EP2994316B1 - Document of value and security featuring a watermark and a security element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a value and security document which consists of a paper substrate and has at least one watermark. The watermark is formed by a modulation of the thickness of the substrate. In addition, at least one security element, which is in the form of a single element, for example a patch, and / or in the form of an endless element, for example a strip, is applied to the surface of the value and security document.

In the production of paper with watermarks, a distinction is made between two-level watermarks with a strong light-dark effect and multi-level watermarks with smooth transitions between light and dark and detailed representation of a motif. The term "multi-level" is to be understood in contrast to two-stage light-dark watermark and includes all watermarks with more than two levels of brightness and includes in particular watermarks with continuous light-dark transitions. For the production of multistage watermarks, a three-dimensional relief is introduced into a dewatering screen of a paper machine, so that the paper thickness of the finished paper is varied or modulated in accordance with the relief and, in transmitted light, reveals soft, gradual transitions between lighter and darker areas.

This is for example from the WO 2008/071325 A1 a dewatering screen for the production of paper with multi-level watermark known. The dewatering screen has a carrier screen, which has a multi-level relief in the form of the watermark to be generated in a partial area, the multi-level relief being formed by an injection-molded, perforated Watermark insert is formed. The substrate produced with this dewatering screen can be very thin in the region of the multi-level watermark, so that the substrate in this area can advantageously be provided with a transparent, preferably stabilizing film. This film may additionally be provided with security elements, such as diffractive structures, liquid crystal layers, thin-film structures, fluorescent substances, magnetic, conductive and / or metallic layers. However, the disadvantage here is in particular that the adhesion of the film to the substrate can be impaired by the variation or modulation of the thickness of the paper.

The document FR 2925924 A discloses a value and security document according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention is therefore the object of developing a generic value and security document in such a way that the disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated.

This object is solved by the features of the independent claim. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the at least one watermark and the at least one security element are arranged at least partially overlapping, and the substrate has no or almost no modulation of the thickness at least in the region of the overlap. This means that the thickness of the substrate in the region of the overlap does not change or only slightly changes so that the adhesion of the security element to the surface of the substrate is not or only insignificantly impaired.

A slight change in the thickness of the substrate is, for example, when the thickness of the substrate steadily decreases or increases from one side of the edge of the overlap to the center of the overlap and steadily increases or decreases again towards the opposite side of the overlap , Of course, other minor changes are conceivable, but the liability of the security element must remain on the surface of the substrate or is only so slightly reduced that removal or detachment of the security element from the surface of the substrate leads to at least partial destruction of the security element. This makes it impossible, for example, for a counterfeiter to detach the security element from the substrate and transfer it to another substrate.

Particularly preferably, the thickness of the substrate in the region of the overlap corresponds to the thickness of the substrate outside the watermark. Alternatively, however, the thickness of the substrate in the region of the overlap may also be greater or smaller than the thickness of the substrate outside the watermark. In this case, for example, a plateau-like elevation protrudes out of the surface of the substrate or a plateau-like depression into the surface of the substrate.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the density of the substrate in the watermark remains at least approximately the same. This means that the modulation of the transparency of the substrate by the watermark only results from a modulation of the thickness of the substrate. The distance of the felt-like fibers of the substrate from each other is thus neither increased nor decreased. In this case, the watermark is particularly preferably an abovementioned multi-level watermark or a so-called "high resolution watermark" (HRW).

According to an alternative preferred embodiment, it is provided that the watermark is a watermark embossed in the substrate. Here, in addition to the modulation of the thickness of the substrate and the density of the substrate is changed.

According to the invention, the at least one watermark constitutes a motif and a motif is shown on the at least one security element. The motif of the at least one security element is designed such that it at least partially complements and / or continues and / or imitates the motif of the at least one watermark. The motif of the watermark represents a part of a lettering or a number. The motif of the security element represents the rest of the lettering or the number, so that both motifs together result in the complete lettering or the complete number.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the part of the security element that complements the watermark may have a motif or a metallization, whereas the security element outside the watermark is executed without motif or demetallized. This has the advantage that the security element is only visible within the overlapping area and the watermark is supplemented, but not visually recognizable outside the overlapping area with the watermark.

As is known, a banknote may have several different types of watermarks. For example, the euro banknotes of the 2002 series have three distinct watermarks, with a first watermark representing a building, a second watermark indicating the value of the corresponding banknote in Arabic numerals, and a third watermark the Indicates value as barcode. Therefore, it is also possible that the security element at least partially complements and / or continues and / or mimics more than one watermark of a value and security document.

In addition, it is particularly expedient if the security element is adhesively bonded to the substrate by means of an adhesive. In this case, the security element is laminated to the substrate, for example.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the value and security document, it is provided that the security element is provided with diffraction structures and / or liquid crystal layers and / or thin-film structures and / or fluorescent materials and / or magnetic, conductive and / or metallic layers.

