Security element for valuable papers, security papers or security objects

Abstract

The invention relates to a security element (1) for securities, security papers, or security items (2), and to a security, security paper, or security item (2). The security element (1) has a first side (3) and a second side (4), as well as a carrier layer (5) and at least one layer (6) of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder. It is provided that the layer (6) of the lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder has a transmittance of at least 75%, preferably 80%, and particularly preferably 85% in a dried state, especially in the visible wavelength range.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a security element for securities, security papers, or security items, comprising a first side and a second side, wherein the security element has a carrier layer. The invention further relates to a security, security paper, or security item, in particular a banknote.

[0002] Security features of the type mentioned above are commonly used to increase the counterfeit protection of securities, security documents or security items, such as banknotes, identity cards, credit cards, debit cards, tickets, etc.

[0003] To increase the counterfeit protection of security features known in the prior art, luminescent layers, paint layers, or coatings are used. The luminescent pigments or the luminescent paint are not visible in the visible wavelength range of light, or they can be stimulated to emit visible light when exposed to electromagnetic waves outside the visible spectrum (ultraviolet (UV) (λ < 380 nm) and / or infrared (IR) (λ > 780 nm) radiation), thus becoming detectable by an observer.

[0004] Known luminescent pigments and substances exhibit strong light scattering at their surfaces, which is why the paint or coating appears matte, cloudy, or opaque when dry. If transparency of the dry coating or layer, including fluorescence, is desired, this can only be achieved using special luminescent dyes or pigments. Paints containing luminescent pigments known in the art scatter incident light in the visible wavelength range to a greater or lesser degree, thus reducing or clouding the transparency or transmission of the coating.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to create a security element with increased counterfeit protection which, in view of known designs, has an improved lacquer layer with reduced scattering of incident light, so that the transparency or transmission of the lacquer layer is comparatively high.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a safety element of the type mentioned above in that it has at least one layer or coating made of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments, in particular or preferably fluorescent pigments, and at least one binder, wherein the layer in a dried state, in particular in the visible wavelength range of light, has a transmittance of at least 75%, preferably 80%, particularly preferably 85%, respectively of at least 0.75, preferably 0.8, particularly preferably 0.85.

[0007] In particular, the invention makes it possible to implement a safety feature that is invisible in the visible wavelength range of light and only becomes visible when illuminated with UV light. For example, an underlying layer, such as underlying structures or an optical effect layer, can be covered by the luminescent layer according to the invention without altering or influencing the perceptible optical effect. The invention also makes it possible to provide transparent window areas with a luminescent layer.

[0008] In the context of this document, "dried state" refers to a state in which the security element in a security, security paper, or security item can be further processed. "Dried state" does not necessarily refer to a specific residual moisture level of the luminescent layer or coating.

[0009] Transparency or transmission describes the permeability of a medium, in this case a layer or coating, to electromagnetic waves or light. The term transmittance is a material property defined as the ratio of wave intensity in front of and behind the medium or coating. Transmittance is therefore a measure of the amount or intensity of electromagnetic waves or light transmitted and takes values ​​between 0 and 1, or between 0% and 100%.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment, the layer of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder may have a layer thickness of at most 8 µm, preferably at most 4 µm, and particularly preferably at most 2 µm, when dried. In the case of very highly diluted lacquers, the layer of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder may also have a layer thickness of at most 1 µm when dried.

[0011] With such a thin layer thickness, a high transmittance of the luminescent layer can be achieved easily and effectively.

[0012] According to an advantageous further development, it may be provided that the binder is selected from the group of binders based on polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), nitrocellulose, polyester (PE), epoxy, polyvinyl acetate and polystyrene (PS), and / or acrylate, in particular PE acrylate, PET acrylate, urethane acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), ethylene acrylate copolymers, styrene acrylates and / or epoxy acrylate, and / or their copolymers and terpolymers, and / or mixtures thereof.

