradiation is performed from both sides of the film.

Different laser-sensed image components in overlapping laser-sensitive layers are obtained in such a way that the laser-sensitive layers have different laser-sensitive materials, so that under different laser conditions determined by the material, they can be formed in different laser-sensitive layers. Produces laser-sensed image components. Alternatively, however, only the upper or lower laser-sensitive layer can be treated by changing the angle of incidence. This possibility is obtained by the reflective layer 5r being permeable for the laser radiation at normal incidence, but not or less permeable at acute angle of incidence. A distinction is also made for the transmission of diffractive structures, ie by correspondingly adjusting the angle of incidence of the laser radiation, the upper laser-sensitive layer can be individually processed in order to generate a specific laser-induced image component there, without the radiation reaching The laser-sensitive layer below. Laser-sensitive layers which overlap one another can thus also be processed individually in this way, provided they consist of the same laser-sensitive material.

In the exemplary embodiment of the hot embossed film in FIG. 3, two laser-sensitive layers 4, 4a are likewise provided. However, they are separated from each other by a background layer 5 arranged between them. The background layer is a layer that reflects to a high degree the laser radiation used during laser processing. Furthermore, this layer is opaque and absorbing for the non-reflected part of the laser radiation, so that no laser radiation reaches the laser located below it during the laser processing for producing the laser-sensitive marking in the upper laser-sensitive layer 4 Sensitive layer 4a. Background layer 5 is arranged below laser-sensitive layer 4 only in those regions in which laser-sensed image components are to be produced in laser-sensitive layer 4 . No background layer 5 is formed outside this region, ie a laser-radiation-permeable material or, in particular, a laser-sensitive material of the underlying laser-sensitive layer 4 a is arranged in this region. In regions where no background layer is formed, laser-induced image components can be generated in the underlying laser-sensitive layer 4a by laser irradiation.

The two laser-sensitive layers 4 , 4 a preferably consist of different laser-sensitive materials, for which different material-dependent laser processing conditions are suitable. In this way it is possible to produce laser-sensitive markings in the lower laser-sensitive layer 4 a without simultaneously producing laser-sensitive changes in the upper laser-sensitive layer 4 .

In order to prevent laser light from penetrating into the matrix, a further background layer 5 a is provided on the underside of the lower laser-sensitive layer 4 a. This background layer 5a prevents laser radiation from reaching the substrate during laser processing.

The embodiment in Figure 4 involves a laminate consisting of different overlapping films and embedded layers. On its underside, the upper superimposed film has a layer structure consisting of a varnish layer 5c, a reflective layer 5r, a laser-sensitive layer 4, a background layer 5 and an adhesive layer 6. A diffractive and/or holographic structure 5b is formed in the lacquer layer 5c, the reflective layer 5r and the laser-sensitive layer 4 .

This layer applied to the underside of the overlapping film 30 is a heat-pressed film layer, which is attached there to the underside of the overlapping film. The overlay film 32 disposed under the overlay film 30 is made as a laser sensitive film. That is to say it constitutes the second laser-sensitive layer. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the laser-sensitive material is made as a carbon- or carbon black-added material. It is a material that carbonizes when the laser is applied, so that the laser-induced image components in this layer of overlapping films 32 become completely black.

An embedding layer 90 and a further embedding layer 90 are provided below the added overlapping film 32 . These inlays can in particular be made of paper material, but also of plastic material, in particular as inlay film. An overlay film 30 is applied to the underside of the underlying inlay layer 90 and a further overlay film 30 is applied thereon.

In this exemplary embodiment, the laser treatment is carried out in the same way as in FIGS. 1 to 3 in order to produce different laser-sensed image components in the laser-sensitive layers 4 and 32 .

It will be explained in more detail below how a full-color image component can be produced by means of the laser-sensitive region in a laser-sensitive layer consisting of a pigment mixture comprising three laser-sensitive pigment components. The laser-sensitive material involves a three-component mixture with a cyan, magenta and yellow pigment component.

During whitening in the first process step, a blue or green or red mark is produced by irradiating this part with a certain laser wavelength that whitens certain pigment components.

To produce the blue color, only the yellow pigment component is allowed to whiten. A blue laser is used for this purpose. A certain minimum intensity is required for whitening. Secondly, a certain pulse duration must not be exceeded. In order to obtain a green mark in the first process step, only the magenta pigment component is allowed to whiten. A green laser is used for this. In order to obtain a red mark in the first process step, only the cyan (Cyan) pigment component is allowed to turn white. A red laser is used for this.

