Apparatus and processes for producing layers of optical effects

Description

1 / 122 APPARATUS AND PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING LAYERS OF EFFECTS OPTICS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of apparatus and processes for the production of optical effect layers (OELs) and to the use of said OELs as anti-counterfeiting means in security documents or security articles, as well as for decorative purposes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is known in the art to use inks, compositions, coatings or layers containing oriented particles of magnetic or magnetizable pigment, particularly optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, for the production of security elements, for example, in the field of security documents. Coatings or layers comprising oriented particles of magnetic or magnetizable pigment are disclosed, for example, in US documents 2,570,856; US 3,676,273; US 3,791,864; US 5,630,877; and US 5,364,689. Coatings or layers comprising oriented magnetic color-changing pigment particles, which result in particularly attractive optical effects useful for the protection of security documents, have been disclosed in WO 2002 / 090002 A2 and WO 2005 / 002866 A1.

[0003] Security features, for example, for security documents, can generally be classified into “hidden” security features, on the one hand, and “obvious” security features, on the other hand. Protection Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 175 / 335 The 2 / 122 security provided by hidden security features is based on the principle that such features are difficult to detect, typically requiring specialized equipment and knowledge for detection, while overt security features rely on the concept of being easily detectable with unaided human senses; for example, such features may be visible and / or detectable through the sense of touch, although they are still difficult to produce and / or copy. However, the effectiveness of overt security features largely depends on their easy recognition as a security feature.

[0004] Magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in printing inks or coatings enable the production of magnetically induced images, designs, and / or patterns through the application of a correspondingly structured magnetic field, which induces a local orientation of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the still unhardened (i.e., wet) coating, followed by hardening of the coating. The result is a fixed and stable magnetically induced image, design, or pattern (also known in the art as an optical effect layer (OEL)). Materials and technologies for the orientation of magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in coating compositions have been disclosed, for example, in documents US 2,418,479; US 2,570,856; US 3,791,864; DE 2006848-A; US 3,676,273; US 5,364,689; US 6,103.361; EP 0 406 667 B1; US ​​2002 / 0160194; US 2004 / 0009309; EP 0 710 508 A1; WO 2002 / 09002 A2; WO 2003 / 000801 A2; WO 2005 / 002866 A1; and WO 2006 / 061301 A1. In this way, magnetically induced patterns are... Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 176 / 335 3 / 122 highly counterfeit-resistant devices can be produced. The security element in question can only be produced by having access to both the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, or corresponding ink, and the particular technology employed to print said ink and to orient said pigment in the printed ink.

[0005] Methods and devices have been developed for producing magnetically induced dynamic images on substrates, said images exhibiting a dynamic appearance when said substrates are tilted. Typical examples of such images include, for example, one or more moving bright reflective bars, or one or more moving loop-shaped bodies and one or more loop-shaped bodies with variable shapes, as described in documents US 2005 / 0106367 A1; WO 2020 / 193009 A1; WO 2020 / 160993 A1; WO 2013 / 167425 A1; WO 2021 / 083809 A1; WO 2021 / 083808 A1; WO 2014 / 108404 A2; WO 2014 / 108303 A2; WO 2018 / 054819 A1; WO 2019 / 215148 A1; WO 2020 / 025218 A1; WO WO2020 / 025482 A1; WO 2017 / 064052 A1; WO 2017 / 080698A1; WO 2017 / 148789 A1; and WO 2020 / 193009 A1,

[0006] The methods and devices described above in this document use magnetic assemblies to monoaxially orient magnetic pigment particles. Monoaxial orientation of magnetic pigment particles results in neighboring particles having their principal geometric axes (second longest) parallel to each other and to the magnetic field, while their secondary geometric axes in the plane of the pigment particles are not, or at least not constrained by, the applied magnetic field. In this way, a single monoaxial orientation of the pigment particles is achieved. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 177 / 335 4 / 122 magnetic fields result in optical effect layers that may exhibit low reflectivity and brightness, as light is reflected in a wide range of directions, especially in directions that are substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field lines.

[0007] Document WO 2015 / 086257 A1 discloses an improved method for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate, wherein said process comprises two magnetic orientation steps, wherein said steps consist of i) exposing a coating composition comprising magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles to a dynamic magnetic field, i.e., one that changes direction, from a first magnetic field generating device, so as to biaxially orient at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles and ii) exposing the coating composition to a static magnetic field from a second magnetic field generating device, thereby monoaxially reorienting at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles according to a design transferred by said second magnetic field generating device.

[0008] Methods and devices have been developed for producing magnetically induced images on substrates exhibiting static clues. Documents EP 1 641 624 B1; EP 1 937 415 B1 and EP 2 155 498 B1 disclose devices and a method for magnetically transferring clues to a still-unhardened (i.e., wet) coating composition comprising magnetic pigment particles or Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 178 / 335 5 / 122 magnetizable, in order to form optical effect layers (OELs). The methods disclosed advantageously allow the production of security documents and articles that have a customer-specific magnetic design.

[0009] Enhanced methods have been developed to produce optical effect layers (OELs) that exhibit striking 3D-looking cues and are disclosed in documents WO 2018 / 019594 A1 and WO 2018 / 033512 A1.

[0010] However, prior art methods fail to provide magnetically induced striking images that combine a dynamic appearance and cues in a manner that is easy to implement and work at a high production speed. Furthermore, magnetically induced images that simultaneously exhibit more than one optical effect, according to prior art, require not only at least two sequential magnetic orientation steps, but also the use of special curing devices such as photomasks, lasers, or addressable LEDs, as disclosed in documents EP 3 170 566 B1; EP 3 459 758 A1; EP 2 542 421 B1; and WO 2020 / 148076 A1.

[0011] Therefore, there is still a need for improved equipment and processes for the production of eye-catching optical effect layers (OELs), where said processes must be reliable, easy to implement and capable of working at a high production speed while allowing the production of OELs that exhibit not only an eye-catching relief and / or a 3D signaling effect, but also dynamic movement. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 179 / 335 6 / 122 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, as discussed above. This is achieved by providing an apparatus (x00) for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) comprising magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the form of magnetically oriented platelets on a substrate (x50), said optical effect layer (OEL) exhibiting dynamic motion when tilting the substrate (x50) and one or more indentations, said apparatus (x00) being configured to receive the substrate (x50) in an orientation substantially parallel to a foreground (P) and above the foreground (P) and is suitable for use in combination with a second magnetic field generating device (x70) which allows at least a portion of the particles to be biaxially oriented and which comprises: a) a soft magnetic plate (x10) bearing one or more indications in the form of one or more indentations (x11) and / or one or more empty spaces (x12) and / or one or more protrusions (x13), said soft magnetic plate (x10) having a top plate surface, b) a magnetic field generating device (x20) comprising at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) and having an upper device surface, wherein the soft magnetic plate (x10) is placed on top of the first magnetic field generating device (x20), and wherein the upper plate surface is smaller than the upper device surface.

[0013] Also described in this document are the uses of the devices (x00) for magnetically guiding particles. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 180 / 335 7 / 122 of magnetic or magnetizable pigment in platelet form in a coating layer (x40) and produce the optical effect layer (OEL) described herein on the substrate described herein.

[0014] Methods for producing the optical effect layers (OELs) described in this document are also described, said methods comprising the following steps: a) applying to the substrate surface (x50) a coating composition comprising i) magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form and ii) a binder material, so as to form a coating layer (x40) on said substrate (x50), said coating composition being in a first state, b) to form an assembly (x100) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00) described in this document, c) move the assembly (x100) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00) described in this document obtained in step b) through a non-homogeneous magnetic field of a second static magnetic field generating device (x70), so as to biaxially orient at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles, and d) harden the coating composition to a second state, so as to fix the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form in their adopted positions and orientations.