[0013] These binders are particularly well-suited for achieving a high degree of transmission. In principle, any binder can be used, provided its refractive index is very similar to that of the other layers of the security element. Therefore, solvent-based paints, aqueous dispersions, and 100% UV systems can all be used.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the binder may comprise at least 30 wt%, preferably at least 40 wt%, and particularly preferably at least 50 wt%. This applies in each case to the dried state of the luminescent layer.

[0015] A high transmittance of the layer can be achieved particularly well with a quantity of binder in the specified proportions. Generally, the transmittance increases with the amount of binder present.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the quantity of luminescent pigments can be at least 0.5 wt%, preferably at least 1.0 wt%, and particularly preferably at least 3.0 wt%. This applies in each case to the dried state of the luminescent layer.

[0017] A high degree of transmittance of the layer can be achieved particularly well with a high quantity of luminescent pigments in the specified proportions. Generally, the transmittance increases, meaning the layer becomes more transparent, as the number of pigments decreases.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the refractive index difference between the luminescent pigments and the binder is between 0.3 and 0.01, preferably between 0.1 and 0.01, particularly preferably between 0.05 and 0.01.

[0019] In this process, the binder and the luminescent pigments in the formulation of the varnish can be matched to achieve a high degree of transmission, while at the same time advantageously achieving a strong fluorescence intensity.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the maximum pigment size of the luminescent pigments is 50 µm, preferably 10 µm, particularly preferably 5 µm.

[0021] Luminescent pigments with a pigment size according to the specified values ​​advantageously exhibit particularly good fluorescence intensity and at the same time enable a high transmittance of the dried layer.

[0022] According to an advantageous further development, it can be provided that the luminescent pigments contain, or consist of, inorganic and / or organic luminescent pigments.

[0023] The use of inorganic luminescent pigments allows for particularly good durability of the coating, and especially high colorfastness and color stability. This is particularly true under the influence of electromagnetic radiation in the UV wavelength range.

[0024] To produce the luminescent layer, transparent luminescent pigments or dyes can be dissolved in a suitable solvent, such as diacetone alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, ethoxypropanol, monoethylene glycol, methoxypropanol, methoxydipropanol, n-propanol, methoxybutanol, n-butanol, ethoxypropanol, butyl glycol, hexane, cyclopentanone, acetone, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, cyclohexanone, isopropyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, methoxypropyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, special gasoline, toluene, water, xylene, or methyl isobutyl ketone, at elevated temperature, preferably up to the boiling point of the solvent. Once the pigments or dye are completely dissolved, the mixture is stirred into a standard transparent lacquer. Suitable standard transparent lacquer compositions include, for example, lacquers from the list above.

[0025] It is standard practice in the industry to use or consider material parameters such as "haze" (cloudiness, wide-angle scattering) and "clarity" (image sharpness, near-angle scattering) instead of or in addition to the transmittance value to describe transparency or transmission. Common standards for determining these material properties are ISO 13468 (Determination of the total light transmittance of transparent materials), ISO 14782 (Determination of the haze value of transparent materials), and ASTM D1003 (Testing of haze and light transmittance of transparent plastics).

[0026] Wide-angle scattering (haze, turbidity) leads to a loss of contrast and a milky appearance. This effect is also known as haze or turbidity. Viewing a black letter with sharp edges on a white background through a sample with wide-angle scattering results in a milky appearance. The contrast between the white background and the black letter is reduced.

[0027] Near-angle scattering (clarity, image sharpness) causes small deviations in the light at high intensity. A black letter with sharp edges on a white background appears blurry when viewed through a sample exhibiting near-angle scattering. The letter's contours are distorted. This effect, known as image sharpness or clarity, determines how well fine details are discernible. It is important to note that image sharpness decreases with increasing distance between the sample and the object, while the effect of haze remains constant.

[0028] According to an advantageous further development, it can be provided that the layer in the dried state has a clarity value of at least 80, preferably at least 90, particularly preferably 95.

