Security element transfer material for transferring security elements having a micro-optical authenticity feature and method for producing said security element transfer material

Abstract

The invention relates to security element transfer materials (1) for transferring security elements (4) having a micro-optical authenticity feature to a valuable object (5, 30). The micro-optical authenticity features produce an optical effect by the cooperation of a first micro-optical arrangement (11), which has focusing elements (12, e.g. micro-lenses), with a second micro-optical arrangement (13), which has micro-motif elements (14). The security element transfer material (1) has a temporary carrier (3) in the form of a layered composite material. The temporary carrier is composed of a first temporary carrier substrate (31, 34) and a second temporary carrier substrate (32), which can be undetachably adhesively bonded by means of an adhesive layer (33). The outlines of the security elements to be transferred are cut in (8) or have been pre-cut (8), while the second temporary carrier substrate (32) is not cut, so that the temporary carrier can be removed as a complete carrier layered composite (figures 3i, 4g, 5h). A permant carrier (15) is undetachably joined to the micro-lenses. A transfer adhesive (18) makes possible the adhesion to the final substrate (30) of the valuable object.

Description

[0001] Security element transfer material for transferring security elements with micro-optical authenticity features and method for its production

[0002] The invention relates to a security element transfer material for transferring security elements with a micro-optical authenticity feature to a valuable object such as a valuable document, a security paper or a branded article, a method for producing the security element transfer material, a method for authenticating a valuable object such as a valuable document, a security paper or a branded article by means of a micro-optical authenticity feature, and a valuable object such as a valuable document, a security paper or a branded article that has been protected against counterfeiting using the security element transfer material.

[0003] Valuables such as valuable documents, identification documents, banknotes, certificates, checks, and other valuables, such as branded goods, as well as precursors for valuable documents such as security papers, are often provided with security elements for protection. These elements allow verification of the authenticity of the valuable and simultaneously serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction. These security elements can, for example, take the form of a security thread embedded in a banknote, a cover foil for a banknote with a through-opening, an applied security strip, or a self-supporting foil security element, such as a label that is applied to the valuable document after its production.

[0004] A special role is played by security elements that convey a different image impression to the viewer at different viewing angles, since such security elements cannot be reproduced even with the highest-quality color copiers. For example, it is known to equip security elements with security features in the form of diffractive micro- or nanostructures, such as embossed holograms or other hologram-like diffraction structures.

[0005] It is also known to use focusing structures such as lens systems as security features. For example, EP 0 238 043 A2 describes a security thread made of a transparent material, on whose surface a grid of several parallel cylindrical lenses is embossed. The thickness of the security thread is selected to approximately correspond to the focal length of the cylindrical lenses. A printed image is applied to the opposite surface in precise register, with the printed image being designed taking into account the optical properties of the cylindrical lenses.

[0006] Further micro-optical authenticity features are so-called moiré magnification arrangements, as described, for example, in the publication

[0007] WO 2006 / 087138 A1. The security element disclosed in this document has at least a first and a second authenticity feature. The first authenticity feature comprises a first arrangement with a plurality of focusing elements arranged in a first grid, and a second arrangement with a plurality of microscopic structures arranged in a second grid. The first and second arrangements are arranged relative to one another such that the microscopic structures of the second arrangement can be seen magnified when viewed through the focusing elements of the first arrangement. The basic operation of such moiré magnification arrangements is described in the article "The moiré magnifier," MC Hutley, R. Hunt, RF Stevens, and P. Savander, Pure Appl. Opt. 3 (1994), pp. 133-142.In short, moiré magnification refers to a phenomenon that occurs when viewing a grid of identical image objects through a lenticular screen with approximately the same pitch. As with any pair of similar screens, a moiré pattern results, which in this case appears as an enlarged and possibly rotated image of the repeated elements of the image screen.

[0008] The focusing elements of micro-optical authenticity features are usually embossed into embossing lacquer. The microstructures to be viewed through the focusing elements can, in principle, be created in any way and have any shape. In order for a complete microstructure to be visible through the focusing elements, typically microlenses, the microlenses and microstructures must be of approximately the same size. Furthermore, the magnifying effect of the microlenses is greater the closer the microstructure is to the focal point of the lens. Since the focal length decreases the more the lens is curved, the better the magnification, so for good magnification, either the distance between the lens and the microstructure must be large (with a small lens curvature) or a highly curved lens must be used (with a small distance between the lens and the microstructure).

[0009] Since embossing lacquers suitable for embossing microfocusing elements are expensive, it is desirable to use the thinnest possible embossing lacquer layers. However, thin embossing lacquer layers impose limitations on the focusing structures that can be formed. For example, a thin embossing lacquer layer can only produce lenses with a lower lens curvature than a thick embossing lacquer layer, assuming the same lens diameter. A lower lens curvature, in turn, requires a greater distance from the microstructure to be observed.

[0010] From a counterfeit protection perspective, it is also advantageous to ensure that the lenses or other focusing structures cannot be molded. Exposed focusing structures should be avoided wherever possible, i.e., provided with a protective coating if necessary.

[0011] Security elements are generally not provided individually, but rather in the form of transfer tapes containing a multitude of security elements configured as transfer elements. A characteristic of transfer tapes is that the security elements are prepared on a carrier layer, with the sequence of the transfer element layers being reversed to the sequence they will later appear on the valuable item to be protected. During transfer, the carrier layer is typically peeled off from the layer structure of the security elements. On the side opposite the carrier layer, the transfer tapes have an adhesive layer, usually made of a heat-seal adhesive, which melts during transfer of the security elements and bonds the security elements to the valuable item to be secured.The transfer ribbon, with its heat-sealing adhesive layer, is applied to the valuable object and pressed onto it using a heated transfer stamp or transfer roller, and transferred to the valuable object in the outline of the heated transfer stamp. Transfer elements, transfer ribbons, and the transfer of transfer elements to target substrates are described, for example, in publications EP 0420 261 B1 and WO 2005 / 108108 A2. A particular challenge is the provision of foil security elements—that is, security elements that contain a permanent carrier substrate in their layer structure—with micro-optical authenticity features in the form of security element transfer materials. Permanent carrier substrates, such as plastic films, do have the advantage of stabilizing the security elements, so they can be used, for example, to seal a through opening in a valuable document.On the other hand, permanent carrier substrates prevent the security element layer structure from being easily severed during the transfer process from the security element transfer material to a valuable document. Security elements whose layer structure includes a permanent carrier substrate must therefore be present on a transfer material as prefabricated individual elements, which means that the outline shapes of the security elements must be pre-cut in the security element material. Pre-cutting can be performed, for example, using a laser.

[0012] This poses the problem that the cutting depth must be controlled very precisely in order to, on the one hand, cut through the entire layer structure of the security element, while, on the other, not damaging the carrier material that is separated during transfer. This is extremely difficult, since the security element layer structures typically only have thicknesses in the range of approximately 20 μm to 30 μm, and the carrier foils have thicknesses in the range of approximately 10 μm to 30 μm.

[0013] Plastic films are usually used as carrier materials.

[0014] Although these have high tear resistance, they have low tear propagation resistance. Therefore, if they are cut, it is almost impossible to avoid the security element transfer material, which is presented as a continuous material, tearing in some places during the transfer process of the security elements to valuables. On the other hand, if the layer structure of the security element is not completely severed, the security element can be damaged during the transfer, which impairs the observed optical effects and, in the worst case, renders the security element transferred to the valuable object completely unusable.

[0015] Security element transfer materials with security elements that have micro-optical authenticity features that can be produced precisely and cost-effectively and that have a stabilizing carrier film in their layer structure, but can nevertheless be easily transferred to a value document, i.e. without the risk of damaging the micro-optical features and without the risk of tearing the temporary carrier material, are not yet available.

[0016] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide such security element transfer materials and methods for their production. The focusing elements of the security elements should preferably not be moldable to increase counterfeit protection. They should also preferably be protected against wear and contamination, since the perfect visibility of the optical effects is no longer guaranteed if the focusing elements are dirty or worn.

[0017] The object of the present invention is also to provide a method for authenticating a valuable object by transferring a security element with a stabilizing carrier film, wherein the authenticity marking is carried out by means of a micro-optical authenticity feature.

[0018] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a valuable object which has a micro-optical authenticity feature for authenticity marking.

[0019] These objects are achieved by the methods for producing a security element transfer material having the features specified in independent claims 1, 2, and 4. Security element transfer materials, methods for authenticating a valuable object, and a valuable object are specified in the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0020] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the first micro-optical arrangement is produced by applying an embossing lacquer with (a) a high or (b) a low refractive index to a permanent carrier substrate or a temporary carrier, embossing a focusing structure, in particular a microlens structure, into the embossing lacquer and laminating the temporary carrier or the permanent carrier substrate by means of a laminating lacquer, wherein in case (a) a laminating lacquer with a low refractive index is used and in case (b) a laminating lacquer with a high refractive index is used.

