METHOD FOR PRODUCING A MULTI-LAYER BODY, AND MULTI-LAYER BODY

• US 20090317595A1
• Filed: 07/12/2007
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OVD Kinegram AG (Leonhard KURZ Stiftung & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: OVD Kinegram AG (Leonhard KURZ Stiftung & Company KG)
• Inventors: Seitz, Mathias, Brehm, Ludwig, Wild, Heinrich, Hansen, Achim, Staub, Rene
• Granted Patent: US 8,367,277 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/172
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/26 Liquid-crystal material
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/16 Bars or lines
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/24 Colours
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/324 Reliefs
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/328 Diffraction gratings; Holograms
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/364 Liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/45 Associating two or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24612 Composite web or sheet

Abstract

Described are various processes for the production of multi-layer bodies having at least one partially shaped functional layer and at least one further partially shaped layer and the multi-layer bodies produced in that way. The multi-layer body has at least one partially shaped functional layer in register relationship with at least one further partially shaped layer, which preferably supplement each other to provide a geometric, alphanumeric, pictorial, graphic or figurative colored representation.

Claims

1. A process for the production of a multi-layer body having at least one partially shaped functional layer in register relationship with at least one further partially shaped layer, wherein a first relief structure is shaped in a first region of a replication layer of the multi-layer body, wherein a first layer is applied to the replication layer in the first region and in at least one second region in which the first relief structure is not shaped in the replication layer, and is structured defined by the first relief structure, and wherein the first layer is removed in the first region but not in the at least one second region or in the at least one second region but not in the first region, and wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer is formed directly and/or using the structured first layer as a mask layer subsequently the at least one partially shaped functional layer is formed.

2. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein, formed in the at least one second region, is at least one second relief structure having a depth-to-width ratio which is different to the first relief structure.

3. A process as set forth in claim 2, wherein, at least two different second relief structures are formed in the at least one second region.

4. A process as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first relief structure is formed with a greater depth-to-width ratio than the at least one second relief structure and thus a transparency of the first layer in the first region is increased in relation to the transparency of the first layer in the at least one second region.

5. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and/or the at least one second relief structure is/are in the form of a diffractive relief structure.

6. A process as set forth in claim 5, wherein, a diffractive relief structure with a depth-to-width ratio of the individual structure elements of >

0.3 is formed in the first region as a first relief structure.

7. A process as set forth in claim 5, wherein a spatial frequency of the first relief structure is selected in a range >

1000 lines/mm.

8. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first relief structure and/or the at least one second relief structure is in the form of a light-diffracting and/or light-refracting and/or light-scattering and/or light-focusing micro- or nanostructure, in the form of an isotropic or anisotropic matt structure, a binary or continuous Fresnel lens, a microprism structure, a blaze grating, a macrostructure or a combination thereof.

9. A process as set forth in claim 1, the first layer is applied with a constant density in relation to surface area in relation to a plane defined by the replication layer and the first layer is exposed in an etching process both in the first region and also in the at least one second region to an acid or lye, until the first layer is removed in the first region or at least until the transparency of the first layer in the first region is increased in relation to the transparency of the first layer in the at least one second region, or vice-versa.

10. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first layer is applied with a constant density in relation to surface area in relation to a plane defined by the replication layer and wherein the first layer is used as an absorption layer for partial removal of the first layer itself by the first layer being exposed to laser light both in the first region and also in the second region.

11. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first layer is applied with a constant density in relation to surface area in relation to a plane defined by the replication layer and the first layer is formed in a layer thickness such that a particular transparency of the first layer in the first region is increased in relation to the transparency of the first layer in the at least one second region, or vice-versa.

12. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first layer is applied with a constant density in relation to surface area in relation to a plane defined by the replication layer and a first photosensitive lacquer layer is applied to the first layer or the replication layer is formed by a first photosensitive wash lacquer layer, wherein the first photosensitive lacquer layer or the first wash lacquer layer is exposed through the first layer so that the first photosensitive lacquer layer or the first wash lacquer layer is exposed differently due to the first relief structure in the first and the at least one second region, wherein structuring of the exposed first photosensitive lacquer layer or the first wash lacquer layer is effected, and that either simultaneously or subsequently, using the structured first photosensitive lacquer layer as a mask layer, the first layer is removed in the first region but not in the at least one second region or in the at least one second region but not in the first region, and is thus structured.