[0029] According to an advantageous further development, it can be provided that the layer in the dried state has a haze value of at most 20, preferably at most 15, particularly preferably at most 10.

[0030] According to an advantageous further training, it may be provided that the layer is formed over the entire surface or partially.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment, the security element may have at least one optical effect layer, in particular at least one layer producing at least one optically variable effect, wherein the layer and the optical effect layer are arranged on the same side or on different sides of the carrier layer.

[0032] An optical effect layer can have one or more colors, and the color(s) of the optical effect layer and the luminescent color visible under UV light may be matched. Thus, the colors can be identical, or a mixed color can be created and perceived under mixed illumination from visible and UV light.

[0033] The at least one optical effect layer can be formed by or comprise first structures, wherein the first structures reflect a motif into different spatial areas, so that a moving image is created for the viewer when a light source is moved accordingly, when the safety element is tilted and / or when the viewing angle is changed.

[0034] It is also advantageous to have a design in which it can be provided that the moving image is perceptible to the viewer as a continuous movement of several motif sections when a light source is moved accordingly, when the safety element is tilted and / or when the viewing angle is changed.

[0035] According to further training, it is possible that the first structures include achromatic and / or reflective structures, such as micromirrors, and / or refractive structures, such as microlenses, and / or diffractive structures, such as holograms.

[0036] Furthermore, it may be provided that the optical effect layer in which a motif is formed is designed as a thin-film element and has at least one absorber layer and at least one spacer layer, or wherein the optical effect layer contains color-shifting pigments, in particular interference pigments, or liquid crystal pigments, or wherein the optical effect layer has metallic pigments and / or magnetic pigments and / or color pigments and / or dyes.

[0037] According to a particular design, it is possible that the optical effect layer is printed and / or vapor-deposited onto the first structures.

[0038] The motif and / or the interruption area, in particular the optical effect layer in which the motif and / or the interruption area is formed, may comprise a metallic effect paint and / or a metallic effect lacquer and / or a metallic effect ink and / or a metallic material, in particular selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, aluminium, gold, platinum, niobium, tin, or from nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt-nickel alloys.

[0039] According to an advantageous further development, it can be provided that the optical effect layer in which a motif is formed has a color-shifting effect and contains a color-shifting thin-film element or color-shifting pigments, in particular interference pigments, or liquid crystal pigments.

[0040] The optical effect layer can have at least one color-shifting layer on a side facing away from the visible side of the security element. This color-shifting layer is, in particular, a dark-colored layer and / or a layer of metal oxides, such as substoichiometric aluminum oxide. For example, the color-shifting layer can be applied to a liquid crystal layer or a layer of color-shifting pigments, such that the color-shifting pigment layer or the liquid crystal layer is positioned between the color-shifting layer and the substrate. Alternatively, the color-shifting layer can also be positioned between the substrate and the color-shifting pigment layer or the liquid crystal layer.Furthermore, it is also possible that a carrier layer is arranged between the layer that enhances the color-shifting effect and the layer of color-shifting pigments or the liquid crystal layer.

[0041] The optical effect layer can have at least one liquid crystal layer, in particular a cholesteric liquid crystal layer.

[0042] The optical effect layer can be designed as an optically non-linear layer or layer and / or as a layer containing luminescent pigments and / or luminescent materials. Optically non-linear layers or layers, or the materials forming these layers, are also referred to as IR upconverters or UV downconverters.

[0043] These materials can exhibit a visible color under the influence of electromagnetic radiation outside the visible wavelength range of light. Such materials can be excited to emit visible light under these conditions, for example, when irradiated with electromagnetic waves outside the visible spectrum (ultraviolet (UV) (λ < 380 nm) and / or infrared (IR) (λ > 780 nm) radiation). Furthermore, the optical effect layer may contain photoluminescent pigments and / or photoluminescent substances that emit in the IR range when excited by electromagnetic radiation.