[0021] A multilayer carrier, as disclosed in WO 2010 / 031543 A1, can be used as a temporary carrier. Preferably, the carrier is not used as a finished carrier composite, but rather is produced during the manufacturing process of the security element transfer material. In this first embodiment, precise focusing elements are created by the interface between the high-refractive-index lacquer and the low-refractive-index lacquer. The focusing elements cannot be molded because they are located inside the double lacquer layer, which is why the micro-optical authentication feature is particularly forgery-proof and well protected against wear and contamination.

[0022] The second micro-optical arrangement, which comprises micromotif elements, is formed on the surface of the permanent carrier substrate facing away from the first micro-optical arrangement, preferably by printing. However, the production of the second micro-optical arrangement is not limited in any way and can be carried out in any manner known to a person skilled in the art, for example, by embossing.

[0023] The first embodiment of the production of security element transfer materials according to the invention comprises two variants, which are shown in Figures 3 and 4 and explained in detail in connection with the description of these figures.

[0024] The inventive method for producing a security element transfer material according to the two variants of the first embodiment is claimed in independent claims 1 and 2, the inventive security element transfer material according to the two variants of the first embodiment is claimed in independent claims 7 and 8, and the inventive method for authenticating a valuable object, comprising the two variants of the first embodiment, is claimed in independent claim 12. According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the first micro-optical arrangement is produced by applying an embossing lacquer to a (a) temporary or (b) permanent carrier substrate, embossing a focusing structure, in particular a microlens structure, into the embossing lacquer, and laminating the permanent carrier substrate in case (a) or the temporary carrier substrate in case (b) using a laminating lacquer.

[0025] In the second embodiment, the focusing elements are formed either by the focusing structure embossed into the embossing lacquer or by the complementary structure produced in the laminating lacquer.

[0026] One of the two lacquer layers, i.e. either the embossing lacquer layer or the laminating lacquer layer, is removed together with the temporary carrier when the security element is transferred to a value document, i.e. it forms part of the temporary carrier.

[0027] A single plastic film or a carrier layer composite as disclosed in the document WO 2010 / 031543 A1 can be used as a temporary carrier substrate.

[0028] The second micro-optical arrangement is formed on the surface of the permanent carrier substrate facing away from the first micro-optical arrangement.

[0029] The inventive method for producing a security element transfer material according to the second embodiment is illustrated in Figure 5 and explained in detail in connection with the description of this figure. The inventive method for producing a security element transfer material according to the second embodiment is claimed in independent claim 5, the inventive security element transfer material according to the second embodiment is claimed in independent claim 10, and the method for authenticating a valuable object comprising the second embodiment is claimed in independent claim 12.

[0030] According to a third embodiment of the present invention, the security elements of the security element transfer material contain only the first micro-optical arrangement of the micro-optical authenticity feature, while the second micro-optical arrangement is formed on the valuable object itself.

[0031] In the third embodiment of the present invention, the first micro-optical arrangement can be manufactured as in the two variants of the first embodiment or as in the second embodiment.

[0032] The authenticity marking of a valuable object according to the third embodiment is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 and explained in detail in connection with the description of these figures.

[0033] Methods for authenticating a valuable article according to the third embodiment of the present invention are claimed in independent claims 13 and 14.

[0034] The present invention is explained below with reference to figures. The embodiments shown are purely illustrative and should not be understood as restrictive. For clarity, the figures are not drawn to scale or in proportion. Only the elements essential for understanding the respective embodiment are shown. In fact, security elements comprise not only the layers or layer sequences shown, but also additional functional layers and / or auxiliary layers. Since they are not essential for understanding the embodiments of the present invention and are within the scope of knowledge of an average person skilled in the art, they are not explicitly shown in the figures. Identical or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0035] They show:

[0036] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a value document with a security element made of a security element transfer material according to the invention,

[0037] Fig. 2 is a plan view of a security element transfer material according to the invention, as shown in Figures 3a to 3i, in Figures 4a to 4g, in Figures 5a to 5h and in Figures 6a, 6b,

[0038] Fig. 3a to Fig. 3i Process stages in the production of a security element transfer material according to the first embodiment, variant 1, of the invention, and the transfer of a security element from the security element transfer material to a valuable object, shown in section along the line AA z of Fig. 2,

[0039] Fig. 4a to Fig. 4g Process stages in the production of a security element transfer material according to the first embodiment, variant 2, of the invention, and the transfer of a security element from the security element transfer material to a valuable object, shown in section along the line AA z of Fig. 2,

[0040] Fig. 5a to Fig. 5h process stages in the production of a security element transfer material according to a second embodiment of the invention, and the transfer of a security element from the security element transfer material to a valuable object, shown in section along the line AA' of Fig. 2,

[0041] Fig. 6a to Fig.6c Process stages in the authenticity marking of a

[0042] Valuable object according to the third embodiment of the invention, shown in cross section, and

[0043] Fig. 7 shows a cross section through a value document according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[0044] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a value document 5 having a security element 4 transferred to the value document from a security element transfer material 1 according to the invention. The illustrated embodiment is a banknote that, in addition to the security element 4 according to the invention, also has a further security element, the security thread 4". The security element 4 according to the invention is a foil patch that closes a through opening 9 of the value document. Also shown are micromotif elements 14 and micromotif elements 14', which will be described in more detail later.

[0045] Fig. 2 shows a top view of a security element transfer material 1 according to the invention, in which the security elements are pre-cut. The security elements 4 have contour shapes 7 and are surrounded by the area 6 from which the security element layer composite material has already been removed. Fig. 2 shows the security element transfer material 1 according to the invention as an endless band, in which only one security element is located in the width direction. In practice, the endless bands can be wider and comprise a plurality of security elements arranged side by side.

[0046] Figures 3a to 3i show process stages in the production of a security element transfer material 1 according to a first embodiment, variant 1, of the present invention, and the transfer of a security element 4 from the security element transfer material to a value document substrate 30, each shown in section along the line AA' of Fig. 2.

[0047] First, as shown in Fig. 3a, a layer of embossing lacquer 20 with a high refractive index is applied to an embossing foil 31, and a focusing structure 10, for example, convex microlenses, is embossed into the embossing lacquer layer 20. The embossing foil 31 forms part of the temporary carrier 3, which is removed from the security elements when the security elements are transferred to a valuable object, thus serving only "temporarily" as a carrier for the security elements.

[0048] Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 3b, a film 15 is laminated onto the embossing lacquer layer 20 using a laminating lacquer 23 with a low refractive index. The laminating lacquer must have a sufficiently low viscosity that it adapts perfectly to the focusing structure 10, i.e., forms an exactly complementary structure at the interface to the focusing structure 10. The interface 26 (Fig. 3e) forms the focusing elements 12 of the first micro-optical arrangement.

[0049] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 3c, a layer of embossing lacquer 21 with a low refractive index can be applied to an embossing foil 15, and a focusing structure in inverse form 19, for example, concave microlenses, can be embossed into the embossing lacquer layer 21. The embossing foil 15 is the permanent carrier substrate of the security elements 4 to be transferred, i.e., the foil that remains permanently in the security element layer composite as a stabilizing element.

[0050] Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 3d, a film 31 is laminated onto the embossing lacquer layer 21 using a laminating lacquer 22 with a high refractive index. The laminating lacquer must have a sufficiently low viscosity that it perfectly adapts to the inversely embossed focusing structure 19, i.e., forms an exactly complementary structure at the interface to the structure 19. The interface 26 (Fig. 3e) forms the focusing elements 12 of the first micro-optical arrangement.

[0051] Before lamination, the focusing structure 10 or the inverse focusing structure 19 must of course be cured. With both procedures, a first micro-optical arrangement 11 with micro-focusing elements 12 is obtained, which is formed by an interface 26 with a focusing structure between a lacquer layer with a high refractive index and a lacquer layer with a low refractive index, as can be seen from Fig. 3e. The first micro-optical arrangement 11 is located between the films 15 and 31, which represent the permanent carrier substrate of the security elements and a part of the temporary carrier 3, respectively. The temporary carrier 3 is subsequently completed by laminating a support film, i.e. a second temporary carrier substrate 32, onto the temporary carrier substrate 31 by means of a laminating adhesive 33, which permanently bonds the temporary carrier substrate 31 and the temporary carrier substrate 32 to one another.

[0052] To create the micro-optical authentication feature, a second micro-optical arrangement 13 is now produced on the surface of the permanent carrier substrate 15 facing away from the temporary carrier 3 and the first micro-optical arrangement 11, as shown in Fig. 3f. The second micro-optical arrangement 13 has micromotif elements 14, which, together with the microfocusing elements 12, form, for example, a moiré magnification arrangement or produce a tilted image or another optical effect.

[0053] The laminating lacquer layer is advantageously just thick enough to completely fill the depressions or gaps in the embossed structure of the embossed lacquer layer, so that the interface to the laminated permanent carrier substrate or the laminated temporary carrier substrate is completely flat. The thickness of the permanent carrier substrate 15 and the thickness of the adjacent lacquer layer with a low refractive index must be matched to the geometry of the microfocusing elements 12, i.e., the focal length of the microfocusing elements 12 and the position of the micromotif elements 14 must be coordinated to observe the desired optical effect. It is advantageous to use lacquer layers that are as thin as possible, since the required lacquers are very expensive, and to ensure the required distance to the second micro-optical arrangement 13 by selecting a thicker (inexpensive) permanent carrier substrate 15.

