EP3060409B1 - Printed product having at least one printed feature, method for producing said printed product, and transfer film - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing a printed product provided with the at least one print feature. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for producing a valuable or security product provided with at least one printing feature. Value or security products can be, for example, a personal document, a check card, a non-personalized authorization ID such as a ticket or a means of payment, or a value or security element intended for product security.

Valuable or security products, in particular value or security documents, serve to verify the identity of a person or thing or a claim, for example for payment of a sum of money or for the surrender of a product or the provision of a service. To this end, it must be ensured that the product cannot be imitated, counterfeited or adulterated, or only with considerable effort. The product therefore contains security features that are extremely difficult or even practically impossible to replicate. For example, like banknotes, the product is made of a material that is not readily available. Additionally or alternatively, security features can be formed by special colors, for example luminescent or optically variable colors, optical elements such as holograms, tilt images, kinegrams, lens or prism arrays, as well as guilloches, mottled fibers, security threads and others. Furthermore, it is also necessary that the value or security documents can be easily produced.

As security features, for example, printed security features come into consideration which are, for example, individualizing, such as a passport photo of the owner of the document or the like. Such features can be generated, for example, with a thermal transfer process ( DE 100 47 460 A1 ).

Furthermore, in EP 1 518 708 B1 describes a thermal protective layer transfer layer which is used for application to an image, for example. This transfer layer is initially on a substrate film. The transfer layer is formed by a layer sequence, namely a separating layer, a writable protective layer and a heat-sensitive resin adhesive layer. The writable protective layer is porous. The transfer layer is transferred from the substrate film to the image by means of a thermal transfer process. This achieves good resistance to moisture and solvents as well as good writability with an aqueous ink.

Furthermore, in DE 601 31 180 T2 a safety sheet specified as a printable substrate which contains a transparent or translucent layer. This layer is applied to a sheet of paper and is formed by a composition which can be prepared in an aqueous medium. This composition contains colloidal silicon dioxide in the form of an aqueous dispersion, an elastic binder, also in the form of an aqueous dispersion, optionally a crosslinking agent and possibly other additives used in the paper industry. The applied composition is then dried.

In DE 10 2010 035 890 A1 a method for producing a security document with a microporous laminatable printing film is specified. The film has cavities for receiving ink on at least one surface. The ink is printed flat in at least one area on the surface. This film is joined and laminated with other films to produce a document body.

The U.S. 6,004,419 A describes thermal transfer printing in which a thermally expandable ink layer is formed on a substrate sheet.

The U.S. 4,507,346 A describes a multi-layer identification card that carries information in the form of letter / number patterns or images, at least part of the information being in the form of a relief-like structure made of a foamed synthetic material.

The DE 102 47 591 A1 describes a value document, such as a bank note or the like, that has a security paper. At least one tactile marking in the form of a relief structure is produced in the security paper by means of a laser.

The U.S. 4,624,891 A describes a heat-sensitive transfer material which provides good letter quality on the recording material with poor surface flatness. The heat transfer layer is composed of a micro-network porous resin structure of a thermoplastic resin and a heat-fusible ink gel contained in the micro-pores of the porous resin structure. In the event of heat transfer, the gel loses its gel-like property and changes into a liquid with a very low viscosity, so that the ink can penetrate the recording material. Forming raised structures is not described.

In the case of printed security features, for example in the case of a print image used to individualize the document, such as a passport photo on an identity card, it is important for security against forgery that the visually perceptible pattern elements in the printed security feature are arranged inside the document. Furthermore, in order to form a further security feature of a valuable or security product, it is advantageous to create a tactilely perceptible feature.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of forming a printing feature (printed security feature) of a value or security product which is particularly forgery-proof and which can preferably also be perceived haptically. Such a security feature should be able to be implemented with simple means and without complex apparatus be. In particular, it is desirable to be able to produce such security features with common methods and manufacturing devices.

These objects are achieved according to the present invention with the method for producing this printed product according to independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are specified in the subclaims.

The printed product can be a valuable product or a security product. The value or security product can be a value or security document or a security element or transfer element, i.e. an element that is inextricably linked, for example, to an object to be protected against imitation, forgery or falsification, for example a sticker, label or the like.

Insofar as the term 'valuable or security product' is used in the description and in the claims of the present application, this includes, for example, a passport, identity card, driver's license or another ID card or an access control card, a vehicle registration document, vehicle registration document, visa, check, Means of payment, in particular a banknote, a check, bank, credit or cash card, customer card, health card, chip card, company ID, proof of eligibility, membership card, gift or shopping voucher, waybill or other proof of authorization, tax code, postage stamp, ticket, (game -) To understand a token, adhesive label (e.g. for product security) or another ID document. Such products are value or security documents. A product manufactured according to the invention is also to be understood as a security element which has a printed security feature of the type manufactured according to the invention (printing feature) and which can be permanently connected to an object to be protected, for example a product or a value or security document, for example a sticker, Label or the like. The value or security document can be in ID 1, ID 2, ID 3 or in any other format, for example in booklet form, as in the case of a passport-like object. It is generally formed by a laminate of several document layers, which are connected to one another in register with the action of heat and under increased pressure. These products should meet the standardized requirements, for example ISO 10373, ISO / IEC
7810, ISO 14443. The product layers consist, for example, of a carrier material that is suitable for lamination.