[0044] The described structures can be incorporated directly into the substrate layer or into a further layer, particularly an embossing lacquer layer, and especially embossed using a molding device. The structures can be embossed directly into a substrate layer. For example, by heating the substrate layer and embossing the structures using an embossing tool, such as an embossing roller. Another alternative would be to provide a separate further layer to accommodate the structures. This further layer can be applied directly to a substrate layer. For example, the further layer can consist of an embossing lacquer that is shaped according to the arrangement of the structures. This, in turn, can be done using a molding device or a molding element in an embossing process.

[0045] The arrangement or application of the optical effect layer to the structures or the metal layers and / or metal effect layers can be achieved, for example, by a printing process and / or a vapor deposition process, or several of these. However, the materials or additives of the reflective layer described below could also form a component or layer of the optical effect layer. These can be printed or vapor-deposited, in particular, and thus form a separate layer of the optical effect layer.

[0046] In particular, it can be advantageous if the optical effect layer is designed as a thin-film element and has at least one absorber layer and at least one spacer layer.

[0047] The at least one absorber layer may comprise at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group consisting of nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, aluminium, silver, copper and / or alloys of these materials, or may be made of at least one of these materials.

[0048] Furthermore, it may be provided that the optical effect layer designed as a thin-film element further comprises at least one reflection layer and / or a second absorber layer, wherein the at least one spacer layer is arranged between the at least one first absorber layer and the at least one reflection layer and / or the at least one second absorber layer.

[0049] The reflective layer can be applied or arranged on structures, and in particular, it can be printed and / or vapor-deposited onto them. It is also possible to reverse this order in the optical effect layer, so that the absorber layer is arranged on the structures, followed by the spacer layer and the reflective layer. Thus, the arrangement would be: structures - absorber layer - spacer layer - reflective layer. However, instead of the aforementioned reflective layer, another absorber layer can also be used.

[0050] The at least one reflective layer can be at least a metallic material, in particular selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, niobium, tin, or from nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt-nickel alloys, or at least a high-refractive-index dielectric material with a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO₂), carbon (C), indium oxide (In₂O₃), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅), cerium oxide (CeO₂), yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃), europium oxide (Eu₂O₃), iron oxides such as iron(II,III) oxide (Fe₃O₄) and iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO 2 ), lanthanum oxide (La 2 O 3 ), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd 2 O 3 ), praseodymium oxide (Pr 6 O 11 ), samarium oxide (Sm 2 O 3 ), antimony trioxide (Sb 2 O 3 ), silicon carbide (SiC),silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se2O3), tin oxide (SnO2), tungsten trioxide (WO3), high-refractive-index organic monomers and / or high-refractive-index organic polymers, or be made from at least one of these materials.

[0051] The at least one spacer layer can be a low-refractive-index dielectric material with a refractive index of less than or equal to 1.65, in particular selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), metal fluorides, for example magnesium fluoride (MgF₂), aluminum fluoride (AlF₃), cerium fluoride (CeF₃), sodium aluminum fluorides (e.g., Na₃AlF₆ or Na₅Al₃F₁₄), silicon dioxide (SiO₃), silicon dioxide (SiO₂), neodymium fluoride (NdF₃), lanthanum fluoride (LaF₃), samarium fluoride (SmF₃), barium fluoride (BaF₂), calcium fluoride (CaF₂), lithium fluoride (LiF), low-refractive-index organic monomers and / or low-refractive-index organic polymers, or at least a high-refractive-index dielectric material with a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide. (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), carbon (C), indium oxide (In2O3), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5), cerium oxide (CeO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3),Europium oxide (Eu₂O₃), iron oxides such as iron(II,III) oxide (Fe₃O₄) and iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO₂), lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd₂O₃), praseodymium oxide (Pr₆O₁₁), samarium oxide (Sm₂O₃), antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se₂O₃), tin oxide (SnO₂), tungsten trioxide (WO₃), high-refractive-index organic monomers and / or high-refractive-index organic polymers, or are manufactured from at least one of these materials. be.,

[0052] Furthermore, it may be provided that the optical effect layer is a partial layer or comprises a partial layer, wherein a motif is represented by the partial layer.