In order to produce a cyan or magenta or yellow color marking at this location, a laser treatment is carried out at this location in a second working step with a laser wavelength which is used for whitening the pigment components which have not yet been whitened at this location. If a blue mark is produced in the first process step, the cyan pigment component and the magenta pigment component are not whitened at this portion. In order to produce a cyan color at this site, the magenta pigment component must be whitened in this second process step. This is done with a green laser. Therefore, a cyan mark is obtained at this site.

If instead of cyan marks are to be obtained in the second process step, magenta marks should be obtained, then the blue marks obtained in the first process step must be treated with a red laser. As a result, the cyan pigment is whitened at this location, ie the magenta color remains unwhitened at this location. A magenta marker is thus obtained at this site.

Correspondingly, it is possible to produce cyan or yellow markings from the green markings produced in the first process step, which consist of cyan and green pigments which remain unchanged there, by treatment with a blue or red laser.

Correspondingly, the red markings produced in the first process step can be converted into yellow or magenta markings in the second process step, moreover by laser treatment with a green or blue laser in the second process step.

In order to obtain a transparent part on the part processed in the first and second work steps, that is to say to obtain a white part (if the background layer 5 is white), then in the third work step this part must be irradiated with such a laser treatment, the wavelength of which is adjusted in such a way that the pigment components that have not yet been whitened after the second process step in this part are whitened, that is, blue lasers must be used for yellow markings, green light for magenta markings, and red laser light for cyan markings. white.

Other adjacent locations in the laser-sensitive layer 4 are then treated in the same way in order to produce other colored markings in the layer 4 of the embossed film. Full color images can be produced in this way.

Laser treatment can also be used in order to produce color markings or full-color images by color conversion in the pigment or pigments of the laser-sensitive layer. The laser treatment can be carried out in a corresponding manner in successive steps. Pigments are considered as pigments, that is to say coloring substances. They are mostly insoluble and usually inorganic substances. However, most dissolved organic pigments are also conceivable as pigments. The color transitions are carried out separately under specific laser conditions, which are used in the individual process steps during laser processing.

Correspondingly, the described whitening or color conversion methods can also be used if the laser-sensitive material consists only of one or two pigment components. It is also possible to use other pigment compositions and to use other laser conditions in the laser treatment, in particular other laser wavelength ranges.

The laser treatment is usually carried out on the film attached to the substrate, but it can alternatively be carried out by irradiating the film only before the film is applied, especially if the protective layer 3 or any other layer such as the background layer 5 is made Layers that are not or only partially transparent to laser radiation, or layers that are not transparent to laser radiation in a certain wavelength range. Or if an ultraviolet absorbing protective layer is additionally provided. By directing the laser radiation at the back of the film, i.e. the underlying background layer 5 or adhesive layer 6, that is to say from the other side the laser-sensitive layer 4 is treated in order to produce colored markings in it in the same way, Especially laser treatment before laminating the film. The background layer 5 and the adhesive layer 6 are transparent or at least partially transparent for such use in relation to laser radiation.

The formula of each layer used in this embodiment is as follows:

Separation layer 2 (separation layer):

Toluene 99.5%

Ester wax (dropping point 90°C) 0.5%

Protective layer 3 (protective paint layer):

Butanone 61.0%

Diacetone Alcohol 9.0%

Methyl methacrylate (Tg＝122℃) 18.0%

Polyethylene emulsifier (23% xylene)

(Softening point 140°C) 7.5%

Polymer emulsifying additive (40%, amino number 20) 0.5%

Supplement (aluminum silicide) 4.0%

Laser sensitive layer 4 (first colored paint layer):

Butanone 34.0%

Toluene 26.0%

Ethyl acetate 13.0%

Cellulose Nitrate (Low Viscosity, 65% Alcohol) 20.0%

Linear Polyurethane (Fp.＞200℃) 3.5%

Polymer emulsifying additive (40%, amino number 20) 2.0%

For example: blue pigment 15:4 0.5%

Red Pigment 57:1 0.5%

Yellow Pigment 155 0.5%

Background layer 5 (second colored paint layer):

Butanone 40.0%

Toluene 22.0%

Ethylene-vinyl acetate-terpolymer (Fp.＝60℃) 2.5%

Polyvinyl chloride (Tg: 89°C) 5.5%

Polyvinyl chloride (Tg: 40°C) 3.0%

Emulsifying additive (50%, acid value 51) 1.0%

Titanium dioxide (d=3.8-4.2g/cm ³ ) 26.0%

Adhesive layer 6:

Butanone 55.0%

Toluene 12.5%

Ethanol 3.5%

Polyvinyl acetate (softening point 80°C) 6.0%

Butyl-methyl methacrylate (Tg: 80°C) 8.0%

Ethyl methacrylate resin (Tg: 63°C) 3.0%

Methacrylate Copolymer (Tg: 80℃) 5.0%

Unsaturated polyester resin (softening point 103°C) 3.5%

Silica 3.5%

Finally, the object of the invention should be explained again with its main advantages and functions in conjunction with FIGS. 5 to 7 .

