EP2384901B2 - Value document with recess - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a substrate for the production of value documents having at least one recess, a value document comprising such a substrate, and a method for producing such a substrate.

Security documents within the meaning of the present invention are banknotes, e.g. Composite banknotes, composite film banknotes. For the purposes of the present specification, the term value document also includes precursors of the named value documents which, for example, are not fit for circulation.

Such value documents typically include one or more layers made of paper or plastic. In this context, for example, in the EP 1545 902 a security paper for the production of value documents described in which the paper layer is coated on both sides with foil. It is also known to provide recesses for various purposes in such value documents. For example, in the AU 488,652 discloses a multi-layer composite film banknote, are provided in the central layer recesses for receiving security elements such as diffraction gratings. From the EP 1 122 089 A multilayer document of value is also known in whose outer layers recesses are provided which enable the recognition of the value document via the sense of touch, which is important for persons with limited eyesight, for example.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a substrate for documents of value, which can be produced inexpensively, allows the creation of additional security features and thus allows increased protection against counterfeiting. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for producing such a substrate and a corresponding value document.

The document WO 03091042 discloses a security element having a substrate on which at least two metal layers are arranged, wherein the metal layers have different optical densities or transmittance.

This object is achieved by a substrate, a value document and a production method having the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a substrate for the production of value documents according to claim 1.

In the substrate according to the first aspect, the at least one recess may in particular be filled with a material having a transmittance which is greater than the first transmittance.

In the case of the substrate according to the first aspect, the first layer may in particular comprise a paper layer with vegetable and / or plastic fibers or a homogeneous plastic layer, in particular a film.

In the case of the substrate according to the first aspect, the first layer can preferably have one or more continuous recesses, preferably grid holes or continuous recesses in the form of filigree writings, numbers, letters or patterns, and / or the layer thickness of the first layer in the region of the at least one recess take a variety of different values, and there preferably show a continuous course.

In the substrate according to the first aspect, the first layer in the region of the at least one recess may have a layer thickness which is greater than the layer thickness in the region outside the recess. In this way, the first layer may in particular form a tactile perceptible elevation in the region of the at least one recess.

In the substrate according to the first aspect, an opaque layer is applied on the front side of the substrate, which has a front side recess in the region of the at least one recess of the first layer and on the back side of the substrate an opaque layer is applied, which in the region of at least a recess of the first layer has a backside recess. In this case, the front-side recess and / or the rear-side recess can preferably be arranged completely within the region of the at least one recess of the first layer, wherein the front and rear side recess are arranged register-accurate. In particular, it is preferred that the front-side recess and / or the rear-side recess are arranged completely within the region of the at least one recess of the first layer, wherein the front-side recess and the rear-side recess have a different size and the front-side recess within the rear side recess is arranged or the rear side recess is arranged within the front side recess.

In the substrate according to the first aspect, the at least one recess of the first layer may in particular be a continuous recess.

• Bereitstellen einer ersten Schicht mit einem ersten Transmissionsgrad,
• Schaffen zumindest einer Ausnehmung in der ersten Schicht, vorzugsweise mittels eines Lasers oder einer Stanze, derart dass die erste Schicht im Bereich der Ausnehmung einen zweiten Transmissionsgrad aufweist, welcher größer als der erste Transmissionsgrad ist, und
• Auftragen einer opaken Farbannahmeschicht auf eine Rückseite und auf eine Vorderseite des Substrats, wobei die opake Farbannahmeschicht einen dritten Transmissionsgrad aufweist, welcher kleiner als der zweite Transmissionsgrad ist.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a substrate according to the first aspect, comprising the steps:

• Providing a first layer having a first transmittance,
• Providing at least one recess in the first layer, preferably by means of a laser or a punch, such that the first layer has a second transmittance in the region of the recess which is greater than the first transmittance, and
• Applying an opaque ink accepting layer to a back side and to a front side of the substrate, wherein the opaque ink accepting layer has a third transmittance smaller than the second transmittance.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a value document, in particular a composite film banknote or a composite film banknotes sheet, comprising a substrate according to the first aspect of the invention.

The invention is based on the finding that with the aid of the combination of a recess in a substrate for the production of documents of value with an opaque layer, with the choice of respectively suitable degrees of transmission, visually perceptible effects in value documents can be realized in a cost-effective manner, the security features represent for the value document.

