Abstract: The invention relates to a mask exposure method comprising the following steps:—the providing of a carrier substrate; the print application of a radiation-crosslinkable washable dye layer to the full area of the carrier substrate;—the exposure of the radiation-crosslinkable washable dye layer in defined regions to radiation by means of a radiation mask, such that the washable dye is cured in the defined regions;—the applying of a metallization over the full area;—the removing of the non-radiation-exposed washable dye outside the defined regions together with the metal present thereon with the aid of a solvent, such that the resultant carrier substrate has cured washable dye with metal applied thereto only in defined regions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optically variable security element, so that for a viewer of the security element, a first color impression is created through the combination of at least the color effects of a first embossing lacquer layer and the coating, and a second, different color impression is created through the combination of the color effects of at least the first embossing lacquer layer, a second embossing lacquer layer and a coating.

Abstract: A semi-finished product method with a liquid crystal security feature includes unrolling and transporting a continuous film in a transporting direction and providing on the film a liquid crystal layer containing a substance whose absorption of polarized light depends on its orientation. The method includes at least one of (A) arranging a lacquer layer on the film and embossing it for a first alignment structure, and at least partly covering it with the liquid crystal layer, the first alignment structure able to cause liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer to align only in a first direction in first regions and only in a second direction, in second regions, and (B) embossing the liquid crystal layer while the liquid crystal layer is uncured providing a second alignment structure to cause liquid crystal molecules to align only in a third direction in third regions and only in a fourth direction, in fourth regions.

Abstract: A platelet-shaped magnetic effect pigment for use in a printing ink, includes a layer construction with a magnetic layer and at least one optical functional layer. The magnetic layer is based on magnetic particles fixed within a solid matrix and having a largely uniform preferential magnetic direction deviating from the platelet plane.

Abstract: A platelet-shaped magnetic effect pigment is provided for use in a printing ink, and includes a layer construction with a magnetic layer and at least one optical functional layer, such that the magnetic layer is based on a magnetic material having a column-shaped nanostructure and the magnetic columns respectively have a largely uniform preferential magnetic direction deviating from the platelet plane.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optically variable security element, so that for a viewer of the security element, a first color impression is created through the combination of at least the color effects of a first embossing lacquer layer and the coating, and a second, different color impression is created through the combination of the color effects of at least the first embossing lacquer layer, a second embossing lacquer layer and a coating.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing platelet-shaped effect pigments includes the steps of a) providing a carrier substrate; b) applying aqueous washing ink droplets to the carrier substrate in first regions forming a first motif; c) applying a reflective coating to the carrier substrate such that a reflective coating is deposited on the carrier substrate in the form of a regular contiguous grid in second regions forming a second motif outside the first regions forming the first motif, wherein the first regions form the first motif and have the washing ink droplets form regular islands within the regular contiguous grid, and a reflective coating is deposited above the washing ink droplets in the first regions forming the first motif; and d) removing the washing ink droplets in the first regions together with the reflective coating present thereon and isolating the removed reflective coating in the form of platelet-shaped effect pigments.

Abstract: A reflective security element for checking the authenticity with polarized light, has a retroreflective layer and a birefringent layer arranged in a structured manner on the retroreflective layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying security elements, comprises at least one value document substrate transport device for transporting a value document substrate web, at least one security elements transport device for transporting a security elements carrier band having a plurality of security elements, wherein the security elements carrier band has a first and a second main surface which oppose each other, each security element has a first and a second main surface which oppose each other, each security element is arranged with its first main surface on the first main surface of the security elements carrier band, and each security element has adhesive properties at its second main surface, wherein the apparatus has an application region in order to apply the security elements with their second main surface onto the value document substrate web. A security elements carrier band and a value document involve the apparatus.

Abstract: A micro-optical inspection arrangement comprises micro-focusing elements which are composite bodies consisting of a main part and an additional part and which have a reference focal length. The main parts are provided as micro-focusing element preforms, and the additional parts are formed from one or more functional coatings. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a micro-optical inspection arrangement and to a micro-optical displaying arrangement comprising the micro-optical inspection arrangement according to the invention and a microstructure arrangement, in particular a moiré magnification arrangement and a modulo magnification arrangement. The invention also relates to security elements and data carriers that have the micro-optical inspection arrangement according to the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying security elements, comprises at least one value document substrate transport device for transporting a value document substrate web, at least one security elements transport device for transporting a security elements carrier band having a plurality of security elements, wherein the security elements carrier band has a first and a second main surface which oppose each other, each security element has a first and a second main surface which oppose each other, each security element is arranged with its first main surface on the first main surface of the security elements carrier band, and each security element has adhesive properties at its second main surface, wherein the apparatus has an application region in order to apply the security elements with their second main surface onto the value document substrate web. A security elements carrier band and a value document involve the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention concerns a security element having a magnetic coding consisting of magnetic coding elements. At least one of the magnetic coding elements has a grid-shaped magnetic region which is formed by a plurality of mutually parallel grid strips made of magnetic material which respectively have a magnetic anisotropy. The grid strips lead, through their magnetic anisotropy, to the magnetization direction of the coding element being able to differ from the direction of the applied magnetic field. Since the resultant magnetic signals that the grid-shaped magnetic regions deliver cannot be simulated by conventional magnetic regions, said coding elements increase the anti-forgery security of the security element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element for a security paper, a valuable article or the like having a substrate (1), the substrate being at least partially furnished with a coating (2) that is substantially tack free at room temperature, and the coating (2) including at least one radiation-crosslinkable component.

