WO2018127320A1

WO2018127320A1 - Blank for a retroreflective sign, a method for producing same, a retroreflective sign, and a method for producing same

Info

Publication number: WO2018127320A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/079555
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernd Pfundstein
Original assignee: Erich Utsch Ag
Priority date: 2017-01-09
Filing date: 2017-11-17
Publication date: 2018-07-12
Also published as: DE102017100256A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a sign blank (1) for a novel retroreflective sign (50) which has a sign panel (10), a retroreflective film (12) and at least one visually perceptible security feature (20). The invention also relates to a method for producing such a blank, and to a novel retroreflective sign (50) comprising a legend and a visually perceptible security feature (20), and to a method for producing such a sign.

Description

Description of the invention: Blank for a retroreflective shield and method for its production, retroreflective shield and method for its production

The present invention relates to a retroreflective sheeting blank and method of making a retroreflective sheeting blank, and to a retroreflective shield and method of making a retroreflective shield. In particular, the invention relates to a blank for a retroreflective license plate, a retroreflective license plate and methods of making the same.

In the context of the present invention, the terms retroreflective shield and retroreflective license plate are used interchangeably. If a retroreflective shield is mentioned, this also includes the special case of a retroreflective license plate, and vice versa.

Retroreflective signs with visually perceptible security features have been known for a long time from the prior art, in particular retroreflective license plates for motor vehicles. Visible security features are used to enhance the counterfeit security of license plates. A forged license plate is easy to identify due to a missing or forged optical security feature.

A difficulty with visually perceptible security features in the area of license plates is to protect them from external influences such as weather conditions and dirt. If the security features are located on the front of the license plate, they are exposed to weather and pollution and can thus become illegible or unrecognizable in the course of use. Furthermore, the security features can be easily manipulated by the direct access. Manipulation in this context is understood, on the one hand, as malicious damage or the destruction of a security feature. On the other hand, a manipulation can also consist of removing a security feature or retroactively attaching a fake security feature.

For protection against external influences and before said manipulations, it is advisable to use security features that are not mounted on the surface of the structure of a license plate, but are integrated in the structure of the license plate.

From the state of the art, there are known motor vehicle registration plates with visually perceptible security features introduced into the structure as well as various methods for introducing visually perceptible security features. For example, DE 10 2009 028 937 A1 discloses a license plate comprising at least one translucent retroreflective layer, wherein the label has a transparent laser-writable layer. By means of a laser, the sign is provided with the symbols of the license plate. Due to the layer structure in which the laser-writable intermediate layer is located above the translucent retroreflective layer, the retroreflection in the irradiated area is influenced, since there the translucent, retroreflective layer is no longer recognizable.

US 2015/0043074 A1 discloses retroreflective articles with a prismatic film which contains a security feature. The security feature is integrated in the film and can therefore only be incorporated in the production process of the film.

The object of the present invention is to provide a blank for a retroreflective shield which can be easily provided with an optically visible security feature, and a blank manufacturing method for a retroreflective shield having an optically visible security feature. Another object is to provide a retroreflective shield which can be easily provided with a visually perceptible security feature and a method of making such a retroreflective shield. This object is achieved with a shield blank for a retroreflective shield having the features of claim 1, a shield having the features of claim 11, a method of making a shield blank for a retroreflective shield having the features of claim 15, and a method of making a retroreflective shield solved with the features of claim 19. Advantageous further embodiments are specified in each of the subclaims.

The Applicant points out that within the scope of the present invention, all the features of the advantageous embodiments listed in the subclaims can be combined with one another within the scope of the technical sense, even beyond the category limits of the claims.

In the retroreflective sign blank of the present invention, the security feature in the sign assembly is between the shield plate and the retroreflective sheeting. The security feature may be located on the shield plate or on the retroreflective sheeting. This results in the advantage that the security feature is embedded in the shield structure and thus is exposed to neither weather influences nor manipulation. Furthermore, the retroreflection in the area of the security feature is not diminished since the security feature in the shield structure is located behind the retroreflective sheeting and therefore does not affect its reflection properties.

As a security feature, for example, all known from the prior art visually perceptible security features can be used. These include, but are not limited to, patterns, images, symbols, letters, numbers, textures, geometric shapes, gradients, numbering, coats of arms, national emblems, or codes such as barcodes or barcodes. It is possible to use only one of the security features. It is also possible to combine the security features with each other and to use any number of security features.