The substrate according to the invention for the production of value documents comprises a first layer with a first transmittance, which at least a recess, in the region of which the first layer has a second transmittance, which is greater than the first transmittance. The substrate and the first layer are preferably formed flat and has a front and a back. On the front side and the rear side of the substrate, an opaque layer is applied, which has a third transmittance, which is smaller than the second transmittance. The opaque layer preferably has a third transmittance that is less than the second transmittance and greater or less than the first transmittance.

For the purposes of the present specification, the transmittance refers to the transmission of light, in particular to light in the visible wavelength range between 400 and 800 nm, that is to say for light as it is usually perceived by a viewer. However, depending on the application, the transmittance may also relate only to a single wavelength or to other wavelength ranges, for example to the near UV or IR wavelength range following the visible spectral range. An opaque layer has a transmittance of 0%. A transparent layer has a transmittance of 100%. A translucent layer has a transmittance greater than 0% and less than 100%. Preferably, a viewer can clearly distinguish a translucent layer from an opaque as well as from a transparent layer. Accordingly, a translucent layer has a transmittance that differs sufficiently clearly from the transmittances of an opaque and a transparent layer. Therefore, a translucent layer preferably has a transmittance of 5 to 95%, preferably 10 to 90% and particularly preferably 20 to 80%. The transmittance does not only refer to a single wavelength, but to a wavelength range, for example the visible spectral range, so the transmittance describes the averaged over the respective wavelength range transmittance of the various lying in the wavelength range wavelengths. Preferably, the transmittance in a wavelength region assumes the same value for each wavelength of the wavelength region. The transmittance of a layer describes the ratio of transmitted light to incident light when passing through the layer, for example in the normal direction of the layer.

An opaque layer in the sense of the present specification is a layer which, when viewed in incident light, in the direction of observation behind the layer, for example, further layers, at least substantially, ideally completely concealed, so that these structures located further back from a viewer not be perceived more. In other words, the term "opaque" refers exclusively to viewing in incident light, this optical property in turn referring to the relevant wavelength or the relevant wavelength range. The relevant wavelength range is again typically the visible spectral range between 400 and 800 nm, but may alternatively or additionally also refer to the adjacent wavelength ranges in the near UV or IR range. In other words, the term "opaque" does not describe transmission properties.

The present invention is further based on the finding that an opaque layer is not necessarily intransparent, but may have a transmittance greater than 0%. The opaque layer on the front side of the substrate and the opaque layer on the back side of the substrate have such properties. For this purpose, the material, the layer thickness and other properties of the opaque layer are suitably selected. The opaque layer on the back and front of the substrate is an opaque ink accepting layer. Accordingly, the opaque layer is a layer which enables the physical drying or film formation of oil-based printing inks and / or printing inks containing aqueous and / or organic solvents and / or cationic or free-radically curing inks. The opaque layer can be prepared on an aqueous basis and / or based on organic solvents. The opaque layer may be present as a single layer or formed in the form of multiple discrete layers, which may differ with respect to the subject matter. The total layer thickness of the opaque layer may preferably be in a range of 2 μm to 15 μm. The opaque layer preferably contains self-crosslinking resins and / or at least two components to be crosslinked. The first component may preferably be selected from alkoxysilanes, isocyanates, diimides, aziridines and glycidic ethers. The second component may preferably be selected from polyurethanes, urethane acrylates, polyesters, polyethers, polyvinyl alcohols, maleates, acrylates and copolymers thereof. More particularly, the opaque layer may contain fillers such as silica gels, metal oxides, metal hydroxides, metal oxide hydrates, inorganic acid salts. If the layer thickness is sufficiently small, the opaque layer appears milky or cloudy in transmitted light.

The first layer of the substrate according to the invention may be a paper layer whose fibers consist of annuals or perennials, such as cotton or cellulose, or also partially or completely of a plastic such as PA (polyamide). However, the first layer can also be a homogeneous layer of a plastic or a mixture of several plastics, which is produced for example by extrusion of a film. The materials used are, for example, PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PA (polyamide), PC (polycarbonate), polyester and similar plastics in question. Such films may also be stretched, such as BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene).