[0054] To bond the security elements 4 to be transferred to a valuable object to be secured, a transfer adhesive layer 18, typically made of a heat-sealing lacquer, is applied as a final layer. In the illustration according to Fig. 3g, a primer layer 17 is provided to improve the adhesion between the transfer adhesive layer 18 and the second micro-optical arrangement 13. The first micro-optical arrangement 11, the permanent carrier substrate 15, the second micro-optical arrangement 13, the optional primer layer 17, and the transfer adhesive layer 18 form the security element layer composite 2. The first temporary carrier substrate 31, the second temporary carrier substrate 32, and the adhesive layer 33, which permanently bonds the two temporary carrier substrates to one another, form the carrier layer composite of the temporary carrier 3.

[0055] Fig. 3g shows the security element transfer material 1 after the outline shapes 7 (see Fig. 2) of the future security elements 4 have been cut into the security element layer composite 2, for example, by laser. The cuts are shown as lines 8. The cuts 8 not only sever the security element layer composite 2, but also partially sever the first temporary carrier substrate 31. Under certain circumstances, they can even penetrate into the adhesive layer 33.

[0056] The security element transfer material 1 can, in principle, be used in the state shown in Fig. 3g. In this case, a transfer stamp must be used to transfer it to valuables, which corresponds to the outline of the security elements 4, and when transferring the security elements, the transfer stamp must be aligned with the security elements 4 on the security element transfer material 1.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the material of the security element layer composite 2 that is not to be transferred is removed, so that the security elements 4 to be transferred are spaced apart from one another on the temporary carrier 3. The removal of the excess security element layer composite material is also referred to as "gridding," since the excess security element layer composite material forms a coherent grid with recesses in the shape of the security elements remaining on the temporary carrier, which can be peeled off / removed from the temporary carrier in a similar way to a separating winding.

[0058] The state after screening is shown in cross-section in Fig. 3h and in plan view in Fig. 2. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the security elements 4 are spaced apart from one another and separated by areas 6 in which no security element composite material is present. In this case, it is not necessary to use a transfer stamp in the outline shape of the security elements and to align this transfer stamp with the security elements during the transfer process. Instead, the security elements can be transferred, for example, using a heated, unstructured transfer roller.

[0059] The result of transferring a security element 4 to a valuable object is schematically illustrated in Fig. 3i. The transfer of the security element 4 is carried out by bringing together the security element transfer material 1 and the valuable object, in the illustrated embodiment a value document substrate 30, for example a security paper, by pressing the security element transfer material 1 together in the region of the security element 4 to be transferred and the valuable object, optionally at elevated temperature, and separating the temporary carrier 3 as a complete carrier layer composite from the transferred security element 4.

[0060] At the locations where the cuts 8 penetrated the first temporary carrier substrate 31, cracks formed upon removal of the temporary carrier 3 from the transferred security element 4. These cracks completely sever the first temporary carrier substrate 31, but did not penetrate the adjacent adhesive layer 33, let alone the second temporary carrier substrate 32. The temporary carrier 3 can therefore be removed as a complete carrier layer composite.

[0061] After transfer to the value document, the security element 4 is present with the reverse layer sequence as on the security element transfer material 1, i.e., the layer of high-refractive-index lacquer is the layer facing the viewer. The focusing elements 12, formed by the interface 26 between the layers of high-refractive-index lacquer and low-refractive-index lacquer, are well protected against wear, contamination, and attempts to imitate the lacquer for counterfeiting purposes inside the micro-optical arrangement 11.

[0062] The security element layer composite 2 of the embodiment described above, as well as the other embodiments or variants of embodiments of the present invention, can of course contain further layers. Such further layers are, for example, feature layers. A feature layer (or functional layer) is a layer that has visually recognizable and / or machine-detectable features. Such layers are known to a person skilled in the art. The materials, layer sequences, and application methods are not restricted in any way. Rather, all materials, layer sequences, and application methods are suitable as long as they do not impair the micro-optical authenticity feature of the security elements.In this respect, for example, feature layers with strongly colored pigments such as magnetic pigments, which would impair the visibility of the micro-optical authenticity feature, are rather unsuitable unless a (perceptible) overlap with the micro-optical authenticity feature can be avoided.

[0063] Auxiliary layers include, in particular, primer layers for improving adhesion between adjacent layers and release layers for reducing adhesion between adjacent layers. In the present invention, it is essential that a permanent bond exists between certain layers of the security element transfer material, while a releasable bond exists between other layers of the security element transfer material. Which layers must be permanently bonded and which layers must be releasably bonded becomes immediately apparent when considering the transfer process of the security elements onto a valuable document.

[0064] The layers forming the security element layer composite must be permanently bonded to one another, because breaking a bond between two adjacent layers, whether during the production of the security element transfer material, during the transfer process to the value document, or later during use of the value document, would render the security element unusable. Considering the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, a permanent bond is particularly important at the interface 26 between the resist layer with a high refractive index and the resist layer with a low refractive index, because breaking the bond between the two resist layers would destroy the function of the first micro-optical arrangement.

[0065] In this context, "unbreakable" means that the connection between the layers cannot be broken during processing or treatment of the security element transfer material, during the transfer of the security elements to a valuable object, or during the use of the valuable object.

[0066] Likewise, the layers of the carrier layer composite of the temporary carrier must not separate from each other during the transfer process of the security elements to a valuable object. Considering the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the adhesive layer 33 must permanently bond the first temporary carrier substrate 31 to the second temporary carrier substrate 32. "Permanently bonded" in this context means that the bond cannot be separated, at least during the transfer process of the security elements or during any processing or treatment of the security element transfer material.

[0067] To improve adhesion between layers that must be permanently bonded together, an adhesion promoter or primer can be applied if necessary, or an adhesion-enhancing pretreatment can be carried out.

[0068] On the other hand, the security element layer composite must be easily removable as a whole from the temporary carrier. Considering the layered structure shown in Fig.

[0069] 3, the lacquer layer 20 or the lacquer layer 22 must be removably bonded to the temporary carrier substrate 31. "Removable" in this context means that the bond can be easily removed during the transfer process of the security elements to a valuable object. Since the transfer typically occurs by heat sealing, the bond between the security element and the temporary carrier must be capable of being removed under heat sealing conditions.

[0070] To improve the removability, an adhesion-reducing pretreatment of the temporary carrier substrate 31 can be carried out if necessary or a release layer can be provided between the temporary carrier substrate 31 and the lacquer layer 20 or the lacquer layer 22.

[0071] Release layers can also cause problems under certain circumstances, for example due to undefined splitting of the release layer during the transfer of the security elements or if the first micro-optical arrangement of a security element is to be further processed after transfer to a valuable object, for example, partially printed. Overprinting layers that contain residues of release layers often leads to unclean print images. Therefore, to ensure good removability of the security elements from the temporary carrier, it is preferable to use either temporary carrier films and varnishes whose adhesion to one another is low, or (considering the embodiment shown in Figure 3) to pretreat the temporary carrier substrate 31 to reduce adhesion before bonding it to the varnish layer 20 or the varnish layer 22.

[0072] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the selection of suitable materials for the embossing lacquer layer and for the laminating lacquer layer or the laminating adhesive layer is of central importance. As explained above, either an embossing lacquer with a high refractive index (a "high-index embossing lacquer") is combined with a laminating lacquer or a laminating adhesive with a low refractive index (a "low-index laminating lacquer"), or an embossing lacquer with a low refractive index (a "low-index embossing lacquer") is combined with a laminating lacquer or a laminating adhesive with a high refractive index (a "high-index laminating lacquer"). The interface between the lacquers forms the first micro-optical arrangement. High-index lacquers within the meaning of the present invention are lacquers with a refractive index n > 1.55, preferably n > 1.6, and particularly preferably n > 1.7.Low-refractive-index lacquers within the meaning of the present invention are lacquers with a refractive index n < 1.45, preferably n < 1.3. The refractive indices are measured at 589 nm and 20° C. Preference is given to using combinations of lacquers whose refractive indices have a difference of at least 0.2, preferably at least 0.3. Lacquers with a high refractive index are disclosed, for example, in the publication WO 2008 / 098753 A1, to which express reference is made in this regard. The embossing lacquers with a high refractive index mentioned in this publication are suitable as high-refractive-index embossing lacquers for the purposes of the present invention. These are, in particular, radically curing and cationically curing UV embossing lacquers. The refractive indices of these embossing lacquers can be increased even further by the addition of inorganic particles, which are preferably used in the form of nanoparticles.WO 2008 / 098753 A1 discloses numerous materials suitable for increasing refractive indices. Particularly preferred are TiO?, ZrO?, Fe2Os, FesO4, Cr2O3, ZnO, Al2O3, and ZnS. The particles can, for example, be polymerized into the embossing lacquer. The high-index lacquers disclosed in WO 2008 / 098753 A1 have the particular advantage that the addition of refractive index-increasing nanoparticles does not lead to significant light scattering, unlike many other embossing lacquers.