[0053] According to an advantageous further development, it can be provided that, when viewing at least one side of the security element, the luminescent layer is closer to an observer than the optical effect layer.

[0054] According to an advantageous further development, it can be provided that the carrier layer is formed from a translucent, in particular transparent, plastic.

[0055] The safety element comprises a carrier layer, in particular a carrier film, made of a plastic, wherein the plastic may in particular be made of a translucent and / or thermoplastic plastic. The carrier layer may preferably be at least one of the following materials: polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), monoaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystalline polymers (LCP), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene fluoroterpolymer (EFEP), cellulose- or lignin-based plastics, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polybutylene adipate rephthalate (PBAT) and / or at least one recycled and / or biodegradable and / or marine-degradable plastic and / or mixtures and / or copolymers of these materials, or be made from at least one of these materials.

[0056] According to an advantageous further development, it can be provided that a layer of lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder represents a motif.

[0057] The motif of the layer can be at least a portrait, a landscape, a building and / or an animal and / or a pattern and / or an abstract geometric sign, a logo or an alphanumeric character and / or an icon and / or a symbol and / or a code and / or a sequence of characters.

[0058] According to an advantageous further development, it can be provided that the optical effect layer represents a first motif and that the motif of the luminescent layer and the first motif represent complementary motifs or the same motif.

[0059] Likewise, the first motif of the optical effect layer can represent at least a portrait, a landscape, a building and / or an animal and / or a pattern and / or an abstract geometric sign, logo or an alphanumeric character and / or an icon and / or a symbol and / or a code and / or a sequence of characters.

[0060] According to a beneficial further training, it may be intended that it is a window safety element.

[0061] This allows the high transmission or high transparency to be particularly effective.

[0062] As is known per se, the security element can have additional layers, which may include, in particular, protective coatings, heat-seal coatings, adhesives, primers, and / or films. Protective coatings can protect the entire layer and / or layer structure from mechanical damage such as scratches, grooves, or the like. A protective layer can be applied to one or both sides. Preferably, a protective layer can also be used to achieve a flat surface for the security element.

[0063] The object of the invention is also achieved by a security, security paper or security object in that it has at least one security element according to one of the claims.

[0064] To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the preceding descriptions of the training courses and benefits.

[0065] According to an advantageous further development, it can be provided that it has at least one window area and that the safety element is designed to cover the window area or at least partially or in certain areas.

[0066] In a window area, a window security element which has the transmission properties according to the invention can be particularly effective, immediately catching the eye of a viewer and thus contributing significantly to counterfeit protection.

[0067] To better understand the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0068] They each show, in a highly simplified, schematic representation: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a safety element in sectional view, Fig. 2 another embodiment of a safety element in sectional view, Fig. 3 another embodiment of a safety element in sectional view, Fig. 4 an embodiment of a safety element in top view illuminated with light in the visible wavelength range, Fig. 5 the embodiment from Fig. 4 Top view under UV or mixed light illumination, Fig. 6; an embodiment of a security, security paper or security item with a window area; top view under visible wavelength illumination, Fig. 7; the embodiment from Fig. 6 Top view under UV light or mixed light illumination.

[0069] It should be noted at the outset that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or component designations, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the positional designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated, and these positional designations must be applied analogously to the new position if the position changes.

[0070] It should be mentioned at the outset that the layer structure, as well as the arrangement of further layers, depends on how the safety element is attached to a safety object, since the side of the safety element being viewed after attachment is decisive. Thus, the visible side can be viewed from above, as shown in the figures, but it is also possible to view the safety element from below, e.g., through a support.