The first layer of the substrate according to the invention with the at least one recess has a first transmittance which is less than 100%. Preferably, the transmittance of the first layer is less than 10%, more preferably the transmittance of the first layer is 0%, and the first layer is thus intransparent. Preferably, the first layer is also opaque. The first layer may be colored or colorless, for example white or black.

A recess is provided in the first layer, which advantageously represents a region in which the material of the first layer has a reduced layer thickness. In the region of the recess, this results in a second transmittance, which is greater than the first transmittance of the first layer. Preferably, the recess is produced in such a way and the layer thickness of the first layer in the region of the recess chosen such that the second transmittance, that is the transmittance in the region of the recess for a viewer in transmitted light of the first transmittance, that is, the transmittance outside of the Area of the recess, noticeably different.

The recess is in the simplest case a continuous recess or a through hole in the first layer, that is, it represents a region in which the layer thickness of the first layer is reduced to zero. Such a hole can easily be made by means of a punch or a laser. However, the region of the recess may also have a layer thickness greater than zero, that is, a layer thickness which is only reduced compared to the area outside the recess. Such a recess can for example also be generated by means of a laser. Alternatively, depending on the structural configuration of the first layer, it is also possible, for example, to create such a recess by means of heat input (for example by laser or heat sealing) by removing an intransparent layer.

According to a further alternative, the region of the recess may have a layer thickness which is identical or nearly identical to the layer thickness in the region outside the recess or even greater than the layer thickness in the region outside the recess. Such a recess may be created, for example, by structural conversion of an opaque layer, such as by exposure of a laser to a suitable opaque film. The treated by a laser region of the opaque film is transparent by structural transformation or is increased in its transparency. A film suitable for the structural conversion can be formed, for example, from polyester (for example polyester film Hostaphan® from Mitsubishi Polyester Film GmbH). The treated by a laser region of the polyester film is transparent by structural transformation or is increased in its transparency. At the same time, the polyester film becomes thicker as a result of the action of the laser radiation and can be formed in this way into a tactile perceptible elevation. A change in the transmittance can be done instead of a laser by other heat input, for example by heat sealing. Suitable opaque films are also fibrous plastics, nonwovens and plastic fabrics in question.

According to the invention, an opaque layer having a third transmittance, which is smaller than the second transmittance, and preferably smaller than the second transmittance and larger or smaller than the first transmittance, is applied on the front side and the back side of the substrate. The opaque layer is thus translucent, preferably with a high transmittance, so that the opaque layer is substantially transparent. When the substrate is viewed in incident light from the side of the substrate on which the at least one opaque layer is applied, the opaque layer thus hides the first layer behind it so that, for example, a recess arranged in the first layer in the viewing direction behind the opaque layer Incident light is not perceived by a viewer. The recess is thus hidden by the opaque layer. When viewed in transmitted light, because of the translucency or transparency of the opaque layer, the region of the recess in the first layer can be recognized by a viewer, since the region of the recess is secondarily distinguishable from the first transmittance of the first layer, which forms the surrounding region Transmittance has.

In a preferred embodiment of the substrate according to the invention, the at least one recess of the first layer is filled with a material which, with the same layer thickness, has a transmittance which is greater than the first transmittance of the first layer. This filler thus has a transmittance greater than 0% and is translucent or transparent. In particular, the specific transmission of the filling material is greater than the specific transmission of the material of the first layer. Thus, the recess in the first layer can be spatially filled, so that on the one hand, the recess is mechanically stabilized and on the other hand on the front and / or back of the first layer a flat Surface forms. Thus, the term "recess" in the first layer means in particular a region of reduced layer thickness of the material of the first layer, but not necessarily a spatial recess in the substrate, such as a cavity.

In addition, a transparent or translucent cover layer is arranged on the front side and the rear side of the first layer, which covers the at least one recess of the first layer. This covering layer preferably extends completely over the entire first layer and / or the entire substrate. The cover layer is preferably formed by a film, in particular a transparent film. Suitable materials include, for example, PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PA (polyamide), PC (polycarbonate) and similar plastics. With the aid of the cover layer, a planar surface is provided above the first layer, even if the recess in the first layer represents a spatial recess in the first layer, so that the cover layer forms a suitable planar, continuous surface for the application of the opaque layer. If the cover layer is applied to the front and back of the first layer, the result is, for example, a so-called triplex composite, which can be used for the production of banknotes. Depending on the configuration of the first layer, this results in, for example, a film / film / film triplex composite or a film / paper / film triplex composite, which is also known by the name "hybrid". The first layer thus forms the middle, inner layer in such a triplex composite. The cover film is preferably laminated to the first layer.