[0015] In one embodiment, the substrate (x50) of the assembly (x100) is placed above the soft magnetic plate (x10), with Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 181 / 335 8 / 122 the soft magnetic plate (x10) facing the substrate (x50) and the coating layer (x40) being the top layer of the assembly (x100) and preferably being exposed to the environment, i.e. not covered by any other layer or material.

[0016] Optical effect layers (OELs) produced by the process described herein are also described in this document, as well as safety documents, decorative elements, and objects comprising one or more optical OELs described herein.

[0017] Also described in this document are the uses of the apparatus (x00) described in this document, together with the second static magnetic field generating devices (x70) described in this document, to magnetically orient the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form in the coating layer (x40) described in this document and to manufacture the optical effect layer (OEL) described in this document.

[0018] Also described in this document are methods for manufacturing a security document or a decorative element or object, comprising a) providing a security document or a decorative element or object, and b) providing an optical effect layer such as those described in this document, in particular such as those obtained by the process described in this document, so that it is comprised by the security document or decorative element or object.

[0019] The present invention provides apparatus which advantageously enables the fabrication of attractive optical effect layers (OELs), said OELs comprising at least one Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 182 / 335 9 / 122 first area exhibiting a 3D effect in the form of one or more cues and at least one second area exhibiting dynamic movement when tilted, wherein at least one of said first areas and one of said second areas are adjacent, as described herein.

[0020] The present invention also provides a reliable and easy-to-implement process for magnetically orienting magnetic or magnetizable pigment in platelet form in a coating layer made of a coating composition in a first state, i.e., not yet hardened (i.e., wet), in which the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form are free to move and rotate within the layer so as to form an optical effect layer (OEL) that combines dynamic movement with a striking relief and / or 3D effect after hardening of said coating layer to a second state in which the orientation and position of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form are fixed / frozen.

[0021] The magnetic orientation of magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form is achieved by forming the assembly comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40), the apparatus comprising the soft magnetic plate bearing one or more indications in the form of one or more indentations and / or one or more voids and / or one or more protrusions, and the magnetic field generating device comprising at least one dipolar magnet described in this document, and moving said assembly through the non-homogeneous magnetic field of a second static magnetic field generating device. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 183 / 335 The process described in this document advantageously allows the production of optical effect layers comprising at least one first area exhibiting a 3D effect in the form of one or more indentations and at least one second area exhibiting dynamic movement upon tilting, wherein at least one of said first area and at least one of said second area are adjacent, as described in this document, using a single composition comprising magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form, in a single magnetic orientation step without the need for a selective hardening step. Consequently, the process provided by the present invention is mechanically robust, easy to implement with high-speed industrial printing equipment, without resorting to laborious, tedious, and expensive modifications of said equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figures 1 to 7 illustrate the present invention schematically and are not to scale. The optical effect layers (OELs) described in this document and their production are now described in more detail with reference to the drawings and certain embodiments, in which Fig. 1A schematically illustrates an example of an assembly (1100) for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate (150) according to the present invention, wherein the assembly (1100) moves concomitantly (see arrow) through a non-homogeneous magnetic field of a second static magnetic field generating device (170), said assembly (1100) comprising a) the substrate (150), b) a coating layer (140) comprising Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 184 / 335 11 / 122 magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form and c) an apparatus (100) according to the present invention comprising a first magnetic field generating device (120), a soft magnetic plate (110) bearing traces in the form of indentations / voids / protrusions (111, 112, 113) and a non-magnetic support case (160). The magnetic orientation thus obtained of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form is fixed / frozen by at least partial curing with a curing unit (180). Fig. 1B schematically illustrates a cross-section of Fig. 1A, in which the assembly (1100) moves (see arrow) in the vicinity of the second magnetic field generating device (170). As shown in Fig. 1B, the first magnetic field generating device (120) is placed at a distance from the soft magnetic plate (110) by means of the non-magnetic support case (160). Fig. 1C1 (top view) and Fig. 1C2 (cross section) schematically illustrate a non-magnetic support case (160) comprising a recess (190-a) to receive the soft magnetic plate and an area (190-b) to receive the first magnetic field generating device. Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a top view of a suitable second magnetic field generating device (270) comprising a first assembly (S1) comprising a first dipole bar magnet (271-a) and two second dipole bar magnets (272-a and 272-d), a second assembly (S2) comprising a first dipole bar magnet (271-b) and two second dipole bar magnets (272-b and 272-e), a third assembly (S3) comprising a first Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 185 / 335 12 / 122 dipole bar magnet (271-c) and two second dipole bar magnets (272-ce 272-f), a first pair (P1) of third dipole bar magnets (273-ae 273-b) and a second pair (P2) of third dipole bar magnets (273-ce 273-d). Figs. 3A1-A3 schematically illustrate top views of suitable soft magnetic plates (310) comprising indentations (311) (see Fig. 3A1), voids (312) (see Fig. 3A2) and protrusions (313) (see Fig. 3A3). Figs. Figures 3B-F schematically illustrate the cross-section of suitable soft magnetic plates (310) comprising indentations (311) (see Fig. 3B, which consists of a cross-section of Fig. 3A1), voids (312) (see Fig. 3C, which consists of a cross-section of Fig. 3A2), voids (312) with magnets (314) (see Fig. 3D), protrusions (313) (see Fig. 3E, which consists of a cross-section of Fig. 3A3), and a combination of one or more indentations (311) with one or more voids (312) and one or more protrusions (313) (see Fig. 3F), wherein said one or more indentations (311) have width W and depth D, the one or more voids (312) have width W, and the one or more protrusions (313) have width W and height H. Figures 4A-O schematically illustrate top views of suitable soft magnetic plates (410) placed on top of a non-magnetic support box (460) of apparatus (not shown) according to the present invention, wherein said soft magnetic plates (410) comprise one or more indentations (411) and / or one or more empty spaces (412) and / or one or more protrusions (413). Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 186 / 335 13 / 122 and, optionally, a magnetic plate (430) with markings (431), wherein said plates (410) have various shapes and locations on the top of the devices. Figures 5A-G schematically illustrate different early suitable magnetic field generating devices (520). Figs. 6 AP show photographic images of optical effect layers (OELs) obtained using the method shown in Figs. 1 with the apparatus (x00) according to the invention, as viewed under different viewing angles. Fig. 7 shows a device that uses the devices (700). DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

[0023] The following definitions should be used to interpret the meaning of the terms discussed in the description and recited in the claims.

[0024] As used in this document, the indefinite article a / an indicates one, as well as more than one, and does not necessarily limit its referent noun to the singular.

[0025] As used in this document, the term “at least” means that it defines one or more than one, for example, one or two or three.

[0026] As used in this document, the term “about” means that the quantity or value in question may be the specific value designated or some other value adjacent to it. Generally, the term “about” denoting a certain value is intended to denote a range within ± 5% of the value. As an example, the phrase “about 100” denotes a Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 187 / 335 14 / 122 range of 100 ± 5, that is, the range from 95 to 105. Generally, when the term “about” is used, it can be expected that similar results or effects according to the invention can be obtained within a range of ±5% of the indicated value.

[0027] As used in this document, the term “and / or” means that all or only one of the elements of said group may be present. For example, “A and / or B” should mean “only A, or only B, or both A and B”. In the case of “only A”, the term also covers the possibility that B is absent, i.e., “only A, but not B”.