A multilayer data carrier is created which comprises at least two different laser-sensitive layers, wherein one laser-sensitive layer 1 is preferably capable of producing multicolor laser markings and the other laser-sensitive layer 2 is especially capable of producing monochromatic laser markings.

To this end, the laser-sensitive material can be adjusted in such a way that markings can be produced in both materials by means of laser radiation of a certain wavelength and intensity.

Preferably, the laser-sensitive layers partially overlap each other.

Between these laser-sensitive layers, a layer 3 impermeable to laser radiation is arranged in partial area. This optical barrier layer 3 is a reflective layer, in a preferred embodiment a diffractive reflective layer. This preferably contains a sufficient amount of white pigment to prevent the laser light from penetrating the layers located below it. This is a precondition for the layout of the laser-markable layers according to the invention. The layer 1 capable of producing multicolor laser markings can be located above the layer 2 capable of producing monochromatic laser markings by means of the separation of the optical barrier layer, without resulting in the monochromatic laser personalizable layer below it during the color laser personalization Carbonization of layer 2.

The optical barrier layer can be inserted as an additional layer in different ways. In particular, the optical barrier layer is applied to a cover layer by decor printing.

The multilayer data carrier can be manufactured in one of the following ways:

Injection molding, especially multi-component injection molding or Inmould decoration, lamination of composite films,

Especially the lamination of mixed structures consisting of paper and plastic film,

Coating of paper or plastic substrates,

printing on paper or plastic substrates,

A film transfer process on a paper substrate or a plastic substrate, or a combination of the methods described.

Figure 1 shows a preferred structure of the data carrier.

An optical blocking layer can also be arranged on top of the laser-sensitive layer, thereby causing partial area coverage of the laser-sensitive layer. This optical barrier layer is then preferentially formed as a decorative printing layer, especially in the form of line patterns, for example in the form of engravings. If the image information of the decorative print layer is then transferred into the laser-personalizable layer after the laser marking has been produced, the laser-personalizable image information is interrupted here by the image information of the optical barrier layer.

Since the image elements produced by color laser personalization appear as part of the document in the sense of a color image, they must be secured against forgery. The risk of forgery is created by separating the color image from the document so that it can be replaced by another image. Good protection against forgery is provided if the laser-individualized image elements are combined with other elements of the document to form a color image in the context of optoelectronic integration.

Integration of different features: Color laser personalization and grayscale laser personalization within a data carrier take place in such a way that the different laser-personalizable layers are arranged only partially overlapping one another. This results in different possibilities for personalizing the integrated color laser.

FIG. 6 shows the possibility of laser marking on a preferred structure of a data carrier.

If laser personalization is carried out on regions where only the monochromatic laser-personalizable layer 2 is present, monochromatic black markings 9 are produced.

If laser personalization is carried out at only the regions of layer 1 that are multicolor laser-personalizable and located above layer 3 that is impenetrable to laser radiation and monochromatic laser-personalizable layer 2 , multicolor markings 8 are produced.

If laser personalization is carried out on only the regions of the multicolor laser personalizable layer 1 lying above the monochromatic laser personalizable layer 2 without being separated by an optical barrier layer 3, then a multicolor marking 9 and A superposition of monochromatic black markings8, which are also polychromatic, but which appear darker than purely polychromatic markings due to the contrast effect of redirection and blackening.

Figure 7 shows how integrated image elements can be achieved through a combination of color laser personalization and conventional grayscale laser illumination. For this purpose, the absorption of the laser-personalizable layer is adjusted such that the laser power required for whitening is sufficient to carbonize the monochromatic laser-personalizable layer additionally used in the document. If the monochromatic laser-personalizable layer 2 is located below the multi-color laser-personalizable layer 1 and its area is only partly covered by the optical barrier layer 3, this structure allows the image elements to be illuminated by the laser light through the optical barrier layer 3 , such as straight lines or alphabetic symbols, contribute to carbonizing the background. It is then possible to generate transparent image elements with markup type transitions within the element. If the boundaries of the optical barrier layer 3 coincide with the multicolor laser-personalizable layer 1, a transition from chromatic to achromatic is produced. This transparent image information plays an integrated role.

