Data carrier with metallized security thread and manufacturing method

Abstract

The invention relates to a data carrier (10), in particular a valuable or security document, comprising a substrate (12) having two main substrate directions (L, Q) and a metallized security thread (14) with one or more security features (20) embedded at least partially in the substrate (12). According to the invention, the security thread (14) extends across the entire width of the substrate (12) to the side edges (22, 24) of the substrate running along one of the main substrate directions (L), the security thread (14) with its security features (20) is registered and embedded in the substrate (12), and the security thread (14) is metal-free across its entire width in the two edge regions (40, 44) adjacent to the side edges (22, 24).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a data carrier, in particular a valuable or security document, comprising a substrate and a metallized security thread with one or more security features, at least partially embedded in the substrate. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a data carrier.

[0002] Data carriers, such as banknotes, shares, bonds, certificates, vouchers, checks, high-quality tickets, but also other documents susceptible to forgery, are often provided with security elements for protection, which allow verification of the authenticity of the document and also serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction.

[0003] The security features can be designed as a window security element, such as a window security thread, that is fully or partially embedded in the data carrier. Window security threads are security threads that are neither applied to the surface of a data carrier substrate nor completely embedded in the substrate. Rather, they are partially embedded in the substrate in such a way that they are only visible in specific window areas on one or both opposing surfaces of the substrate.

[0004] Security threads are generally coated with a metallization that, on the one hand, allows for the formation of various security features and, on the other hand, makes the thread visible through the metallization even in embedded areas due to the low transmission of the metal layer. The metallization is often partially omitted in the form of a negative marking, such as the banknote's denomination or microprinting. When viewed against a light source, the negative marking then appears bright against the dark background of the security thread's metallization.

[0005] However, in practice, data carriers with such metallized security threads often experience durability problems, particularly due to corrosion of the metallization or splitting of the security thread at the interface of the metal layer to the carrier film or other layers of the thread structure, which can lead to a reduced optical quality of the security features and even a reduced lifespan of the data carrier.

[0006] Based on this, the invention aims to provide a generic data carrier with improved durability. The invention also aims to provide a method for manufacturing such a data carrier.

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention relates to a data carrier comprising a substrate with two main substrate directions and a metallized security thread at least partially embedded in the substrate. The metallized security thread is equipped with one or more security features. The data carrier can, in particular, be a valuable or security document.

[0009] The safety thread extends across the entire width of the substrate to the side edges of the substrate running along one of the main substrate directions.

[0010] The security thread, with its registered security features, is embedded in the substrate. The security thread and its security features are therefore positioned in a predetermined location within the data carrier, where the security features are aligned with window openings or other characteristic features of the data carrier. Furthermore, the predetermined position of a matched security thread is the same for all identical data carriers, for example, for all banknotes of a specific banknote series and denomination.

[0011] The security thread is metal-free across its entire width in both edge regions adjacent to the side edges. The metallization of the security thread therefore does not begin at the cut edges, but rather within the substrate, thus protecting the particularly vulnerable starting point of the metallization process against corrosion and thread splitting.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the two main substrate directions are perpendicular to each other, that the safety thread runs along a first of the main directions of the substrate, and that the safety thread extends in the first main direction over the entire width of the substrate up to the side edges of the substrate running along the second main direction.

[0013] The aforementioned main substrate directions generally represent the longitudinal and transverse directions of a rectangular substrate; however, square substrates with two equivalent main directions or substrates with a non-rectangular shape are also possible. The first main direction along which the safety thread runs can, in particular, be the longitudinal or transverse direction of a rectangular substrate or any main direction of a square substrate.

[0014] The security thread can be completely embedded in the substrate, but preferably the security thread is a window security thread which is concealed on the surface of the data carrier in a sequence of rib areas and is visible in a sequence of window areas located between the rib areas, and in which the security features of the security thread are adapted to the window areas and are visible in the window areas.

[0015] A particular advantage is that the transition area from the metal-free edges to the metallized areas of the security thread is embedded in the substrate. Specifically, in the case of a window security thread, this transition area is covered by an outer web. The beginning of the metallization is therefore protected not only from the lateral cut edges of the substrate, but also from above by the substrate material.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the transition area mentioned above forms a sharp metallization edge, in particular an edge with a width of less than 100 µm, preferably even less than 50 µm.