[0073] Other examples of very suitable high-refractive index embossing varnishes include the UV embossing varnishes MO-33 (n= 1.602) and MO-SO-Ol from C-Coatings BV.

[0074] These high-refractive-index embossing varnishes are combined with a low-refractive-index laminating varnish. Suitable low-refractive-index laminating varnishes include the commonly used laminating varnishes for foil lamination. Examples include the UV-curing adhesives NOA1315, NOA132, NOA1327, NOA1328, NOA133, NOA1348, NOA136, NOA13685, NOA1369, NOA1375, NOA13775, NOA138, NOA13825, and NOA139 from Norland, with refractive indices between 1.315 and 1.39. The LOCA-133 laminating varnish with n=1.33 is also well suited.

[0075] Low-refractive-index embossing lacquers commonly used in the field of security elements can be used as low-refractive-index embossing lacquers. Low-refractive-index embossing lacquers well suited for the purposes of the present invention are available from Shin-A T&C (Korea). The low-refractive-index embossing lacquers can be advantageously combined with high-refractive-index laminating lacquers from Norland, for example the UV-curing laminating adhesives NOA160, NOA161H, NOA1622H, NOA1639H, NOA165H, NOA1665, and NOA170, which have refractive indices between 1.60 and 1.70. The laminating adhesives NOA161H, NOA1622H, NOA1639H, and NOA165H are also heat-curing.

[0076] In the second embodiment of the invention, no embossing lacquers and laminating lacquers with special refractive indices are required.

[0077] The laminating varnishes must have a sufficiently low viscosity that they perfectly adapt to the (inversely) imprinted focusing structure, i.e., they form a precisely complementary structure at the interface to these structures. In the case of solvent-based laminating varnishes, the viscosity can be controlled, for example, by adding solvent.

[0078] To allow the formation of focusing elements of a suitable shape, the embossing lacquer layer must be comparatively thick. Typical layer thicknesses are in the range between 5 and 50 μm. Particularly for embossing lacquer layers near the upper end of this range, it is preferable to apply the embossing lacquer layer in several steps. If the embossing lacquer layer is applied in several steps, it is preferable to proceed according to the method described in the document EP 1 879154 A2. In this method, the embossing lacquer layer is applied in several steps wet-to-wet, i.e., first a first embossing lacquer layer is applied to the temporary carrier, the first layer is optionally partially but not completely cured, then a second embossing lacquer layer and optionally further embossing lacquer layers are applied on top of this, then at least the uppermost layer of the coating is embossed with a microstructure, and finally the entire coating is cured.

[0079] The focusing elements are preferably microlenses, for example, spherical microlenses or cylindrical lenses. However, the type of focusing elements is not particularly limited, except that their shape and arrangement must be suitable for interacting with the micromotif elements of the second micro-optical arrangement and thereby creating an optical effect.

[0080] In the first embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous to first produce the layer composite comprising the first micro-optical arrangement, the permanent carrier substrate, and the first temporary carrier substrate, and only then to bond the first temporary carrier substrate to the second temporary carrier substrate. The thinner the layer structure during the laminating process for producing the first micro-optical arrangement, the higher the quality of the interface between the embossing lacquer layer and the laminating lacquer layer, i.e., the higher the quality of the focusing elements of the first micro-optical arrangement. Furthermore, this avoids stress on the second temporary carrier substrate during the manufacturing process of the security element transfer material, which could lead to a weakening of the second temporary carrier substrate.Transparent or translucent plastic films are used as permanent carrier substrates, for example, films made of polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, or polypropylene. The thickness of the permanent carrier substrates is preferably selected so that, depending on the structure of the security element, the permanent carrier substrate, together with the thickness of the embossing lacquer layer or the thickness of the laminating lacquer layer, provides the appropriate focal length for viewing the second micro-optical arrangement.

[0081] In the present invention, the second micro-optical arrangement is preferably produced by printing micromotif elements onto the surface of the permanent carrier substrate facing away from the first micro-optical arrangement. However, the micromotif elements can also be produced in any other way, for example by embossing. Micro Contact Printing (gCP) is also a suitable manufacturing method for high-resolution microstructures. This method can achieve a resolution of less than 1 gm. The microstructures are produced using semiconductor structuring techniques and subsequently molded with an elastomer. This creates a flexible, detailed stamp or printing cylinder that, when used with special printing inks and surface treatment of the printing substrate, is suitable for transferring extremely thin ink layers.By applying a suitable ink using a printing cylinder produced in this way, a second micro-optical arrangement with high-resolution micromotif elements can be created. Primer layers may be required to improve the adhesion of the micromotif layer to its adjacent layers. A key element of the present invention is also the use of a layered composite material as a temporary carrier, which enables the contours of the security elements to be transferred to be cut and their uncomplicated and damage-free transfer to a value document substrate. The concept of forming the temporary carrier as a layered composite is disclosed in WO 2010 / 031543 A1, the disclosure content of which regarding materials and methods for producing the temporary carrier-layered composite is incorporated into the present application.

[0082] Since, in the security element transfer materials of the present invention, the first micro-optical arrangement with the focusing elements is directly connected to the temporary carrier, thus being detached from it during the transfer process and thus damaged if the security element layer composite is not completely severed, it is necessary to cut the security element transfer material so deeply that the security element layer composite is guaranteed to be completely severed. In this process, it is unavoidable that the temporary carrier is cut, possibly to a considerable depth.It is therefore preferred in the present invention to cut the security element outline shapes using a laser and to provide a laser protection layer between the first temporary carrier substrate and the adhesive layer and / or between the second temporary carrier substrate and the adhesive layer, for example by vapor-depositing the temporary carrier substrates with a laser-absorbing or laser-reflecting substance. Alternatively or additionally, the adhesive between the temporary carrier substrates can be provided with laser-absorbing or laser-reflecting substances, thereby protecting the underlying temporary carrier substrate. The cutting of the outline shapes of the security elements does not necessarily have to be carried out using a laser, but can also be done in another way, for example by punching.

[0083] It is also particularly advantageous to use a "self-healing" adhesive for bonding the temporary carrier substrates. Self-healing adhesives are adhesives that cure slowly, so that an adhesive layer damaged during the curing process is still reactive enough to reverse the damage during the curing process. If a self-healing adhesive is used and the cutting of the outlines of the security elements is carried out at a time when the adhesive has not yet fully cured, cuts in the adhesive layer can be reversed. The still-plastic adhesive can even penetrate into cuts in the temporary carrier substrates and fill them completely or partially, or at least bond them to such an extent that the stability of the cut temporary carrier substrates is not significantly affected.

[0084] The layered composite of the temporary carrier can also comprise more than two temporary carrier substrates, with each of the two temporary carrier substrates being bonded together using an adhesive layer, preferably a self-healing adhesive layer. A larger number of layers also offers the possibility of providing a larger number of laser protection layers, meaning that the temporary carrier can be made more resistant to cutting injuries the more temporary carrier substrates it has.

[0085] Transfer adhesives known to a person skilled in the art can be used as transfer adhesives for bonding a transferred security element to the valuable object to be marked, in particular heat-seal adhesives. Heat-seal adhesives are preferred which form essentially tack-free coatings after physical drying or, in the case of hot-melt adhesives, after cooling at room temperature. These adhesives are preferred because the security element transfer material is usually not reused immediately after production, but is stored, which requires winding up the continuous material. A non-tack-free adhesive layer would lead to blocking of the wound security element transfer material webs. Tack-free is present when pieces of security element transfer material of approximately 100 cm 2which were stacked and stored at 40°C for 72 hours with a weight of 10 kg, can then be separated from each other without damage.

[0086] The application of a heat-seal adhesive layer is advantageously carried out as the last step in the construction of the security element transfer material, since during the production of a security element transfer material, elevated temperature and / or elevated pressure are usually required several times, which could activate an already existing heat- and / or pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

[0087] The second variant of the first embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to Figures 4a to 4g, with particular reference to the differences from the first variant.

[0088] First, as shown in Fig. 4a, a layer of embossing lacquer 21 with a low refractive index is applied to an embossing foil 31, and a focusing structure in inverse form 19, for example, concave microlenses, is embossed into the embossing lacquer layer 21. As in the first variant, the embossing foil 31 forms part of the temporary carrier 3, which is removed from the security elements when the security elements are transferred to a valuable object.

[0089] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the temporary carrier 3 is used from the outset in the form of a layer composite comprising a first temporary carrier substrate 31 (embossing foil) and a second temporary carrier substrate 32, which are permanently bonded to one another by means of an adhesive layer 33. This is also possible in the first variant, just as in the second variant, initially only the first temporary carrier substrate 31 can be used as the embossing foil, which is only bonded to the second temporary carrier substrate 32 after the layer composite comprising the first micro-optical arrangement, permanent carrier substrate, and first temporary carrier substrate has been produced. In both variants of the first embodiment, it is preferred to bond the second temporary carrier substrate 32 to the first temporary carrier substrate 31 only at a later stage of the production process for the security element transfer material.