In addition, integrated graphic elements can be achieved by color laser personalization and a combination of other graphic elements. The transparency of the multicolor laser-personalizable layer increases with increasing whitening. This allows typographic elements, such as engraved small motifs printed on layers below the multicolor laser-personalizable layer, such as the core material, to emerge in the color image after color laser irradiation. Graphical elements that are only partially covered by the multicolor laser-personalizable layer 1 , such as printed straight lines, thus appear as integrated elements after the color laser personalization. An integrated element extending beyond the edge of the personalization mark makes counterfeiting of the data carrier much more difficult.

Another feature of the invention is that the additional layer allows the brightness of the background to be adjusted as required, independently of the matrix material used. Additional effects can be achieved, for example, by using optical brighteners or by using color additives.

From the above, the object of the invention is a multilayer data carrier comprising at least two different laser-sensitive layers, one laser-sensitive layer being multicolor laser-personalizable and the other laser-sensitive layer being monochrome Laser personalizable. The laser-sensitive layers partially overlap each other, in particular the multi-color laser-personalizable layer is located above the mono-color laser-personalizable layer. The laser-sensitive layer can be designed in such a way that the corresponding markings can be produced both in the multicolor laser-personalizable layer and in the monochromatic laser-personalizable layer with laser radiation of the same wavelength and energy in one laser marking process step .

A layer impermeable to laser radiation is preferably arranged at least partially between the laser-sensitive layers.

The layer impenetrable to laser radiation is in particular a reflective layer, which can be a diffractive reflective layer in a preferred embodiment and comprises a sufficient proportion of auxiliary materials which reflect or scatter the laser light.

Laser personalization can be carried out in an upper laser-personalizable layer, in particular in a polychromatic laser-personalizable layer, without the laser-personalizable layer located below this layer being altered by the laser radiation, by Such methods carry out laser personalization. That is to say at those locations where the laser-sensitive layers are optically separated from one another by a layer impermeable to laser radiation.

By means of the laser personalization at those parts of the laser-sensitive layer which are not optically separated from each other by the laser-radiation-impermeable layer, both in the upper laser-personalizable layer, in particular a multicolor laser-personalizable layer, and Laser personalization is carried out with a laser radiation in the laser personalizable layer located below this layer.

Laser personalization is carried out in such a way that the graphic image elements are arranged on a corresponding laser-personalizable layer, in particular a multicolor laser-personalizable layer, so that a display from multicolor to monochrome is achieved within the image elements transformation, by means of which a laser radiation can be used both in an upper laser-personalizable layer, in particular a multicolor laser-personalizable layer, and in a laser-personalizable layer located below this layer personalise.

Laser personalization can be carried out in a laser personalizable layer with a laser radiation, wherein the laser personalization is carried out in such a way that the graphic image elements are arranged on the part of the optical barrier layer arranged above the laser personalizable layer area such that an interruption of the printed image elements thus produced is achieved within the laser-personalizable layer. Elements which are interruptions in the sense of an optical barrier can in particular be printed elements, for example engraved small patterns arranged on the laser-personalizable layer.

Laser personalization can be carried out in a multicolor laser personalization layer with a laser radiation, so that layers printed under the multicolor laser personalization layer, such as structural elements on the substrate material, especially printed elements, such as engraving Small patterns, which appear in the color image after color laser irradiation, wherein the transparency of the multicolor laser-personalizable layer is increased by the laser marking process.

The main advantage of the present invention is that the known grayscale laser personalization is combined with the new color laser personalization method. The security of documents can be greatly improved by the combination of the methods described.

Claims (25)