The valuable or security product can be formed from a polymer selected from a group comprising polycarbonate (PC), in particular bisphenol A polycarbonate or a polycarbonate formed with a geminally disubstituted bis (hydroxyphenyl) cycloalkane, polyethylene terephthalate (PET ), their derivatives such as glycol-modified PET (PETG), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyimide (PI), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl phenol (PVP), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), in particular thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) and their derivatives, and / or paper (cellulose) and / or cardboard and / or a glass and / or metal and / or a ceramic. In addition, the product can also be made from several of these materials, in particular if it is made from several layers and the individual layers are made from different materials. It preferably consists of PC or PC / TPU / PC. The polymers can be either filled or unfilled. In the latter case, they are preferably transparent or translucent. If the polymers are filled, they are opaque. The above information relates both to films to be joined together and to liquid formulations that are applied to a preliminary product, such as a protective or topcoat. The product is preferably made from 3 to 12, preferably 4 to 10, films. Furthermore, in addition to the printing features according to the present invention, the foils can carry further printing layers arranged externally on the valuable or security product or arranged internally therein. A laminate formed in this way can then be coated on one or both sides with the protective or topcoat or with a film. The film can in particular be a volume hologram, a film with a surface hologram (for example a kinegraphic element) or a scratch protection film. Overlay layers formed in this way protect a security feature arranged underneath and / or give the document the required abrasion resistance.

Insofar as the term “pattern” is mentioned in the description and in the claims of the present application, a somehow designed distribution of elements that convey an optical impression for the human eye and / or an impression that a person can perceive tactilely is preferred to be understood in a two-dimensional arrangement on one or more surfaces that result in a self-contained representation, for example an image, picture element, character, in particular an alphanumeric character, a symbol, coat of arms, a line, formula or the like. The pattern can, for example, contain information and therefore form an identification. The visual impression can be perceived by contrasting surface areas, with a contrast between individual pattern elements being produced by different shades of color, brightness or different surface properties (gloss, roughness or the like).

Insofar as the term “pattern element” is mentioned in the description and in the claims of the present application, it is to be understood as a component / element of a pattern.

The printed product produced according to the invention has a printed product main body with a first and a second main side. At least one pattern element arranged in the form of a pattern is located on at least one of the two main sides. The pattern forms a printing feature in accordance with the present invention. The at least one pattern element contains a contrast substance in at least one layer area arranged on the inside in the at least one pattern element. This contrast substance is visually perceptible. The layer area is designed in particular in the form of a layer and extends over a part of the main body of the printed product, i.e. in particular forms a layer of the main body. The at least one pattern element is raised on the respective main side. It is inextricably linked to the main body of the printed product. However, the contrast substance need not be restricted to the layer area.

1. a. Bereitstellen einer Kavitäten aufweisenden Folie und Bereitstellen eines Druckprodukt-Hauptkörpers mit einer ersten und einer zweiten Hauptseite und
2. b. Beladen der Kavitäten der Folie von einer eine Beladungsseite bildenden Oberfläche der Folie mit einer Kontrastsubstanz, sodass sich die Kontrastsubstanz in einem Schichtbereich an der Beladungsseite in der Folie verteilt.

The method according to the invention comprises the following method steps:

1. a. Providing a film having cavities and providing a printed product main body with a first and a second main side and
2. b. Loading the cavities of the film from a surface of the film that forms a loading side with a contrast substance, so that the contrast substance is distributed in the film in a layer area on the loading side.

• c. Übertragen mindestens eines Teilflächenbereiches der Transferfolie durch mechanische und vorzugsweise zusätzlich thermische Einwirkung auf den mindestens einen Teilflächenbereich auf den Druckprodukt-Hauptkörper, wobei der mindestens eine Teilflächenbereich der Transferfolie mit deren Oberfläche an der Beladungsseite mit dem Druckprodukt-Hauptkörper unlösbar verbunden und auf der jeweiligen Hauptseite ein Muster mit mindestens einem erhabenen Musterelement ausgebildet wird, wobei zum unlösbaren Verbinden des Teilflächenbereiches (330) mit der Druckprodukt-Hauptseite (410) zusätzlich eine thermische Einwirkung oder eine Einwirkung mit elektromagnetischer Strahlung stattfindet.

According to the invention, the film is a transfer film. The process has the following additional process step:

• c. Transferring at least one partial surface area of the transfer film by mechanical and preferably additional thermal action on the at least one partial surface area on the printed product main body, the at least one partial surface area of the transfer film with its surface on the loading side inextricably connected to the printed product main body and on the respective main side Pattern is formed with at least one raised pattern element, with an additional thermal effect or an effect of electromagnetic radiation taking place for the permanent connection of the partial surface area (330) with the printed product main side (410).

The transfer film has the open cavities on the loading side of the transfer film. The cavities are loaded with the contrast substance.

The printed product can in particular be a valuable or security product. In this case, the main body of the printed product is a preliminary product of the valuable or security product, i.e. an object that can be converted into the valuable or security product (the printed product) by carrying out process steps (a), (b) and (c).