An endless element or strip-shaped security element according to this invention is, for example, a strip one or more millimeters wide or one or more centimeters wide, which is applied to the surface of a substrate. An endless element is provided as a roll product, i. As a quasi endless belt wound on a roll, the endless element is of course not endless and thus infinitely long, but in particular has a length in the range of kilometers. Typically, an endless element is seen to extend from one edge of the substrate to the opposite edge. An example of such a security element is the so-called "hologram strip" in the area of the right edge of the € 5, € 10 and € 20 banknotes.

A single element according to this invention is for example a patch. The individual element is provided together with other individual elements on a carrier and from there to the surface of the substrate of the value. and security document. Usually, a single element can be recognized by the fact that it is arranged on the substrate similar to a stamp. An example of such a security element is the so-called "hologram patch" in the lower right corner of the 50 €, 100 €, 200 € and 500 € banknotes.

The substrate according to the invention can be embodied as a single-layer or multi-ply security paper. Multi-ply security paper contains at least one ply of paper. The further layers can likewise be made of paper, but also of other materials, for example by plastic films. The security paper is particularly preferably made of cotton fibers, as used for example for banknotes.

Preferably, the substrate may also be made of paper of other natural fibers, also preferably of synthetic fibers, i. a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers or also preferably consist of at least one plastic film. Further preferably, the substrate consists of a combination of at least two superimposed and interconnected different substrates, a so-called hybrid, for example a combination of plastic film-paper-plastic film, i. a paper substrate is covered on either side by a plastic film, or paper plastic film paper, i. a substrate made of a plastic film is covered on each of its two sides by a paper substrate.

Information on the weight of the substrate used are, for example, in the Scriptures DE 102 43 653 A9 specified, the statements of which are fully incorporated in this application in this regard. The font DE 102 43 653 A9 in particular, states that the paper layer is usually has a weight of 50 g / m ² to 100 g / m ² , preferably from 80 g / m ² to 90 g / m ² . Of course, depending on the application, any suitable weight can be used.

Documents of value in which such a substrate or security paper can be used are, in particular, banknotes, stocks, bonds, certificates, vouchers, checks, high-quality admission tickets, but also other papers which are subject to counterfeiting, such as passports and other identity documents, as well as cards, such as credit cards. or debit cards whose card body has at least one layer of security paper and also product securing elements such as labels, seals, packaging and the like.

The simplified term security paper or value document includes all the above materials, documents and product securing means.

A particular advantage of the invention is thus that a clever choice of designs and arrangements a combination of different security features is possible. In particular, for example, an integration of an optically variable element into a watermark or a so-called "high resolution watermark" (HRW) is possible. Such an optically variable element is for example a T-LEAD strip, an L-LEAD strip, a T-patch or L-patch in the form of a hologram or as a Colorshift element. For example, in order to integrate an L-LEAD strip into an HRW, the modulation of the watermark in the relevant overlapping area is reduced to zero in order to be able to fix the L-LEAD strip reliably on the surface of the substrate in this area. The Optically variable element is thus at least partially disposed within the watermark.

In accordance with the invention, accurate registration of the security element on the substrate, i. an application with longitudinal and side register, created an attractive overall design. The particular advantage of this design integration is increased counterfeit protection. The viewer's attention is increasingly drawn to them by an attractive combination of individual elements. This creates a further level of security, which represents an additional hurdle for the counterfeiter.

Particularly advantageous is a combination with other security features of the prior art possible, for example accurate register ablation and hole cutting by laser in the range of a metallized LEAD element.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the value and security document, it is provided that there is at least in the region of the watermark a window or hole or a window-like opening of the substrate. The position of the watermark and the security element in or on the substrate is in this case matched to the position of the window, hole or the aperture in the substrate, for example, all three elements in total a particular motif, a graphic illustration, a text or a lettering form.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the value and security document, it is provided that at least in the region of the watermark there is a security thread which at least partially extends into the security thread Substrate is embedded. The position of the watermark and the security element in or on the substrate is in this case matched to the position of the security thread in the substrate, wherein, for example, all three elements in total form a specific motif, a graphical illustration, a text or a lettering.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the specified combinations but also in other combinations, without departing from the scope of the present invention, insofar as this is covered by the scope of the claims.

Reference to the following embodiments and the additional figures, the advantages of the invention will be explained. The embodiments represent preferred embodiments, to which, however, the invention should not be limited in any way. Furthermore, the representations in the figures of better understanding are highly schematic and of course do not reflect the realities. In particular, the proportions shown in the figures do not correspond to the conditions present in reality and serve exclusively to improve the clarity. Furthermore, the embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are reduced to the essential core information for the sake of clarity. In the practical implementation much more complex patterns or images can be used.

Fig. 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes Substrat für ein streifenförmiges Sicherheitselement,

Fig. 2

ein streifenförmiges Sicherheitselement,

Fig. 3

die Kombination aus erfindungsgemäßem Substrat für ein streifenförmiges Sicherheitselement und dem streifenförmigen Sicherheitselement,

Fig. 4

ein erfindungsgemäßes Substrat für ein Sicherheitselement in Form eines Einzelelements,

Fig. 5

ein Sicherheitselement in Form eines Einzelelements,

Fig. 6

die Kombination aus erfindungsgemäßem Substrat für ein Sicherheitselement in Form eines Einzelelements und dem Sicherheitselement in Form eines Einzelelements.