[0028] The term “comprising”, as used in this document, is intended to be non-exclusive and open-ended. Therefore, for example, a coating composition comprising compound A may include other compounds besides A. However, the term “comprising” also covers, as a particular embodiment thereof, the more restrictive meanings of “essentially consisting of” and “consisting of”, so that, for example, “a source solution comprising A, B and optionally C” may also (essentially) consist of A and B, or (essentially) consist of A, B and C.

[0029] The term “optical effect layer (OEL)” as used in this document denotes a coating or layer comprising oriented magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles and a binder, wherein said magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles are oriented by a magnetic field and wherein the oriented magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles are Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 188 / 335 15 / 122 fixed / frozen in their orientation and position (i.e., after hardening / curing), so as to form a magnetically induced image.

[0030] The term coating composition refers to any composition that is capable of forming an optical effect layer (EOL) on a solid substrate and that can be applied preferably, but not exclusively, by a printing method. The coating composition comprises the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles described in this document and the binder described in this document.

[0031] As used in this document, the term wet refers to a coating layer that is not yet cured, for example, a coating in which the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles are still able to change their positions and orientations under the influence of external forces acting upon them.

[0032] As used in this document, the term clues shall mean discontinuous layers, such as patterns, which include, without limitation, symbols, alphanumeric symbols, motifs, letters, words, numbers, logos and designs.

[0033] The term hardening is used to denote a process in which the viscosity of a coating composition in a first physical state that is not yet hardened (i.e., wet) is increased, so as to convert it into a second physical state, i.e., a hardened or solid state, in which the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form are Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 189 / 335 16 / 122 fixed / frozen in their current positions and orientations and cannot be moved or rotated.

[0034] The term security document refers to a document that is generally protected against forgery or fraud by at least one security feature. Examples of security documents include, without limitation, valuable documents and valuable commercial goods.

[0035] The term “security feature” is used to denote an image, pattern, or graphic element that can be used for authentication purposes.

[0036] Where the present description refers to “preferred” modes / features, combinations of these preferred modes / features should also be considered as disclosed, provided that such combination of preferred modes / features is technically significant.

[0037] The present invention provides apparatus (x00) for preparing optical effect layers (OELs) suitable as security features against counterfeiting or fraud and comprising magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the form of magnetically oriented platelets on substrates (x50), wherein said optical effect layers (OELs) exhibit a 3D effect in the form of one or more clues and a dynamic movement when tilted, and provides processes for producing said OELs made of coating compositions comprising magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the form of platelets by means of magnetic orientation of said pigment particles, independently moving the assemblies (x100) comprising the substrates (x50) bearing the layer of Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 190 / 335 17 / 122 coating (x40) comprising the pigment particles and the apparatus (x00) described herein by means of the non-homogeneous magnetic field of the second static magnetic assemblies (x70), such that the magnetic field in the coating layers (x40) changes at least in direction over time, so as to biaxially orient at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form. The optical effect layers (OELs) described herein consist of at least one motif comprising at least a first area exhibiting a 3D effect in the form of one or more indentations and at least a second area exhibiting dynamic motion when tilted, wherein at least one of said first area and at least one of said second area are adjacent. By adjacent, it is understood that the first and second areas are contiguous (i.e., they share at least one region and have a common edge).The first and second areas of the motif are adjacent, preferably juxtaposed or intertwined. The first and second areas may be continuous or discontinuous.

[0038] The apparatus (x00) and processes described in this document allow the preparation of the optical effect layers (OELs) described in this document, wherein said OELs comprise a motif composed of at least two areas made of a single applied and cured layer and comprising magnetically oriented non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles

[0039] The process according to the present invention comprises the following steps: Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 191 / 335 18 / 122 a) apply to the surface of the substrate (x50) the coating composition comprising i) the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form described in this document and ii) the binder material described in this document, so as to form the coating layer (x40) on said substrate, said coating composition being in a first state, b) forming the assembly (x100) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00) described in this document, wherein the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) is placed above the assembly (x100) and the coating layer (x40) preferably represents the highest layer of the assembly (x100) and is preferably exposed to the environment, c) move the assembly (x100) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00) described herein, obtained in step b), through the non-homogeneous magnetic field of the second static magnetic field generating device (x70) described herein, so as to biaxially orient at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form, and d) harden the coating composition to a second state, so as to fix the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form in their adopted positions and orientations.

[0040] The substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) is preferably placed above the soft magnetic plate (x10) of the assembly (x100). Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 192 / 335 19 / 122 specify that the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) is arranged above the soft magnetic plate (x10), a preferred case is that in which the soft magnetic plate (x10) and the substrate (x50) are arranged so that the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) is arranged vertically directly above the soft magnetic plate (x10), i.e., the direction of their arrangement in relation to each other is essentially vertical.

[0041] The process described in this document comprises a step a) of applying to the substrate surface (x50), described in this document, the coating composition comprising magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles described in this document, so as to form a coating layer (x40), said composition being in a first physical state which allows its application as a layer and which is in a state not yet hardened (i.e., wet), in which the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles can move and rotate within the binder material.Since the coating composition described herein is to be applied to the substrate (x50), it is necessary that the coating composition comprising at least the binder material described herein and the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form be in a form that allows its processing in the desired printing or coating equipment. Preferably, said step i) is performed by a printing process preferably selected from the group consisting of screen printing, rotogravure printing and flexographic printing. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 193 / 335 20 / 122 intaglio printing (also called engraved copper plate printing and engraved steel matrix printing), with more preference selected from the group consisting of screen printing, rotogravure printing and flexographic printing.

[0042] Screen printing (also known technically as serigraphy) is a stencil process in which ink is transferred to a surface by means of a stencil supported by a mesh of fine silk fabric, mono- or multifilaments made of synthetic fibers such as polyamides or polyesters, or metal wires stretched tightly on a frame made of, for example, wood or metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel). Alternatively, the screen printing mesh may be a chemically etched, laser-etched, or galvanically formed porous metal sheet, for example, a sheet of stainless steel. The pores of the mesh are blocked in the non-image areas and left open in the image area, the image support being called the screen. Screen printing can be flat or rotary. Screen printing is further described, for example, in The Printing Ink Manual, RH Leach and RJPierce, Springer Edition, 5th Edition, pages 58-62 and in Printing Technology, JM Adams and PA Dolin, Delmar Thomson Learning, 5th Edition, pages 293-328.

[0043] Rotogravure (also known technically as engraving) is a printing process in which the elements of the image are engraved onto the surface of a cylinder. The non-image areas are at a constant original level. Before printing, the entire printing plate (printing and non-printing elements) is stained and submerged with ink. The ink is Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 194 / 335 21 / 122 The non-image is removed by a wiper or blade before printing, so that the ink remains only in the cells. The image is transferred from the cells to the substrate by a pressure typically in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 MPa (2 to 4 bar) and by the adhesive forces between the substrate and the ink. The term rotogravure does not encompass intaglio printing processes (also referred to technically as engraved steel matrix or copper plate printing processes) which depend, for example, on a different type of ink. More details are provided in the Handbook of Print Media, Helmut Kipphan, Springer Edition, page 48 and in The Printing Ink Manual, RH Leach and RJ Pierce, Springer Edition, 5th edition, pages 42-51.