The number of layers or film layers in a substrate for the production of value documents is in principle arbitrary. A substrate for the production of value documents in the form of banknotes typically has a total thickness of up to 130 μm. The first layer typically has a layer thickness in the range between 10 and 100 μm, preferably in the range between 30 and 70 μm, and particularly preferably the layer thickness of the first layer is 50 μm. If the substrate comprises a covering layer on the front or rear side, then it typically has a layer thickness in the range between 3 and 30 μm, preferably in the range between 6 and 18 μm, and is particularly preferably 12 μm.

In a noninventive substrate, an opaque layer is applied to each of its front and back surfaces. It covers at least the area of the at least one recess of the first layer, preferably the entire front and back of the substrate over its entire surface.

This embodiment of the substrate makes it possible to obscure the at least one recess in the first layer when viewed both from the front side and from the rear side in reflected light, while the at least one recess when viewed in transmitted light both from the front and from the back can be perceived. The opaque layers arranged on the front side and the rear side can have different degrees of transmission from each other. Preferably, however, they are identical and have identical transmittances.

In this embodiment, the first layer preferably has one or more continuous recesses. In the region of the one or more recesses, the layer thickness of the first layer is thus zero. The one or more recesses are formed, for example, as circular through holes whose diameter is preferably smaller as the layer thickness of the first layer. Preferably, a plurality of such holes are arranged in the form of a grid, the continuous recesses thus form grid holes. Holes having such small dimensions can easily be obscured by an overlying opaque layer. Accordingly, the requirements for the opacity of the overlying opaque layer, μm, effectively obscure the recesses in the form of such holes when viewed in reflected light for a viewer. Nevertheless, such holes are clearly visible when viewed in transmitted light. If the diameter of these holes is smaller than the layer thickness of the first layer, then these holes can only be perceived in the transmitted light when viewed essentially perpendicularly, thus providing an additional security feature for the substrate according to the invention. Such grid holes, especially with small dimensions, can be easily produced by means of a laser. In this case, the arrangement of the recess, for example the grid holes, convey information to the viewer. For example, the recesses or grid holes form a motif. According to an alternative, the grid holes may not be circular through holes, but continuous recesses in the form of fine or filigree writings, numbers, letters or patterns.

Alternatively or additionally, the layer thickness of the first layer, which is reduced in the region of the at least one recess, assumes a multiplicity of different values in this region. Thus, in the region of the at least one recess regions with different degrees of transmission can be created, which is all greater than the first transmittance. Preferably, the layer thickness over the at least one recess shows a continuous course. Accordingly, the transmittance in the region of the at least one recess shows a continuous Course. This makes it possible, even if the first layer consists of a homogeneous layer of plastic, to create a watermark-like feature, which is not or hardly visible when viewed in reflected light, when viewed in transmitted light creates the impression of a watermark. Also, for example, motifs can be introduced into the substrate or other information can be conveyed to a viewer.

In one embodiment of the substrate according to the invention, an opaque layer is applied on the front side and the rear side of the substrate, which has a recess in the region of the at least one recess of the first layer. These are referred to below as front-side recess and rear-side recess. In this case, the front-side recess and / or the rear-side recess overlap with the at least one recess of the first layer. If, for example, an opaque layer with a cutout is applied to the front side of the substrate, the observer can clearly see the front side cutout when viewing the front side of the substrate in reflected light. When viewed in transmitted light, the recess of the first layer can be clearly recognized, in particular with a high degree of transmission of the opaque layer applied to the front side. Thus, when viewed in reflected light and transmitted light, the observer once perceives the recess in the opaque layer and once the recess in the first layer, and thus two different windows. The recesses in the opaque layer on the front side and the back side of the substrate, as well as the recess in the first layer, can be suitably positioned relative to one another in order to form additional security features. Furthermore, the first layer and the opaque layer on the front side and / or the back side of the substrate can each be provided with a printing motif, thus providing the viewer with the viewing in reflected light, a single motif is recognizable and when viewed in transmitted light an overall motif is recognizable. When viewing the front side or the rear side of the substrate in reflected light, the viewer can recognize the print motif generated on the opaque layer of the front side or the back side as a single motif. When viewed in transmitted light, especially at high transmittance of the applied on the front or the back of the ink accepting layer both the print motif on the opaque layer of the front and the back produced as well as the print motif generated on the first layer can be recognized in the form of a total motive ,

