Counterfeit-proof metallic foil

Abstract

A counterfeit-proof metal foil is textured in at least a given partial area of its surface, this partial area having a radiation refraction value which is different compared to the remaining surface area. The metal foil is suitable as a packaging material, among others for medications. The manufacturer or the consumer can check based on the given surface structure which is intended as an identification sign whether he has acquired an uncounterfeited product. If texturing takes place on most of the surface of the metal foil, this is identical to the appearance of a printed picture so that the metal foil as claimed in the invention is likewise used as a decorative foil or an advertizing medium.

1 . Counterfeit-proof metal foil ( 1 ), characterized in that the metal foil is textured in at least a given partial area ( 2 ,  4 ) of its surface and that this partial area has light diffraction, scattering, refraction or reflection which differs compared to the remaining surface area ( 3 ,  5 ).  
     
     
         2 . Counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the metal foil consists of aluminum.  
     
     
         3 . Counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the metal foil as a textured partial area ( 2 ) has a planar identification sign.  
     
     
         4 . Counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the given partial area ( 4 ) has a linear structure.  
     
     
         5 . Counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the linear structure is arranged geometrically or randomly.  
     
     
         6 . Counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein there are textured partial areas ( 2 ,  4 ) on the two surface sides of the metal foil.  
     
     
         7 . Counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein there are structured partial areas ( 2 ,  4 ) on almost the entire surface.  
     
     
         8 . Counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein most of the textured partial areas ( 2 ,  4 ) are visible to the viewer, the remainder is invisible to the viewer.  
     
     
         9 . Counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the metal foil which is provided with textured partial areas is provided with a transparent coating.  
     
     
         10 . Counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the transparent coating contains printing inks and/or plastic and optionally additives.  
     
     
         11 . Process for producing a counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the textured partial areas ( 2 ,  4 ) are produced by means of laser technology.  
     
     
         12 . Process for producing a counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the metal foil is produced by means of work rolls  8 , at least one work roll being textured on its surface in at least one partial area, and wherein this structure is transferred to the metal foil during the rolling process.  
     
     
         13 . Process as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the surface of the two working rolls ( 8 ) is textured.  
     
     
         14 . Process as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein almost the entire roll surface is textured.  
     
     
         15 . Process as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein most of the texturing on the roll surface is visible to the viewer, but the remainder is not visible to the viewer.  
     
     
         16 . Process as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the metal foil after texturing is provided with a transparent coating.  
     
     
         17 . Process as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the transparent coating contains printing inks and/or plastic and optionally additives.  
     
     
         18 . Process as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the given, textured partial areas on the roll surface are produced using laser technology.  
     
     
         19 . Use of a counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 1  for producing packaging material.  
     
     
         20 . Use of a counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 1  for producing decorative foils.  
     
     
         21 . Use of a counterfeit-proof metal foil as claimed in  claim 1  for producing advertizing media.