[0044] Flexography preferably uses a unit with a scraper blade, preferably a compartmentalized scraper blade, an anilox roller, and a plate cylinder. The anilox roller advantageously has small cells whose volume and / or density determines the ink application rate. The scraper blade rests against the anilox roller and simultaneously removes excess ink. The anilox roller transfers the ink to the plate cylinder, which ultimately transfers the ink to the substrate. A specific design can be achieved using a custom-designed photopolymer plate. Plate cylinders can be made of polymeric or elastomeric materials. Polymers are primarily used as photopolymer plates and sometimes as a seamless coating in a sleeve. Photopolymer plates are made of light-sensitive polymers that are hardened by ultraviolet (UV) light. Photopolymer plates are cut to the required size and placed in an exposure unit. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 195 / 335 22 / 122 under ultraviolet light. One side of the plate is completely exposed to ultraviolet light to harden or cure the plate base. The plate is then flipped over, a negative of the work is mounted on the uncured side, and the plate is subsequently exposed to ultraviolet light. This hardens the plate in the image areas. The plate is then processed to remove the unhardened photopolymer from the non-image areas, which lowers the plate surface in those non-image areas. After processing, the plate is dried and receives a post-exposure dose of ultraviolet light to cure the entire plate. The preparation of plate cylinders for flexography is described in Printing Technology, JM Adams and PA Dolin, Delmar Thomson Learning, 5th Edition, pages 359-360 and in The Printing Ink Manual, RH Leach and RJ Pierce, Springer Edition, 5th Edition, pages 33-42.

[0045] The coating composition described herein, as well as the coating layer (x40) described herein, comprise magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form. Preferably, the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form described herein are present in an amount of about 5% by weight to about 40% by weight, more preferably about 10% by weight to about 30% by weight, the percentages by weight being based on the total weight of the coating composition.

[0046] Unlike needle-shaped pigment particles which can be considered as nearly one-dimensional particles, platelet-shaped pigment particles are nearly two-dimensional particles due to the large aspect ratio of their dimensions. The pigment particle Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 196 / 335 23 / 122 platelet-shaped pigment particles can be considered a two-dimensional structure where the X and Y dimensions are substantially larger than the Z dimension. Platelet-shaped pigment particles are also referred to in the art as flakes or flattened particles. These pigment particles can be described with a principal X-axis corresponding to the longest dimension through the pigment particle and a second Y-axis perpendicular to X and corresponding to the second longest dimension through the pigment particle. In other words, the XY plane approximately defines the plane formed by the first and second longest dimensions of the pigment particle, with the Z dimension being ignored.

[0047] The magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles described in this document have, due to their non-spherical shape, non-isotropic reflectivity with respect to incident electromagnetic radiation for which the hardened / cured binder material is at least partially transparent. As used in this document, the term “non-isotropic reflectivity” denotes that the proportion of incident radiation from a first angle that is reflected, by a particle, to a certain (viewing) direction (a second angle) is a function of the orientation of the particles, i.e., that a change in the orientation of the particle with respect to the first angle can lead to a different magnitude of reflection to the viewing direction.

[0048] In the OELs described in this document, the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles described in this document are Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 197 / 335 24 / 122 dispersed in a coating composition comprising a hardened binder material that fixes the orientation of the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles. The binder material is, at least in its hardened or solid state (also referred to as the second state in this document), at least partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 2500 nm, i.e., within the wavelength range that is typically called the "optical spectrum" and which comprises portions of the infrared, visible, and UV of the electromagnetic spectrum. Consequently, the particles contained in the binder material in its hardened or solid state and their orientation-dependent reflectivity can be perceived through the binder material at some wavelengths within this range.Preferably, the hardened binder material is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 800 nm, more preferably between 400 nm and 700 nm. In this document, the term "transparent" denotes that the transmission of electromagnetic radiation through a 20 pm layer of the hardened binder material as present in the OEL (excluding magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles, but all other optional components of the OEL if such components are present) is at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, even more preferably at least 70%, at the wavelength(s) in question. This can be determined, for example, by measuring the transmittance of... Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 198 / 335 25 / 122 a test piece of the hardened binder material (not including the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form) according to well-established test methods, for example, DIN 5036-3 (197911). If the OEL serves as a concealed safety feature, then typically technical means will be required to detect the (complete) optical effect generated by the OEL under respective illumination conditions comprising the selected non-visible wavelength; wherein said detection requires that the wavelength of incident radiation be selected outside the visible range, for example, in the near-UV range. In this case, it is preferable that the OEL comprise luminescent pigment particles that show luminescence in response to the selected wavelength outside the visible spectrum contained in the incident radiation.The infrared, visible, and UV portions of the electromagnetic spectrum correspond approximately to wavelength ranges between 700-2500 nm, 400-700 nm, and 200-400 nm, respectively.

[0049] Suitable examples of magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles described in this document include, without limitation, pigment particles comprising a magnetic metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni); a magnetic alloy of iron, manganese, cobalt, nickel or a mixture of two or more thereof; a magnetic oxide of chromium, manganese, cobalt, iron, nickel or a mixture of two or more thereof; or a mixture of two or more thereof. The term magnetic in reference to metals, alloys and oxides is directed to metals, alloys and oxides. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 199 / 335 26 / 122 Ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic. Magnetic oxides of chromium, manganese, cobalt, iron, nickel, or a mixture of two or more thereof may be pure oxides or mixtures. Examples of magnetic oxides include, without limitation, iron oxides such as hematite (Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4), chromium dioxide (CrO2), magnetic ferrites (MFe2O4), magnetic spinels (MR2O4), magnetic hexaferrites (MFe12O19), magnetic orthoferrites (RFeO3), magnetic garnets M3R2(AO4)3, where M stands for divalent metal, R stands for trivalent metal, and A stands for tetravalent metal.

[0050] Examples of magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form described in this document include, without limitation, pigment particles comprising a magnetic layer M made from one or more of a magnetic metal such as cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) or nickel (Ni); and a magnetic alloy of iron, cobalt or nickel, wherein said magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles may be multilayered structures comprising one or more additional layers.Preferably, one or more additional layers are A layers independently made from one or more selected from the group consisting of metal fluorides such as magnesium fluoride (MgF2), silicon oxide (SiO), silicon dioxide (SiO2), titanium oxide (TiO2) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3), more preferably silicon dioxide (SiO2); or B layers independently made from one or more selected from the group consisting of metals and metal alloys, preferably selected from the group consisting of reflective metals and metal alloys, and more preferably selected from. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 200 / 335 27 / 122 of the group consisting of aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) and, even more preferably, aluminum (Al); or a combination of one or more A layers as described above in this document and one or more B layers as described above in this document.Typical examples of magnetizable or magnetic platelet-shaped pigment particles that are multilayer structures described above in this document include, without limitation, A / M multilayer structures, A / M / A multilayer structures, A / M / B multilayer structures, A / B / M / A multilayer structures, A / B / M / B multilayer structures, A / B / M / B / A multilayer structures, B / M multilayer structures, B / M / B multilayer structures, B / A / M / A multilayer structures, B / A / M / B multilayer structures, B / A / M / B / A multilayer structures, wherein the A layers, the magnetic M layers, and the B layers are chosen from those described above in this document.

[0051] The coating composition described herein may comprise optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form and / or magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form that do not have optically variable properties. Preferably, at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form described herein consists of optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form. In addition to the obvious safety provided by the property of Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 201 / 335 28 / 122 color change of optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, which allows easy detection, recognition and / or discernment of a security article or document bearing an ink, coating composition or coating layer comprising the optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described in this document from its possible forgeries using unaided human senses, the optical properties of the optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles can also be used as a machine-readable tool for OEL recognition. Therefore, the optical properties of the optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles can simultaneously be used as a hidden or semi-hidden security feature in an authentication process, where the optical (e.g., spectral) properties of the pigment particles are analyzed.