In detail, show schematically:

Fig. 1

an inventive substrate for a strip-shaped security element,

Fig. 2

a strip-shaped security element,

Fig. 3

the combination of substrate according to the invention for a strip-shaped security element and the strip-shaped security element,

Fig. 4

an inventive substrate for a security element in the form of a single element,

Fig. 5

a security element in the form of a single element,

Fig. 6

the combination of inventive substrate for a security element in the form of a single element and the security element in the form of a single element.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an inventive substrate 1 for a strip-shaped security element 4 Fig. 2 , The substrate 1 has a watermark 2 in the form of a modulation of the thickness of the substrate 1, which in transmitted light represents the word "WATER". In a region 3 within the watermark 2, the substrate has no modulation of the thickness and thus no watermark, so that the lettering is recessed in this area 3. Here, the right part of the letter "S" and the left part of the letter "E" is missing.

Fig. 2 shows this to the substrate 1 Fig. 1 associated security element 4 in the form of an endless element. On the security element 4 is the missing Part 5 of the two letters "E" and "S" off Fig. 1 shown. This missing part can be embodied, for example, as a colored imprint or as a holographic image on the security element 4. If the entire security element represents a metallized hologram, the part 5 can be embodied as a hologram with a different representation or as a demetalization and thus as a so-called clear text.

In contrast, the part 5 that complements the watermark may have a motif or a metallization, and the security element 4 outside the watermark may have no motif or demetallized. This has the advantage that the security element 4 is only visible within the overlapping area and complements the watermark, but is not visually recognizable outside the overlapping area with the watermark. In the concrete embodiment of the Fig. 2 the parts 5 with the letter fragments S and E thus have a paint application or a metallization. The remaining parts of the security element 4, however, have no paint or no metallization, so that the security element 4 in this area only consists of a transparent substrate and is optically barely or not perceptible.

Fig. 3 shows the combination of the substrate 1 according to the invention Fig. 1 with the strip-shaped security element 4 Fig. 2 , The motif of the watermark 2 and the motif 5 of the security element 4 complement each other to the complete lettering "WATER".

Fig. 4 schematically shows an inventive substrate 1 for a security element 7 from Fig. 5 in the form of a single element or patches. The substrate 1 has a watermark 2 in the form of a modulation of the thickness of the substrate 1, which in transmitted light represents the word "WATER". In a region 6 within the watermark 2, the substrate has no modulation of the thickness and thus no watermark, so that the lettering is recessed in this area 6. Unlike area 3 off Fig. 1 the area 6 is completely surrounded by the lettering, so that only a smaller part of the letters "S" and "E" is missing.

Fig. 5 shows this to the substrate 1 Fig. 4 associated security element 7 in the form of a single element or patches. On the security element 7 of the missing part 8 of the two letters "E" and "S" is off Fig. 4 shown. This missing part can be embodied, for example, as a colored imprint or as a holographic image on the security element 7. If the entire security element represents a metallized hologram, the part 8 can be embodied as a hologram with a different representation or as a demetallization and thus as a so-called clear text.

Fig. 6 shows the combination of the substrate 1 according to the invention Fig. 4 with the strip-shaped security element 7 Fig. 5 , The motif of the watermark 2 and the motif 8 of the security element 7 complement each other to the complete lettering "WATER".

Claims (8)

1. Document of value and security, which consists of a substrate (1) made of paper and has at least one watermark (2), the watermark being formed by a modulation of the thickness of the substrate, at least one security element (4), which is implemented in the form of an individual element, for example a patch, and/or in the form of an endless element, for example a strip, being applied to the surface of the document of value and security, the at least one watermark and the at least one security element being arranged so as to overlap, at least partly,
   characterized in that
   the substrate in the region of the overlap (3) has no or virtually no modulation of the thickness, the at least one watermark represents a motif and a motif is displayed on the at least one security element, wherein the motif of the at least one security element at least partly supplements and/or continues and/or mimics the motif of the at least one watermark, wherein the watermark represents part of a line of text or a number, and the motif of the security element represents the remainder of the line of text or the number, so that the two motifs together result in the complete line of text or the complete number, and wherein the security element is applied to the substrate in an exact fit with the watermark.
2. Document of value and security according to Claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the substrate in the region of the overlap corresponds to the thickness of the substrate outside the watermark.
3. Document of value and security according to Claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the substrate in the region of the overlap is larger or smaller than the thickness of the substrate outside the watermark.
4. Document of value and security according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the substrate in the watermark remains at least approximately the same.
5. Document of value and security according to Claim 4, characterized in that the watermark is a multi-stage watermark or a "high resolution watermark" (HRW).
6. Document of value and security according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the watermark is a watermark impressed into the substrate.
7. Document of value and security according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element is adhesively bonded onto the substrate by means of an adhesive.
8. Document of value and security according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security element is provided with diffraction structures and/or liquid crystal layers and/or thin layer structures and/or fluorescent substances and/or magnetic, conductive and/or metallic layers.

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