EP2049346B1 - Security element having a recess printed motif - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a security element for security papers, value documents and the like having a front side and a back side, a security feature applied on the back side and a stitched intaglio motif applied subsequently on the front side.

Security and value documents, the commercial value or value of which far exceeds the material value, are usually identified by suitable measures as genuine and distinguishable from counterfeits and counterfeits. They are usually provided with special security elements that are ideally not or only with great effort imitable and not falsified.

In this case, such security elements are of particular importance, which can be identified by the user without aids and recognized as genuine, but at the same time can only be produced with high technical or economic effort. Examples of such security elements are watermarks which can only be introduced into a document of value during papermaking, or printed images produced by intaglio printing, which are distinguished by a characteristic tactility that is easily recognizable even to the layman, which is not achieved by other printing methods and in particular by copying machines or scanners is reproducible.

The line or intaglio printing technique, in particular the Stahlstichtiefdrucktechnik, has for the printing of security papers and documents of value a great importance. The intaglio printing is characterized by the fact that recesses, in particular linear recesses, are engraved in the printing plates in order to produce a desired printed image. These Recesses are created by means of a suitable engraving tool or by etching. Typically, the engraving lines are up to about 180 μm deep and up to several 100 μm wide. In order to transfer as much ink as possible from the engraving lines to the paper during printing, very high forces act between the forme cylinder and the impression cylinder. The impression cylinders are usually covered with special thin rubber blankets.

The intaglio technique allows for a very thick paint application compared to other common printing techniques. In addition, the paper can be pressed by the high pressure forces in the color-free areas in the engraving of the printing plate and thereby provided with an embossed relief structure. The thick ink layer produced by intaglio printing together with the partial deformation of the paper surface can easily be felt manually even by the layman and can therefore easily be detected as an authenticity feature by virtue of its tactility. The tactility is not imitated with a copier, so that the intaglio printing technology provides high-quality protection against counterfeiting.

In conventional, printed in two-sided intaglio printing media, however, the tactility of the motivic elements is limited to the front of the disk, as in the production usually in a first printing the back of the disc is printed, and the relief elements of the back subsequently by the high back pressure in the second Stichdruckgang be leveled to produce the front. All the glossy elements that were applied to the reverse side of the stitch embossing of the front side are also affected by the contact with the rough impression cylinder or the counter pressure cloth and lose their gloss.

document EP 1 317 349 B1 discloses a security element according to the preamble of claims 1.

On this basis, the invention has for its object to provide a security element of the type mentioned, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the security element is intended to combine a front-side motif produced in intaglio printing with high-quality rear-side security features.

This object is achieved by the security element having the features of claim 1. A method for producing such a security element as well as an associated intaglio printing plate are specified in claims 11 and 13. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, it is provided in a generic security element that the intaglio motif contains at least one embossed elevation opposite the security feature, which protects at least one subarea of the security feature during the intaglio printing step.

The at least one survey is formed extensively advantageous with advantage. Preferably, it is formed with a rounded outline shape, in particular as a circle, oval or as any freeform with rounded corners.

Of course, the survey may also have an outline that is not rounded at least partially, so z. B. a freeform with not rounded corners. Conceivable, therefore, would be an outline in the form of a tapered drop. However, as will be explained below, security elements with pointed or angular outline tear more readily, and therefore they are not preferred.

The at least one elevation can be without motif function within the front intaglio print motif, can take a backstage form and essentially serve only to protect the backside security feature. However, it can also contribute to the front-side intaglio motif itself and, in particular, form a pattern, character or a coding.

It should be noted at this point that in the present application under "intaglio printing" quite generally a pressure in the intaglio printing process is meant. As already mentioned, in intaglio printing it is possible to emboss certain areas of the substrate merely while embossing other areas and at the same time providing color in the embossed area. The merely embossed areas are referred to as "blind embossed" areas, while simultaneous embossing is generally referred to as "color leading" intaglio printing. Thus, although the term "intaglio printing" encompasses both the ink-conducting intaglio printing and the blind embossing, the formation of the elevation on the front side of the substrate is generally carried out as blind embossing, while a tactile security feature opposite the elevation on the rear side of the substrate is achieved both by Blind embossing as well as in color-guiding intaglio printing can be produced as embossed element plus paint application.

The at least one elevation preferably has soft flanks with a small steepness. On the one hand, this measure reduces the risk of paper injuries during the intaglio printing step, and on the other hand leads to an advantageous tear behavior of the finished security element. The height of the at least one elevation is advantageously between 30 μm and 500 μm, preferably between 50 microns and 250 microns, more preferably between 50 microns and 100 microns.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the protected security feature on a tactile detectable relief structure. In particular, the security element can be formed on both sides palpable.

In the tactile detectable relief structure, it may be z. B. act to an embossing, in which form a plurality of embossed lines in conjunction with a background pressure an optically variable security element. Such optically variable structures as security elements are z. B. in the WO 97/17211 described. The optically variable structures of WO 97/17211 can be provided as a security feature to be protected in the security element according to the invention.

In addition, as a security feature to be protected also fine embossments, in particular angle embossing (eg herringbone pattern) are conceivable that may be tactile detectable, but need not necessarily be.