[0052] The use of optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form in coating layers to produce an OEL enhances the significance of OEL as a security feature in security document applications, as such materials are reserved for the security document printing industry and are not commercially available to the public.

[0053] As mentioned above, preferably at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles consists of optically variable magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles. These are, with more Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 202 / 335 29 / 122 preference, selected from the group consisting of magnetic thin-film interference pigment particles, magnetic cholesteric liquid crystal pigment particles, interference-coated pigment particles comprising a magnetic material and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0054] Magnetic thin-film interference pigment particles are known to those skilled in the art and are disclosed, for example, in documents US 4,838,648; WO 2002 / 073250 A2; EP 0 686 675 B1; WO 2003 / 000801 A2; US 6,838,166; WO 2007 / 131833 A1; EP 2 402 401 B1; WO 2019 / 103937 A1; WO 2020 / 006286 A1 and the documents cited therein. Preferably, the magnetic thin-film interference pigment particles comprise pigment particles having a five-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure and / or pigment particles having a six-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure and / or pigment particles having a seven-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure and / or pigment particles having a multilayer structure combining one or more Fabry-Perot multilayer structures.

[0055] Preferred five-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structures consist of absorber / dielectric / reflector / dielectric / absorber multilayer structures wherein the reflectors and / or absorbers are also a magnetic layer, preferably the reflectors and / or absorbers are a magnetic layer comprising nickel, iron and / or cobalt, and / or a magnetic alloy comprising Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 203 / 335 30 / 122 nickel, iron and / or cobalt and / or a magnetic oxide comprising nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and / or cobalt (Co).

[0056] The preferred six-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structures consist of absorbing / dielectric / reflecting / magnetic / dielectric / absorbing multilayer structures.

[0057] The preferred seven-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structures consist of absorbing / dielectric / reflecting / magnetic / reflecting / dielectric / absorbing multilayer structures as disclosed in US document 4,838,648.

[0058] Preferred pigment particles having a multilayer structure combining one or more Fabry-Perot structures are those described in WO 2019 / 103937 A1 and consist of combinations of at least two Fabry-Perot structures, wherein said two Fabry-Perot structures independently comprise a reflective layer, a dielectric layer and an absorption layer, wherein the reflective and / or absorption layer may each independently comprise one or more magnetic materials and / or wherein a magnetic layer is interposed between the two structures. WO 2020 / 006 / 286 A1 and EP 3 587 500 A1 disclose additional preferred pigment particles having a multilayer structure.

[0059] Preferably, the reflective layers described in this document are made independently from one or more materials selected from the group that Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 204 / 335 31 / 122 consists of metals and metal alloys, preferably selected from the group consisting of reflective metals and reflective metal alloys, more preferably selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), niobium (Nb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and alloys thereof, even more preferably selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and alloys thereof, and even more preferably aluminum (Al).Preferably, the dielectric layers are made independently of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metal fluorides such as magnesium fluoride (MgF2), aluminum fluoride (AlF3), cerium fluoride (CeF3), lanthanum fluoride (LaF3), aluminum and sodium fluorides (e.g., Na3AlF6), neodymium fluoride (NdF3), samarium fluoride (SmF3), barium fluoride (BaF2), calcium fluoride (CaF2), lithium fluoride (LiF) and metal oxides such as silicon oxide (SiO), silicon dioxide (SiO2), titanium oxide (TiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), more preferably selected from the group consisting of magnesium fluoride (MgF2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) and even more preferably magnesium fluoride (MgF2).Preferably, the absorber layers are independently made of one or more selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), tin (Sn), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), rhodium (Rh), niobium (Nb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), metal oxides thereof, metal sulfides thereof. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 205 / 335 32 / 122 the same, metal carbides thereof and metal alloys thereof, more preferably selected from the group consisting of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), metal oxides thereof and metal alloys thereof, and even more preferably selected from the group consisting of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and metal alloys thereof. Preferably, the magnetic layer comprises nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and / or cobalt (Co); and / or a magnetic alloy comprising nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and / or cobalt (Co); and / or a magnetic oxide comprising nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and / or cobalt (Co).When magnetic thin-film interference pigment particles comprising a seven-layer Fabry-Perot structure are preferred, it is particularly preferred that the magnetic thin-film interference pigment particles comprise a seven-layer absorbing / dielectric / reflecting / magnetic / reflecting / dielectric / absorbing Fabry-Perot multilayer structure consisting of a Cr / MgF2 / Al / Ni / Al / MgF2 / Cr multilayer structure.

[0060] The thin-film magnetic interference pigment particles described in this document may be multilayer pigment particles that are considered safe for human health and the environment and that are based, for example, on five-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structures, six-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structures, seven-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structures, and pigment particles that have a multilayer structure combining one or more Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 206 / 335 33 / 122 multilayer Fabry-Perot structure, in which said pigment particles include one or more magnetic layers comprising a magnetic alloy having a substantially nickel-free composition comprising about 40% by weight to about 90% by weight of iron, about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight of chromium and about 0% by weight to about 30% by weight of aluminum. Typical examples of multilayer pigment particles that are considered safe for human health and the environment can be found in document EP 2 402 401 B1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0061] Suitable magnetic cholesteric liquid crystal pigment particles exhibiting variable optical characteristics include, without limitation, magnetic monolayer cholesteric liquid crystal pigment particles and magnetic multilayer cholesteric liquid crystal pigment particles. Such pigment particles are disclosed, for example, in documents WO 2006 / 063926 A1, US 6,582,781 and US 6,531,221. Document WO 2006 / 063926 A1 discloses monolayers and pigment particles obtained therefrom with high brightness and color-changing properties with additional particular properties such as magnetizability. The disclosed monolayers and pigment particles, which are obtained therefrom by comminution of said monolayers, include a mixture of three-dimensionally crosslinked cholesteric liquid crystal and magnetic nanoparticles. Documents US 6,582,781 and US 6,410.130 reveal platelet-shaped, multi-layered cholesterol pigment particles comprising. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 207 / 335 34 / 122 the sequence A1 / B / A2, wherein A1 and A2 may be identical or different, and each comprises at least one cholesteric layer, and B is an interlayer that absorbs all or part of the light transmitted by layers A1 and A2 and confers magnetic properties to said interlayer. US patent 6,531,221 discloses platelet-shaped multilayer cholesteric pigment particles comprising the sequence A / B and optionally C, wherein A and C are absorption layers comprising pigment particles that confer magnetic properties, and B is a cholesteric layer.

[0062] Suitable interference-coated pigment particles comprising one or more magnetic materials include, without limitation, structures consisting of a substrate selected from the group consisting of a core coated with one or more layers, wherein at least one of the core or one or more layers has magnetic properties. For example, suitable interference-coated pigment particles comprising a core made of a magnetic material such as those described above in this document, said core being coated with one or more layers made of one or more metal oxides, or having a structure consisting of a core made of synthetic or natural micas, layered silicates (e.g., talc, kaolin and sericite), glasses (e.g., borosilicates), silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxides (Al2O3), titanium oxides (TiO2), graphites and mixtures of two or more thereof.Furthermore, one or more additional layers, such as coloring layers, may be present. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 208 / 335 35 / 122

[0063] The magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form described in this document may be surface treated in order to protect them against any deterioration that may occur in the coating composition and coating layer and / or to facilitate their incorporation into said coating composition and coating layer; typically corrosion inhibitors and / or wetting agents may be used.

