Security element and method for producing same

• US 6,382,677 B1
• Filed: 08/04/1999
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient (Giesecke & Devrient GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
• Inventors: Kaule, Wittich, Grauvogl, Gregor, Kretschmar, Friedrich, Schützmann, Jürgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Fridie, Jr., Willmon
• Application Number:
  US09/308,680
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 283/72, 283/91, 283/92, 283/94, 283/86, 283/82, 283/83, 283/98, 283/113, 283/903, 283/904, 283/107, 428/332, 428/40.1, 428/41.7, 428/40.9
• US Class Current: 283/107
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/416 Reflective
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2311/00 Metals, their alloys or their compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/30 characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/29 Securities; Bank notes
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 14/024 Deposition of sublayers, e.g. to promote adhesion of the coating C23C14/027 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 14/20 on organic substrates
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12743 Next to refractory [Group IVB, VB, or VIB] metal-base component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1438 Metal containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24826 Spot bonds connect components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/26 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified physical dimension
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31681 Next to polyester, polyamide or polyimide [e.g., alkyd, glue, or nylon, etc.]

Abstract

The invention relates to a security device having at least one plastic layer and one specularly reflecting metal layer. An inorganic auxiliary layer is disposed between the plastic layer and the metal layer.

Claims

1. A security device having at least one plastic layer and one specularly reflecting metal layer, wherein an inorganic auxiliary layer is disposed between and adjacent the plastic layer and the metal layer and the auxiliary layer consists of a metal, metal compound or metal alloy and the plastic layer has a diffraction structure in the form of a relief structure.

2. A security device according to claim 1, characterized in that the auxiliary layer has a maximum optical density of 1.

3. A security device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the auxiliary layer is an element or a compound of elements from main groups II and IV and subgroups 4 to 6 of the periodic system.

4. A security device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the auxiliary layer consists of titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr) or titanium nitride (TiN).

5. A security device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the auxiliary layer is an oxide of the elements, aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), tin (Sn), beryllium (Be), chromium (Cr) or silicon (Si).

6. A security device according to claim 5, characterized in that the auxiliary layer consists of Al₂O₃, TiO₂ or Cr₂O₃.

7. A security device according to at least one of claims 1 to characterized in that the security device has the form of a thread or band.

8. A security device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the plastic layer is a layer crosslinkable by UV radiation.

9. A security device according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the metal layer is provided only in partial areas.

10. A security device according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the auxiliary layer is disposed congruently to the metal layer.

11. A security device according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the metal layer is likewise provided with an auxiliary layer on the surface facing away from the plastic layer.

12. A security document, comprising at least one security device according to claim 1.

13. A security document according to claim 12, characterized in that the security device is disposed on the surface of the security document.

14. A security document according to claim 12, characterized in that the security device is embedded at least partly in the security document.

15. A security document which is a bank note, comprising at least one security device according to claim 12.

16. A security document which is an ID card, comprising at least one security device according to claim 12.

17. A foil material comprising a plastic foil on which a plastic layer and one specularly reflecting metal layer are diposed and including an inorganic auxiliary layer disposed between and adjacent the plastic layer and the metal layer;

said auxiliary layer consisting of a metal, metal compound or metal alloy and said plastic layer has a defraction structure in the form of a relief structure.