According to another likewise advantageous embodiment of the invention, the protected security feature on a glossy surface, in particular a gold glossy surface, silver gloss surface or a luster pigments containing print layer, such as those using the company Merck KGaA under the name Iriodin (R) sold silver white, gold gloss -, Metallglanz- or interference pigments can be produced.

In this case, according to a further embodiment, the glossy surface may also be overlaid or underlaid by a further security feature. In the further security feature, it may be z. B. act to a thermochromic security feature of any configuration. Of course, the thermochromic security feature in the security element according to the invention can also be used without a glossy surface as a backside security feature.

In the context of the present application, security features with a glossy surface are also security features with diffraction structures, in particular holograms, structures with a kinematic effect, matt structures and embossed microstructures with a feature size (eg grid spacing) of greater than 3 μm, provided these security features have a glossy surface, z. As a shiny high-refractive layer, clearcoat or metal layer, are provided.

Of course, the glossy surface and the tactile feature can also be combined in one security feature.

The shape of the security feature with glossy surface is basically arbitrary. Frequently, however, strip-shaped elements or elements with non-strip-shaped form, so-called patches, are used.

The at least one survey can protect the entire security feature of the back, but it can also protect only parts of the security feature of the back, in the latter case, the protected and unprotected portions after the intaglio printing step advantageously have a different appearance. The arrangement of the protected and unprotected portions then forms advantageous a pattern, a character or an encoding. The different appearance may result, for example, from a reduced tactile detectability or a reduced gloss level in the unprotected subregions.

In an advantageous embodiment, the described security element forms part of a security paper or a value document, for example a subarea of a banknote. In other embodiments, the security element is first produced as a separate element and subsequently applied to a security paper or a value document, or introduced into a security paper or document of value. The measures required for application or incorporation into a security paper or document of value are well known to the person skilled in the art.

In connection with a security element according to the invention, which is part of a security paper or value document, an embodiment is also conceivable in which the security feature is arranged at least partially in the region of a window-like opening or an opening in the substrate. For example, a glossy surface in the form of a metallized film, for example a metallized embossed hologram, could form the backside security feature. The front embossed elevation then protects according to the invention at least a portion of the glossy surface in the intaglio printing step, wherein at least one passage opening in the substrate of the security paper or value document is arranged in the region of the glossy surface. The through-hole can be formed both during and after the production of the substrate. In the first case, a self-standing security feature is created due to the irregularly protruding into the recess fibers of the so-called "Büttenloch". In the second case, the recess becomes after the production of the substrate z. B. generated by punching or laser beam cutting. The person skilled in the art for this purpose, suitable tools, such as punching and cutting devices and lasers, basically known

In the embodiment described above with at least one passage opening in the substrate in the region of the security feature, the opening can also be arranged in the region of the embossed elevation of the security element. In any case, the counterfeit security is further increased by this additional arrangement of the through opening in the region of the security element according to the invention.

The invention also includes a method according to claim 11.

The invention further comprises a security paper for the production of value documents or the like and a data carrier, such as a banknote, identity card or the like, wherein security paper or data carriers are provided according to the invention with a security element of the type described above.

The invention further relates to a gravure printing plate according to claim 13.

The at least one depression can be without motif function within the engraving motif and serve essentially only to protect the rear-side security feature. However, it can also contribute to the front-side intaglio motif itself and, in particular, form a pattern, character or a coding.

The at least one depression preferably has soft flanks with a small steepness. On the one hand, this measure reduces the risk of paper misalignments in the intaglio printing step, and on the other hand leads to an advantageous tear behavior of the finished security element.

The flank angle as well as the length and shape of the flanks may contribute to the appearance of the front intaglio or backside security feature. In general, the steeper the flank of the depression, the more contrast the embossing appears to the viewer.

By way of example, the flank of the depression can have a stepped contour of a multiplicity of stages of the same or different step height and / or step depth. Accordingly, the edge region of the elevation formed in the security element will have a stepped contour.

It is also conceivable that the flank of the recess has at least two regions, which are characterized by a certain edge steepness and between each of which a shoulder or step-shaped region is arranged. Accordingly, the elevation of the security element in the edge region has at least two regions with the same or different edge steepness, which are each separated from one another by a shoulder-shaped or step-shaped region.

The engraving depth of the at least one depression can be up to about 2/3 of the thickness of the printing plate and is in particular between 30 μm and 500 μm, preferably between 50 μm and 250 μm, particularly preferably between 50 μm and 100 μm.

In general, it should be noted that the engraving depth is granted in the intaglio printing plate slightly larger than the desired height of the elevation of the security element, since the height of the survey is due to the process usually only about 90% of the engraving depth. For example, with an engraving depth of 100 .mu.m, only theoretically a height of the elevation of 100 .mu.m is achieved, while in practice only about 90 .mu.m elevation height is achieved in practice.

The at least one depression can be designed for the reception of the entire security feature of the rear side or also for the reception of only partial regions of the security feature of the rear side. In the latter case, the at least one depression is advantageously designed or arranged such that the arrangement of the recorded and unrecorded subareas of the security feature forms a pattern, character or coding.

