Security device and method for producing it

• US 6,726,813 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
• Original Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
• Inventors: Grauvogl, Gregor, Kretschmar, Friedrich, Schützmann, Jürgen, Kaule, Wittich
• Primary Examiner(s): VerSteeg, Steven H.
• Application Number:
  US10/084,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20020117846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 427/585, 427/576, 427/248.1, 427/404, 427/419.2, 204/192.15, 204/192.22
• US Class Current: 204/192.22
• 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 method for producing a foil material having at least one plastic layer, one specularly reflecting metal layer and an inorganic auxiliary layer disposed between and adjacent the plastic layer and the metal layer, wherein said auxiliary layer consists of metal, metal compound or metal alloy and said plastic layer has a diffraction structure in the form of a relief structure;

said method comprising the following steps;

providing a plastic foil in endless form,

applying said plastic layer,

applying said inorganic auxiliary layer,

applying said specularly reflecting metal layer.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a further inorganic auxiliary layer and optionally further plastic layers are applied to the metal layer.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least the metal layer is applied only in partial areas.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the metal layer is applied all over and subsequently partly removed by being printed with an etching ink or covered in certain areas and the uncovered areas being etched away.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein a printing ink is applied in the form of the metal-free areas before application of the metal layer or before application of the auxiliary layer, the plastic foil is then metalized all over, and the printing ink then dissolved with a solvent, resulting in metal-free areas.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary layer used is a chromium layer which is vapor-deposited or sputtered on the plastic layer or applied by PVD, CVD or plasma-enhanced coating methods.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary layer used is an aluminum oxide layer which is produced on the plastic layer by sputtering an aluminum layer in an oxygen atmosphere.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary layer is applied in a thickness of less than 10 nm.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said thickness is 0.5 to 5 nm.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the metal layer is produced by vapor deposition, galvanizing or chemical deposition.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the metal layer used is an aluminum layer which is produced in a thickness of 10 to 40 nm.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein a relief structure is embossed in the plastic layer before application of the auxiliary layer.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the plastic layer used is a crosslinkable plastic layer.