The inventive method and the transfer film allow, for example, a simple production of an individualizing value or security product because the transfer film can be individually transferred to the main body of the printed product using simple means and forms the printing feature there. This print feature is visually perceptible due to its loading with the contrast substance, in particular a color substance, and, moreover, because the print feature is formed on the main body of the printed product by a pattern of raised pattern elements, can be perceived (palpably) by touch, but only if the thickness of the pattern elements on the printed product main body is sufficiently large (at least about 30 µm, more preferably at least about 100 µm thick, and preferably at most 500 µm). The loading of the transfer film with the contrast substance can be implemented very easily with conventional material application processes, for example with an immersion process. The individual pattern elements to be formed on the respective main side of the main body of the printed product can then be produced using a conventional thermal transfer process. Since the contrast substance is not located on the outside of the pattern elements, but in their inner volume, is with the invention The method further ensures that the individualizing visual impression produced by the contrast substance is produced by the contrast substance contained on the inside in the raised pattern elements. It has also been found that despite the loading of the cavities with the contrast substance, it is ensured that the raised pattern elements adhere firmly to the main sides of the main body of the printed product. This is because the contrast substance in the pattern elements does not form a layer at the interfaces between these and the main body of the printed product that would allow a simplified separation of the pattern elements from the main body, since the contrast substance is not located at the interfaces. Rather, the contrast substance is distributed at least in part of the inner volume of the pattern elements. A contrast substance can therefore also be selected which would otherwise facilitate detachment of the pattern elements from the main body.

Unlike in the case of the in DE 10 2010 035 890 A1 The lamination process described is not connected to the entire transfer film with another substrate, there with other films to form a laminate. Rather, only the partial surface areas of the transfer film which correspond to the pattern elements of the pattern to be formed are transferred to the main body of the printed product. The individualizing structuring is therefore implemented according to the invention by means of the thermal transfer method on the, for example, completely laminated printed product main body. A lamination step as in DE 10 2010 035 890 A1 is therefore dispensable. This method for individualization can therefore also be carried out in an issuing point for value or security documents, which for security reasons has the advantage that individualized documents do not have to be transported outside of security areas.

The cavities in the transfer film absorb the contrast substance. Penetration is mediated by capillary forces. The contrast substance penetrates the transfer film and is held there firmly. If, after the loading of the cavities in the transfer film, there is still excess contrast substance on the loading side of the transfer film, this can be removed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention so that the contrast substance is ultimately only in the cavities. This can be done, for example, by doctoring / wiping off excess contrast substance. Alternatively, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, provision can also be made to apply the contrast substance in a predetermined amount to the loading side so that the entire amount of contrast substance is absorbed by the cavities and no contrast substance remains on the surface of the transfer film on the loading side.

The contrast substance can be a color substance or another visually perceptible substance, for example a metal. A coloring substance is a paint containing one or more pigments, or an ink containing one or more dyes. The color substance can have a spectrally colored, black or gray hue. A metal can be deposited in the cavities from a solution containing ions of this metal and a reducing agent for these ions, so that a shiny metallic effect results. For example, a Fehling's solution (tartrate copper (II) complex in water), which also contains a sugar or an aldehyde, can be used to deposit copper or an alkaline silver nitrate and ammonia, and an aqueous solution containing sugar or an aldehyde to deposit silver become. The transfer film is then heated to generate the metal in the cavities.

A conventional coating process can be used to load the cavities of the transfer film with the contrast substance, for example a printing process such as an offset or screen printing process, a doctor blade process, a roller coating process, a dipping process, a curtain casting process, a spin coating process or the like.

After loading the transfer film with the contrast substance, the partial surface areas of the transfer film to form the pattern elements are transferred to these transfer film areas on the main body of the printed product by mechanical action (pressing the transfer film onto the main side of the printed product) and thermal action (supplying heat to the transfer film), wherein the layer area in which the cavities with the contrast substance contained therein are located comes into contact with the main side of the main body of the printed product. The partial surface areas are then permanently connected to the main body. For this purpose, the transfer film is pressed locally against the surface of the main body of the printed product in the partial surface areas corresponding to the pattern elements to be formed and also heated. This leads in particular to the permanent connection when the material of the transfer film is formed by a thermoplastic material so that it at least partially melts when heated. Otherwise, the transfer film can also be chemically functionalized on the contact side, so that it connects to the main body by supplying thermal energy. As an alternative or in addition to the thermal action, which is used to permanently connect the partial surface area of the transfer film to the main side of the printed product, action by means of electromagnetic radiation, for example UV radiation, can also be selected. This can cause a chemical reaction at the interface between the partial surface area of the transfer film and the main side of the printed product take place, which leads to the permanent connection.

A tool is used for the heating, with which the transfer film is pressed against the main side of the main body of the printed product in certain areas. Such a tool, in particular a printing tool, is used, for example, in printing devices for the thermal transfer process, for example a stamp suitable for this purpose. Heat is supplied to the tool, which it then passes on locally to the transfer film, or the tool is designed to generate the heat itself, for example via resistance heating or an ultrasonic vibration device. Alternatively, a separate tool can also be used for the heating, for example an electromagnetic radiation source, for example a laser device, the radiation of which is absorbed in the transfer film so that it is heated. For this purpose, the transfer film can contain special absorbers, in particular substances that are selectively absorbent in the infrared spectral range (thermosensitive substances). These are preferably located in an area in the transfer film which is arranged adjacent to its loading side. In this case, the transfer film in the partial surface area can first be brought into contact with the main side of the main body and the partial surface area brought into contact can then be heated. In this case, the partial surface area is optionally additionally pressed onto the main side of the main body. After the permanent connection, the part of the transfer film that has not been connected to the main body, ie does not correspond to the partial surface areas, can be mechanically separated from the connected partial surface areas of the transfer film, which now form the pattern elements, and lifted off the main body. The mechanical separation of the partial surface areas of the transfer film from the remainder of the film takes place, for example, by means of a punching process, which is carried out by means of the tool for pressing on and supplying the thermal energy. If the heating takes place by means of electromagnetic radiation or electromagnetic radiation is used to trigger a chemical reaction, this can be passed through suitable pressure elements. For this purpose, the pressing elements must be transparent / translucent for the electromagnetic radiation. It can also be provided that parts of the transfer film that are not connected to the main body are mechanically and / or chemically removed, for example in a brushing and / or washing process, if these are not related to the remaining film.