It should be mentioned at this point that the security element can consist of any substrate suitable for intaglio printing. Particularly preferred are paper and paper-like substrates. There are no conditions attached to the type of paper, so that conventional paper from fibers of annual plants, in particular cotton fibers or cellulose fibers, can be used, in particular cotton vellum papers. But also papers that at least partially made of plastic fibers, preferably polyamide fibers, are conceivable. The proportion x polymeric material of the substrate can thus be from 0 <x ≤ 100 wt .-% move.

If the substrate consists of 100% by weight of polymeric material, a plastic film, e.g. As polyester film, particularly preferred. The film may also be monoaxially or biaxially stretched. The stretching of the film leads to Another is that it receives polarizing properties that can be used as another security feature. The tools required for exploiting these properties, such as polarization filters, are known to the person skilled in the art.

If paper is used as substrate, this can also be combined on one or both sides with plastic films. In general, it may be desirable for the substrate material to be a multilayer composite having at least one layer of paper or a paper-like material. Such a composite is characterized by an extremely high stability, which is for the durability of the security feature of great advantage and also increases the security against counterfeiting.

It is also conceivable, however, to use a multilayer, paper-free composite material as the substrate material. These materials can also be used to advantage in certain climatic regions of the world.

All materials used as substrate material can have additives which serve as authenticity features. It is primarily to think of luminescent, which are preferably transparent in the visible wavelength range and in the non-visible wavelength range by a suitable tool, for. B. a UV or IR radiation emitting radiation source can be excited to produce a visible or at least detectable with auxiliary luminescence. Other security features can also be used with advantage provided that they do not or only slightly impair the viewing and / or tactile detectability of the security document according to the invention.

For paper as a substrate, the paper layer usually has a weight of 50 g / m ² to 100 g / m ² , preferably 70 g / m ² to 90 g / m ² . Of course, depending on the application, any suitable weight can be used. The paper can be processed single-layered as well as multi-layered. For multi-ply paper, the paper layers may consist of the same or different types of paper and in turn be combined with plastic films.

• Die besonderen Eigenschaften der kombinierten Sicherheitsmerkmale von Vorder- und Rückseite sind für den Benutzer ohne Hilfsmittel erkennbar.
• Alle bekannten Vorteile geprägter Elemente mit taktil erfassbarer Reliefstruktur können nunmehr sowohl auf der Vorder- als auch auf der Rückseite der Sicherheitselemente verwirklicht werden.
• Die Schutz-Vertiefungen können zum Design des vorderseitigen Stichtiefdruckmotivs und/oder zum Design des rückseitigen Sicherheitsmerkmals beitragen und im Zusammenspiel mit diesem weitere Echtheitskennzeichen verwirklichen.

The invention provides the following advantages in particular:

• The special features of the combined security features of front and back are recognizable to the user without any aids.
• All known advantages embossed elements with tactile detectable relief structure can now be realized both on the front and on the back of the security elements.
• The protective recesses may contribute to the design of the front intaglio print motif and / or the design of the rear security feature and realize in conjunction with this further authenticity mark.

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures. For better clarity, a scale and proportioned representation is omitted in the figures.

Fig.1

eine schematische Aufsicht auf die Vorderseite einer Banknote mit einem vorderseitigen Stichtiefdruckmotiv und einem gestrichelt eingezeichneten, taktil erfassbaren, rückseitigen Sicherheitsmerkmal,

Fig. 2

eine Aufsicht auf die Rückseite der Banknote der Fig.1 im Bereich des Sicherheitsmerkmals,

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt durch die Banknote im Bereich des Sicherheitsmerkmals 14 entlang der Linie III-III von Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

in (a) bis (e) Zwischenschritte bei der erfindungsgemäßen Herstellung einer zweiseitigen Stichtiefdruckprägung,

Fig. 5

eine Aufsicht auf die Rückseite einer Banknote nach einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 6

in (a) bis (c) Zwischenschritte bei der erfindungsgemäßen Herstellung eines Sicherheitselements mit rückseitiger Glanzfläche und vorderseitiger Stichtiefdruckprägung,

Fig. 7

eine Aufsicht auf die Rückseite einer Banknote nach noch einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 8

einen Ausschnitt einer erfindungsgemäß hergestellten Banknote, wobei (a) eine Aufsicht auf die Vorderseite, (b) eine Aufsicht auf die Rückseite darstellt,

Fig. 9

in (a) bis (c) Zwischenschritte bei der erfindungsgemäßen Herstellung eines Sicherheitselements mit glänzendem Element und Teilprägestruktur nach einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 10

in (a) eine Aufsicht auf die Rückseite einer Banknote im Bereich eines noch weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselements, in (b) und (c) Zwischenschritte bei der erfindungsgemäßen Herstellung des Sicherheitselements von Fig.10(a), in (d) einen Querschnitt durch die Banknote im Bereich des Sicherheitselements entlang der Linie 10d-10d von Fig. 10(a),

Fig. 11

in (a) eine Aufsicht auf die Rückseite einer Banknote mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselement nach noch einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, in (b) einen Querschnitt durch die Banknote im Bereich des Sicherheitselements entlang der Linie 11b-11b von Fig.11(a), und

Fig. 12

eine Aufsicht auf einen Ausschnitt eines Mehrnutzen-Banknotenbogens mit vier aneinandergrenzenden erfindungsgemäßen Banknoten.