[0090] After the inverse focusing structure 19 has been produced, as shown in Fig. 4b, a permanent carrier substrate 15, for example, a PET film, is laminated onto the embossing lacquer layer 21 using a laminating lacquer 22 with a high refractive index. The laminating lacquer 22 forms a structure at the interface with the embossing lacquer layer 21 that is exactly complementary to the inverse focusing structure 19. The interface between the lacquer layers forms the focusing elements 12 of the first micro-optical arrangement.

[0091] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 4c, a layer of embossing lacquer 20 with a high refractive index can be applied to an embossing foil 15, and a focusing structure 10, for example, convex microlenses, can be embossed into the embossing lacquer layer 20. The embossing foil 15 is the permanent carrier substrate of the security elements 4 to be transferred, i.e., the foil that remains permanently in the security element layer composite as a stabilizing element.

[0092] Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 4d, the temporary carrier 3 is laminated onto the embossing lacquer layer 20 using a laminating lacquer 23 with a low refractive index. The laminating lacquer 23 adapts to the embossed structure of the embossing lacquer layer 20 and forms a precisely complementary structure at the interface with the embossed structure 10. The interface forms the focusing elements of the first micro-optical arrangement.

[0093] In both procedures, a first micro-optical arrangement 11 with micro-focusing elements 12 is obtained, which is formed by an interface 26 with a focusing structure between a resist layer with a high refractive index and a resist layer with a low refractive index, as can be seen from Figures 4b, 4d and 4e.

[0094] In contrast to the first variant of the first embodiment, in the second variant of the first embodiment a layer of a lacquer with a high refractive index adjoins the permanent carrier substrate 15.

[0095] To create the micro-optical authenticity feature, a second micro-optical arrangement 13 is fabricated on the surface of the permanent carrier substrate 15 facing away from the temporary carrier 3 and the first micro-optical arrangement 11. This second micro-optical arrangement comprises micromotif elements 14, which, together with the microfocusing elements 12, form, for example, a moiré magnification arrangement or generate a tilted image or another optical effect. The second micro-optical arrangement 13 is shown in Fig. 4e.

[0096] The representation in Fig. 4e corresponds to the representation in Fig. 3g of the first variant of the first embodiment. In the process stage shown in Fig. 4e, a layer of a heat-sealing lacquer 18 has already been applied to the second micro-optical arrangement 13, wherein a primer layer 17 is provided between the second micro-optical arrangement 13 and the transfer adhesive layer 18 to improve adhesion. The cuts 8, which symbolize the cutting of the outline shapes of the later security elements 4 into the security element layer composite 2, are also shown in Fig. 4e. The cuts 8 not only sever the security element layer composite 2, but they also partially sever the first temporary carrier substrate 31 and can, under certain circumstances, penetrate into the adhesive layer 33.

[0097] Comparing the corresponding representations of Figures 3g and 4e, the essential difference between the first and second variants of the first embodiment is that in the second variant, the thicknesses of the permanent carrier substrate 15 and the adjacent lacquer layer with a high refractive index must be matched to the geometry of the microfocusing elements 12, whereas in the first variant, the thicknesses of the permanent carrier substrate 15 and the adjacent lacquer layer with a low refractive index must be matched to the geometry of the microfocusing elements 12.

[0098] The representations in Figures 4f and 4g correspond to the representations in Figures 3h and 3i of the first variant. Figure 4f shows a partial area of ​​the security element transfer material, in cross section, after "screening," and Figure 4g shows the result of the transfer of a security element 4 according to the second variant of the first embodiment to a value document substrate 30, for example, a banknote substrate.

[0099] In the second variant, the focusing elements 12, which are formed by the interface 26 between the layers of the lacquer with a high refractive index and the lacquer with a low refractive index, are also well protected against wear, contamination and molding attempts inside the micro-optical arrangement 11. In contrast to the first variant, however, the layer of the security element 4 facing a viewer is a layer of a lacquer with a low refractive index.

[0100] The second embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in Figures 5a to 5h, differs from the two variants of the first embodiment in that no lacquers with different refractive indices need to be used, since only one of the lacquer layers remains on the permanent carrier substrate, while the other lacquer layer forms part of the temporary carrier and is removed from the security element 4 during the transfer process to a valuable object. The layer of embossing lacquer and the layer of laminating lacquer must therefore not be permanently bonded to one another, but must be easily separated from one another when the security element is transferred to a valuable object, thereby creating exposed focusing elements in the security element.

[0101] To produce a security element transfer material 1 according to the second embodiment of the invention, first, as shown in Fig. 5a, a layer of embossing lacquer 24 is applied to a surface of an embossing foil 32, and a focusing structure in inverse form 19, for example, concave microlenses, is embossed into the embossing lacquer layer 24. There are no specific requirements with regard to the embossing lacquer 24, and any embossing lacquer can be used, as is customary in the field of security elements. The embossing foil 32 forms part of the temporary carrier 3, which is peeled off the security elements when the security elements are transferred to a valuable object, thus only temporarily serving as a carrier for the security elements. Since the temporary carrier 3 is to be peeled off the security elements to be transferred as a complete layer composite, the embossing lacquer layer 24 must be permanently bonded to the embossing foil 32.In the event of insufficient adhesion between the embossing lacquer layer 24 and the embossing foil 32, a primer layer is applied to the relevant surface of the embossing foil 32 before the embossing lacquer layer 24 is applied, or the surface of the embossing foil 32 is pretreated to enhance adhesion.

[0102] Instead of a single film 32, a layered composite material composed of two or more temporary carrier substrates, which are permanently bonded to one another by means of an adhesive layer or by means of several adhesive layers, can also be used, for example, a temporary carrier such as that used for the two variants of the first embodiment of the invention. However, this is not required for the second embodiment.

[0103] Then, as shown in Fig. 5b, a film 15, for example made of PET, is laminated onto the embossing lacquer layer 24 using a laminating lacquer 25. The laminating lacquer must have a sufficiently low viscosity that it adapts perfectly to the inverse focusing structure 19, i.e., it must form an exactly complementary structure at the interface to the inverse focusing structure 19. The complementary focusing structure of the laminating lacquer layer 25 forms the focusing elements of the first micro-optical arrangement in the subsequent security element, and the film 15 is the permanent carrier substrate of the security element.

[0104] During the transfer of the subsequent security element to a valuable object, the separation between the security element and the temporary carrier occurs at the boundary between the lacquer layers 24, 25 (Fig. 5h). The laminating lacquer layer 25 must therefore be removably bonded to the embossed lacquer layer 24. To ensure that the layers 24, 25 separate smoothly during the transfer of the security element, it may be necessary to pretreat the embossed surface of the lacquer layer 24 to reduce adhesion before laminating the permanent carrier substrate 15, or to apply a special release layer to the embossed surface of the lacquer layer 24. Such a layer can be a printed layer or a layer applied by PVD.

[0105] There are no specific restrictions regarding the refractive index of the laminating lacquer 25 (the refractive index only needs to be greater than that of the surrounding air). Rather, a conventional laminating lacquer, such as is commonly used in the field of security elements, can be used. However, it should be noted that the thicknesses of the permanent carrier substrate 15 and the laminating lacquer layer 25 must be matched to the geometry of the microfocusing elements formed by the laminating lacquer layer 25 and the refractive index of the laminating lacquer layer 25 in order to achieve a suitable focal length of the microfocusing elements. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 5c, a layer of embossing lacquer 24 can be applied to the permanent carrier substrate 15, and a focusing structure 10, for example, convex microlenses, can be embossed into the embossing lacquer layer 24.The focusing structure 10 of the embossing lacquer layer 24 forms the focusing elements 12 in the subsequent security element. There are no specific restrictions regarding the refractive index of the embossing lacquer layer 24, except for the aforementioned refractive index difference compared to the ambient air, and a lacquer commonly used in the field of security elements can be used. However, the thicknesses of the carrier substrate 15 and the lacquer layer 24 must be matched to the refractive index of the lacquer and the geometry of the focusing elements formed by the focusing structure 10 in order to achieve the appropriate focal length for observing the optical effect.

[0106] Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 5d, a film 32 is laminated onto the embossed surface of the embossing lacquer layer 24 using a laminating lacquer 25. The properties of the laminating lacquer 25 do not play a significant role in this case. It must only be ensured that the laminating lacquer layer 25 is permanently bonded to the carrier film 32, but removably bonded to the embossing lacquer layer 24, since the laminating lacquer layer 25, together with the carrier film 32, forms the temporary carrier 3 of the security element transfer material to be produced. This temporary carrier 3 is peeled off from the embossing lacquer layer 24, which forms the first micro-optical arrangement of the security elements to be transferred, during the transfer of the subsequent security elements to a valuable object.To improve the adhesion of the laminating lacquer layer to the carrier film 32, it may be necessary to provide a primer layer or to carry out an adhesion-improving pretreatment of the carrier film 32, just as it may be necessary to carry out an adhesion-reducing pretreatment of the embossing lacquer layer or to apply a special release layer to the surface of the embossing lacquer layer in order to reduce the adhesion between the embossing lacquer layer and the laminating lacquer layer before applying the laminating lacquer layer.