Exemplary embodiments for a security feature are holograms, framing, printing elements of all kinds, in particular fluorescent or phosphorescent printing elements, color gradients, metameric color pairs, printing elements with optically variable color, laser-irradiated areas, mechanically embossed areas Structures, stamped structures or any other known from the prior art, optically perceptible security features called to improve the security against forgery. In this context, mention may be made, for example, of heat-sealable holograms which are transferred by a transfer film, as are widely used at the time of registration for the production of counterfeit-proof license plates. A supplier of such holograms is the company Leonard Kurz KG. Alternatively, reference may be made to the patent designation under the name, which was filed by the applicant of the present patent application in Germany under the Az. 10 2016 106 065.8.

It is possible to use only one of the security features. It is also possible to combine the security features with each other and to use any number of security features.

In the context of this invention, "optically detectable" means that the security feature is perceptible under certain conditions to the human eye or to optical readers, conditions include the incidence of light of particular wavelength and the viewing angle of an observer or the angle of the reader the surface normal of the label during readout, if not explicitly mentioned, the security features are visually perceptible, at least under the influence of daylight.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the security feature is visually perceptible regardless of the angle of view under the influence of daylight. The security feature in this context may be, for example, an image in the form of a national emblem such as a coat of arms that is optically perceptible under the influence of daylight. In this embodiment eliminates the need for an additional light source to make the image visually perceptible.

In a further preferred embodiment, the security feature is visually perceptible under the influence of light having a specific wavelength. Such a security feature may be, for example, a fluorescent or phosphorescent pressure element. By the excitation by means of a light source with a certain wavelength depending on the choice of pigments of the fluorescent or phosphorescent printing element different wavelengths z. B. emitted in the visible light spectrum. The emitted wavelengths can then be perceived by the human eye or an optical reader. In particular, excitation by means of UV light may be possible, from which fluorescence in the visible spectral range results.

In a further preferred embodiment, the security feature is optically perceptible under the influence of daylight or under the influence of a specific wavelength, if the viewing angle of a viewer or a reading device is set specifically against the surface normal of the sign. For example, it is visible only at a viewing angle of 40 ° - 60 ° against the surface normal of the shield.

An optically perceptible security feature may also be characterized in that it changes its appearance when the viewing angle changes, which is the case with a metameric color pair. In the case of a metameric pair of colors, one color of the color pair at a viewing angle of 90 ° is identical to the other, but different at a viewing angle of 40 ° -60 ° to the surface normal of the sign. For example, the colors of a metameric pair of colors may appear orange at a viewing angle of 90 °, but at a viewing angle of 40 ° -60 °, one color of the metameric pair of colors may appear redder than the other.

In an advantageous embodiment, the shield plate of the retroreflective shield blank according to the invention comprises a support comprising wood, plastic or metal, in particular aluminum. Advantageously, the carrier consists of one of said materials. The carrier is extensively extended and inherently rigid and thus gives the shield plate the required mechanical stability.

Preferably, the shield plate is mechanically stamped for the introduction of an embossed license plate legend. Particularly preferably, the shield plate together with the laminated retroreflective film is mechanically embossed. In a further development, the shield plate in addition to the carrier additionally comprises a coating which is arranged on the surface of the carrier. In particular, the coating may be colored so that a license plate produced using the plate blank corresponds to the applicable national approval regulations. An advantage of a colored coating, the resulting ability to use in the manufacturing process for the production of different blanks for license plates or license plates always the same carrier for different blanks or license plates and customize it according to the applicable national licensing regulations to color , For example, the same carrier could be used for the production of a license plate for Germany and the production of a license plate for the Netherlands, only the colored coating would have to be adapted in accordance with the applicable national licensing requirements.

In a preferred embodiment, the coating is designed multicolored, z. For example, the coating may include a peripheral frame encompassing the later legend. National emblems or decorative elements can also be part of the coating.

In a further preferred embodiment, the coating is laser-writable. In this embodiment, an optically perceptible security feature may be formed by laser marking the coating.