[0064] Furthermore, after applying the coating composition described herein to the surface of the substrate (x50) described herein to form the coating layer (x40) (step a)) described herein, the assembly (x100) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00) described herein is formed (step b)), wherein the substrate (50) bearing the coating layer (x40) is disposed above the apparatus (x00), preferably wherein the apparatus (x00) is facing the substrate (x50), with one or more indentations (x11) and / or one or more voids (x12) and / or one or more protrusions (x13) facing independently towards the substrate (x50) and wherein the coating layer (x40) represents the highest layer of the assembly (x100) and is exposed to the environment.

[0065] After the formation of the (x100) assembly (step b) ) described in this document, the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form are oriented (step c)) by moving said (x100) assembly through the non-homogeneous magnetic field of the second device. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 209 / 335 36 / 122 static magnetic field generator (x70) described in this document, in order to biaxially orient at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form.

[0066] By non-homogeneous magnetic field, it is understood that, along the path of motion followed by individual platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles of the coating layer (x40), the magnetic field lines change at least in direction within a plane that is fixed in the reference frame of the moving assembly. In this way, at least a portion of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles of the coating layer tend to align within said plane, resulting in a biaxial orientation of said platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable particles, that is, an orientation in which the two major principal axes of said platelet-shaped pigment particles are constrained.During this biaxial orientation, the apparatus affects the direction and / or intensity of the magnetic field generated by the second static magnetic field generating device, thus affecting the orientation of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form, in order to produce the desired eye-catching effect. After the desired effect is created in the still unhardened (i.e., wet) coating layer, the coating composition is partially or fully hardened to permanently fix / freeze the relative position and orientation of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form in the OEL. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 210 / 335 37 / 122

[0067] In one embodiment, the assembly (x100) described herein moves in the vicinity of and above the second magnetic field generating device (x70) described herein, with the substrate (x50) preferably facing said second magnetic field generating device (x70) described herein. In another embodiment, the assembly (x100) described herein moves in the vicinity of and below the second magnetic field generating device (x70) described herein, with the coating layer (x40) preferably facing said second magnetic field generating device (x70) described herein. In another embodiment, the assembly (x100) described herein moves in the vicinity between or beside the magnets of the second magnetic field generating device (x70) described herein.

[0068] Subsequently or partially simultaneously, preferably partially simultaneously, with the steps of orienting the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form by moving the assembly (x100) through the non-homogeneous magnetic field of the second static magnetic field generating device (x70) described in this document (step c)), the orientation of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form is fixed or frozen (step d)). The coating composition must therefore notably have a first state, i.e., a liquid or paste state, in which the coating composition is not yet cured and is sufficiently moist or soft, so that the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 211 / 335 38 / 122 platelet-shaped particles dispersed in the coating composition are freely movable, rotatable and orientable upon exposure to a magnetic field, and a second hardened state (e.g., solid or solid-like), in which the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles are fixed or frozen in their respective positions and orientations.

[0069] These first and second states are preferably provided using a certain type of coating composition. For example, the components of the coating composition other than magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles may take the form of an ink or coating composition such as those used in security applications, for example, for printing banknotes. The aforementioned first and second states may be provided using a material that exhibits an increase in viscosity in response to a stimulus such as, for example, a change in temperature or exposure to electromagnetic radiation.That is, when the fluid binder material is hardened or solidified, said binder material converts to the second state, that is, a hardened or solid state, in which the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form are fixed in their current positions and orientations and can no longer move or rotate within the binder material. As is known to those skilled in the art, the ingredients comprised in a paint or coating composition to be applied to a surface as a substrate and the physical properties of said paint or coating composition must meet the following requirements. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 212 / 335 39 / 122 requirements of the process used to transfer the ink or coating composition to the substrate surface (x50). Consequently, the binder material comprised in the coating composition described herein is typically chosen from those known in the art and depends on the coating or printing process used to apply the ink or coating composition and the hardening process chosen.

[0070] The hardening step described in this document (step d)) may be purely physical in nature, for example, in cases where the coating composition comprises a polymeric binder material and a solvent and is applied at high temperatures. Then, the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form are oriented at high temperature by the application of a magnetic field, and the solvent is evaporated, followed by cooling of the coating composition. In this way, the coating composition is hardened and the orientation of the particles is fixed.

[0071] Alternatively and preferably, the hardening of the coating composition involves a chemical reaction, for example, by curing, which is not reversed by a simple increase in temperature (e.g., up to 80 °C) that may occur during the typical use of a security document. The term curing or curable refers to processes that include the chemical reaction, crosslinking, or polymerization of at least one component in the applied coating composition in such a way that it transforms into a polymeric material that has a higher molecular weight than the starting substance. Preferably, curing causes the formation of a polymer network. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 213 / 335 40 / 122 three-dimensional stable. This curing is generally induced by applying an external stimulus to the coating composition (i) after its application to a substrate (step a)) and (ii) subsequently or partially simultaneously with the biaxial orientation of at least some of the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles (step c)). Advantageously, the hardening (step d)) of the coating composition described herein is carried out partially simultaneously with the orientation of at least some of the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles (step c)). Therefore, preferably, the coating composition is selected from the group consisting of radiation-curable compositions, thermal drying compositions, oxidative drying compositions, and combinations thereof.Particularly preferred are coating compositions selected from the group consisting of radiation-curable compositions. Radiation curing, in particular UV-Vis curing, advantageously leads to an instantaneous increase in the viscosity of the coating composition after exposure to irradiation, thus preventing any further movement of the pigment particles and consequently any loss of information after the magnetic orientation step. Preferably, the hardening step (step d)) is carried out by irradiation with UV-visible light (i.e., UV-Vis light radiation curing) or by E-beam (i.e., E-beam radiation curing), with UV-Vis light irradiation being more preferred.

[0072] Therefore, suitable coating compositions for the present invention include curable compositions. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 214 / 335 41 / 122 radiation that can be cured by UV-visible light radiation (hereinafter referred to as UV-Vis curable) or by E-beam radiation (hereinafter referred to as EB). According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coating composition described herein is a UV-Vis curable coating composition. UV-Vis curing advantageously allows for very fast curing processes and therefore drastically reduces the preparation time of the OEL described herein, the documents, and the articles and documents containing said OEL.

[0073] Preferably, the UV-Vis curable coating composition comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of radically curable compounds and cationically curable compounds.The UV-Vis curable coating composition described in this document may be a hybrid system comprising a mixture of one or more cationically curable compounds and one or more radically curable compounds. Cationically curable compounds are cured by cationic mechanisms typically including radiation activation of one or more photoinitiators that release cationic species, such as acids, which in turn initiate curing, reacting and / or crosslinking monomers and / or oligomers to harden the coating composition. Radically curable compounds are cured by free radical mechanisms typically including radiation activation of one or more photoinitiators, thus generating radicals that in turn initiate polymerization to harden the coating composition. Depending on the monomers, oligomers, or prepolymers used to prepare the binder. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 215 / 33542 / 122 included in the UV-Vis curable coating compositions described herein, different photoinitiators may be used. Suitable examples of free radical photoinitiators are known to those skilled in the art and include, without limitation, acetophenones, benzophenones, benzyldimethyl ketals, alpha-aminoketones, alpha-hydroxyketones, phosphine oxides and phosphine oxide derivatives, as well as mixtures of two or more thereof. Suitable examples of cationic photoinitiators are known to those skilled in the art and include, without limitation, onium salts such as organic iodonium salts (e.g., diaryl iodonium salts), oxonium (e.g., triaryloxonium salts) and sulfonium salts (e.g., triarylsulfonium salts), as well as mixtures of two or more thereof. Other examples of useful photoinitiators may be found in standard manuals.It may also be advantageous to include a sensitizer along with one or more photoinitiators in order to achieve efficient curing. Typical examples of suitable photosensitizers include, without limitation, isopropyl thioxanthone (ITX), 1-chloro-2-propoxy thioxanthone (CPTX), 2-chloro thioxanthone (CTX), and 2,4-diethyl thioxanthone (DETX), and mixtures of two or more thereof. The one or more photoinitiators comprised in the UV-Vis curable coating compositions are preferably present in a total amount of about 0.1% by weight to about 20% by weight, more preferably about 1% by weight to about 15% by weight, the percentage by weight being based on the total weight of the UV-Vis curable coating compositions.