In a preferred embodiment, the front-side recess and / or the rear-side recess is arranged completely within the region of the at least one recess of the first layer. If the recess of the first layer has a transmittance of 100%, a transparent window, the dimensions of which are defined by the front-side recess and / or the rear-side recess, results when viewed in incident light from the front or rear side. In this case, the size of the window, which the observer perceives when viewing the substrate from the front or back, is determined by the sectional area of the front side recess and the rear side recess. When viewed in transmitted light, however, because of the non-zero transmittance of the opaque layer on the front side and / or the back side, a viewer can clearly see the recess in the first layer, especially if the first layer outside the recess is opaque. Such a construction is also called a "triplex window". Depending on how the recesses in the opaque layer on the front and / or back of the substrate and the recess of the first layer are positioned relative to each other and thus in view overlap and the transmittances of the opaque layers and the first layer are selected, resulting in transmitted light different areas with easily distinguishable degrees of transmission, with a high degree of design freedom for these areas. For example, recesses and recesses of different shapes and sizes can be combined. Such a substrate structure is also referred to as a "combined window". Furthermore, the first layer and the opaque layer on the front side and / or the back side of the substrate can each be provided with a print motif so that a single motif can be recognized by the viewer when viewed in reflected light and an overall motif can be recognized when viewed in transmitted light is. When viewing the front side or the rear side of the substrate in reflected light, the viewer can recognize the print motif generated on the opaque layer of the front side or the back side as a single motif. When viewed in transmitted light, the print motif produced on the opaque layer of the front side or the back side, as well as the print motif generated on the first layer can be recognized in the form of an overall motif, in particular with a high degree of transmission of the opaque layer applied to the front side or the back side become.

In a preferred embodiment, opaque layers with respective front and rear side recesses are provided both on the front side and on the rear side of the substrate, which are arranged in registry with each other. Thus, when viewed in reflected light and transmitted light, the viewer alternately takes two different windows, regardless of whether the viewing is from the front or the back. Alternatively, the front-side recess and the rear-side recess may have a different size such that the front-side recess is disposed inside the rear-side recess or the backside recess is disposed within the front side recess. In particular, both the front side recess and the rear side recess can in this case be arranged completely within the region of the at least one recess of the first layer.

In a preferred embodiment, the front-side recess and / or the rear-side recess are arranged in register with the at least one recess in the first layer. Such a register-accurate arrangement of at least one recess of an opaque layer to the at least one recess in the first layer, is difficult for a counterfeiter to imitate, but easily nachumuprüfen for a viewer. Accordingly, such a register-accurate arrangement of front-side recess and / or rear-side recess to the recess in the first layer of the substrate forms a further security feature.

In general, according to the desired reflected light / transmitted light effects, it is possible to provide different areas of the substrate with different opacities and transmittances.

In general, desired opacities and transmittances can not only be achieved across the layers of the substrate, i. produce the first layer, the cover layers and the opaque layer on the front side and / or the back side of the substrate, but also by using laminating adhesives, further opaque layers or printing inks.

The invention makes it possible to provide a multiplicity of variants for the design of the substrate with security features. These may be provided for example in the form of security threads, film strips, print motifs or the like and, for example, by opaque or opaque layers are covered. Alternatively, it can also be provided to arrange the feature completely and / or partially visible from both sides. Thus, for example, the impression of a pendulum security thread can be generated.

A value document, for example a composite film banknote or composite film banknotes comprising such a substrate as described above, can easily be printed in the regions of the opaque layers. Accordingly, the use of an opaque layer with a recess which is in a defined spatial relationship to the recess in the first layer, for example, arranged in register to this, a correspondingly arranged imprint on the document of value can be easily realized.

Exemplary embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. The examples represent preferred embodiments which in no way limit the invention. The figures shown are schematic representations that do not reflect the real proportions, but serve an improved clarity of the various embodiments.