As retroreflective sheeting any retroreflective sheeting through which a security feature is optically perceptible may be used. For this purpose, the retroreflective sheeting has a transmission of T> 0.75, preferably T> 0.8, more preferably of T> 0.85. The result for the opacity O, the reciprocal of the transmission, is a value of 0 <1.33, preferably 0 <1.25, particularly preferably 0 <1.18.

Suitable retroreflective sheeting are widely available commercially and are offered, for example, by the manufacturers Avery, 3M and Orafol. The translucent retroreflective sheeting available at the time of filing All of these manufacturers are based on microprismatic elements embedded in the film structure.

In a preferred embodiment, the retroreflective sheeting is colored. In particular, the retroreflective sheeting may be colored only in certain areas, e.g. with a surrounding frame surrounding the later legend or with a colored area in which a nationality mark or / and seal of an approval body is / are located. Even insignia or decorative elements may already be formed. Also, the retroreflective sheeting may be multi-colored.

In a preferred embodiment, the sign according to the invention is provided with a license plate legend. Advantageously, the legend is formed by local colored coating of the retroreflective sheeting. In particular, a license plate legend by mechanical embossing of the shield blank shield plate and retroreflective sheeting and subsequent coloring of the embossed embossed areas of the shield blank z. B. be formed by means of ink transfer of a thermal transfer film.

A method according to the invention is provided for producing a blank for a retroreflective shield. The retroreflective tags produced by the method have at least one optically perceptible security feature. This security feature can be based, for example, on security features known from the prior art. Reference is made to the above examples of security features.

The security feature is placed on the shield plate or on the retroreflective sheeting.

Retroreflective shields made by the process of the present invention provide a high level of anti-counterfeiting security because the at least one security feature is incorporated into the shield structure in the sign making process. It can not be removed without at least local destruction of the shield structure. Any manipulations or manipulation attempts of the security feature can therefore be easily recognized. As already explained above, various methods are available for producing a security feature, many of which are also particularly suitable for integration into existing production methods for retroreflective signs or their blanks according to the prior art. Thus, the inventive method is also applicable directly to the sign manufacturer. Moreover, the methods of arranging a security feature which are known from the prior art partly permit a high degree of flexibility with regard to the security feature with regard to its motif and size, its arrangement and orientation on the shield plate or the retroreflective foil and its color impression. This applies in particular to the various possible printing methods as well as the method disclosed in the German patent application Az. DE 10 2016 106 065.8. The result is that a customized customization is economically possible even for small batches. This represents a particular advantage of the method according to the invention.

In addition, due to its very simple procedure, which comprises only a few method steps, the method according to the invention can be easily integrated into existing process sequences for the production of retroreflective signs, in particular license plates, or their blanks, without requiring changes to these procedures.

In its simplest form, the method according to the invention comprises the method step of providing a shield plate z. As wood, plastic or metal, especially aluminum, and providing a retroreflective sheeting. According to the invention, a security feature is now suitably arranged on the shield plate or on the retroreflective sheeting. Subsequently, the retroreflective sheeting is laminated to the shield plate so that the security feature is sandwiched between shield plate and retroreflective sheeting.

In the context of this invention, placing an optically visible security feature on the shield plate or retroreflective sheeting is a method of attaching an optically visible security feature to the front of the shield plate or to the back of the retroreflective sheeting. These include, among others, the state of the art known methods such as gluing, laminating, printing, painting and thermal transfer method. In addition, methods are included in which a visually perceptible security feature is incorporated in the shield plate or in the retroreflective sheeting. These include, inter alia, known from the prior art mechanical methods such as punching or embossing or optical methods such as irradiation by a laser. Under embossing in the broader sense also falls in the German patent application Az. 10 2016 106 065.8 disclosed method.

If the process continues, one arrives at the process according to the invention for producing a ready-to-use individualized retroreflective shield. In further, usually downstream, process steps, the shield plate is provided with an individual legend, the z. B. when using embossable materials for the shield plate and the retroreflective sheeting can be mechanically embossed by means of suitable embossing tools using a stamping press in the shield blank, z. B. as a raised imprint.

An embossed legend is preferably additionally dyed, which in particular by means of a color transfer to the embossed areas of the legend, e.g. in a thermal transfer process from a hot stamping foil or by rolling with a paint roller is possible.

Alternatively, the legend may also be printed on the front surface of the sign blanks.