Show it:

Fig.1

a schematic plan view of the front of a banknote with a front intaglio print motif and a dashed marked, tactile detectable, backside security feature,

Fig. 2

a top view of the back of the banknote Fig.1 in the area of the security feature,

Fig. 3

a cross section through the banknote in the area of the security feature 14 along the line III-III of Fig. 2 .

Fig. 4

in (a) to (e) intermediate steps in the production according to the invention of a two-sided intaglio embossing,

Fig. 5

a plan view of the back of a banknote according to another embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 6

in (a) to (c) intermediate steps in the production according to the invention of a security element with a backside gloss surface and a front intaglio embossing,

Fig. 7

a plan view of the back of a banknote according to yet another embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 8

a section of a banknote produced according to the invention, wherein (a) is a plan view of the front side, (b) a plan view of the back side,

Fig. 9

in (a) to (c) intermediate steps in the production according to the invention of a security element having a glossy element and partial embossing structure according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 10

in (a) a plan view of the back of a banknote in the area of a still further embodiment of the security element according to the invention, in (b) and (c) intermediate steps in the inventive production of the security element of Figure 10 (a) , in (d) a cross-section through the banknote in the area of the security element along the line 10d-10d of FIG Fig. 10 (a) .

Fig. 11

in (a) is a plan view of the back of a banknote with a security element according to the invention according to yet another embodiment of the invention, in (b) a cross section through the banknote in the region of the security element along the line 11b-11b of 11 (a) , and

Fig. 12

a plan view of a section of a multi-use banknote sheet with four adjacent bank notes according to the invention.

The invention will now be explained in more detail using the example of a banknote. Fig.1 shows a schematic plan view of the front of a banknote 10. The front of the banknote has in addition to the denomination, a serial number and other design and security elements not shown in the figure on a portrait 12 produced in intaglio. In addition, the reverse side of the banknote 10 contains a security feature 14, likewise produced in intaglio printing, with a tactile detectable relief structure, which in the front view of FIG Fig.1 indicated by dashed lines.

As mentioned, in conventional two-sided intaglio designs, the tactility of the motif elements is limited to the banknote front, since the back is usually produced in a first pass, so that the back relief elements are counter-impressed at the second pass to create the front be leveled.

To explain the basic principle of the embodiments of the invention shows Fig. 2 a plan view of the banknote 10 in the area of the security feature 14 from the banknote back side and Fig. 3 a cross section through the banknote in the area of the security feature 14 along the line III-III of Fig. 2 , In the sectional view of Fig. 3 Thus, the banknote back 18 is up, the front banknote 16 down.

As best seen in conjunction with the two figures, the tactile detectable banknote back security feature 14 is fully received by an embossed depression 20V which is part of the intaglio print motif applied to the front banknote and by the security feature 14 in the second printout to create the obverse motif is protected from the influence of the backpressure conditions.

As regards terminology, it should be noted that depressions on the banknote reverse side appear on the front of the banknote as elevations to step. Seen from the front side 16, on which the intaglio print motif with the portrait representation 12 is applied, the recess 20V is therefore an elevation 20E, as in FIG Fig. 3 illustrated. Hereinafter, the element 20V, 20E will be referred to as a recess 20V when viewed from the viewpoint of the rear side security feature 14 and as a protrusion 20E when viewed from the front side intaglio printing point 12.

Regarding Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 the recess 20V is extended flat and has a rounded outline, in the embodiment in the form of an elongated oval, whereby the risk of plate tears is reduced during printing. As explained in greater detail below, the embossing depth of the recess 20V is chosen to be large enough to accommodate the tactile security feature according to the design of the security feature 14.

So that no paper damage occurs during the printing process, the recess 20V is formed with soft edges 22, so flanks with low slope. For example, the elevation 20E may have an embossing height 20H of about 200 μm, which is achieved from the paper surface via flanks of a length of 115 μm to 235 μm, that is to say with an average flank angle of about 40 ° to about 60 °. The tensile strength of the banknote paper also remains high when soft edges are used.

It should also be noted that at an embossing height 20H of z. B. 100 microns and a paper thickness of about 90 microns, the survey 20E measured from the banknote backside 18 from about 190 microns.

The elevation 20E need not have a motif function within the front intaglio motif itself. It may be due to its shape and location Rather, they largely take a backseat visually and only serve to protect the backside security feature 14 in the intaglio printing step. Other designs, in which the survey 20E or a plurality of such surveys additionally exert a motif function in addition to their protective function, are described below.

The process steps in the production according to the invention of a two-sided intaglio embossing are in Fig. 4 illustrated. First shows Fig. 4 (a) In a first printing process, first the reverse side 18 of the data carrier 30 is embossed using a backside plate 32 in intaglio printing and in particular a tactile security feature 14 is produced, as in FIG Fig. 4 (b) shown.

As in Fig. 4 (c) shown, the back-embossed disk 30 is then turned and its front side 16 using a front plate 34 also embossed in intaglio. In addition to the engraving areas for the portrait representation 12 and other motif elements (not shown in the figure), the front side panel 34 in particular contains a recess 36 in an area corresponding to the area around the tactile security feature 14 of the substrate to be protected.