Figur 1

eine Folienverbundbanknote in Draufsicht;

Figur 2

einen Schichtaufbau des in Figur 1 dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Figuren 3a und 3b

den Schichtaufbau eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels und eine Draufsicht darauf; und

Figur 4

den Schichtaufbau eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels.

In detail, the figures show:

FIG. 1

a composite film banknote in plan view;

FIG. 2

a layer structure of in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment;

FIGS. 3a and 3b

the layer structure of a second embodiment and a plan view thereof; and

FIG. 4

the layer structure of another embodiment.

In FIG. 1 a composite film banknote 1 is shown, which is provided with the denomination "20". The composite film banknote 1 has a combined window 2. It comprises a recess 3 in a printed ink receiving layer 7, which is recognizable when viewed in incident light. The combined window 2 furthermore comprises a recess 4 in an opaque layer 5 which is applied behind the ink-accepting layer 7 and which is perceptible when viewed in transmitted light.

In FIG. 2 is the layer structure of a substrate to create the in FIG. 1 shown composite film banknote 1 in the area of the combined window 2 shown. The substrate is a so-called triplex film composite comprising a central, nontransparent layer 5 on which transparent films 6 are laminated on both sides with the aid of a transparent laminating adhesive. The central, nontransparent layer 5 consists in the embodiment shown of an opaque paper layer with a layer thickness of 85 microns. Alternatively, the central, nontransparent layer 5 can also consist of a BOPP or PET film with a layer thickness between 15 and 80 μm. The transparent films 6 consist in the embodiment shown of PET films with a layer thickness of 6 or 12 microns.

On the transparent films 6 opaque ink receiving layers 7 are arranged, which have an identical structure. The opaque ink-receiving layers 7 have recesses 3, which are arranged register-accurate to each other. Also, the centrally arranged, non-transparent film 5 has a recess 4, wherein the region of the recess 3 of the opaque ink-receiving layers 7 is arranged in plan view completely within the region of the recess 4 of the non-transparent film 5 (see FIG. 1 ). When viewed in incident light, the observer perceives the recess 3 from both sides, which, since the non-transparent film 5 has a continuous recess 4 in this region, represents a transparent window in the substrate. The opaque ink receiving layers 7 have a non-zero transmittance. Therefore, the observer recognizes the recess 4 in the nontransparent layer 5 when viewing the substrate or the film composite banknote 1 in transmitted light. In the edge region of the recess 4, outside the recesses 3 of the opaque ink receiving layers 7, an area results that corresponds to the transmittances of the opaque Ink receiving layers 7 is translucent or transparent. This area usually appears milky cloudy. This results in a combined window 2, which has different dimensions when viewed in reflected light and transmitted light.

In the FIGS. 3a and 3b a second embodiment of a composite film banknote 1 is shown. It represents a variant of in the Figures 1 and 2 The second embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that the recesses 3a and 3b of the opaque ink accepting layers 7a and 7b (which were respectively denoted in the first embodiment by the reference numerals 3 and 7) are no longer arranged in register with each other, but are arranged shifted to each other. The recesses 3a and 3b of the opaque ink-receiving layers 7a and 7b also extend into regions outside the recess 4 of the central, non-transparent layer 5. In FIG. 3b is a plan view of the composite film banknote 1 shown. In the area in which the recess 3a of the opaque ink receiving layer 7a, the recess 3b of the opaque ink receiving layer 7b and the recess 4 of the nontransparent layer 5 overlap in transparency, this results in a completely transparent region 8 in the film composite banknote 1.

When viewed in incident light from the side of the opaque ink-receiving layer 7b, the recess 3b in the opaque ink-accepting layer 7b can be seen by the viewer. The completely transparent region 8, in which the recesses 3a and 3b of the two opaque ink-receiving layers 7a and 7b and the recess 4 of the nontransparent film 5 overlap, constitutes a partial region of the recess 3b. The region 10 in which only the recess 3b of the opaque ink acceptance layer 7b and the recess 4 of the opaque layer 5 overlap, represents a further subregion of the recess 3b of the opaque ink acceptance layer 7b. In this region 10, the inside of the opaque ink acceptance layer 7a can be seen by the viewer in reflected light. In the remaining part of the recess 3b of the opaque ink-receiving layer 7b, the surface of the non-transparent layer 5 facing the opaque ink-accepting layer 7b can be seen by the viewer. When viewed from the opposite side, that is, from the side of the opaque ink accepting layer 7a, a corresponding image is obtained for the viewer.