A legend may also be formed by attachment of separately formed individual characters on the front surface of the shield blank.

In a further embodiment of the manufacture of a ready-made individualized retroreflective shield, the legend is first transferred to the shield plate or to the front surface by means of ink transfer from a hot stamping foil in a thermal transfer process or by rolling with an inking roller. A transferred legend can be added afterwards Use of embossable materials for the shield plate and the retroreflective sheeting are made plastically by embossing.

Further advantages and features of the devices and methods according to the invention will become apparent from the subclaims, which relate to advantageous embodiments of the present invention and are not to be understood as such. Also included in the invention are combinations of the features of various subclaims, insofar as these are technically possible, even if the subclaims do not relate to each other or if these belong to different categories of claims. This also applies to the individual features of the embodiments discussed below, insofar as they are not necessarily recognizable as belonging to the person skilled in the art.

The exemplary embodiments presented below are intended to explain the invention to the person skilled in the art in more detail. The embodiments will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this show:

Fig. 1: a retroreflective license plate in accordance with plan

Prior art or according to a first embodiment,

2 shows the retroreflective shield of Figure 1 according to the prior art in a side sectional view,

3 shows a first embodiment of a retroreflective shield according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a lateral sectional view,

4 shows a second embodiment of a retroreflective shield according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a lateral sectional view,

5 shows a schematic illustration of different viewing angles of a sign according to the invention,

6 shows the retroreflective shield according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in vertical supervision,

FIG. 7: the retroreflective shield according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in oblique view,

8 shows a third embodiment of a retroreflective shield according to the invention in a top view when viewed under ambient light,

9: the retroreflective shield according to FIG. 8 in supervision with under the influence of UV light, 10 shows a retroreflective shield according to the invention (for example according to one of the embodiments 1 to 3) under supervision under totally reflecting conditions,

11 shows a first exemplary manufacturing plant for a first embodiment of the manufacturing method according to the invention in a schematic representation, and

12 shows a second exemplary manufacturing plant for a second embodiment of the manufacturing method according to the invention in a schematic representation.

In the following figures, identical features are designated by the same reference numerals.

Exemplary embodiments of the signs 50 according to the invention will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 below. These are true except for their individualization, i. in particular their individual license plate legend 18, with the shield blanks 1 according to the invention match, so that these embodiments can also be understood as embodiments of shield blanks 1 according to the invention.

The embodiments discussed below all relate to vehicle license plates and their manufacture. It is obvious to the skilled person, however, that signs of another kind such. As traffic signs, etc. may be constructed in a largely consistent manner.

Fig. 1 shows a generic retroreflective license plate 50 in plan view, which may be both a shield according to the prior art as well as a shield according to the invention. The shield 50 is based on a metal shield plate 10, on the front surface of a retroreflective sheeting 12 is laminated. This has a colored area 16, in which z. B. national emblem of the approval state can be arranged. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the colored area 16 is a blue band arranged on the left side of the shield plate 10, in which the country code "D" for Germany and the sovereign symbol of the European Union are arranged on the one hand. The shield 50 further has a raised embossed individual license plate legend 18, whose raised areas are colored black by means of ink transfer from a thermal transfer film.

Furthermore, the shield 50 comprises an optically recognizable security feature 20, which is perceptible to the human eye under suitable viewing conditions or recognizable by means of an optical measuring instrument.

It is known from the prior art that the optically perceivable security feature 20 is a structure such. B. can act as a hologram, which is applied to the outside surface of the retroreflective sheeting 12. This is shown in Fig. 2, which is a section through the vehicle license plate according to the prior art of FIG. 1 can be seen along the section line A-A. The retroreflective sheeting 12a, which is e.g. may be based on embedded in a transparent plastic microlenses (so-called "glass beads") with a metallic reflector layer or on embedded microprismatic elements is connected by an adhesive layer 13 with the metallic, mechanically embossable shield plate 10. By positioning the optically perceivable security feature 20 on the outer surface of the retroreflective sheeting 12a, the retroreflectivity of the sheeting 12 in the region of the optically perceptible security feature 20 is eliminated on the one hand with an opaque security feature. On the other hand, the visually perceptible security feature 20 is exposed to weather and dirt and can be easily manipulated.