[0071] It should be noted that the phrase "a layer is applied to something" is to be understood as meaning that the layer can be applied directly, or that one or more intermediate layers may be present between the applied layer and the surface to which the layer is applied. It should also be noted that one or more intermediate layers may be arranged between the layers described in this document. Therefore, it is not essential that the described layers are in contact with each other. Furthermore, it should be noted that the term "layer" in this document is to be understood as meaning that a layer can also be composed of several sublayers.

[0072] The Figures 1 to 3 The figures show exemplary embodiments of safety elements 1 in sectional view. Figures 4 to 7The figures show exemplary embodiments of security elements 1 or of securities, security papers or security items 2 in top view, under different lighting conditions.

[0073] The exemplary embodiments are described below in a single overview as far as possible to avoid unnecessary repetition. It goes without saying, and follows from the advantageous developments described at the outset, that the exemplary embodiments described below are merely illustrative and, in particular, are by no means to be understood as preferred or even exhaustive.

[0074] The in the Figures 1 to 7The illustrated embodiments of security elements 1 or of securities, security papers or security items 2 with a security element 1 each have a first side 3 and a second side 4. Depending on the type and application, both sides 3, 4 or only one of the two sides 3, 4 may be a visible side.

[0075] The figures show that the safety elements 1 each have a carrier layer 5 and at least one layer 6 consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments, in particular fluorescent pigments, and at least one binder. These layers are shown in particular in the sectional views according to the Figs. 1 to 3In simplified terms, it is provided that layer 6, consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, has a transmittance of at least 75%, preferably 80%, and particularly preferably 85%, in a dried state, especially in the visible wavelength range.

[0076] The layer 6, consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, may have a layer thickness 7 of a maximum of 8 µm, preferably of a maximum of 4 µm, and particularly preferably of a maximum of 2 µm when dried.

[0077] It is also conceivable that the binder is selected from the group of binders based on polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), nitrocellulose, polyester (PE), epoxy, polyvinyl acetate and polystyrene (PS), and / or acrylate, in particular PE acrylate, PET acrylate, urethane acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), ethylene acrylate copolymers, styrene acrylates and / or epoxy acrylate, and / or their copolymers and terpolymers, and / or mixtures thereof.

[0078] It is also possible that the amount of binder is at least 30 wt. %, preferably at least 40 wt. %, and particularly preferably at least 50 wt. %,.

[0079] It is also conceivable that the amount of luminescent pigments is at least 0.5 wt. %, preferably at least 1.0 wt. %, and particularly preferably at least 3.0 wt. %,.

[0080] The difference in refractive index between the luminescent pigments and the binder can be between 0.3 and 0.01, preferably between 0.1 and 0.01, particularly preferably between 0.05 and 0.01.

[0081] It is also conceivable that the maximum pigment size of the luminescent pigments is 50 µm, preferably 10 µm, particularly preferably 5 µm.

[0082] The luminescent pigments may contain or consist of inorganic luminescent pigments.

[0083] Layer 6, consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, can have a clarity value of at least 80, preferably at least 90, and particularly preferably 95, when dried. It is also possible that layer 6, consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, has a haze value of at most 20, preferably at most 15, and particularly preferably at most 10, when dried.

[0084] Layer 6, consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, can be applied over the entire surface or partially. The sectional views in the Figs. 1 to 3 Each image shows sections of a security element where layer 6 is applied across the entire surface. However, it is also possible that these are sections of partial formations. In the Figs. 4 and 5 An embodiment of a safety element 1 is shown in which both layer 6, consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, and an optical effect layer 8 are partially formed. The optical effect layer 8 forms, by way of example, the left half of a heart, and layer 6 forms the right side of the same heart.

[0085] As in the Figs. 2 to 7As shown, the security element 1 may have at least one optical effect layer 8, in particular at least one layer producing at least one optically variable effect, wherein the layer 6 consists of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, and the optical effect layer 8, as shown in the Fig. 3 illustrated, on the same page, or, as in the Fig. 2 illustrated, are arranged on different sides of the carrier layer 5.