The tactile security feature 14 is received with its relief structure in the second intaglio printing step of the recess 36, as in Fig. 4 (d) and thus protected from the leveling influence of the backpressure conditions by the impression cylinder or a counter blanket. After turning again, the now double-sided gravure embossed disk 30 has on its back 18 a tactile well detectable security feature 14 and on its front 16 next to another Stichtiefiefmotivelementen 12 a security feature 14 opposite elevation 20E or recess 20V, as in Fig. 4 (e) shown.

The engraving depth of the recess 36 leads in pressure to a corresponding embossing depth of the recess 20V. Engraving depths of up to about 2/3 of the thickness of the front side plate 34, in particular engraving depths in the range of 50 μm and 500 μm, are used, the range between 150 μm and 250 μm being particularly preferred. Since the height of the tactile detectable markers is typically between about 30 microns and about 100 microns, security features with such markings can be well received by the described recesses 36 of the front panel 34 and effectively protected from the influence of the backpressure conditions.

In order to accommodate the entire security feature 14, the recess 36 is extended flat and also has a rounded outline shape, in the embodiment in the form of an elongated oval in order to reduce the risk of plate tears. To exclude paper damage during printing, the recess 36 is formed with soft edges 38 of low slope (see Fig. 4 (c) ).

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which a banknote 40 on its in Fig. 5 shown in plan view with a security feature 42 having a glossy surface, for example, a screen-applied silver or gold glossy surface equipped. If a gravure motif is subsequently applied to the banknote front side in a conventional manner after the production of the glossy surface, the gloss of the security feature is reduced by the contact with the rough impression cylinder or with the counterpressure blanket. Thereby the visual appearance of the security feature will be significantly duller.

Again, the invention provides a remedy, as based on the in Fig. 6 illustrated process flow illustrated. First shows Fig. 6 (a) a data carrier 50, on the back side 54 of which a security feature 42 having a glossy surface has been applied, for example by screen printing. The front side 52 of the data carrier is then provided with a gravure printing using a front side plate 56, wherein the front side plate 56 in addition to not shown engraving areas in particular a recess 58 in the region of the security feature 42 has.

During printing, the security feature 42 is received by the recess 58 and so protected from the matting influence of the backpressure conditions by the impression cylinder or the counter blank, as in Fig. 6 (b) shown. The gravure embossed on the front of disk 50 has as a result on its back 54 a high-gloss security feature 42. On the front side 52, the data carrier 50 contains, in addition to the other elements of the intaglio motif, a survey 60E opposite the security feature 42, as in FIG Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 (c) shown. It should be noted again that the element 60E, 60V viewed on the disk 50 from the front side is a survey 60E, viewed from the rear side, however, a recess 60V.

The indentations 58 of the intaglio printing plate can, as in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shown completely absorb the glossy surface of the security feature. However, it is also possible to protect only partial areas of the gloss surfaces by the depressions, so that the backside security feature after the Engraving step partially high-gloss and partially frosted surface areas. Such an embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (d) explained in more detail.

By such designs more authenticity marks can be realized, as first based on the Fig. 7 illustrating a plan view of the back of a banknote 70 according to the invention. In the embodiment of the Fig. 7 is a shiny metallic security strip 72, z. For example, a strip having a metallized hologram is applied to the back of the bill 70. For the production of the front intaglio print motif, a printing plate is used which, in addition to further engraving areas in the region of the security strip 72, has a row of depressions with a predetermined width and a predetermined spacing.

Through these recesses in the printing plate, recesses 74V having the predetermined widths and intervals are formed in the banknote 70 from the rear side. As already in the description of the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 1, the metallic luster of the security strip 72 remains inside the recesses 74V, so that the security strip 72 also has high-gloss sections 76 there after the intaglio printing step. On the other hand, the areas 78 of the security strip 72 outside the depressions 74V appear much duller due to the contact with the counter-pressure cylinder or counter-pressure cloth after the printing step.

The different gloss of the areas 76 and 78 of the security strip 72 can now easily be detected and evaluated visually or by machine. For example, the sequence of widths and spaces of the high gloss areas 76 may be a bar code or other coding scheme in which the denomination of the banknote or any other individualizing indication is coded.

The indentations of the intaglio printing plate which are aligned on the rear security features may also themselves be arranged generally in the form of patterns, characters or codes. In the transfer of this arrangement in the intaglio printing step in a data carrier so produced on the opposite side corresponding authenticity mark.

As already explained, the intaglio printing on the one hand creates a tactile detectable security feature on the front side of the data carrier. At the same time protect the wells on the back of the disc sections of the security feature arranged there. If the protected and unprotected partial areas have a different appearance, then the arrangement formed by the depressions of the pressure plate can also be detected and evaluated on the back of the data carrier.

For illustration shows Fig. 8 a section of a banknote 80 according to the invention, wherein Fig. 8 (a) a view of the front side 82, Fig. 8 (b) a view of the back 84 represents. The banknote front side 82 is provided with an intaglio motif which, in addition to other motif elements, also contains a plurality of square elevations 86E, the relief structure of which can be well felt by the user with his finger. The elevations 86E may be arranged regularly or code by their arrangement a predetermined information.