When the partial surface area of the transfer film is connected to the main body of the printed product, the spatial distribution of the contrast substance in the inner layer area given by the cavities can be canceled out, for example by melting the material of the partial surface area of the transfer film, so that the contrast substance is evenly distributed in the layer area. However, if the partial surface area of the transfer film is not melted in this process step, the spatial distribution given by the cavities is retained or partially retained.

The material of the main body of the printed product can be any of the materials mentioned above for these products, in particular in the case of the production of a valuable or security product. In principle, however, other materials and materials can also be considered, for example composite materials, in particular fiber composite materials, made from the materials mentioned and also filled materials, the composite materials and filled materials being made up of a base material made from one of the materials mentioned and fillers or fibers made from polymer, for example, Paper (cellulose), ceramic, glass, metal or the like are formed. In the case of the filled materials, the fillers can be formed by fibers, grains or other particles. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main body of the printed product is formed from or can contain a polymer material selected from PET and PC, wherein the polymer can additionally contain fillers, for example for coloring.

The main body of the printed product can be a preliminary product for a valuable or security product, in particular for a valuable or security document. The main body of the printed product can therefore be formed in the form of a preferably monolithic laminate composed of several layers. The individual layers can each be opaque or transparent or translucent. The pre-product can already have other security features and / or an internal electrical circuit, for example an RFID circuit with an RFID chip and an antenna, and / or electronic display elements on the outside. The main body of the printed product can be in the format intended for end use or in a multiple use, from which the printed product equipped with the printing feature is formed in the intended format by separation, for example cutting or punching, after the method according to the invention has been carried out. In the case of a preliminary product for a valuable or security product, the main body of the printed product can also have the thickness required for this: it can preferably be at least 500 μm and especially preferably at least 700 µm. For the production of a valuable or security product, the thickness is preferably a maximum of 2 mm and particularly preferably a maximum of 1 mm. For the manufacture of other products, the thickness can be adapted to the respective requirements. For example, in these cases the thickness can preferably be at least 50 μm, more preferably at least 200 μm and most preferably at least 700 μm. It can preferably be a maximum of 5 mm, more preferably a maximum of 2 mm and most preferably a maximum of 1 mm.

The material of the transfer film can also be any of the materials mentioned above for valuable or security products, especially in the case of the production of a valuable or security product. In principle, however, other materials can also be used for the transfer film, it being possible in principle to use the materials and materials mentioned for the main body of the printed product. However, the transfer film is transparent or translucent (translucent) so that the contrast substance is visible through the transfer film. Therefore, the material from which the transfer film is made is transparent or translucent. The transfer film can, however, contain dyes or fillers, provided that the transparency or translucency of the transfer film is at least not significantly impaired. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transfer film is formed from or can contain a polymer material which is selected from PET and PC. The thickness of the transfer film can preferably be at least 2 μm, more preferably at least 2.5 μm, even more preferably at least 5 μm and most preferably at least 7 μm. The transfer film is preferably a maximum of 250 μm, more preferably a maximum of 100 μm, more preferably a maximum of 75 μm, even more preferably a maximum of 50 μm and most preferably a maximum of 25 μm thick. It can be 10 µm thick, for example.

The cavities in the transfer film can be created during its production or only introduced into it after its production.

If the cavities are already created during production, the film can be provided with an expandable material during extrusion, for example, which outgasses at an elevated temperature and creates the cavities. Alternatively, inorganic or organic materials that have a porosity can also be incorporated into the polymer material of the transfer film, for example silicon dioxide or aluminum oxide, which can be present in the form of nanoscale particles. Alternatively, larger particles with correspondingly small cavities can also be used, for example zeolites. Such filled materials are exemplified in WO 2008/011919 A1 specified as a coating material containing inorganic nanoparticles. These layers (containing cavities) contain a polymer as a binder in an amount between 0.5 and 60 percent by weight, based on the total amount of the inorganic nanoparticles. DE 10 2010 035 890 A1 also shows a method for making a microporous film. In this case, a particulate material is extruded into a film. The particles have defined cavities. They can be zeolites or fullerenes, for example. According to another in DE 10 2010 035 890 A1 specified manufacturing method, a suspension of polymer particles, for example PC particles, is applied to a film carrier. The liquid components of the suspension are then evaporated, so that the remaining PC particles combine with one another and form a porous film. In this case, the film carrier can also consist of PC or at least contain this. The PC particles can also be crosslinked by suitable crosslinkers present. As an alternative to the polymers mentioned there, it is also possible to use the abovementioned polymers which are suitable for forming the transfer film. Still alternatively, a foamed resin emulsion composition can be used. Such a manufacturing method with an acrylic ester resin is in DE 600 36 341 T2 described. If polymers other than acrylic ester resins are also used for such a process, for example PC or PET, appropriate adaptations to be made by a person skilled in the art are necessary. These materials can be made using the resin emulsion as well as foaming agents,

Foam stabilizers and thickeners are produced.

If the cavities are only formed in the transfer film after it has been manufactured, they can be created by perforation processes, for example by laser drilling (laser ablation, either thermally with a CO ₂ laser or by photolytic decomposition of the polymer material with a UV (excimer) laser .

