Security element and method for producing the same

1. A security element for a security document, having at least one plastic layer on which at least two metal layers of different color are so disposed on the same side of the plastic layer that two different colors are visually recognizable and that the metal layers are disposed in one plane, side-by-side, and none of the metal layers overlap another one of the metal layers.

2. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein the metal layers are adjacent at least in certain areas.

3. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the metal layers has gaps in the form of alphanumeric characters, patterns, or logos.

4. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein a third metal layer with a third color is provided that is likewise disposed on the same surface or the opposite surface of the plastic layer.

5. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein the color of one of the metal layers is produced by printing a transparent colored lacquer layer.

6. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein the security element has a printed image.

7. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein the metals have different physical properties that are testable by machine.

8. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the metal layers is semitransparent.

9. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein the plastic layer has a diffraction structure in the form of a relief structure.

10. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein the plastic layer is a self-supporting plastic foil.

11. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein the plastic layer is disposed on a carrier material.

12. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein the security element is a transfer element.

13. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein the security element is a self-supporting label.

14. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein the security element has round, oval, star-shaped, rectangular, trapezoidal or strip-shaped contours.

15. A security element according to claim 1 , wherein the security element is a security thread.

16. A security paper for producing documents of value, wherein it has at least one security element according to claim 1 .

17. A security paper according to claim 16 , wherein the security element is a security thread at least partly embedded in the security paper.

18. A security paper according to claim 17 , wherein the security paper has a through opening, the security element being disposed in the area of the opening and protruding beyond it on all sides.

19. A security paper according to claim 17 , wherein the security element is a transfer element applied to the surface of the security paper.

20. A security paper according to claim 19 , wherein the security element has round, oval, star-shaped, rectangular, trapezoidal or strip-shaped contours.

21. A method for protecting goods from forgery comprising forming said goods with a security paper according to claim 16 .

22. A document of value, wherein it has at least one security element according to claim 1 .

23. A transfer material for producing the security element according to claim 1 comprising:

a carrier foil and at least one plastic layer on which at least two metal layers of different color are so disposed on the same side of the plastic layer that two different colors are visually recognizable and that the metal layers are disposed in one plane, side-by-side, and none of the metal layers overlaps another one of the metal layers.

24. A transfer material according to claim 23 , wherein the plastic layer has a diffraction structure in the form of a relief structure.

25. A method for protecting goods from forgery comprising forming said goods with a transfer material according to claim 23 .

26. A method for protecting goods from forgery comprising incorporating into said goods a security element according to claim 1 .