Even before the intaglio printing step for producing the front side motif, a security strip 88 with silver gloss was printed on the reverse side 84 of the banknote 80 in the region of the elevations 86E. At the following Stichtiefdruckschritt this security strip 88 is now over a large area with the rough impression cylinder or the blanket contact in contact and is largely roughened and matted. The only exceptions are those portions of the security strip 88 that oppose the elevations 86E of the front side, which appear on the banknote back as a recess 86V. In these areas, the glossy surface is protected in intaglio printing and the original gloss level is maintained.

The tactile detectable on the front side 82 arrangement of the elevations 86E can therefore be visually or automatically detected on the back 84 by the different levels of gloss of the subregions inside and outside the recesses 86V.

The production of a security element with a glossy element and partial embossing structure according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention is disclosed in US Pat Fig. 9 illustrated. Fig. 9 (a) shows to a disk 90, on the back 94, for example, a security feature 96 was applied with glossy surface, for example by screen printing. The front face 92 of the data carrier is then stitched using a face plate 98, as in FIG Fig. 9 (b) shown. The front side plate 98 has, in addition to engraving areas, not shown, in particular a recess 100 in the region of the security feature 96 with a glossy surface. In contrast to the design of the Fig. 6 a partial embossing structure 102 is arranged within the depression 100, which generates an embossed structure 106 in a subregion 104 on the front side 92 of the data carrier opposite the security feature 96, as in FIG Fig. 9 (c) shown.

A further embodiment of the security element according to the invention is shown in FIG Figure 10 (a) shown. Fig. 10 (a) shows a plan view of a banknote in the area of a security feature from the banknote back side ago. In this embodiment, the security feature is composed of a tactile security feature 114 produced in intaglio printing and a glossy surface 116 arranged over the entire surface over the security feature 114 (see FIG Figure 10 (b) ). Accordingly, in this embodiment, a tactile feature and a glossy surface are combined as a security feature.

How out Fig. 10 (a) can be seen, the glossy surface 116, which may be, for example, applied by screen silver or gold glossy surface, not only over the entire surface of the tactile security feature 114, but also over the entire surface in the recess 20V and in a certain area to the depression 20V is applied around on the banknote. As follows from the FIGS. 10 (b) to 10 (d) is shown, the glossy surface 116 according to Figure 10 (a) in addition, the peculiarity that it shows a very high gloss in the area of the recess 20V, in the banknote outside the recess 20V, however, a much lower gloss level. The glossy surface of high gloss thickness arranged in the region of the depression 20V is designated by the reference symbol 116G, while the matted regions of the glossy surface outside the depression 20V are designated by the reference symbol 116M.

As already mentioned, the reduced gloss level of the gloss surface 116M results from the contact of the gloss surface with the rough impression cylinder or with the counter-pressure cloth during the printing operation of the front side of the security element. A banknote with a security element according to the invention Fig. 10 (a) is characterized by an extremely high security against counterfeiting, as in addition to the tactile detectable intaglio printing on the back of the security element or the banknote a glossy surface is present, which has a very high gloss level in the area of the recess 20V and a much lower gloss level outside the recess 20V. The edge 119 of the recess 20V thus separates the high-gloss areas 116G of the glossy surface from the matted areas 116M of the glossy surface by a more or less sharp "edge". Such a transition can not be practically adjusted by counterfeiters with simple means.

The production of the security element according to Figure 10 (a) will now be based on the FIGS. 10 (b) and 10 (c) explained in more detail. On a data carrier 130, for example a banknote substrate, a glossy surface 116 was first applied, for example, a silver glossy surface by screen printing. The backside 18 was then embossed using a backsheet 132 (not shown) to form a tactile detectable security feature 114 over which a glossy surface 116 is disposed over the entire surface. How out Fig. 10 (b) can be seen, covers the glossy surface 116 on the back of the security element or data carrier 130 from a region which is greater than the extent of the recess still to be introduced 20V (see Fig. 10 (d) ). It should be noted at this point that the embossing of the back 18 can in principle also be done before the application of the glossy surface. However, preference is given to the variant described above, in which the glossy surface 116 is applied in simultaneous printing together with other imprints of the banknote and subsequently the tactile feature 114 is produced in the intaglio printing process.

As in Figure 10 (c) 1, the data carrier 130 provided with the glossy surface 116 and embossed on the reverse side is also stamped on its front side 16 using a front side plate 134. The Front side plate 134 contains not only in the figure, not shown engraving areas for a portrait and other motif elements in particular a recess 136 in a region corresponding to the area around the security feature of the data carrier 130 to be protected.

The tactile security feature 114 and the glossy surface 116 arranged above it are received by the depression 136 in the second intaglio printing step. As in Fig. 10 (c) However, the glossy surface 116 is only protected in the region of the depression 136 from the leveling influence of the backpressure conditions by the impression cylinder or a counter-pressure cloth. On the other hand, outside the depression 136, the glossy surface 116 is matted by the influence of the counterpressure cylinder or backsheet so that the areas 116M are formed with a low gloss level. In contrast, in the region of the depression 136, the gloss surface 116 has a very high gloss intensity (reference symbol 116G).