13. A process as set forth in claim 12, wherein, a photoactivatable layer is applied as a photosensitive layer to the first layer, the photoactivatable layer is exposed through the first layer and the replication layer and activated in the first region, and the activated regions of the photoactivatable layer form an etching means for the first layer so that the first layer is removed in the first region and thus structured.

14. A process as set forth in claim 9, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer is formed directly.

15. A process as set forth in claim 9, wherein the first layer directly forms the partially shaped functional layer.

16. A process as set forth in claim 12, wherein the structured first photosensitive layer or first wash lacquer layer directly forms the partially shaped functional layer.

17. A process as set forth in claim 9, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer and/or the further partially shaped layer is formed by a procedure whereby a first positive or negative photoresist lacquer layer mixed with a coloring agent is applied, the first photoresist lacquer layer is exposed through the structured first layer and structuring of the exposed first photoresist lacquer layer is effected.

18. A process as set forth in claim 2, wherein a partially shaped functional layer is respectively formed in register relationship with the first relief structure and at least one second relief structure, wherein differently colored photoresist lacquer layers are used for forming the partially shaped functional layers.

19. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein an adhesion property and/or a diffusion resistance and/or a surface reactivity of the replication layer is locally influenced by means of the configuration of the first relief structure so that a material for forming the first layer locally differently adheres to the replication layer, diffuses thereinto or reacts therewith.

20. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the replication layer is partially formed by diffusion therein of a coloring agent as a partially shaped functional layer, wherein a further layer partially shaped on the replication layer functions locally as a diffusion barrier.

21. A process as set forth claim 1, wherein the first layer is formed by the application of a powder or a liquid medium, then the first layer is structured after a physical or chemical treatment of the powder or the liquid medium, and either the at least one partially shaped functional layer is formed directly and/or subsequently the at least one partially shaped functional layer is formed using the structured first layer as a masking layer.

22. A process as set forth in claim 21, wherein an adhesion property and/or a diffusion resistance and/or a surface reactivity of the replication layer is locally influenced by means of the configuration of the first relief structure so that the powder or the liquid medium locally differently adheres to the replication layer, diffuses thereinto or reacts therewith.

23. A process as set forth in claim 21, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer or the at least one further partially shaped layer is formed by a procedure whereby a first positive or negative photoresist lacquer layer is applied, the first photoresist lacquer layer is exposed through the structured first layer and structuring of the exposed first photoresist lacquer layer is effected.

24. A process as set forth in claim 23, wherein the replication layer is partially produced by diffusion therein of a coloring agent as a partially shaped functional layer, wherein the replication layer itself or a layer partially shaped thereon functions locally as a diffusion barrier.

25. A process as set forth in claim 21, wherein the replication layer is at least partially flat in the at least one second region.

26. A process as set forth in claim 25, wherein the first layer is structured by being pulled off with a stripping blade or a stripping rake.

27. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein a material is raked into exposed regions of the replication layer with the first relief structure or the at least one second relief structure, which viewed perpendicularly to the plane of the replication layer are surrounded by a partially shaped functional layer or further layer, and at least one first partially shaped functional layer or further partially shaped layer is formed.

33. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer is in the form of a lacquer layer or a polymer layer.

34. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer is produced with the addition of one or more, in particular non-metallic functional layer materials.

35. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer is produced with the addition of one or more multicolored functional layer materials, and/or at least one partially shaped functional layer is in the form of a hydrophobic or hydrophilic layer.

36. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one further partially shaped layer is formed by the first layer and/or at least one colored positive or negative photoresist lacquer layer and/or by at least one optically variable layer with an optical effect which differs in dependence on viewing angle and/or by at least one metallic reflection layer and/or by at least one dielectric reflection layer.

37. A process as set forth in claim 36, wherein the optically variable layer is such that it includes at least one substance with an optical effect which is different in dependence on the viewing angle and/or is formed by at least one liquid crystal layer with an optical effect which is different in dependence on the viewing angle and/or by a thin film reflection layer stack with a viewing angle-dependent interference color effect.

38. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the structured first layer is at least partially removed and replaced by the at least one partially shaped functional layer and/or the at least one further partially shaped layer.

39. A process as set forth in claim 38, wherein complete removal of the structured first layer is effected.

40. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer viewed perpendicularly to the plane of the replication layer or carrier layer is arranged in coincident relationship above or beneath the at least one further partially shaped layer.

41. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer viewed perpendicularly to the plane of the replication layer or carrier layer is arranged alternately or with a uniform spacing relative to the at least one further partially shaped layer.

42. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one first transparent spacer layer is arranged between the at least one partially shaped functional layer and the at least one further partially shaped layer.

43. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one second transparent spacer layer is arranged between at least two further partially shaped layers.

44. A process as set forth in claim 42, wherein the first and/or the second spacer layer is formed locally in at least two different layer thicknesses.

45. A process as set forth in claim 42, wherein the first and/or the second spacer layer is formed locally with a layer thickness in the range of between 2 and 50 μ

m.

46. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first layer is applied over the full surface area to the replication layer or the carrier layer in a thickness at which the first layer is opaque to the human eye, and involves an optical density in the range of greater than 1.5.

47. A process as set forth in claim 46, wherein the first layer is applied in a thickness at which the first layer involves an optical density in the range of between 2 and 7.

48. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer and the at least one further partially shaped layer are such that viewed perpendicularly to the plane of the replication layer or the carrier layer they supplement each other to afford a decorative and/or informative geometrical, alphanumeric, pictorial, graphic or figurative representation, comprising at least two lines including different functional layer material.

49. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer and the at least one further partially shaped layer are respectively provided at least region-wise in line form, wherein the lines merge into each other without lateral displacement and/or form a concentric circular line pattern.

50. A process as set forth in claim 49, wherein the lines are adapted to merge into each other with a continuous color configuration.

51. A process as set forth in claim 49, wherein the lines viewed perpendicularly to the plane of the replication layer or carrier layer are produced with a width in the range of between 0.5 and 50 μ

m.

52. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer is colored with at least one opaque and/or at least one transparent coloring agent which at least in a wavelength range of the electromagnetic spectrum is brightly multi-colored or brightly multi-color-producing, and a coloring agent is contained in the at least one partially shaped functional layer, which can be excited outside the visible spectrum and produces a visually discernible colored impression.

53. A process as set forth in claim 52, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer and the at least one further partially shaped layer are produced in complementary colors.

54. A process as set forth in claim 52, wherein the at least one coloring agent is selected from the group of pigments or dyestuffs.

55. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the replication layer is arranged on a carrier layer.

28. A process for the production of a multi-layer body having at least one partially shaped functional layer in register relationship with at least one further partially shaped layer, wherein a first layer in the form of a first photoresist lacquer layer is formed on a carrier layer and partially exposed, the exposed first layer is developed and structured and then using the structured first layer as a mask layer the at least one partially shaped functional layer and/or the at least one further partially shaped layer is formed.

29. A process as set forth in claim 28, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer or the at least further partially shaped layer is formed by a procedure whereby a second positive or negative photoresist lacquer layer mixed with coloring agent is applied, the second photoresist lacquer layer is exposed through the structured first layer and structuring of the exposed second photoresist lacquer layer is effected.

30. A process as set forth in claim 28, wherein the first and/or the second photoresist lacquer layer forms the at least one partially shaped functional layer.

31. A process as set forth in claim 28, wherein subsequently the carrier layer is produced partially by diffusion therein of a coloring agent in the form of a partially shaped functional layer or further layer, wherein at least the first and/or second structured photoresist lacquer layer functions as a diffusion barrier.

32. A process as set forth in claim 28, wherein a material is raked into exposed regions of the carrier layer, which viewed perpendicularly to the plane of the carrier layer are surrounded by a partially shaped functional layer or further partially shaped layer, and at least one further partially shaped functional layer or further partially shaped layer is formed.

56. A process as set forth in claim 28, wherein the carrier layer is adapted to be detachable from the multi-layer body formed.