The cavities can be formed by holes, depressions, cavities, channels, pores, recesses, cavities and the like. For example, the film material can be porous. The cavities can penetrate the transfer film completely or only partially. The cavities are preferably characterized in that they are elongated and have a length to diameter / thickness ratio of at least 5, more preferably at least 10, even more preferably at least 20, even more preferably at least 50 and most preferably at least 100. This ratio can be up to 5000, preferably up to 2000, more preferably up to 500 and most preferably up to 100. In particular, the cavities have a size in the micrometer range, i.e. the diameter / thickness of the cavities is in the range from 1 µm to 1000 µm, preferably in the range from 1 µm to 500 µm and very particularly preferably in the range from 1 µm to 100 µm. In principle, the cavities can also be smaller: their size can, for example, be at least 50 nm and more preferably at least 100 nm and a maximum of 1000 μm, better a maximum of 500 μm and best of all a maximum of 100 μm.

In order to achieve a secure connection of the partial surface areas of the transfer film on the main side of the main body without this being impaired by the contrast substance, the cavities on the loading side of the transfer film preferably have the smallest possible opening cross-section, so that the surface portion of the transfer film material on this side is as large as possible is. The area fraction of the opening cross-section of the cavities is preferably less than 50%, more preferably less than 40%, even more preferably less than 30%, even more preferably less than 20% and most preferably less than 10%, based on the area of the transfer film on this side. The openings of the cavities are preferably distributed as uniformly as possible on the loading side.

In a preferred development of the present invention, the cavities are located exclusively in a layer area adjacent to the loading side in the transfer film, this layer area not taking up the entire volume of the transfer film but only a part of it. The cavities are open to the surface on the loading side so that the contrast substance can be introduced into them. The layer area can preferably occupy half the thickness of the transfer film or a lesser or greater proportion, for example in a range from 5% to 40% or 60% to 90% of the thickness. As a result, only the material of the transfer film, which has no cavities there, is located above this layer area. Such a material can for example be produced by applying a layer having cavities to a carrier. The methods given above are suitable for this (see, for example, the in EP 1 1518 708 B1 , WO 2008/011919 A1 and DE 10 2010 035 890 A1 specified procedure). Thus, the contrast substance in the print feature appears to be internal, even when examined not only with the naked eye but also by means of a microscope.

The contrast substance can be formed by any color substance suitable for a printing process, for example a printing ink that contains the color-forming agents in the form of inorganic and / or organic pigments, or a printing ink that contains the color-forming agents in the form of inorganic and / or organic dyes . Furthermore, the color substance can also be formed by a luminescent agent. The pigments or dyes can also be luminescent. Examples of printing inks and printing inks are in DE 10 2007 052 947 A1 specified. The luminescent means can also be formed by inorganic and / or organic pigments and / or luminescent substances. For example, they can be photoluminophores (fluorophores, phosphorophores), electroluminophores or Antistokes luminophores. Typically, the color substance contains further customary constituents which a printing ink or a printing ink also has, for example binders, solvents and other customary constituents. In a further preferred development of the present invention, the binder is a PC derivative. Such PC derivatives are also in DE 10 2007 052 947 A1 specified. The solvent can be aqueous or organic. In particular, it can be a mixture. The mixture can be purely organic or additionally contain water. Such solvents are also in DE 10 2007 052 947 A1 specified. In a further preferred development of the present invention, the transfer film has regularly arranged thin areas (reduced thickness of the transfer film compared to the rest of the film), so that the partial surface areas to be applied are easily mechanically separated from the rest of the transfer film along thin areas that border the partial surface areas can be. As a result, the partial surface areas can be separated very easily and precisely from the film remainder that is not to be applied, because the thin areas represent intended separation points. Between the thin areas there are raised areas (areas in which the thickness is not reduced). The grid of the thin areas and the raised areas preferably extends over the entire surface of the transfer film. This results in a controlled shaping of the pattern elements. If the thin areas are arranged, for example, in a hexagonal grid (honeycomb structure), a regular edge structure of the pattern areas corresponding to this grid results.

The thin areas preferably do not extend completely through the transfer film. They are rasterized two-dimensionally, that is to say formed in a preferably regular two-dimensional arrangement. Accordingly, the raised areas in between are also arranged regularly. The thin areas can be formed, for example, by continuous trenches or also by recesses or perforations that are spaced apart from one another. The trenches can also have perforations. The thin regions can either be formed exclusively by trenches which, for example, have a uniform depth, or, in addition to trenches with a uniform depth, can also have perforations which completely penetrate the material of the film. Alternatively, only perforations or trenches with varying depths or other types of thin areas can also be present. The cavities, recesses, incisions, recesses, openings, hollows and the like that form the thin regions are preferably in a regular one-dimensional or two-dimensional arrangement. For example, the thin areas can be designed in the form of a square, rectangular, parallelogram-like grid formed by hexagons or also by curved groups of boundary lines which cross each other at any given angle. The grid of the thin areas forms raster cells (raster cells between the thin areas form pixels in a raised shape, so that a pixelated transfer film formed by the thin areas in a raster form is formed). The pixels can be “punctiform” or in the form of stripes or in yet another form raised in relation to the thin areas. The minimum dimensions of the grid cells are determined by the desired fineness of the film element. The more precisely the contours of the film element are to be traced, the finer the grid of the thin areas must be. For example, the grid has grid cells with lateral dimensions of 50 μm to 500 μm, preferably 70 μm to 200 μm. The depth of the depressions or the like is determined by the total thickness of the film. The The remaining thickness (total thickness of the film minus the total depth of the depressions (for thin areas on both sides of the film minus the sum of the opposite depressions)) should be so small that the film preferably only tears slightly in the thin areas. For example, the remaining thickness can be 5 μm to 200 μm, more preferably 30 μm to 100 μm.