The double-sided gravure embossed data carrier 130 accordingly has on its rear side 18 a tactile, easily detectable security feature 114, a gloss surface 116G of high gloss thickness arranged above it and a gloss surface 116M of low gloss thickness arranged outside the recess. On the front side, the data carrier 130 has a elevation 20E, which is opposite the security feature 114, or a depression 20V and further intaglio printing elements (not shown) Figure 10 (d) ).

Unlike the in 4 (c) and 4 (d) In the embodiment shown, the recess 136 in the front panel 134 must have an engraving depth that protects not only the tactile detectable mark 114 but also the glossy surface 116G from the backpressure conditions by the impression cylinder or dummy blanket. With engraving depths in the area from Z. B. 50 microns to 500 microns, the above condition can be realized in practice usually.

As in connection with the figures 4 (a) to 4 (e) is also explained for the embodiment of the Fig. 10 the depression 136 expands flat and has a rounded outline shape, z. B. in the form of an elongated oval, to reduce the risk of plate tears. In order to exclude the risk of substrate damage during printing, the recess 136 is formed with soft edges 138 of low slope (see Figure 10 (b) ).

Another inventive security element is in Figs. 11 (a) and 11 (b) shown. 11 (a) shows a plan view of the back of a value document 160, in which a security element according to the invention is arranged in its edge region. In the embodiment shown, the security element has a security feature 124 which is designed as a flat, tactile security feature produced by intaglio printing. The security feature 124 is arranged along two long and two short sides of the value document 160, wherein the security feature along the two long sides by the reference numerals 124a and 124b and along the two short sides by the reference numerals 124c and 124d. The individual elements 124a, 124b, 124c and 124d of the security feature form, apart from an interruption in the region of a corner 161 of the document of value 160, a frame circulating along the banknotes. Along the short side of the value document having the security feature 124c, further tactile detectable security features in the form of geometric structures 124e and 124f are arranged beyond. Furthermore, the value document has a tactile security feature 124g in the area of the corner 161. Instead of or in addition to the in FIG. 11 (a) Of course, the document of value 160 could also have glossy surfaces or similar security features to be protected on its rear side, as shown by the tactile security elements 124a to 124g shown.

How out 11 (a) It can also be seen that the security elements 124a to 124g to be protected are protected by the depression 20V according to the invention. The edge of the recess 20V is on the back of the bill according to Fig. 11 (a) provided with the reference numeral 119a, as far as it is the recess protecting the sheet-like security elements 124a to 124f. The tactile feature 124g is protected by a recess 20V whose edge is provided on the back of the document of value 160 by the reference numeral 119b.

A cross section through the value document 160 in the area of the security feature 124b is shown in FIG Fig. 11 (b) shown. It can be seen from the cross-sectional illustration that the security feature 124b was protected from the leveling influence of the backpressure conditions by the counterpressure cylinder or the backsheet during the second intaglio printing step, so that the tactility of the feature 124b on the backside 18 of the value document 160 is fully protected Scope has been preserved. In the second printing step, while among other things, the front elevation 20E is formed, the security element according to the invention has been completed. Accordingly, the tactile security feature 124 is formed on the back side 18 of the banknote, and the elevation 20E, which can also be detected tactually, is formed on the front side 16 of the banknote. In the cross section shown ( Figure 11 (b) ) is specifically the intaglio printing element 124b arranged on the rear side 18 and the embossed elevation 20E arranged opposite one another.

As further out Fig. 11 (b) 2, the recess protecting the security feature 124 in the substrate 140 extends substantially as far as the edge 163 of the banknote 160. As already mentioned, the banknote has, apart from a small interruption in the area of the corner 161, one of the security feature 124 and the banknote Recess 20V existing surrounding frame. This planar formation of the recess 20V or survey 20E gives the value document according to 11 (a) An exceptional security against counterfeiting, since the security element according to the invention is quasi verifiable in the entire edge region of the bill and a counterfeiting of the security element over such a large area is practically impossible to realize. Of course, it is possible, in particular by the tactile detectable security features 124 to form a pattern, characters or a coding, the z. B. in the form of blind signs the denomination of the bill can be tangibly indicated. Such tactile coding is indicated by the security features 124e and 124f on the banknote back 18. It is also conceivable that a pattern, characters or a coding, z. B. in the form of blind sign, additionally or alternatively on the front side 16 of the bill is arranged.

In addition to increasing the security against counterfeiting and the possibility of arranging encodings that are detectable for the blind on the banknote, the areal extent of the security element along at least one edge of the value document proves to be aesthetically extremely appealing.

As regards the elevation 20E arranged on the front side 16, it should be pointed out at this point that, of course, tactile detectable structures can also be introduced on the front side 16 of the elevation 20E by the second intaglio printing step. For example It would be possible to form in the survey 20E a tactile detectable element, as for example in Fig. 9 (c) is indicated in the area 106.

The production of a banknote according to Fig. 11 is in Fig. 12 explained in more detail. It is in Fig. 12 a section of a multi-use banknote sheet 180 shown with four adjacent individual bank notes 170,171,172 and 173, which are not yet isolated. In practice, such a multi-value banknote sheet 180 will of course have significantly more individual banknotes. The individual banknotes 170 to 173 directly adjoin one another at the corner 161. The same applies to two banknotes and one common edge. For example, the individual banknotes 171 and 172 in the multi-benefit banknote sheet 180 immediately adjoin the edge 162. The top view of the detail from the Mehmutzen banknote sheet 180 according to FIG Fig. 12 also shows the security features 134 and 135 to be protected on the banknotes. After the formation of the front elevation 20E, the security features 134 and 135 are protected in the recess 20V. The edge of these depressions is in Fig. 12 denoted by the reference numerals 149 and 139, respectively.

