Optically variable magnetic stripe assembly

1. An optically variable magnetic stripe assembly including a magnetic oxide layer, an optically variable effect generating layer over the magnetic oxide layer, and a reflective layer between the magnetic oxide layer and the optically variable effect generating layer, the reflective layer comprising at least one metal portion, the at least one metal portion only partially extending along the full length of the optically variable effect generating layer, wherein an end to end resistance of the stripe assembly is between 10e6 and 10e9 ohms.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of reflective portions are provided with discrete breaks between them.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the discrete breaks are formed by demetallized regions.

4. An assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the discrete breaks have lateral dimensions in the range 2-10 mm.

5. An assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the discrete breaks have lateral dimensions totaling 5-15 mm.

6. An assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the discrete breaks contain a demetallized dot screen constructed so that no metal dot contacts any other metal dot.

7. An assembly according to claim 2 , wherein demetallized indicia are defined in one or more of the discrete breaks, no indicium touching another indicium.

8. An assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the indicia are too small to be visible to the naked eye.

9. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein discrete breaks are provided between the at least one metal portion and the edges of the assembly.

10. An assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising an electrically non-conductive reflective layer.

11. An assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the electrically non-conductive layer is in contact with the metal reflective layer.

12. An assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the electrically non-conductive layer has an optical index of refraction of at least 2.0.

13. An assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the electrically non-conductive reflective layer is a high refractive index material consisting of TiO2, ZnS or ZrO2.

14. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer is defined by more than one metal, of different colours.

15. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one metal portion is chosen from aluminum and copper or alloys thereof.

16. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the optically variable effect generating layer comprises a lacquer provided with a surface relief.

17. A security document provided with an optically variable magnetic stripe assembly according to claim 1 .

18. A security document according to claim 17 , the security document comprising a payment or identity document.

19. A security document according to claim 18 , wherein the payment or identity document includes a credit card, debit card, cheque card, ticket, savings book or bank note.

20. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer is a uniformly discontinuous metal layer.

21. An assembly according to claim 20 , wherein the metal layer comprises a regular matrix of dots.

22. An assembly according to claim 21 , wherein the dots have diameters in the range 50-150 um.

23. An assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a wherein the reflective layer is a discontinuous metal reflective layer between the magnetic oxide layer and the optically variable effect generating layer, and a static resistive layer positioned to enable a static charge to be dissipated in a controlled manner.

24. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the end to end resistance of the stripe assembly is about 5×10e8 ohms.