[0107] Fig. 5e shows a process stage in the production of a security element transfer material 1 according to the second embodiment of the invention, which corresponds to the process stage shown in Fig. 3f in the production of a security element transfer material 1 according to the first embodiment, variant 1, of the present invention. The security element transfer material now has a temporary carrier 3, which consists of a first temporary carrier substrate 34 (the embossing lacquer layer 24 or the laminating lacquer layer 25) and a second temporary carrier substrate, the carrier foil 32, wherein the first temporary carrier substrate 34 and the second temporary carrier substrate 32 are permanently connected. In addition, the security element transfer material has a first micro-optical arrangement 11 with the focusing elements 12, which is formed by the laminating lacquer layer 25 (Fig. 5b) or by the embossing lacquer layer 24 (Fig. 5d).To produce the second micro-optical arrangement 13, micro-motif elements 14 are applied, for example printed, to the surface of the permanent carrier substrate 15 facing away from the first micro-optical arrangement 11, so that an optical effect can be observed by interaction with the focusing elements 12.

[0108] To bond the security elements to be transferred to a valuable object to be marked, a transfer adhesive layer 18 is applied as a final layer, as shown in Fig. 5f. To improve adhesion to the second micro-optical arrangement 13, a primer layer 17 is provided in the illustrated embodiment. The first micro-optical arrangement 11, the permanent carrier substrate 15, the second micro-optical arrangement 13, the primer layer 17, and the transfer adhesive layer 18 form the security element layer composite 2, and the first temporary carrier substrate 34 and the second temporary carrier substrate 32 form the carrier layer composite of the temporary carrier 3.

[0109] Fig. 5f shows (analogous to the representations in Fig. 3g and Fig. 4e) a partial area of ​​the security element transfer material 1 after the outline shapes 7 (see Fig. 2) of the subsequent security elements 4 have been cut into the security element layer composite 2. The cuts 8 were made in such a way that the security element layer composite 2 is reliably severed, i.e., they also penetrate the first temporary carrier substrate 34. However, since the second temporary carrier substrate 32 is not cut, the temporary carrier 3 can be removed from the security elements as a complete carrier layer composite when the security elements are transferred to a valuable object.

[0110] To reliably ensure that the second temporary carrier substrate is not cut, analogous measures can be taken as with the temporary carrier 3 of the first embodiment. For example, a laser protection layer can be provided between the first temporary carrier substrate 34 and the second temporary carrier substrate 32 and / or the lacquer layer forming the first temporary carrier substrate 34 can be provided with laser-absorbing or laser-reflecting materials, and the cutting can then be carried out with a laser. In addition, instead of the second temporary carrier substrate 32, a temporary carrier 3 can also be used, as described in connection with the first embodiment of the present invention.Such a temporary layer composite comprises a large number of layers and thus offers a high degree of security against tearing of the temporary carrier during the transfer process, even if the security element outline shapes are cut by less precise methods than by means of a laser, for example by punching.

[0111] Fig. 5g shows the state after "screening", analogous to the representations in Fig. 3h and Fig. 4f. It is evident that the separation between the security element layer composite 2 and the temporary carrier 3 occurs between the embossing lacquer layer and the laminating lacquer layer, which is why these lacquer layers must be removably bonded to one another, while the individual layers of the security element layer composite 2 on the one hand and the individual layers of the temporary carrier on the other hand must each be non-removably bonded to one another.

[0112] The result of transferring a security element 4 to a valuable object is illustrated in Fig. 5h, analogous to the illustrations in Fig. 3i and Fig. 4g. It can be seen that when the temporary carrier 3 was removed from the security element 4, the lacquer layer 34 was damaged, but not the second temporary carrier substrate 32, so that the temporary carrier 3 could be removed as a complete layer composite.

[0113] The security element 4 transferred onto the value document substrate 30 has a first micro-optical arrangement 11 with focusing elements 12, which are formed either by the laminating varnish 25 (Fig. 5b) or by the embossing varnish 24 (Fig. 5c).

[0114] The second embodiment has the advantage that no special paints need to be used and can therefore be worked on very cost-effectively.

[0115] In a third embodiment of the present invention, the security elements of the security element transfer material contain only the first micro-optical arrangement of the micro-optical authenticity feature, while the second micro-optical arrangement is formed on the valuable object to be marked itself.

[0116] The third embodiment is illustrated in Figures 6a, 6b, 6c, and 7. Figures 6a to 6c and Figure 7 show a security element layer composite 2' or a security element 4', respectively, in which the first micro-optical arrangement 11 is formed as in the two variants of the first embodiment, i.e., consists of a layer of a high-refractive-index lacquer and a layer of a low-refractive-index lacquer, wherein the focusing elements 12 are formed by the interface between the high-refractive-index lacquer and the low-refractive-index lacquer. Instead of the illustrated first micro-optical arrangement 11 according to the first embodiment, however, a first micro-optical arrangement 11 according to the second embodiment, as described in Figures 5a to 5h, can just as easily be used.

[0117] Fig. 6a shows a section of a security element transfer material l z, wherein the structure of the security element transfer material 1' differs from that shown in Fig. 3e only in that a transfer adhesive layer 18 is applied to the permanent carrier substrate 15. In contrast to the security element layer composite 2 illustrated in Fig. 3g, the security element layer composite 2' shown in Fig. 6a does not contain a second micro-optical arrangement, i.e., no micromotif elements. The primer layer 17 shown in Fig. 3g is also omitted, but can also be provided optionally.

[0118] Fig. 6b shows the security element transfer material 1' after the "screening off" of excess security element layer composite material, analogous to the representations in Figs. 3h, 4f and 5g. The security elements 4', now present as individual elements on the temporary carrier 3, have only a first micro-optical arrangement 11, but no second micro-optical arrangement. The security elements 4' are therefore not capable of generating an optical effect through the interaction of a first micro-optical arrangement and a second micro-optical arrangement.

[0119] In the third embodiment of the present invention, the second micro-optical arrangement is provided on the valuable object to be marked. The security element and the second micro-optical arrangement must be arranged relative to one another on the valuable object such that the first micro-optical arrangement of the security element and the second micro-optical arrangement located on the valuable object can interact to create an optical effect. Possible arrangements are illustrated in Figures 1, 6c, and 7.

[0120] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6c, the security element 4' and the second micro-optical arrangement 13' with the micro-motif elements 14' are arranged on opposing surfaces of a transparent value document substrate, for example, a foil banknote. An identical arrangement is also possible if the value document substrate 30 is a non-transparent substrate, but has a through opening that is closed by the security element 4'.

[0121] On the right side of the valuable document 5 shown in plan view in Fig. 1, such a security element 4 is shown, which closes a through opening 9 of the valuable document. The security element 4 is a security element according to the first or second embodiment of the present invention, i.e., it contains a second micro-optical arrangement, shown or indicated in Fig. 1 as micro-motif elements 14. For an observer, the same appearance of the micro-optical authenticity feature results when a security element 4' and a second micro-optical arrangement 13' are arranged on a transparent valuable document substrate, as shown in Fig. 6c and on the right side of Fig. 7. However, the significantly greater distance between the first micro-optical arrangement 11 and the second micro-optical arrangement 13' generally requires a different geometry of the focusing elements 12.

[0122] An alternative arrangement of a security element 4' and a second micro-optical arrangement 13' according to the third embodiment of the present invention is also shown or indicated in Figures 7 and 1. Figure 1 shows a value document such as a banknote in plan view, with the line BB' indicating the location at which the banknote is to be folded.

[0123] Fig. 7 shows a cross-section through a portion of the banknote of Fig. 1 along line CC'. The fold line BB' is visible as a point in Fig. 7. If a security element 4' without a second micro-optical arrangement and a second micro-optical arrangement, shown or indicated in Fig. 7 as micro-motif elements 14', are applied to a transparent value document substrate 30 or to a value document substrate 30 that has a through opening in the region of the security element 4', as shown in Fig. 7, the first micro-optical arrangement of the security element 4' can be aligned with the second micro-optical arrangement 13' by folding the value document along line BB', thus creating an optical effect. The third embodiment of the present invention therefore offers the possibility of self-verification of a value document.

[0124] The inventive manufacturing processes for security element transfer materials make it possible to produce foil security elements with micro-optical authenticity features of excellent quality with minimal use of expensive lacquer materials and to transfer them easily to a valuable object without the risk of damaging the sensitive micro-optical structures.