[0086] In the example according to Figs. 2 and 3 It has also been shown that when considering at least one side 3, 4, specifically in the example shown when considering the first side 3 of the safety element 1, the layer 6, consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, is closer to an observer than the optical effect layer 8.

[0087] The carrier layer 5 may be made of a translucent, in particular a transparent, plastic. This can be especially advantageous if it is a window safety element. This is the case, for example, in the embodiment according to the Figs. 6 and 7 , in which the safety element 1 or the area with layer 6 consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder is arranged in a window area 11.

[0088] That layer 6, consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, exhibits a transmittance of at least 75%, preferably 80%, and particularly preferably 85% in a dried state, especially in the visible wavelength range, is illustrated for better understanding by the Figs. 4 and 5 , as well as the Figs. 6 and 7 illustrated.

[0089] The Figs. 4 and 6Each image shows the state of a security element 1 or a security, security paper, or security item 2 under illumination with light in the visible wavelength range, i.e., for example, in daylight or under artificial light. Figs. 5 and 7 Each shows the state of the security element 1 or the security, security paper or security item 2 from the Figs. 4 and 6 , but this time under illumination with UV light or under mixed illumination consisting of UV light and light in the visible wavelength range.

[0090] Layer 6, consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, can represent a motif 9. In the Figs. 4 and 5 Motif 9 is in the form of half a heart. In the Figs. 6 and 7 The motif 9 is depicted in the form of a star.

[0091] It is also conceivable that the optical effect layer 8 represents a first motif 10 9 and that the motif 9 of layer 6 consists of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, and the first motif 10 as in the Figs. 4 and 5 Examples show complementary motifs or the same motif.

[0092] In the Fig. 4As previously described, an optical effect layer 8 is formed, which has the shape of half a heart as motif 10. For example, the optical effect layer 8 can be a thin-film structure. This is visible when illuminated with light in the visible wavelength range. The areas in which layer 6 is formed from a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder are not visible or recognizable. In the example shown, the luminescent layer 6 and the optical effect layer 8 are arranged next to each other. However, it would also be conceivable that the luminescent layer 6 partially or completely overlaps the optical effect layer 8. Fig. 4The high transmittance of the luminescent layer 6 is indicated by dashed lines, these dashed lines serving only for understanding purposes and are not necessarily recognizable in a real embodiment of the invention.

[0093] In the Fig. 5 In the area where layer 6 is formed from a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, this layer 6, which is transparent under standard lighting, becomes visible due to a perceptible fluorescence effect. For this purpose, the safety element 1 is viewed under UV light or under mixed lighting. In the example according to Fig. 5This area has motif 9, or the shape of half a heart, so that this luminescent heart, together with motif 10, or with the half-heart area of ​​the optical effect layer 8, forms a complete heart. Such an effect, in which several individual motifs 9, 10 combine to form a complete motif 9, 10, can be particularly noticeable under mixed lighting.

[0094] It is also conceivable that security element 1 is a window security element. In the Figs. 6 and 7 An example of a security, security paper or security item 2 is shown, which has at least one window area 11 and in which the security element 1 is designed to cover the window area 11.

[0095] In the Fig. 6 The high transmittance of the luminescent layer 6 in the visible wavelength range is represented by a transparent, star-shaped window region 11. This is achieved by means of a [missing information - likely a specific feature or element] located in the Fig. 6The background indicated by dots makes it clear that the window area 11, in which the layer 6 is formed from a varnish containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, is transparent in the visible wavelength range, i.e., it has a transmittance of at least 75%, preferably 80%, particularly preferably 85%.

[0096] In the Fig. 7 A luminescent star becomes visible under UV light or under mixed illumination of UV light and light in the visible wavelength range. It would also be conceivable to have the luminescent layer 6 cover not the entire window area, but only one or more sections. These sections can also have the shape of motifs 9.