[0074] Alternatively, a material may be used Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 216 / 335 43 / 122 thermoplastic polymeric binder or a thermoset. Typical examples of thermoplastic resin or polymer include, without limitation, polyamides, polyesters, polyacetals, polyolefins, styrenic polymers, polycarbonates, polyarylates, polyimides, polyether ether ketones (PEEK), polyether ketones (PEKK), polyphenylene-based resins (e.g., polyphenylenethers, polyphenylene oxides, polyphenylene sulfides), polysulfones, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0075] The coating composition described herein may additionally comprise one or more additives which include, without limitation, compounds and materials that are used to adjust physical, rheological and chemical parameters of the composition, such as viscosity (e.g., solvents and surfactants), consistency (e.g., anti-deposition agents, fillers and plasticizers), foaming properties (e.g., antifoaming agents), lubrication properties (waxes), reactivity and stability under UV (photosensitizers and photostabilizers) and adhesion properties, etc. Additives described herein may be present in the coating compositions described herein in quantities and in forms known in the art, including in the form of so-called nanomaterials, wherein at least one of the particle dimensions is in the range of 1 to 1000 nm.

[0076] The coating composition described in this document may additionally comprise one or more marker substances or markers and / or one or more machine-readable materials selected from the group Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 217 / 335 44 / 122 which consists of magnetic materials (other than the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described in this document), luminescent materials, electrically conductive materials and infrared-absorbing materials. As used in this document, the term “machine-readable material” refers to a material exhibiting at least one distinctive property that is detectable by a device or machine, and which can be comprised in a coating so as to confer a way of authenticating said coating or article comprising said coating by the use of particular equipment for its detection and / or authentication.

[0077] The coating compositions described herein may be prepared by dispersing or mixing the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein and one or more additives, when present, in the presence of the binder material described herein, thus forming liquid compositions. When present, one or more photoinitiators may be added to the composition during the dispersion or mixing step of all other ingredients, or may be added at a later stage, i.e., after the formation of the liquid coating composition.

[0078] As described in this document, the assembly (x100) comprises the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00) described in this document, wherein the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) is disposed above the apparatus (x00) and the coating layer (x40) represents, Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 218 / 335 45 / 122 preferably, the topmost layer of the assembly and is exposed to the environment.

[0079] The apparatus (x00) described in this document is configured to receive the substrate (x50) in an orientation substantially parallel to a foreground (P) and above the foreground (P) and is suitable for use in combination with the second static magnetic field generating device (x70) described in this document, allowing at least a portion of the particles to be oriented biaxially, wherein said apparatus (x00) comprises a) the soft magnetic plate (x10) bearing one or more indications in the form of one or more indentations (x11) and / or one or more voids (x12) and / or one or more protrusions (x13) and having a top plate surface and b) a first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprising at least one dipolar magnet and having a top device surface,wherein the soft magnetic plate (x10) is placed on the first magnetic field generating device (x20) and the surface of the upper plate is smaller than the surface of the upper device. Because the surface of the upper plate is smaller than the surface of the upper device, the surface of the upper apparatus (x00) described herein comprises one or more regions that are free of the soft magnetic plate (x10).

[0080] The distance d (shown in Fig. 1B) between the lower surface of the soft magnetic plate (x10) and the upper surface of the first magnetic field generating device (x20) and the distance db (shown in Fig. 1B) between the upper surface of the soft magnetic plate (x10) and the lower surface of the substrate (x50) are adjusted and Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 219 / 335 46 / 122 selected to obtain the desired optical effect layers (OELs). It is especially preferred to use a dB distance close to or equal to zero.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the assembly (x100) comprises the substrate (x50) containing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00) described herein, said apparatus (x00) comprising the soft magnetic plate (x10) bearing one or more indications in the form of one or more indentations (x11) and / or one or more empty spaces (x12) and / or one or more protrusions (x13) and the first magnetic field generating device (x20), wherein the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) is disposed above the soft magnetic plate (x10) (i.e., wherein the coating layer (x40) preferably represents the uppermost layer of the assembly (x100) and is preferably exposed to the environment) and the one or more indications in the form of one or more indentations (x11) are facing the substrate (x50), the one or more indications in the form one or more empty spaces (x12) are facing the substrate (x50) and the first magnetic field generating device (x20),and one or more indications in the form of one or more protrusions (x13) are facing the substrate (x50), that is, the opposite side to the first magnetic field generating device (x20).

[0082] The soft magnetic plate (x10) described in this document bears one or more indications in the form of one or more indentations (x11) and / or one or more voids (x12) and / or one or more protrusions (x13). The term indentation refers to a negative recess with depth on a surface, the term void refers to a Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 220 / 335 47 / 122 hole or channel that runs through the soft magnetic plate (x10) and connects both sides of it (i.e., the void space has a depth of 100% compared to the thickness of the soft magnetic plate (x10)) and the term protrusion refers to a positive relief that extends outward from the surface. The indentations (x11) and protrusions (x13) described herein can be produced by adding material to the surface or removing material from the surface of the soft magnetic plate (x10). The voids (x12) described herein can be produced by removing material from the entire thickness of the soft magnetic plate (x10) or by adding material to the surface of a non-magnetic support, when a non-magnetic support is used.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the soft magnetic metal plate (x10) described in this document comprises one or more indentations (x11) having a width (W) and a depth (D). Figs. 3A1 and 3B schematically show a top view (Fig. 3A1) and a cross-section (Fig. 3B) of a soft magnetic plate (310) comprising one or more indentations in the form of one or more indentations (311), wherein said soft magnetic plate (310) has a thickness (T) and said one or more indentations (311) has a depth (D) and a width (W). As shown in Fig. 3B, the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic plate (310) comprising one or more indentations (311) refers to the thickness of the regions of the soft magnetic plate (310) without one or more indentations (311) (i.e., the thickness of the non-indented regions of the soft magnetic plate (310)). In embodiments where the soft magnetic plate (x10) comprises Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 221 / 335 48 / 122 to one or more indentations (x11) described in this document, said one or more indentations (x11) preferably have the depth (D) described in this document.

[0084] Figures 3A2 and 3C schematically show a top view (Fig. 3A2) and a cross-section (Fig. 3C) of a soft magnetic plate (310) comprising one or more voids (312), wherein said soft magnetic plate has a thickness (T) and said one or more voids (312) have a width (W). As shown in Fig. 3C, the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic plate (310) comprising one or more voids (312) refers to the thickness of the regions of the soft magnetic plate (310) without the one or more voids (312). As shown in Fig. 3D, the soft magnetic plate (310) comprising the one or more voids (312) may further comprise one or more dipole bar magnets (314) in said one or more voids (312).