[0017] According to another, equally advantageous embodiment, the transition area in question forms a metallization transition extending in the longitudinal direction of the thread, wherein, in a preferred embodiment, the transition area extends in the longitudinal direction of the thread over one or more millimeters. The metallization transition is advantageously designed in a patterned manner and can, in particular, incorporate a motif that is also present elsewhere on the data carrier as a design or security feature.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the metal-free edge region of the safety thread extends in the longitudinal direction of the thread over a length of 2 mm to 10 mm, particularly preferably from 3 mm to 6 mm into the interior of the substrate.

[0019] The metallization of the security thread is advantageously achieved by a metal coating on a substrate film of the thread or an embossed lacquer layer, or by a metal-containing printed layer. The metallization can, for example, be achieved by a metal coating of aluminum or silver. The metallization of the security thread can also be achieved by a metal layer of a color-shifting interference layer element, particularly one consisting of an absorber layer, a dielectric spacer, and a reflective metal layer.

[0020] The substrate of the data carrier is advantageously a paper substrate consisting of one or more paper layers or a composite substrate consisting of at least one paper layer and at least one plastic layer. The security thread is embedded at least partially in the paper layer, in one of the paper layers of the substrate, or in a plastic layer. For example, in a composite substrate with a paper layer / plastic layer / paper layer structure, the security thread can be embedded in the plastic layer. For a window thread, one or both paper layers are then provided with a window at the relevant locations.

[0021] The data carrier can be, in particular, a valuable document such as a banknote (e.g., a paper banknote, a polymer banknote, or a foil-laminated banknote), a share certificate, a bond, a deed, a voucher, a check, a seal, a tax stamp, a high-quality admission ticket, but also an identification card such as a credit card, a bank card, a cash payment card, an authorization card, an identity card, or a passport personalization page.

[0022] The invention also includes a method for manufacturing a data carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein A metallized security thread with security features and metal-free zones extending across the entire width of the thread is produced; a paper web with a plurality of designated data carrier panels with two main panel directions is produced; the security thread is registered and introduced into the paper web during its production in such a way that the security thread extends across the entire width of the panels up to the side edges of the data carrier panels running along one of the main panel directions; and in each data carrier panel, a metal-free zone of the security thread is located in the two edge regions adjacent to the side edges; and the paper web is cut along the side edges of the data carrier panels in the main directions to obtain a plurality of data carriers in which the security thread is present in both,The edge areas adjacent to the side edges are metal-free across the entire thread width.

[0023] Preferably, the two main directions of the data carriers are perpendicular to each other, and the security thread is inserted into the paper web along a first of the main directions of the data carriers in such a way that the security thread extends in the first main direction over the entire width of the data carriers up to the side edges of the data carriers running along the second main direction.

[0024] Advantageously, window areas are created during the production of the paper web and the security thread is registered and inserted into the paper web in such a way that the security features of the security thread are adapted to the window areas of the paper web and are visible in the window areas.

[0025] The preferred embodiments and their advantages presented with reference to the respective method according to the invention apply accordingly to the data carrier according to the invention. The components of the security document according to the invention are each designed to perform the respective steps of the method.

[0026] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the figure description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference numerals.

[0027] This shows: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a banknote according to an embodiment of the invention in top view; Fig. 2 shows the appearance of the banknote. Fig. 1 In transmitted light, Fig. 3 schematically shows a cross-section of the banknote along line III-III of the Fig. 1Fig. 4 a schematic top view of a banknote according to a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 5 the appearance of the banknote of the Fig. 4 in transmitted light, and Fig. 6 schematically shows a cross-section of the banknote. Fig. 4 along the embedded window safety thread.

[0028] The invention will now be explained using the example of banknotes. Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a banknote 10 in top view with a paper substrate 12 and a window security thread 14 registered embedded in the paper substrate, which is embedded in web areas 18 inside the banknote 10, while it protrudes in the intervening window areas 16 on the surface of the banknote 10. Figure 2 shows the appearance of the 10 banknote in transmitted light and Fig. 3 schematically shows a cross-section of the banknote along line III-III of the Fig. 1 .