FIG. 3 shows, in an illustration analogous to FIG. 2, the construction of a first exemplary embodiment of a shield 50 according to the invention. According to the invention, a retroreflective sheeting 12 with translucent properties is used, that is to say that the retroreflective sheeting 12 has some transmission. This is usually not the case with the retroreflective sheeting used in the prior art. Glassbead-based retroreflective sheeting generally comprises a planar reflector layer in the plane of the sheeting and is therefore completely non-transparent. On the other hand, retroreflective films based on microprismatic elements do not require a metallic reflector layer and, despite the air layer embedded in the film, exhibit a certain transparency or at least translucency. The illustrated retroreflective sheeting 1 according to the invention has an optically visible security feature 20 which is sandwiched between the retroreflective sheeting 12 and the shield plate 10. Due to the transparency or translucency of the retroreflective sheeting 12 provided according to the invention, the optically perceptible security feature 20 is perceptible through the retroreflective sheeting 12. The transparency or translucency of the film 12 is characterized by a transmission T of at least T> 0.75, preferably T> 0.8 and particularly preferably of T> 0.85.

Also in the retroreflective shield 50 according to the invention, the film 12 and the shield plate 10 are connected by an adhesive layer 13. This is usually pre-applied to the retroreflective sheeting 12 and, when the retroreflective sheeting 12 is laminated onto the shielding plate 10, e.g. B. activated by pressure or heat.

In the in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment, the security feature 20 is disposed on the shield plate 10 and surrounded by the adhesive layer 13. In the security feature 20, it may be z. B. to act a hologram, which transferred from a transfer film on the shield plate 10 and with this z. B. is glued in a heat-sealing process. However, it may also be an image which is printed by means of a suitable printing process on the front surface of the shield plate 10 before the retroreflective sheeting 12 is laminated onto the shield plate 10. In any case, the visually perceptible security feature is due to its embedding between film 12 and shield plate 10 safely protected from the weather and tampering.

In contrast to prior art visually recognizable security features applied to the surface of the retroreflective sheeting 12 or embedded in the retroreflective sheeting 12, the security feature 12 in the manufacture of the sign blank 1 or shield 50 may be manufactured by the same be introduced, with a great deal of freedom in the selection of suitable security features 20 consists. Are security features 20 used, which are located at the place of the Schildrohling- or shield production can be created individually z. B. by means of suitable printing process, so even small series of shield blanks 1 and signs 50 can be made with individually trained, visually perceptible security features 20 rational and inexpensive.

Im in 4 of the second embodiment of a retroreflective shield 50 according to the invention, this additionally has a colored coating 14, which is applied directly to a metallic carrier 11 and together with it forms the shield plate 10. Due to the transparency of the retroreflective sheeting 12, this colored coating 14 is responsible for the front color impression of the sign 50.

In this embodiment, the security feature 20 is layered on the backside of the retroreflective sheeting 12. It is applied to the shield plate 10 prior to laminating the film 12 onto the adhesive layer 13 applied to the film back side, e.g. printed.

In Fig. 5 schematically illustrates various viewing angles of a viewer or reader 30 relative to the surface normal of a retroreflective shield 1 according to the invention. In a first position A, the viewer or the reader 30 are relative to the retroreflective shield 1 so that the viewing angle against the surface normal = £ 90 ° (here about 30 °). In a second position B, the viewer or reader 30 is located relative to the retroreflective shield 1 such that the viewing angle against the surface normal is 0 °, i.e., 0 °. the viewer looks at the sign in a vertical view.

Depending on the nature of the selected security feature 20 in the shield structure of the retroreflective shield 50 of the invention, an optically perceptible security feature may be characterized by changing its appearance upon a change in viewing angle. This is z. As in holograms or on lenticular structures based alternating images of the case.

In the schematic representation according to FIG. 5, the non-perpendicular viewing angle is set at a single angle of 45 ° to the surface normal (viewing direction B). In fact, a range of Angle against the surface normal between> 0 ° and <90 ° for a change of the visual impression of the security feature 20 available. The actually required change in the viewing angle is dependent on the choice of the security feature 20 in the retroreflective shield 50 according to the invention.