The thin areas can be formed by material removal or material reshaping, for example with an etching process or an embossing process, after the production of the transfer film. Alternatively, the thin areas can also be produced during the production of the transfer film, for example by means of a targeted material build-up.

The printing features to be formed on the main body of the printed product can be screened or not screened. Any raised printing features can be created on the main body. It is therefore possible not only to produce the raised print features in a single design, for example for a larger set of value or security documents, which is common to all of these documents, but also to form an individual design of the print feature for each individual document. Thus, the raised print features can also be designed in the form of individualizing, in particular personalizing, identifications, ie in the form of identifications which, for example, reproduce individualizing data of a person or thing to which the value or security document is assigned, either in plain text or in encrypted form . For example, the name or another identifier of the person can be presented in a raised manner in this way. In this respect, the raised printing feature can encode information. For example, the raised identification can be reproduced with alphanumeric characters or, more preferably, in Braille, in particular in Braille. The raised printing feature can thus represent an authentication feature. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a whole group of similar value or security documents with the same printing feature, for example bank notes with a value identification. In addition, the raised printing feature can also be a verification or authenticity feature.

Fig. 1:

eine schematische Darstellung eines Wert- oder Sicherheitsdokuments in Form einer Identitätskarte; (a) isometrische Darstellung; (b) Querschnittsdarstellung entlang des Schnittes I-I in Fig.1a;

Fig. 2:

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung zur Erläuterung der Verfahrensschritte des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens; (a) Bereitstellen der Kavitäten aufweisenden Transferfolie; (b) Beladen der Kavitäten mit der Kontrastsubstanz; (c) Auflegen der beladenen Transferfolie auf einen Druckprodukt-Hauptkörper; (d) Aufpressen eines Druckwerkzeuges auf die Transferfolie und unlösbares Verbinden eines Teilflächenbereiches der Transferfolie mit dem Druckprodukt-Hauptkörper; (e) Entfernen des nicht verbundenen Restes der Transferfolie von dem Druckprodukt-Hauptkörper;

Fig. 3:

eine schematische Querschnittsansicht eines mit einem Druckmerkmal versehenen erfindungsgemäß hergestellten Druckproduktes;

Fig. 4:

Draufsichten auf Ausführungsformen von mit Druckmerkmalen versehenen erfindungsgemäß hergestellten Druckprodukten; (a) Darstellung von alphanumerischen Zeichen; (b) Darstellung einer flächigen Schraffur; (c) Darstellung einer flächigen Verteilung von Euro-Zeichen; (d) Darstellung von Braille-Schrift; (e) Darstellung einer Unterschrift;

Fig. 5:

schematische Darstellung der Herstellung einer Transferfolie mit einem mit Kavitäten versehenen Schichtbereich.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures, the examples shown being merely exemplary and not restricting the scope of the invention described. They show in detail:

Fig. 1:

a schematic representation of a value or security document in the form of an identity card; (a) isometric representation; (b) Cross-sectional view along section II in Fig.1a ;

Fig. 2:

a schematic cross-sectional view to explain the method steps of the method according to the invention; (a) providing the transfer film having cavities; (b) loading the cavities with the contrast substance; (c) placing the loaded transfer film on a printed product main body; (d) pressing a printing tool onto the transfer film and permanently connecting a partial surface area of the transfer film to the main body of the printed product; (e) removing the disconnected remainder of the transfer film from the printed product main body;

Fig. 3:

a schematic cross-sectional view of a printed product provided with a printing feature according to the invention;

Fig. 4:

Top views of embodiments of printed products provided with printing features according to the invention; (a) Representation of alphanumeric characters; (b) Representation of a flat hatching; (c) Representation of a two-dimensional distribution of euro symbols; (d) Braille display; (e) representation of a signature;

Fig. 5:

Schematic representation of the production of a transfer film with a layer area provided with cavities.

In the figures, the same reference symbols denote elements with the same function or the same elements.

A typical example of the formation of a printed product provided with one or more printing features according to the invention is a value or security document, for example an identity card 100. Such a card is shown in FIG Figures 1a, 1b shown. This map is shown on behalf of other printed products. This card is assembled, for example, as a laminate from several internal polymer layers 140, 140 ', 160. In Figure 1b FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along section II in FIG Fig. 1a shown, which represents the individual polymer layers and external protective lacquer layers 150, which are intended to protect against abrasion. An electronic RFID circuit with a chip 161 and an antenna 162 is located on an inner layer 160. The individual layers are shown separately, but can no longer be distinguished from one another in the laminated state because they are fused together during lamination (monolithic structure). The polymer layers can for example consist of PC and / or PET or contain these materials. The single ones Layers can be unfilled or filled with fillers. In the latter case they are opaque, otherwise transparent. The protective varnish is transparent so that the information underneath is visible from the outside. If the pattern elements on the card according to the present invention are to be perceptible to the touch, they must be significantly thicker than the protective lacquer layer that covers them.

The card 100 has a top side 101 and a bottom side 102. On the upper side there is a facial image 110 of the holder of the card and two data fields, namely a first data field 120 and a second data field 130 with card and holder data in plain text and / or in coded form. The data in the first and second data fields are produced by printing layers which are arranged on an outer inner layer 140 of the document, but directly below the outer protective lacquer layer 150.