[0125] Reference symbols - List

[0126] 1 security element transfer material

[0127] 1' security element transfer material without 13'

[0128] 2 security element layer composite

[0129] 2' safety element layer composite without 13'

[0130] 3 temporary supports

[0131] 4 Security element

[0132] 4' security element without 13'

[0133] 5 Valuable item

[0134] 6 Gaps in the security element layer composite

[0135] 7 Security element outline shape

[0136] 8 cuts in the security element layer composite

[0137] 9 continuous opening in the valuable object

[0138] 10 focusing structure

[0139] 11 first micro-optical arrangement

[0140] 12 focusing elements

[0141] 13 second micro-optical arrangement (integrated)

[0142] 13' second micro-optical arrangement (separate)

[0143] 14 micromotif elements (integrated)

[0144] 14', 14" micromotif elements (separate)

[0145] 15 permanent carrier substrate (patch film)

[0146] 17 primers

[0147] 18 Transfer adhesive

[0148] 19 inverse focusing structure

[0149] 20 high-refractive index embossing varnish

[0150] 21 low-refractive index embossing varnish

[0151] 22 high-refractive index laminating varnish

[0152] 23 Low-refractive index laminating varnish 24 Embossing varnish for temporary lacquer layer 34

[0153] 25 Laminating varnish for temporary lacquer layer 34

[0154] 26 Interface high refractive index / low refractive index

[0155] 30 Value document substrate 31 First temporary carrier substrate

[0156] 32 second temporary carrier substrate

[0157] 33 Adhesive layer

[0158] 34 temporary lacquer layer = first temporary carrier substrate

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for producing a security feature transfer material comprising a security feature layer composite and a temporary support that is detachably connected to the security feature layer composite, wherein the security feature layer composite comprises a layer with a first micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of focusing elements, a layer with a second micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of micro-motif elements, and a permanent support substrate between the layers with the first and the second micro-optical arrangement, wherein the first and the second micro-optical arrangements interact to produce an optical effect, and wherein the method comprises the following steps: (1) Fabrication of the first micro-optical arrangement by (a) Applying an embossing varnish with a refractive index n > 1.55, in particular n > 1.6, to a surface of the temporary support, wherein the embossing varnish layer is removably bonded to the temporary support, Imprinting a focusing structure into the embossing lacquer layer, and laminating the permanent support substrate onto the focusing structure using a laminating lacquer with a refractive index n < 1.45, in particular n < 1.3, wherein the laminating lacquer layer forms a structure complementary to the focusing structure at the interface with the embossing lacquer layer by generating the focusing elements and connecting the permanent support substrate to the embossing lacquer layer, or by (b) Applying an embossing varnish with a refractive index n < 1.45, in particular n < 1.3, to a surface of the permanent support substrate, wherein the embossing varnish layer is inseparably bonded to the permanent support substrate, Inverse imprinting of a focusing structure into the embossing lacquer layer, and Laminating the temporary support onto the inverse focusing structure using a laminating varnish with a refractive index n > 1.55, in particular n > 1.6, wherein the laminating varnish layer forms a structure complementary to the inverse focusing structure at the interface with the embossing varnish layer by generating the focusing elements and is inseparably bonded to the embossing varnish layer, but detachably bonded to the temporary support. (2) Producing the second micro-optical arrangement by forming the micro-motif elements on the surface of the permanent support substrate facing away from the temporary support, (3) optionally coating the second micro-optical arrangement with at least one further layer, either fully or partially, (4) Applying a transfer adhesive layer to the second micro-optical arrangement and / or the at least one further layer, and (5) Cutting the outline shapes of the safety elements to be transferred, wherein in step (1) a carrier layer composite is used as a temporary carrier, consisting of a first temporary carrier substrate and a second temporary carrier substrate which are inseparably bonded by means of an adhesive layer, or in step (1) a first carrier substrate is used as a temporary carrier, and prior to step (5) the first carrier substrate is inseparably bonded to a second carrier substrate to create a carrier layer composite, and wherein in step (5) at least the second temporary carrier substrate is not cut, so that the temporary carrier can be separated as a complete carrier layer composite.

2. A method for producing a security element transfer material comprising a security element layer composite and a temporary support that is detachably connected to the security element layer composite, wherein the security element layer composite comprises a layer with a first micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of focusing elements, a layer with a second micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of micro-motif elements, and a permanent support substrate between the layers with the first and the second micro-optical arrangement, wherein the first and the second micro-optical arrangements interact to produce an optical effect, and wherein the method comprises the following steps: (1) Fabrication of the first micro-optical arrangement by (a) Applying an embossing varnish with a refractive index n < 1.45, in particular n < 1.3, to a surface of the temporary support, wherein the embossing varnish layer is removably bonded to the temporary support, inversely embossing a focusing structure into the embossing varnish layer, and Laminating the permanent support substrate onto the inverse focusing structure using a laminating varnish with a refractive index n > 1.55, in particular n > 1.6, wherein the laminating varnish layer forms a structure complementary to the inverse focusing structure at the interface with the embossing varnish layer by generating the focusing elements and inextricably bonds the permanent support substrate to the embossing varnish layer, or by (b) Applying an embossing varnish with a refractive index n > 1.55, in particular n > 1.6, to a surface of the permanent support substrate, wherein the embossing varnish layer is insolublely bonded to the permanent support substrate is connected Imprinting a focusing structure into the embossing lacquer layer, and laminating the temporary support onto the focusing structure using a laminating lacquer with a refractive index n < 1.45, in particular n < 1.3, wherein the laminating lacquer layer forms a structure complementary to the focusing structure at the interface with the embossing lacquer layer by generating the focusing elements and is inseparably bonded to the embossing lacquer layer, but detachably bonded to the temporary support. (2) Producing the second micro-optical arrangement by forming the micro-motif elements on the surface of the permanent support substrate facing away from the temporary support, (3) optionally coating the second micro-optical arrangement with at least one further layer, either fully or partially, (4) Applying a transfer adhesive layer to the second micro-optical arrangement and / or the at least one further layer, and (5) Cutting the outline shapes of the safety elements to be transferred, wherein in step (1) a carrier layer composite is used as a temporary carrier, consisting of a first temporary carrier substrate and a second temporary carrier substrate which are inseparably bonded by means of an adhesive layer, or in step (1) a first carrier substrate is used as a temporary carrier, and prior to step (5) the first carrier substrate is inseparably bonded to a second carrier substrate to create a carrier layer composite, and wherein in step (5) at least the second temporary carrier substrate is not cut, so that the temporary carrier can be separated as a complete carrier layer composite.

3. Method for producing a security element transfer material according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a self-healing adhesive is used to produce the adhesive layer of the temporary carrier and the outline shapes of the security elements to be transferred are cut while the adhesive has not yet cured.

4. Method for producing a security element transfer material according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first carrier substrate is inseparably bonded to the second carrier substrate before the step to create a carrier layer composite.

5. A method for producing a security element transfer material comprising a security element layer composite and a temporary support in the form of a carrier layer composite which is detachably connected to the security element layer composite, wherein the security element layer composite comprises a layer with a first micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of focusing elements, a layer with a second micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of micro-motif elements, and a permanent support substrate between the layers with the first and the second micro-optical arrangement, wherein the first and the second micro-optical arrangements interact to produce an optical effect, and wherein the method comprises the following steps: (1) Fabrication of the first micro-optical arrangement by (a) Applying an embossing varnish to a surface of a temporary support substrate, wherein the embossing varnish layer is inseparably bonded to the temporary support substrate to form the temporary support composite. Inverse imprinting of a focusing structure into the embossing lacquer layer, and Lamination of the permanent carrier substrate onto the inverse focusing structure using a laminating varnish, wherein the laminating varnish layer forms a structure complementary to the inverse focusing structure at the interface with the embossing varnish layer by generating the focusing elements and is inseparably bonded to the permanent carrier substrate and releasably bonded to the embossing varnish layer, or by (b) Applying an embossing varnish to a surface of a permanent substrate, Imprinting a focusing structure into the embossing lacquer layer to create the focusing elements, and Laminating a temporary support substrate onto the focusing structure using a laminating varnish, wherein the laminating varnish layer forms a structure complementary to the focusing structure at the interface with the embossing varnish layer and is inseparably bonded to the temporary support substrate and releasably bonded to the embossing varnish layer, forming the temporary support composite. (2) Producing the second micro-optical arrangement by forming the micro-motif elements on the surface of the permanent support substrate facing away from the temporary support layer composite, (3) optionally coating the second micro-optical arrangement with at least one further layer, either fully or partially, (4) Applying a transfer adhesive layer to the second micro-optical arrangement and / or the at least one further layer, and (5) Cutting out outline shapes of the safety elements to be transferred, whereby the temporary support substrate is not cut into, so that the temporary support remains as a complete support layer composite. can be separated.

6. Method for producing a security element transfer material according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the layer composite material of the security element layer composite is removed from the security element transfer material outside the outline shapes of the security elements.

7. Security element transfer material comprising a security element layer composite and a temporary carrier which is detachably connected to the security element layer composite, wherein the security element layer composite comprises a layer with a first micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of focusing elements, a layer with a second micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of micro-motif elements, and a permanent carrier substrate between the layer with the first and the layer with the second micro-optical arrangement, and a transfer adhesive layer as the outer layer of the security element layer composite, wherein the first and the second micro-optical arrangements interact to produce an optical effect, and the temporary carrier comprises a carrier layer composite consisting of a first temporary carrier substrate and a second temporary carrier substrate.which are inseparably bonded by means of an adhesive layer, and wherein the first micro-optical arrangement consists of, (a) a layer of an embossing varnish with a refractive index n > 1.55, in particular n > 1.6, which is detachably bonded to the temporary support and into which a focusing structure is embossed, and a layer of a laminating varnish with a refractive index n < 1.45, in particular n < 1.3, which is inseparably bonded to the embossing lacquer layer and to the permanent support substrate and which has a structure complementary to the focusing structure at the interface with the embossing lacquer layer, such that the interface forms focusing elements, or from (b) a layer of an embossing varnish with a refractive index n < 1.45, in particular n < 1.3, which is inseparably bonded to the permanent support substrate and into which an inverse focusing structure is embossed, and a layer of a laminating varnish with a refractive index n > 1.55, in particular n > 1.6, which is inseparably bonded to the embossing varnish layer and detachably bonded to the temporary support and which has a structure at the interface with the embossing varnish layer complementary to the inverse focusing structure, such that the interface forms focusing elements, wherein outline shapes of the security elements to be transferred are precut in the security element layer composite and cuts do not penetrate at least into the second temporary support substrate, so that the temporary support can be separated as a complete support layer composite.