[0029] The security thread 14 is equipped with several security features 20, each of which is visible in the window areas 16 when viewed from above. The registered insertion of the thread into the paper substrate 12 ensures that the security thread 14 is located in the same position relative to the substrate on every banknote 10 of the same series and that the motif of the respective corresponding security feature 20 is clearly visible in the window areas 16. The motifs of the security features 20 can be seen as in Fig. 1 They can all be the same or different.

[0030] The paper substrate 12 of the banknote 10 has a rectangular shape and two main directions, which are referred to as the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction Q. In the exemplary embodiment, the window security thread 14 runs along the transverse direction Q of the substrate 12 and extends across the entire width of the substrate from the lower to the upper of the longitudinal side edges 22 and 24, respectively. Although the embedded security threads in banknotes usually run along the shorter transverse direction Q of the substrate, a direction along the longitudinal direction L is of course also possible.

[0031] How best to show the cross-sectional view of the Fig. 3As can be seen, the safety thread 14 contains a substrate film 30 with a thread structure applied thereto. Within the scope of the present invention, the thread structure has at least one metallization 34, for example in the form of an aluminum layer applied to the substrate film or to an embossed lacquer layer, or also as part of a color-shifting thin-film element with an absorber layer, a dielectric spacer layer and a metallic reflector layer.

[0032] In addition to the metallization 34, the filament structure usually contains further layers, such as primer layers, an embossing lacquer layer, or a magnetic layer, which are of minor importance for the present invention and are therefore not described in more detail.

[0033] The aforementioned security features 20 are incorporated into the thread structure, for example in the form of holograms, micromirror arrangements, microlens arrangements, negative markings in the metallization, or other features known per se. The type and design of the security features 20 are not restricted, except for the registration of the security features for the window areas 16.

[0034] A special feature is that the security thread 14 is demetallized over its entire thread width in an edge region 40, 42 that borders the longitudinal side edges 22, 24 of the paper substrate. Adjacent to the side edges 22, 24, the security thread 14 is therefore metal-free over its entire thread width, so that the metallization edges 44, 46 lie inside the paper substrate 12 and are also completely covered by one of the outer paper webs 18. Fig. 3). The metal-free edge areas 40, 44 of the security thread 14 can extend from the side edges 22, 24, for example, 4 mm into the interior of the paper.

[0035] Since the metallized and metal-free sections of the security thread 14 are easily visible in transparency, the inwardly offset position of the metallization edges 44, 46 is easily visible in transparency, as shown in Fig. 2 shown.

[0036] By offsetting the metallization edges 44, 46 away from the cut edges 22, 24 of the banknote 10 and by covering the metallization edges 44, 46 with the outer paper webs 18, the particularly vulnerable areas of the metallization edges are reliably protected from corrosion, and the thread is protected from splitting at the metal layer. Banknote 10 therefore has a significantly longer lifespan compared to conventional designs where the metallization of a thread extends right up to the cut edges 22, 24.

[0037] Since the use of the metallization edges 44, 46 is not visible in top view ( Fig. 1 ), but is easily visible when viewed through ( Fig. 2 ), the offset of the metallization edges 44, 46 away from the cut edges can also be used as a distinguishing and authenticity feature.

[0038] The further education of Figures 4 to 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention in which the metallization transitions of the safety thread, visible in view through the image, are designed as a design element.

[0039] Analogous to the embodiment described above, Fig. 4 a schematic top view of a banknote 50 with a paper substrate 12 and a window security thread 52 registered embedded in the paper substrate 12. Figure 5 shows the appearance of the 50 banknote in transmitted light and Fig. 6schematically a cross-section of the banknote 50 along the security thread 52 of the Fig. 4 .

[0040] In this embodiment as well, the safety thread 52 is demetallized over its entire thread width in an edge region 40, 42 which borders the side edges 22, 24 of the paper substrate in the longitudinal direction.

[0041] In contrast to the embodiment described above, the metallization transitions are not sharp-edged, but rather form a gradual transition extending over several millimeters and shaped in a pattern, as shown in the Figures 5 and 6 The patterned gradual metallization transitions 54, 56 can show geometric patterns and can, in particular, incorporate shapes or motifs that are used elsewhere 58 in the design of the banknote 50 in order to establish a connection between the security thread 52 and the embedding banknote 50.