57. A multi-layer body comprising at least one partially shaped functional layer in register relationship with at least one further partially shaped layer, wherein a first relief structure is shaped in a first region of a replication layer of the multi-layer body, wherein the at least one functional layer is applied to the replication layer in the first region or in at least one second region in which the first relief structure is not shaped in the replication layer structured in dependence on the first relief structure.

58. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer and/or the at least one further partially shaped layer is backed with a diffractive relief structure and presents a holographic or kinegraphic optically variable effect.

60. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer and the at least one further partially shaped layer supplement each other to provide a decorative and/or informative geometrical, alphanumeric, pictorial, graphic or figurative colored representation.

61. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein at least the at least one partially shaped functional layer and/or at least the at least one further partially shaped layer is in the form of at least one line of a line width in the range of between 0.5 and 10 μ

m, and/or is in the form of at least one pixel with a pixel diameter in the range of between 0.5 and 10 μ

m.

62. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer is an in particular opaque metal layer and the at least one further partially shaped layer is a colored lacquer layer or vice-versa.

63. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer is a layer containing liquid crystals and the at least one further partially shaped layer is a colored lacquer layer or vice-versa.

64. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer is formed by a thin film reflection layer stack with a viewing angle-dependent interference color effect and the at least one further partially shaped layer is a colored lacquer layer or vice-versa.

65. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer is a first colored lacquer layer and the at least one further partially shaped layer is a further differently colored lacquer layer.

66. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer is a first colored lacquer layer and the at least one further partially shaped layer is a dielectric reflection layer.

67. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 62, wherein the lacquer layer is colored with at least one opaque and/or at least one transparent substance.

68. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 67, wherein the colored lacquer layer is colored with at least one coloring agent of the color yellow, magenta, cyan or black (CMYK) or the color red, green or blue (RGB) and/or at least one partially shaped functional layer is provided with at least one red-, green- and/or blue-fluorescing radiation-excitable pigment or dyestuff and thereby produces an additive color upon irradiation.

69. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer and the at least one further partially shaped layer are produced in complementary colors, at least at a given viewing angle or under a given kind of radiation.

70. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer and the at least one further partially shaped layer are respectively of line form in such a way that the lines merge into each other without lateral displacement.

71. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 70, wherein the lines merge into each other with a continuous color configuration.

72. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer and/or the at least one further partially shaped layer at least region-wise forms/form a raster image made up of pixels, image points or lines which cannot be individually resolved by the human eye.

73. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein there are at least two further partially shaped layers.

74. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein a first transparent spacer layer is provided between the at least one partially shaped functional layer and the at least one further partially shaped layer.

75. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein a second transparent spacer layer is provided between at least two further partially shaped layers.

76. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 74, wherein the at least one partially shaped functional layer and the at least one further partially shaped layer are such that there is at least one optical superpositioning effect which is possibly viewing angle-dependent.

77. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57, wherein the multi-layer body is in the form of a film element.

78. A multi-layer body as set forth in claim 77, wherein the film element has an adhesive layer on at least one side.

79. A security element for security or value-bearing documents, having a multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57.

80. A security element as set forth in claim 79, wherein the security or value-bearing document is a pass, passport, a bank card, an identity card, a bank note, a security bond, a ticket or a security packaging.

81. An electronic component having a multi-layer body as set forth in claim 57.

59. A multi-layer body comprising at least one partially shaped functional layer in register relationship with at least one further partially shaped layer, wherein a first layer in the form of a first photoresist lacquer layer is produced structured in pattern form on a carrier layer and using the structured first layer as a mask layer the at least one partially shaped functional layer and/or the at least one further partially shaped layer is formed.

82. A security element, for application to value-bearing or security documents, having a transparent dielectric layer which is impermeable to UV radiation and which is provided with openings, wherein viewed perpendicularly to the plane of the dielectric layer at least one lacquer layer containing at least one luminescent coloring agent excitable by means of UV radiation is arranged on a side of the dielectric layer that is remote from the viewer, at least partially and at least in the region of the openings thereof.

83. A security element as set forth in claim 82, wherein the dielectric layer is formed from ZnS.

84. A security element as set forth in claim 82, wherein the coloring agent has at least one fluorescent nanopigment which is colorless in the visible wavelength range.