Figures 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the retroreflective shield 50 according to the invention, in which the viewing angle against the surface normal of the retroreflective shield 1 is relevant. In Fig. 7, a retroreflective plate 50 is shown, wherein the security feature is formed by a metameric color pair 22, 22 ^λ and both colors of the metameric color pair 22,22 ^λ are visually identical at certain viewing angles. This is the case when the position of the observer or reader 30 relative to the retroreflective shield 50 is as in position A of FIG. 5. For example, both parts of the metameric color pair 22 appear in the color red.

Once the viewing angle to the surface normal is changed, in this embodiment, the two colors of metameric color pair 22, 22 ^λ are perceived as visually diverging, as shown in Fig. 7 is shown. As soon as the observer or the reader 30 is in position B according to FIG. 5, the two colors of the metameric color pair 22 are perceived optically divergent. For example, the color of a metameric color pair 22 will continue to be perceived as red, while the other color of the metameric color pair is perceived as orange 22 ^λ.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a retroreflective shield 50 according to the invention, in which the security feature is formed by a fluorescent pressure element 24. In FIG. 8, the fluorescent pressure element 24 in the shield structure of the retroreflective shield 50 is optically imperceptible under the influence of daylight. The fluorescent pressure element 24 in the shield structure is only visually perceptible when it is excited by UV light 32, as shown in FIG. 9 is shown. By the excitation by means of UV light 32 of a certain wavelength, depending on the choice of the pigments of the fluorescent printing element 24, different colors are emitted in the visible light spectrum. The emitted colors can be perceived by a viewer or the reader 30. FIG. 10 shows a retroreflective shield 50 according to the invention according to the exemplary embodiments according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 6 under totally reflective conditions. While the security feature 20 under normal light incidence z. B. is visually perceptible in daylight, as shown in Figures 1 and 6, the security feature 20 disappears under totally reflective conditions behind the retroreflective sheeting 12 and is no longer visually perceptible to a viewer 30, as it is outshone by the retroreflective light.

11 shows a first exemplary manufacturing device for carrying out the method according to the invention for a sign blank 1 in a schematic representation.

The exemplary manufacturing apparatus 100 is provided and set up for producing a retroreflective sign blank 1 according to the production method according to the invention. It comprises a board feed 102 for providing a shield plate 10.

In the embodiment shown, the shield plate 10 consists of a (not yet isolated) portion of an endless aluminum strip 114, which is unwound from a supply roll 116. This task is performed by the functional unit of the board feeder 110.

Furthermore, the production device 100 comprises a film feed 120 for providing a retroreflective film 12. The film feed 120 comprises a supply reel 122 on which a supply of the retroreflective film 12 is wound up as an endless belt. From this supply spool 122, the retroreflective sheeting 12 to be laminated onto the shield plate 10 is unreeled and fed to a laminating station 130 in which the retroreflective sheeting 12 is laminated to the endless metal strip 114 also fed to the laminating station 130. For this purpose, a paper liner 128 covering the adhesive layer 13 is pulled off the retroreflective sheeting 14 and wound on a take-up roll 126. In the laminating station 130, the adhesive layer 13 of the film 12 is further brought into contact with the metal strip 114. An in the lamination 130 arranged (possibly heated) pinch roller 132 acts on the film 14 with a defined contact pressure and thus ensures activation of the adhesive layer.

Downstream of the laminating station 130 is disposed a punching unit 140 which punches out of the metallic strip 114 which is laminated with the retroreflective sheeting 12 individual shield plates 10 which are then fed for further processing.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 11, an arrangement unit 150 is arranged between the functional unit of the board feed 110 and the film feed 120 for the method according to the invention. This is set up to arrange visually perceptible security features 20 on the shield plate 10 in the sense of the already mentioned method for the arrangement of an optically perceptible security feature 20. The arrangement unit 20 may be, for example, a printer which is adapted to color symbols on the Metallic tape 114 printed.

FIG. 12 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a production apparatus 100 for carrying out the method according to the invention for a sign blank 1, again in a schematic representation. The production apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is in all respects identical to the production apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment according to FIG. 11 except for the arrangement unit 150, which in this exemplary embodiment is not arranged between the functional unit of the board feed 110 and the film guide 120, but between the supply roll 122 of the film feeder 120 and the laminating station 130. This is adapted to arrange optically perceptible security features 20 on the retroreflective sheeting in the sense of the already mentioned method for the arrangement of an optically perceptible security feature 20th

If the production apparatuses 100 of FIGS. 11 and 12 are supplemented by an optional embossing press (not shown) for forming an individual legend by mechanical embossing of the sign blanks 1 and by a color transfer unit (not shown) for subsequent inking of the embossed bed linen. de by a color transfer by means of a thermal transfer process or alternatively by a simple printing unit (not shown) for printing the legend, so there is in each case an embodiment of a manufacturing apparatus which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention for producing a retroreflective shield.