The front elevation 20E introduced in the second intaglio printing step may, as in FIG Fig. 12 shown extending to more than a single banknote of the multi-benefit banknote sheet 180. For example, the recess 20V, the edge of which is designated by the reference numeral 149, extends beyond the edge 164 of the adjacent individual bank notes 170 and 171. Also, the depression 20V in the region of the corner 161, the edge of which is denoted by the reference numeral 139, is not limited to a banknote but is simultaneously generated in the front engraving step as a circular depression in a corner region of the individual bank notes 170 to 173. It is understood that after the separation of the individual banknotes from the multi-benefit banknote sheet 180 in the illustrated corner region of the individual bank notes 170 to 173, a circular-sector-shaped depression remains which protects a tactile security element 134.

According to the in Fig. 12 the procedure shown for generating the security element according to the invention in an edge or corner region of a value document must be designed to form these security elements provided front or rear side pressure plate. In other words, the back side intaglio printing plate provided for the formation of the tactile security features 134, 135 has corresponding engravings in the edge area or corner region of the single-use areas of the back side intaglio printing plate corresponding to the individual banknotes. Correspondingly, the front side intaglio printing plate will have corresponding engravings for the formation of the flat elevations of the banknotes in the edge or corner area of the single-use areas of the front-side intaglio printing plate corresponding to the individual banknotes.

As already mentioned, a banknote embossed with such a reverse side or front side intaglio printing plate, and having a so-called "edge-dropping" intaglio printing, is characterized by a particularly large security against counterfeiting and an aesthetically pleasing design.

Claims (14)

1. A security element for security papers (10), documents of value and the like, having a front side (16) and a rear side (18), a security feature (14) applied to the rear side and an intaglio printing motif (20E) applied to the front side, wherein the intaglio printing motif includes at least one embossed elevation (20E) opposite the security feature which protects at least a partial region of the security feature during the intaglio printing step, the embossed elevation of the front side of the security element appearing on the rear side of the security element as an indentation (20V), characterized in that the intaglio printing motif is applied after the security feature has been applied.
2. The security element according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one elevation extends two-dimensionally and/ or is formed with a rounded outline shape, in particular as a circle, oval or as any free form with rounded corners.
3. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the at least one elevation forms a pattern, symbol or coding.
4. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the at least one elevation has soft edges with a slight slope.
5. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the at least one elevation has a height of between 30 µm and 500 µm, preferably between 50 µm and 250 µm, and particularly preferably between 50 µm and 100 µm.
6. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the protected security feature has a relief structure which can be detected tactilely, wherein the security element is particularly preferably designed to be palpable on both sides.
7. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the protected security feature has a glossy surface, in particular a gold glossy surface, a silver glossy surface or a print layer containing glossy pigments.
8. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the at least one elevation protects the whole security feature of the rear side.
9. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the at least one elevation only protects partial regions of the security feature of the rear side, and that the protected and the non-protected partial regions have a different appearance after the intaglio printing step, wherein the arrangement of the protected and the non-protected partial regions preferably form a pattern, symbol or coding.
10. The security element according to claim 6 and claim 9, characterised in that the tactile detectability is reduced in the non-protected partial regions, or that in a security element according to claim 7 and claim 9 the strength of gloss is reduced in the non-protected partial regions.
11. A method of producing a security element for security papers, documents of value and the like, wherein

    - a substrate is provided having a substrate front side and a substrate rear side,

    - a security feature is applied to the substrate rear side, and

    - an intaglio printing motif is subsequently applied to the front side of the substrate,

    - the intaglio printing motif is embossed with at least one elevation lying opposite the security feature of the rear side of the substrate, by means of which at least a partial region of the security feature is protected during the intaglio printing step, the embossed elevation of the front side of the security element appearing on the rear side of the security element as an indentation.
12. A security paper for the production of documents of value, or data carrier, in particular a document of value such as a bank note, identification card or the like, wherein the security paper or data carrier is provided with a security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 10 or with a security element produced according to the method of claim 11.
13. An intaglio printing plate for embossing the front side of a security element according to any of claims 1 to 10 in a method according to claim 11, characterised in that the engraved motif of the intaglio printing plate in the region of the security feature to be protected present on the rear side of the security element has a two-dimensionally extending indentation, which is formed with a rounded outline shape, in particular as a circle, oval or as any free form with rounded corners, and which during the intaglio printing step incorporates at least a partial region of the security feature and produces the elevation of the security element lying opposite the security feature which appears on the rear side of the security element as an indentation.
14. The intaglio printing plate according to claim 13, characterised in that the at least one indentation forms a pattern, symbol or coding, and/or has soft edges with a slight slope, wherein the at least one indentation has an engraved depth of between 30 µm and 500 µm, preferably between 50 µm and 250 µm, and particularly preferably between 50 µm and 100 µm.

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