The card 100 furthermore contains an additional field 170 in which a copy of the facial image of the holder of the card is arranged. This facial image is in the form of a printed feature 200 according to the present invention and is formed by a pattern of a plurality of raised pattern elements which are produced by the method according to the invention.

The method according to the invention for producing the printed product provided with the at least one print feature 200, namely the card 100, is step-by-step in Fig. 2 shown schematically:
In a first process step ( Fig. 2a ) a transfer film 300 having cavities 310 and a printed product main body 400 ( Figure 2c ) is provided on which the print feature 200 is to be generated in accordance with the present invention. This step corresponds to process step (a) of the process according to the invention. The main body can, for example, be an almost completed identity card, which already has all the other security features including the externally visible print features, such as the face image 110 of the holder of the card and the data of the holder of the card in the data fields 120, 130, however not yet the printing feature according to the present invention and optionally the protective lacquer layers 150 to be applied externally. The card can already be present in the final format.

The film 300 having the cavities 310 is designed as a transfer film, i.e. in a further step of the method according to the invention it is applied in regions to a main side 410 of the main body 400 and is permanently connected to the main body. The transfer film can be formed from PC or PET, for example, and have a thickness of, for example, 10 μm. However, it can also be thicker, in particular if it is intended to form a tactile security feature, in this case for example at least 30 μm and for example at most 500 μm. The transfer film is preferably transparent, but can also be translucent. The transfer film can be colored, but this coloring is not intended to impair the visual perception of the contrast substance to be introduced into the cavities 310. The transfer film has an upper side 301 and a lower side 302.

The transfer film 300 has cavities 310 on its underside which, for example, as in FIG Fig. 2a shown are formed starting from the bottom 302 in the form of elongated channels and extend into the interior of the film. Since these channels in a further process step (see Figure 2b ) are loaded with a contrast substance, the underside to which the channels are open is designed as the loading side of the transfer film. The channels do not extend completely through the transfer film but end inside the transfer film. The area in which the cavities are located forms the layer area 320 in the transfer film. This layer area is located in the lower area of the transfer film adjacent to its loading side. The layer area thus extends exclusively to a layered partial area of the transfer film. The channels can be produced, for example, with a method in which the layer area formed by the channels is applied to a carrier 600, the channels being formed during this application process (see FIG Fig. 5 ). The totality of layer area and carrier then finally forms the transfer film.

In a subsequent method step, the channels 310 are loaded with a contrast substance K ( Figure 2b ). This process step corresponds to process step (b) of the process according to the invention.

The contrast substance K can, for example, be a color substance, for example an ink. Such an ink is exemplified in DE 10 2007 052 947 A1 specified. It contains, for example, a PC derivative as a binder in an organic solvent mixture and a pigment, for example Pigment Black 28. The channels 310 of the transfer film 300 are loaded with this ink, for example using a roller coating process. Preferably For example, before the channels are loaded, the transfer film has first been conditioned in an atmosphere which is formed by a vapor of the solvent mixture of the ink in order to saturate the channels with the solvent mixture. This ensures that the ink easily penetrates the channels. Due to the chemical affinity of the PC ink for the PC film, the ink easily penetrates the channels through the capillary forces.

The transfer film 300 loaded in this way is then brought into contact with the printed product main body 400, namely the preproduct of the identity card ( Figure 2c ). Individual partial surface areas 330 of the transfer film 300 loaded with the contrast substance K are then permanently connected to the preliminary product 400 of the card 100 by means of a tool 500 suitable for this purpose. In Fig. 2d the sub-area is drawn as a broken line and separated from the rest of the transfer film. The film remainder 300 'which is not connected to the preliminary product 400 is then lifted off ( Fig. 2e ). This sequence corresponds to method step (c) of the method according to the invention. When generating the pattern elements on the main side 410 of the preproduct of the card, the material of the partial surface areas is melted so that the contrast substance is evenly distributed in the inner layer area 320 ( Fig. 2e ).

According to the in Figure 2c In the step shown, the loaded transfer film 300 is placed on a main side 410 of the preliminary product 400 in such a way that the layer region 320 in which the channels 310 are located comes into contact with this main side.

Then a thermal printing tool 500 is placed on a partial surface area 330 of the transfer film 300 from above, which corresponds to a pattern element 350 to be formed ( Fig. 2e ). This tool can, for example, be a heated needle that punches out a small subarea of the transfer film pixel by pixel. For this purpose, this punching tool is pressed onto the upper side 301 of the transfer film. The heated tool transfers thermal energy to the transfer film. The resulting increase in temperature leads to the transfer film partially melting in the pressed area, so that it bonds firmly to the surface 410 of the preliminary product 400 of the card 100. This process step can be carried out in a conventional thermal printing device.

Then the remainder of the transfer film 300 'is lifted off again ( Fig. 2e ). A pattern element 350 therefore remains on the surface 410 of the preliminary product 400 of the card 100, which is inextricably linked to the card surface. Inside the pattern element is the Layer region 320 loaded with the ink K. Due to the partial melting of the transfer film material, the channels 310 are no longer present. For this purpose, the ink has distributed itself in the layer region 320. Since this is located on the side of the element adjacent to the card surface and is still covered by an unloaded area, the ink is arranged on the inside of the pattern element. This can also be checked with a microscope.