When viewed in transmitted light, the substrate or the composite film banknote 1 outside the recess 4 of the nontransparent layer 5 appears intransparent and thus dark. The area 8 appears completely transparent. The remaining regions of the recess 4 appear translucent, with the translucency resulting from the generally different degrees of transmission of the opaque ink-receiving layers 7a and 7b. In the areas 9, in which the recess 4 of the nontransparent layer 5 of both Opaque ink receiving layers 7a and 7b is covered, resulting in a translucency resulting from the combination of the transmittances of the two opaque ink receiving layers 7a and 7b. In the region 10, a translucency results, corresponding to the transmittance of the opaque ink-accepting layer 7a. In the region 11, in which only the opaque ink receiving layer 7b is applied, a translucency results according to the transmittance of the opaque ink accepting layer 7b. The combined window 2 shown in this embodiment thus shows, in addition to a transparent area 8 and a non-transparent area, different areas 8, 9 and 10 with translucencies which are generally different from one another and thus brightnesses.

In FIG. 4 is a further embodiment of a layer structure of a triplex composite film shown. The recesses 3 in the applied on both sides opaque ink receiving layers 7 and the recess 4 of the non-transparent layer 5 are arranged in register with each other. This results in a transparent window, which is surrounded by an opaque in incident light and intransparent in transmitted light area. The registration of the recesses 3 and the recess 4 to each other can be easily verified by a viewer in incident light as well as in transmitted light.

Claims (11)

1. A substrate for manufacturing value documents (1), namely banknotes, comprising a first layer (5) with a first transmittance, having at least one recess (4) in the region of which the first layer has a second transmittance that is higher than the first transmittance, wherein on the front side and on the back side of the first layer there is arranged a transparent or translucent cover layer (6), namely a foil, which covers the at least one recess (4), and to the front side and to the back side of the substrate there is applied an opaque ink receiving layer (7) having a third transmittance that is lower than the second transmittance, wherein the opaque ink receiving layer (7, 7a) applied to the front side of the substrate has a front-side gap (3, 3a) in the region of the at least one recess of the first layer (5) and the opaque ink receiving layer (7, 7b) applied to the back side of the substrate has a back-side gap (3, 3b) in the region of the at least one recess of the first layer.
2. The substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one recess (4) is filled with a material (15) having a transmittance that is higher than the first transmittance.
3. The substrate according to any of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first layer (5) comprises a paper layer with plant fibers and/ or plastic fibers or a homogeneous plastic layer, in particular a foil.
4. The substrate according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first layer (5) has one or several through-going recesses (4), preferably grid holes (14) or through-going recesses in the form of filigree writings, numbers, characters or patterns, and/ or that the layer thickness of the first layer in the region of the at least one recess (4) adopts a plurality of different values, and preferably shows a continuous gradation there.
5. The substrate according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first layer (5) in the region of the at least one recess (4) has a layer thickness that is higher than the layer thickness in the region outside of the recess.
6. The substrate according to claim 5, characterized in that the first layer (5) in the region of the at least one recess (4) forms a tactilely perceptible elevation.
7. The substrate according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the front-side gap (3, 3a) and/or the back-side gap (3, 3b) are arranged entirely within the region of the at least one recess (4) of the first layer, wherein preferably the front-side gap is arranged within the back-side gap or the back-side gap is arranged within the front-side gap.
8. The substrate according to any of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the front-side gap (3, 3a) and/or the back-side gap (3, 3b) are arranged in exact register to the at least one recess (4) of the first layer (5).
9. The substrate according to any of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one recess (4) of the first layer (5) is a through-going recess.
10. A method for manufacturing a substrate according to any of the claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of:

    - making available a first layer (5) with a first transmittance,

    - creating at least one recess (4) in the first layer, preferably by means of a laser or a punch, such that the first layer in the region of the recess has a second transmittance which is higher than the first transmittance, and

    - applying an opaque ink receiving layer (7) to a back side and to a front side of the substrate, wherein the opaque ink receiving layer has a third transmittance which is lower than the second transmittance.
11. A value document (1), in particular a foil composite banknote or a foil compose banknote sheet, comprising a substrate according to any of the claims 1 to 9.

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