8. Security element transfer material comprising a security element layer composite and a temporary carrier which is detachably connected to the security element layer composite, wherein the security element layer composite comprises a layer with a first micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of focusing elements, a layer with a second micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of micro-motivation elements, and a permanent The carrier substrate comprises a layer with the first micro-optical arrangement between the layer with the first and the layer with the second micro-optical arrangement, and a transfer adhesive layer as the outer layer of the security element layer assembly, wherein the first and the second micro-optical arrangements interact to produce an optical effect, and the temporary carrier has a carrier layer assembly consisting of a first temporary carrier substrate and a second temporary carrier substrate, which are inseparably joined by means of an adhesive layer, and wherein the first micro-optical arrangement consists of (a) a layer of an embossing varnish with a refractive index n < 1.45, in particular n < 1.3, which is detachably bonded to the temporary support and into which an inverse focusing structure is embossed, and a layer of a laminating varnish with a refractive index n > 1.55, in particular n > 1.6, which is inseparably bonded to the embossing varnish layer and to the permanent support substrate respectively and which has a structure at the interface with the embossing varnish layer complementary to the inverse focusing structure, such that the interface forms focusing elements, or consisting of (b) a layer of an embossing varnish with a refractive index n > 1.55, in particular n > 1.6, which is inseparably bonded to the permanent support substrate and into which a focusing structure is embossed, and a layer of a laminating varnish with a refractive index n < 1.45, in particular n < 1.3, which is inseparably bonded to the embossing varnish layer and releasably bonded to the temporary support and which has a structure at the interface with the embossing varnish layer that is complementary to the focusing structure, such that the interface forms focusing elements, wherein outline shapes of the safety elements to be transferred are pre-cut in the safety element layer composite and cuts do not penetrate at least the second temporary support subs, so that the temporary support can be separated as a complete support layer composite.

9. Security element transfer material according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the adhesive layer of the temporary carrier consists of a self-healing adhesive.

10. Security element transfer material comprising a security element layer composite and a temporary carrier which is detachably connected to the security element layer composite, wherein the security element layer composite comprises a layer with a first micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of focusing elements, a layer with a second micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of micro-motif elements, a permanent carrier substrate between the layer with the first and the layer with the second micro-optical arrangement, and a transfer adhesive layer as the outer layer of the security element layer composite, wherein the first micro-optical arrangement and the second micro-optical arrangement interact to produce an optical effect, and the temporary carrier comprises a temporary carrier substrate and has a temporary lacquer layer on a surface of the temporary carrier substrate.wherein the temporary support substrate and the temporary varnish layer are inseparably bonded together to form a support layer composite, and the temporary varnish layer is either (a) a layer of embossing varnish into which an inverse focusing structure is embossed, or (b) a layer of laminating varnish, and, the first micro-optical arrangement (a) if the temporary varnish layer is a layer of embossing varnish into which an inverse focusing structure is embossed, consists of a layer of laminating varnish which is inseparably bonded to the permanent substrate and removably bonded to the temporary embossing varnish layer and which has at the interface with the temporary embossing varnish layer a structure complementary to the inverse focusing structure which forms the focusing elements, or (b) if the temporary lacquer layer is a layer of a laminating lacquer, consists of a layer of an embossing lacquer which is inseparably bonded to the permanent substrate and removably bonded to the temporary laminating lacquer layer and into which a focusing structure is embossed which forms the focusing elements, wherein outline shapes of the security elements to be transferred are precut in the security element layer assembly and cuts do not penetrate at least into the temporary substrate so that the temporary carrier can be separated as a complete substrate layer assembly.

11. Security element transfer material according to one of claims 7 to 10 characterized in that the layer composite material outside the outline shapes of the security elements is removed from the security element layer composite, so that the security element transfer material has gaps in the security element layer composite, while the temporary carrier has no gaps.

12. Methods for authenticating an item of value such as a- a valuable document, a security paper or a branded item by means of a micro-optical authentication feature, comprising a transfer of a security element from a security element transfer material to a surface of the valuable item by Combining the security element transfer material according to one of claims 7 to 11 or the security element transfer material produced according to one of claims 1 to 6 and the valuable item, Compression of the security element transfer material in the area of ​​the security element to be transferred and the valuable item, possibly under elevated temperature, and Separation of the temporary support as a complete support layer composite from the transferred safety element.

13. Method for authenticating an item of value, such as a security document, a security paper or a branded article, by means of a micro-optical authentication feature, comprising (1) Manufacturing a security element transfer material comprising a security element layer assembly and a temporary support that is detachably bonded to the security element layer assembly, wherein the security element layer assembly comprises a layer with a first micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of focusing elements, a transfer adhesive layer and a permanent support substrate between the layer with the first micro-optical arrangement and the transfer adhesive layer, and wherein the security element transfer material is manufactured by Generating the first micro-optical arrangement as specified in claim 1 or 2, Optionally, the first micro-optical arrangement can be coated fully or partially with at least one further layer. Applying the transfer adhesive layer to the first micro-optical assembly and / or at least one further layer, and Cutting out the outlines of the security elements to be transferred, wherein (a) a carrier layer composite is used as a temporary carrier, consisting of a first temporary carrier substrate and a second temporary carrier substrate, which are inseparably bonded by means of an adhesive layer, or (b) a first carrier substrate is used as a temporary carrier and, prior to the application of the transfer adhesive layer, the first carrier substrate is inseparably bonded to a second carrier substrate to create a carrier layer composite, and wherein at least the second temporary carrier substrate is not cut into, so that the temporary carrier can be separated as a complete carrier layer composite, optionally removing the layer composite material of the security element layer composite outside the outlines of the security elements from the security element transfer material. (2) Transferring a security element from the security element transfer material to a surface of the valuable item by Merging the security element transfer material and the valuables substrate, Compression of the security element transfer material in the area of ​​the security element to be transferred and the valuable item substrate, optionally under elevated temperature, and Separation of the temporary support as a complete support layer assembly from the transferred safety element, and (3) Applying a second micro-optical arrangement which a exhibiting a plurality of micro-motif elements on a surface of the valuable object substrate in such a way that the first micro-optical arrangement and the second micro-optical arrangement can interact or work together to produce an optical effect in order to form the micro-optical authentication feature.

14. Method for authenticating an item of value, such as a security document, a security paper or a branded article, by means of a micro-optical authentication feature, comprising (1) Manufacturing a security element transfer material comprising a security element layer composite and a temporary support in the form of a support layer composite which is detachably connected to the security element layer composite, wherein the security element layer composite comprises a layer with a first micro-optical arrangement having a plurality of focusing elements, a transfer adhesive layer and a permanent support substrate between the layer with the first micro-optical arrangement and the transfer adhesive layer, and wherein the security element transfer material is manufactured by Producing the first micro-optical arrangement as specified in claim 5, optionally coating the first micro-optical arrangement over its entire surface or partially over its entire surface with at least one further layer, Applying the transfer adhesive layer to the first micro-optical assembly and / or at least one further layer, and Cutting out the outline shapes of the safety elements to be transferred, whereby the temporary support substrate is not cut, so that the temporary support can be separated as a complete support layer composite, Optional removal of the layer composite material of the safety element layer composite outside the outline shapes of the safety elements from the safety element transfer material, (2) Transferring a security element from the security element transfer material to a surface of the valuable item by Merging the security element transfer material and the Value object substrate, Compression of the security element transfer material in the area of ​​the security element to be transferred and the valuable item substrate, optionally under elevated temperature, and Separation of the temporary support as a complete support layer assembly from the transferred safety element, (3) Applying a second micro-optical arrangement comprising a plurality of micro-motif elements to a surface of the valuable object substrate in such a way that the first micro-optical arrangement and the second micro-optical arrangement can interact or work together to produce an optical effect to form the micro-optical authentication feature.

15. A valuable item, such as a security document or a security paper, which has been equipped with a security element using a security element transfer material manufactured according to one of claims 1 to 6, or a security element transfer material according to one of claims 7 to 11, or which has been equipped with a security element and a second micro-optical arrangement according to a method for authenticity marking according to one of claims 12 to 14.

16. Item of value according to claim 15, characterized in that the The valuable item has a continuous opening and the security element is attached in such a way that it essentially closes the continuous opening.

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