In Fig. 3 a cross-section of several sub-elements of the raised printing feature 200 produced by the method according to the invention on the card 100 is shown. The individual sub-elements form pattern elements 350 of the pattern forming the print feature. The pattern elements are raised above the card surface 410 and are inextricably linked to it. They have a layer region 320 of the contrast substance, here the ink K, arranged at the bottom and thus on the inside. As a result, these pattern elements can be visually perceived separately with the human eye and, if the thickness of the pattern elements is sufficiently large (greater than 30 μm), can also be perceived haptically.

In Fig. 4 are diverse with the in Fig. 2 The illustrated method shows raised patterns 360 from a multiplicity of possible pattern elements 350.

In Figure 4a a group of several alphanumeric characters is shown, each character being formed by a single pattern element 350 or by a group of several pattern elements arranged next to one another without gaps. If each character is formed by a single pattern element, the tool 500 used to form the respective pattern element must be designed in the shape of the pattern element to be formed. In the event that each character is composed of several individual pattern elements, the individual pattern elements can each have the same shape, for example a hexagonal or circular shape, so that they can always be produced with the same tool.

In Figure 4b a group of wavy lines is shown which are repeated two-dimensionally on the printed product main body 400. In this case too, each line can be formed by a single pattern element 350 or by a plurality of pattern elements arranged next to one another without gaps. In this respect, the same applies as for the embodiment of FIG Figure 4a .

In Figure 4c a group of '€' signs is shown. The same applies here as for the embodiment of FIG Figure 4b .

In Figure 4d several characters are shown in Braille. The transfer film 300 used for this must be at least 30 µm thick. It is preferably about 100 μm thick so that the writing can be easily perceived by a person. The individual Braille writing points are formed by individual, preferably circular, pattern elements 350.

In Figure 4e Finally, another embodiment of a raised pattern 360 in the form of a stylized signature is shown.

In Fig. 5 a method for creating cavities 310 between polymer particles 370 in a layer area 320 of a transfer film 300 is shown schematically:
A suspension 380 of polymer particles 370, for example PC particles, is poured onto a film carrier 600, for example made of a polymer, in particular made of PC. Subsequently, all of the liquid fractions 390 of the suspension are evaporated, so that the remaining polymer particles combine with one another and form a layer region 320 provided with cavities 310 between the polymer particles. If a metal strip is used as the film carrier instead of PC, the layer area can be lifted off so that a continuous transfer film with cavities is formed. The polymer particles can be partially dissolved in the suspension in order to improve the adhesion of the polymer particles to one another when the liquid constituents evaporate. In addition, the polymer particles can have reactive groups on the surface in order to bring about a subsequent crosslinking, so that the layer area has a firm internal cohesion.

List of reference symbols:

100

Printed product, value or security product, value or security document, identity card

101

Product top, document top, card top

102

Product base, document base, card base

110

Facial image of the cardholder

120

first data field

130

second data field

140, 140 '

internal polymer layer

150

Protective lacquer layer

160

internal polymer layer for electronic switching

161

RFID chip

162

antenna

170

Print feature field in accordance with the present invention

200

Printing feature according to the present invention

300

Foil, transfer foil

300 '

Rest of the transfer film

301

Top of the transfer film

302

Underside of the transfer film, loading side

310

Cavity, canal

320

Shift area

330

Partial area

350

Pattern element

360

template

370

Polymer particles, PC particles

380

Suspension of polymer particles

390

Liquid components

400

Main body of printed product, pre-product of the card, film carrier

410

Main page of the printed product main body, card surface

500

Thermal transfer tool, punching tool

600

Film carrier

K

Contrast substance, color substance, ink

Claims (6)

1. Method for producing a printed product (100) provided with at least one printed feature (200), comprising the following method steps:

   a. providing a film (300) comprising a cavity (310) and providing a printed-product main body (400) with a first and a second printed-product main side (410), and

   b. loading the cavities (310) of the film (300), from the surface of the film (300) which forms the loading side (302), with a contrast substance (K), such that the contrast substance (K) is located in a layer region (320) on the loading side (302) in the film (300),

   characterised in that the film (300) is a transfer film, and that the method comprises the following further method step of:

   c. transferring at least one part surface region (330) of the transfer film (300), by mechanical effect on the at least one part surface region, onto the printed- product main body (400), wherein the at least one part surface region (330) of the transfer film (300) is undetachable and connected by its surface on the loading side (302) to the printed-product main body (400), and wherein a pattern (360) is formed on the respective printed-product main side (410) with at least one raised pattern element (350), wherein, for the undetachable connecting of the part surface region (330) with the printed-product main side (410), an additional thermal effect takes place, or an effect with electromagnetic radiation.
2. Method for producing a printed product (100) according to claim 1, provided with at least one printed feature (200), characterised in that, at the connecting of the at least one part surface region (330) of the film (300) with the printed-product main body (400), the contrast substance (K) is uniformly distributed in the layer region (320).
3. Method for producing a printed product (100) provided with at least one printed feature (200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the printed product (100) is a value product or security product.
4. Method for producing a printed product (100) provided with at least one printed feature (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the cavities (310) are located exclusively in the layer region (320) on the loading side (302) in the transfer film (300).
5. Method for producing a printed product (100) provided with at least one printed feature (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the printed-product main body (400) and the transfer film (300) are formed from a polymer material, which is selected from polyethylene terephthalate and polycarbonate.
6. Method for producing a printed product (100) provided with at least one printed feature (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the contrast substance (K) is a colouring substance, and that the colouring substance contains a polycarbonate derivative as a binding agent.

Images