[0097] The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiment variants, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in this technical field due to the teaching on technical action by the present invention.

[0098] The scope of protection is defined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be consulted for the interpretation of the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments shown and described can, in themselves, represent independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying these independent inventive solutions can be found in the description.

[0099] All references to value ranges in this description are to be understood as encompassing any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g., the reference 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e., all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g., 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0100] Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, for a better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size. Reference numeral list

[0101] 1 Security element 2 Security paper, security paper or security item 3 First side 4 Second side 5 Carrier layer 6 Luminescent layer 7 Layer thickness 8 Optical effect layer 9 Motif of the layer 10 First motif of the optical effect layer 11 Window area

Claims

1. Security element (1) for securities, security papers or security items (2), comprising a first side (3) and a second side (4) wherein the security element (1) comprises a carrier layer (5) and at least one layer (6) of a varnish containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder, wherein the layer (6) of a varnish containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder has a transmittance of at least 75%, preferably 80%, particularly preferably 85% in a dried state, especially in the visible wavelength range.

2. Safety element (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that The layer (6) of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder has a layer thickness (7) of a maximum of 8 µm, preferably of a maximum of 4 µm, particularly preferably of a maximum of 2 µm when dried.

3. Safety element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact thatthe binder is selected from the group of binders based on polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), nitrocellulose, polyester (PE), epoxy, polyvinyl acetate and polystyrene (PS), and / or acrylate, in particular PE acrylate, PET acrylate, urethane acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), ethylene acrylate copolymers, styrene acrylates and / or epoxy acrylate, and / or their copolymers and terpolymers, and / or mixtures thereof.

4. Safety element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a quantity of binder is at least 30 wt. %, preferably at least 40 wt. %, particularly preferably at least 50 wt. %,.

5. Safety element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a quantity of luminescent pigments is at least 0.5 wt. %, preferably at least 1.0 wt. %, particularly preferably at least 3.0 wt. %,.

6. Safety element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a refractive index difference between the luminescent pigments and the binder is between 0.3 and 0.01, preferably between 0.1 and 0.01, particularly preferably between 0.05 and 0.

01.

7. Safety element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a maximum pigment size of the luminescent pigments is 50 µm, preferably 10 µm, particularly preferably 5 µm.

8. Safety element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the luminescent pigments contain, or consist of, inorganic and / or organic luminescent pigments.

9. Safety element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatThe layer (6) of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder has a clarity value of at least 80, preferably at least 90, particularly preferably 95, when dried.

10. Safety element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The layer (6) consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder has a haze value of at most 20, preferably at most 15, particularly preferably at most 10, when dried.

11. Safety element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the layer (6) consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder is formed over the entire surface or partially.

12. Safety element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatthe safety element (1) has at least one optical effect layer (8), in particular at least one layer producing at least one optically variable effect, wherein the layer (6) consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder and the optical effect layer (8) are arranged on the same side or on different sides of the carrier layer (5).

13. Safety element (1) according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that When viewing at least one side (3, 4) of the safety element (1), the layer (6) of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder is closer to an observer than the optical effect layer (8).

14. Safety element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the carrier layer (5) is made of a translucent, in particular transparent, plastic.

15. Safety element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The layer (6) consisting of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder represents a motif (9).

16. Safety element (1) according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized by the fact that the optical effect layer (8) represents a first motif (10) (9) and that the motif (9) of the layer (6) consists of a lacquer containing luminescent pigments and at least one binder and the first motif (10) represent complementary motifs or the same motif.

17. Safety element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that It is a window safety element.

18. Security, security instrument or security (2), characterized by the fact that it has at least one safety element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. Security, security instrument or security item (2) according to claim 18, characterized by the fact thatit has at least one window area (11) and the safety element (1) is designed to cover the window area (11).

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