1. Multi-layer body, constituted as a multilayer film, or constituted as a composite layer of at least one overlapping film and an embedded layer laminated, With a first layer having a laser-sensitive material - hereinafter referred to as the first laser-sensitive layer, and a second layer having a laser-sensitive material - hereinafter referred to as the second laser-sensitive layer, the first laser-sensitive layer and the second laser Sensitive layers are arranged at least partially overlapping each other, wherein it is set, The laser-sensitive material of the first laser-sensitive layer has a pigment which can be whitened by the action of laser radiation or changes its color by the action of laser radiation with a color transition, and the laser-sensitive material of the second laser-sensitive layer have a pigment which can be whitened by the action of laser radiation or whose color can be changed by the action of laser radiation with a color transition, or the laser-sensitive material of the second laser-sensitive layer has an additive material which The material can be blackened by the action of laser radiation, Furthermore, it is assumed here that laser-induced multilayer images of complex compositions can be generated by: A) a polychromatic laser-sensitive image component can be produced in the first laser-sensitive layer and a black mark can be produced in the second laser-sensitive layer, and/or B) a specific background layer is arranged at least partially between the laser-sensitive layers as an intermediate layer and acts in the form of a barrier layer which is impermeable to the laser radiation used to produce the laser-sensitive marks in the laser-sensitive layer of. 2. The multilayer body according to claim 1, It is characterized in that on the side of the at least one laser-sensitive layer facing the substrate, at least in partial regions, a pair of reflective and/or impermeable or substantially impenetrable and/or absorbing laser radiation is provided. background layer. 3. The multilayer body according to claim 2, The feature is that a background layer is set between the first laser sensitive layer and the second laser sensitive layer. 4. The multilayer body according to claim 2 or 3, Its characteristics are: The background layer is permeable to light in the visible spectral range and/or permeable or impermeable to laser radiation only under certain laser conditions. 5. The multilayer body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its characteristics are: The laser-sensitive material of the first laser-sensitive layer is different from the laser-sensitive material of the second laser-sensitive layer. 6. The multilayer body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its characteristics are: Laser-sensitive pigments as a mixture of at least two laser-sensitive pigment components, For each of the two laser-sensitive pigment components, the remaining pigment components can be unchanged or substantially unchanged under the laser conditions specified for one pigment component. 7. The multilayer body according to claim 6, Its characteristics are: Mixtures with two or three of the following pigment components: Cyan pigment, magenta pigment, yellow pigment 8. The multilayer body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its characteristics are: The additive material which can be blackened under the action of laser radiation is designed as a carbon and/or carbon black additive material. 9. The multilayer body as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the multilayer film is a transfer film or a lamination film. 10. The multilayer body according to claim 4, Its characteristics are: The background layer is permeable or impermeable to laser radiation of a certain laser wavelength range and/or angle of incidence. 11. Multilayer body according to claim 10, Its characteristics are: The background layer is transparent or opaque to the laser radiation used to produce the laser-sensitive marking in the laser-sensitive layer. 12. Multilayer body according to claim 5, Its characteristics are: Specific laser processing conditions differ for the two laser-sensitive materials 13. Method for producing a multilayer image in a multilayer body, wherein the multilayer image consists of a plurality of laser-induced image components, wherein in the first laser-sensitive layer of the multilayer body by The action of the laser radiation produces a first laser-induced image component, where the first layer is marked with a polychromatic laser; and in the second laser-sensitive layer of the multilayer body by the action of the laser radiation under second laser conditions The second laser-sensitive image component, where the second layer is marked with a monochrome black laser, and the first and second laser-sensitive layers are arranged partially overlapping each other, and between the laser-sensitive layers there is a layer that is not sensitive to laser radiation Penetrating layer. 14. A method according to claim 13, Its characteristics are: A monochromatic black marking is produced at only the regions of the second laser-sensitive layer and/or at a region of the first laser-sensitive layer located above the layer impenetrable to the laser radiation and above the second laser-sensitive layer Produces a multicolor marker. 15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, Its characteristics are: The first laser condition and the second laser condition are designed to be different. 16. A method according to claim 13 or 14, Its characteristics are: The first laser-sensed image component and the second laser-sensed image component are temporally offset from each other or are generated simultaneously. 17. A method according to claim 13 or 14, Its characteristics are: The laser-sensitive image component is arranged in the region of the laser-sensitive layer which is arranged above a background layer which reflects the laser radiation used and/or does not penetrate and/or absorbs the non-reflected part of the laser radiation. 18. A method according to claim 13 or 14, Its characteristics are: Laser-induced image components form multicolor images through laser-induced whitening or laser-induced color shifting. 19. A method according to claim 13 or 14, Its characteristics are: Laser-induced image components are formed by laser-induced blackening. 20. A method according to claim 13 or 14, Its characteristics are: The laser-sensitive material is in the form of a mixture of at least two laser-sensitive pigment components, wherein each of the two pigment components can be changed separately by means of a laser under laser conditions specific to the respective component, wherein for the pigment components Each, the other pigment component does not whiten or substantially does not whiten under the laser conditions specified for the other pigment component. 21. A method according to claim 20, Its characteristics are: Use a pigment mixture consisting of two or three of the following pigment components: Cyan pigment, magenta pigment, yellow pigment. 22. The method according to claim 15, Its characteristics are: The first laser condition and the second laser condition are designed to differ with respect to the laser wavelength and/or the radiation intensity and/or the angle of incidence. 23. The method according to claim 18, Its characteristics are: The laser-sensing image components are designed as full-color images. 24. The method according to claim 19, Its characteristics are: The laser-sensing image components are designed as grayscale images. 25. The method according to claim 21, Its characteristics are: A red laser is used for whitening of cyan pigments, a green laser is used for whitening of magenta pigments, and a blue laser is used for whitening of yellow pigments.

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