Abstract: An optically variable surface pattern is made available, having at least two partial areas with reflection elements, wherein the reflection elements of the first partial region on the one hand and the reflection elements of the second partial region on the other hand reflect impinging light in different reflection directions. The first partial region is so covered with a first glazing ink layer that a viewer, upon a change of the viewing angle at which the viewer views the optically variable surface pattern, sees the first partial region glow in a first color upon reaching a first viewing angle. The second partial region glows in a second color that is different from the first color upon reaching a second viewing angle.

Abstract: An optically variable security element, for security papers, value documents and other data carriers, includes a single or multilayer central body having opposing first and second main surfaces, an arrangement of microlenses on the first main surface of the central body, the microlenses having a refractive effect defining a focal plane, a laser-sensitive recording layer arranged on the second main surface of the central body, a mask layer arranged between the arrangement of microlenses and the laser-sensitive recording layer and outside of the focal plane of the microlenses, and a plurality of micromarks produced in the laser-sensitive recording layer by the action of laser radiation, each micromark being associated with a microlens and being visible when the security element is viewed through the associated microlens. The mask layer comprises a macroscopic gap region that is in register with the plurality of micromarks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element for security papers, value documents and the like, having a micro-optical moiré magnification arrangement having a first motif image that consists of a planar periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of first micromotif elements (38) that produce a hidden piece of image information, and a planar periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of microfocusing elements (34) for the moiré-magnified viewing of the first micromotif elements of the motif image, the first micromotif elements (38) being formed from nematic liquid crystal material and forming a phase-shifting layer for light from a specified wavelength range, and the magnified moiré image being perceptible substantially only upon viewing the security element through a polarizer.

Abstract: An optically variable security element, for security papers, value documents and other data carriers, includes a single or multilayer central body having opposing first and second main surfaces, an arrangement of microlenses on the first main surface of the central body, the microlenses having a refractive effect defining a focal plane, a laser-sensitive recording layer arranged on the second main surface of the central body, a mask layer arranged between the arrangement of microlenses and the laser-sensitive recording layer and outside of the focal plane of the microlenses, and a plurality of micromarks produced in the laser-sensitive recording layer by the action of laser radiation, each micromark being associated with a microlens and being visible when the security element is viewed through the associated microlens. The mask layer comprises a macroscopic gap region that is in register with the plurality of micromarks.

Abstract: The invention concerns a security element having a magnetic coding consisting of magnetic coding elements. At least one of the magnetic coding elements has a grid-shaped magnetic region which is formed by a plurality of mutually parallel grid strips made of magnetic material which respectively have a magnetic anisotropy. The grid strips lead, through their magnetic anisotropy, to the magnetization direction of the coding element being able to differ from the direction of the applied magnetic field. Since the resultant magnetic signals that the grid-shaped magnetic regions deliver cannot be simulated by conventional magnetic regions, said coding elements increase the anti-forgery security of the security element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a security element (1), to a security element (1) obtainable by the method according to the invention, to transfer materials having the security elements according to the invention, and to objects of value secured with the security elements according to the invention. The security element (1) according to the invention has two functional layers (12, 22) which are bonded together by means of a resist layer (30). The resist layer (30) has a pattern which is employed to generate a congruent pattern in the first functional layer (12). Then the pattern of the resist layer (30), and thus also of the first functional layer (12), is exactly reproduced in the second functional layer (22). This is achieved by bonding the second functional layer (22) in the form of the pattern of the resist layer (30). The non-bonded areas of the second functional layer (22) are removed, thereby forming negative writing.

Abstract: An optically variable surface pattern is made available, having at least two partial areas with reflection elements, wherein the reflection elements of the first partial region on the one hand and the reflection elements of the second partial region on the other hand reflect impinging light in different reflection directions. The first partial region is so covered with a first glazing ink layer that a viewer, upon a change of the viewing angle at which the viewer views the optically variable surface pattern, sees the first partial region glow in a first color upon reaching a first viewing angle. The second partial region glows in a second color that is different from the first color upon reaching a second viewing angle.