[0042] Despite their longitudinal extension over several millimeters, the gradual metallization transitions 54, 56 are each completely located beneath the outer paper webs 18. The patterns or motifs formed by the gradual metallization transitions 54, 56 are therefore only visible in transmission ( Fig. 5 ) visible while under supervision ( Fig. 4 ) no change in appearance compared to the design of the first embodiment or to conventional designs. The gradual metallization transitions 54, 56 can therefore be used as an easily verifiable distinguishing or authenticity feature.

[0043] Furthermore, the arrangement of the gradual metallization transitions 54, 56 away from the cutting edges 22, 24 of the banknote 50 and the covering of the metallization transitions 54, 56 by the outer paper webs 18 also achieves the protective effect against corrosion of the metallization and against thread splitting already described above.

Claims

1. Data carrier, in particular a valuable or security document, with a substrate having two main substrate directions and with a metallized security thread embedded at least partially in the substrate, having one or more security features, characterized by the fact that - the security thread extends across the entire width of the substrate to the side edges of the substrate running along one of the main substrate directions, - the security thread with its security features is registered and embedded in the substrate, and - the security thread is metal-free across the entire thread width in the two edge areas adjacent to the side edges.

2. Data carrier according to claim 1, characterized by the fact thatthe two main substrate directions are perpendicular to each other, the safety thread runs along one of the first main directions of the substrate, and the safety thread extends in the first main direction across the entire width of the substrate to the side edges of the substrate running along the second main direction.

3. Data carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that The security thread is a window security thread that is concealed on the surface of the data carrier in a sequence of rib areas and is visible in a sequence of window areas located between the rib areas, and the security features of the security thread are adapted to the window areas and are visible in the window areas.

4. Data carrier according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact thatthe transition area from the metal-free edge areas to metallized areas of the security thread is embedded in the substrate, in particular that the transition area of ​​a window security thread is covered by an outer web area.

5. Data carrier according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that The aforementioned transition area forms a sharp metallization edge.

6. Data carrier according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that The transition area mentioned above forms a metallization transition extending in the longitudinal direction of the thread, wherein the transition area preferably extends over one or more millimeters in the longitudinal direction of the thread.

7. Data carrier according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that The metallization transition is patterned, in particular incorporating a motif that is also present elsewhere on the data carrier as a design or security feature.

8. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact thatThe metal-free edge area of ​​the safety thread extends in the longitudinal direction of the thread over a length of 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably over a length of 3 mm to 6 mm into the interior of the substrate.

9. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that The metallization of the security thread is formed by a metal coating of a substrate film of the thread or an embossing varnish layer or by a metal-containing printing layer.

10. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the fact that the metallization of the safety filament is formed by a metal layer of a color-shifting interference layer element, in particular with a structure consisting of an absorber layer / dielectric spacer layer / reflective metal layer.

11. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by the fact thatThe substrate is a paper substrate consisting of one or more layers of paper or a composite substrate consisting of at least one layer of paper and at least one layer of plastic, wherein the security thread is at least partially embedded in the paper layer or in one of the paper layers of the substrate or in a plastic layer of the substrate.

12. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the fact that the data carrier represents a valuable document, such as a banknote, a share, a bond, a certificate, a voucher, a check, a seal, a tax band, a high-quality admission ticket, or an identification card, such as a credit card, a bank card, a cash payment card, an authorization card, an identity card or a passport personalization page.

13. A method for manufacturing a data carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: - a metallized security thread with security features and metal-free zones extending over the entire width of the thread is produced; - a paper web with a plurality of provided data carrier slots with two substrate principal directions is produced; - the security thread is registered and introduced into the paper web during the production of the paper web in such a way that the security thread extends over the entire width of the slots to the side edges of the data carrier slots running along one of the substrate principal directions, and a metal-free zone of the security thread is located in the two edge regions adjacent to the side edges of each data carrier slot; and - the paper web is cut along the side edges of the data carrier slots in the principal directions to obtain a plurality of data carriers.where the safety thread is metal-free across the entire thread width in both edge areas adjacent to the side edges.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that During the production of the paper web, window areas are created and the security thread is registered and inserted into the paper web in such a way that the security features of the security thread are adapted to the window areas of the paper web and are visible in the window areas.

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