Reference sign board blank

sign board

retroreflective sheeting

a opaque retroreflective sheeting

adhesive layer

coating

colored area

Legend

safety feature

, 22 ^λ Metameres color pair

Fluorescent pressure element

Viewer / reader

UV light

sign

0 manufacturing device

2 board feeders

0 Function unit of the board feed 4 metallic strip

6 supply roll metallic band

0 slide feeder

2 supply roll of foil

6 pickup roll

8 paper liner

0 laminating station

2 pinch roller

0 punching unit

0 arrangement unit

Claims

claims

1) Shield blank 1 for a retroreflective shield 50 comprising a shield plate 10, a retroreflective sheeting 12 and at least one optically perceptible security feature 20, characterized in that the at least one optically perceptible security feature 20:

a) is disposed between the retroreflective sheeting 12 and the shield plate 10, and

b) is optically perceptible through the retroreflective sheeting 12 by forming the retroreflective sheeting 12 as a translucent retroreflective sheeting.

2) shield blank 1 according to claim 1, characterized in that the

translucent retroreflective sheeting 12 is a microprismatic retroreflective sheeting.

3) shield blank 1 according to claim 2, characterized in that the

translucent retroreflective sheeting 12 is mechanically stampable to form an embossed legend.

4) Shield blank 1 according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the translucent retroreflective sheeting 12 has an opacity O which is less than 1.33.

5) shield blank 1 according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one visually perceptible security feature 20, a pattern, an image, a symbol, a crest, a national emblem, a letter, a number, a geometric structure, a gradient, or a code like barcode or QR code.

6) shield blank 1 according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one visually perceptible security feature 20 comprises a combination of the mentioned in claim 4 examples. 7) shield blank 1 according to claim 1, wherein the at least one visually perceptible security feature 20 is arranged on the shield plate 10.

8) Shield blank 1 according to claim 1, wherein the at least one visually perceptible security feature 20 is arranged on the translucent, retroreflective sheeting 12.

9) Shield blank 1 according to claim 1, wherein the translucent, retroreflective sheeting 12 is laminated to the front of the shield plate 20.

10) shield blank 1 according to claim 1, wherein the shield plate 10 comprises wood, plastic or metal, in particular aluminum, preferably comprises a carrier which consists of one of the aforementioned materials.

11) A retroreflective shield 50 having a shield blank 1 according to one or more of the preceding claims and an individual legend 18 disposed on the shield blank.

12) Shield 50 according to claim 11, wherein the legend 18 is colored.

13) Shield 50 according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the legend 18 in relief

and / or is plastically formed.

14) Shield 50 according to claim 11, characterized in that it is a license plate.

15) A method of making a blank 1 for a retroreflective shield 50, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a shield plate 10 and a translucent retroreflective sheeting 12,

b) arranging at least one optically detectable security feature 20 on the shield plate 10 or on the retroreflective sheeting 12, c) laminating the translucent retroreflective sheeting 12 onto the shield plate 10

Shield board 10. 16) The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one optically detectable security feature 20 is a pattern, an image, a symbol, a crest, a national emblem, a letter, a number, a geometric structure, a gradient, or a code such as barcode or QR Code.

17). The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one optically detectable security feature comprises a combination of the examples mentioned in claim 15

18) The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one visually perceptible security feature 20 by gluing and / or lamination and / or transfer of a transfer film and / or printing and / or painting and / or punching and / or mechanical embossing and / or irradiation by a laser is placed.

19) A method of making a retroreflective shield 50, comprising the steps of:

a) producing a shield blank 1 by means of a method according to claim 15, and

b) forming an individual legend 18 on the shield blank 1.

20) Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the legend 18 is colored.

21) A method according to claim 19, characterized in that the legend 18 is formed in relief and / or plastic.

22) A method according to claim 19, characterized in that the retroreflective shield 50 is a license plate.