[0085] According to another embodiment, the soft magnetic metal plate (x10) described in this document comprises one or more protrusions (x13) having a width (W) and a height (H). Figs. 3A3 and 3E schematically show a top view (Fig. 3A3) and a cross-section (Fig. 3E) of a soft magnetic plate (310) comprising one or more indentations in the form of one or more protrusions (313), wherein said soft magnetic plate (310) has a thickness (T) and said one or more protrusions have a height (H) and a width (W). As shown in Fig. 3E, the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic plate (310) comprising one or more protrusions (313) refers to the thickness of the plate. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 222 / 335 49 / 122 soft magnetic plate (310) from which one or more protrusions (313) project. That is, in this case, the thickness (T) is not the total thickness of the soft magnetic plate (310), but refers to the level from which one or more protrusions (313) project. In embodiments where the soft magnetic plate (x10) comprises one or more protrusions (x13) described herein, said one or more protrusions (x13) preferably have the height (H) described herein.

[0086] The soft magnetic plate (x10) comprising one or more empty spaces (x12) can be fixed to a non-magnetic support by gluing said plate to the non-magnetic support or mechanical means can be used.

[0087] According to another embodiment, the soft magnetic metal plate (x10) described herein comprises one or more indentations (x11) and one or more voids (x12). According to another embodiment, the soft magnetic metal plate (x10) described herein comprises one or more indentations (x11) and one or more protrusions (x13). According to another embodiment, the soft magnetic metal plate (x10) described herein comprises one or more voids (x12) and one or more protrusions (x13). According to another embodiment, the soft magnetic metal plate (x10) described herein comprises one or more indentations (x11), one or more voids (x12) and one or more protrusions (x13). For embodiments in which a combination of indentations (x11), voids (x12) and protrusions (x13) is used, the preferred depths (D) and heights (H) are those described in this document. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 223 / 335 50 / 122

[0088] Fig. 3F schematically shows a cross-section of a soft magnetic plate (310) comprising one or more indentations (311), one or more voids (312) and one or more protrusions (313), wherein said soft magnetic plate has a thickness (T), said one or more indentations (311) have a width (W1) and a depth (D), said one or more voids (312) have a width (W2) and said one or more protrusions (313) have a width (W3) and a height (H).

[0089] The apparatus (x00) described in this document may further comprise one or more dipole magnets (x14) arranged in one or more indentations (x11) and / or in one or more empty spaces (x12) of the soft magnetic plate (x10). Preferably, the upper surface of one or more dipole magnets (x14) provided in one or more indentations (x11) and / or in one or more empty spaces (x12) of the soft magnetic plate (x10) is below or flush with the upper surface of the soft magnetic plate (x10).

[0090] According to one embodiment, the soft magnetic plate (x10) described herein bears one or more features in the form of one or more indentations (x11) and / or one or more voids (x12) and / or one or more protrusions (x13), wherein one or more voids defined by said one or more indentations (x11), (x12) and protrusions (x13), as the case may be, may be independently filled with a non-magnetic material, including a polymeric binder, such as those described above, and optionally with fillers to provide the apparatus (x00) with a smooth top surface. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 224 / 335 51 / 122

[0091] The soft magnetic plate (x10) described herein has a top plate surface that is smaller than the surface of the top device of the magnetic field generating device (x20) of the apparatus (x00), wherein said top plate surface consists of the surface of said plate without any materials, thus allowing observation of any structure below the soft magnetic plate (x10) (such as the magnetic field generating device (x20) comprising at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) and / or the non-magnetic support case (x60) described herein), said observation being carried out from the side of the soft magnetic plate (x10) of the apparatus (x00) or from the side of the coating layer of the assembly (x100). In embodiments where the apparatus (x00) comprises the non-magnetic support case (x60) described herein and exemplified in Figs.4A-P, provided that the indentations (x11), voids (x12) and protrusions (x13), as the case may be, are not filled with a non-magnetic and non-transparent material, the fact that the surface of the upper plate is smaller than the surface of the upper device allows observation of the non-magnetic support case (x60) (as represented in white in Figs. 4A-P). In embodiments where the apparatus (x00) does not comprise the non-magnetic support case (x60) described in this document and provided that one or more voids defined by the indentations (x11), voids (x12) and protrusions (x13), as the case may be, are not filled with a non-magnetic and non-transparent material, the fact that the surface of the upper plate is smaller than the surface of the upper device allows observation of the device. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 225 / 335 52 / 122 magnetic field generator (x20) (not shown in Figs. 4AP).

[0092] Due to the presence of one or more free regions of the soft magnetic plate (x10) described in this document, there is a direct interaction of the apparatus described in this document with the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles of the coating layer (i.e., not mediated or modified by an intermediate soft magnetic element).

[0093] The shape of the soft magnetic plate (x10) is not limited. For example, said soft magnetic plate (x10) may have the shape of a regular polygon (with or without rounded corners), an irregular polygon (with or without rounded corners), a disc, an oval, etc.

[0094] The shape of the non-magnetic support case (x60) is not limited. As shown in Figs. 1C1-1C2, the non-magnetic support case (x60) has a cross-section having an H shape, which may be symmetrical or asymmetrical, preferably an asymmetrical H shape, and comprises a recess (x90-a) to receive a soft magnetic plate (x10) and an area (x90-b) to receive the magnetic field generating device (x20). According to one embodiment, the soft magnetic plate (x10) is placed on top of the crossbar of the H-shaped non-magnetic support case (x60) and the magnetic field generating device (x20) is placed below the crossbar of the H-shaped non-magnetic support case (x60). The upper surface of the non-magnetic support case (x60) may be curved in at least one direction so as to be adaptable to a rotating cylinder of printing assemblies. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 226 / 335 53 / 122

[0095] When more than one soft magnetic plate (x10-1, x10-2, x10-3, etc.) is included in the apparatus (x00) described in this document and as shown, for example, in Fig. 4B, the upper surface of said soft magnetic plates (410-1 and 410-2) comprising one or more indentations (411-1 and 411-2) and / or one or more empty spaces (not shown) and one or more protrusions (not shown), the total surface of said more than one soft magnetic plate (x10-1, x10-2, x10-3, etc.) is less than the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (x20) of the apparatus (x00) to allow observation of any structure below said more than one soft magnetic plate (x10-1, x10-2, x10-3, etc.).

[0096] Furthermore, the soft magnetic plate (x10) described herein may have its surface treated to facilitate contact with the assembly (x100) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00) described herein, reducing corrosion and / or friction and / or wear and / or electrostatic charge in high-speed printing applications.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the soft magnetic plate (x10) described herein bears one or more features in the form of one or more protrusions (x13), wherein one or more regions without one or more protrusions (x13) may be filled with a non-magnetic material, including a polymeric binder, such as those described above, and optionally, fillers.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the soft magnetic plate (x10) described herein is flattened or planar. According to another embodiment, the magnetic plate Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 227 / 335 54 / 122 soft magnetic plate described in this document (x10) is curved to be adaptable to a rotating cylinder of printing assemblies.

[0099] The soft magnetic plate (x10) described in this document comprises one or more soft magnetic materials, i.e., materials with low coercivity and high μ permeability. Its coercivity is less than 1000 Am-1 as measured according to IEC 60404-1:2000, to allow for rapid magnetization and demagnetization. Suitable soft magnetic materials have a maximum relative permeability μ·-max of at least 5, wherein the relative permeability μκ is the permeability of the material μ relative to the permeability of free space μ0 (μκ = μ / μ0) (Magnetic Materials, Fundamentals and Applications, 2nd Ed., Nicola A. Spaldin, pp. 16-17, Cambridge University Press, 2011). Soft magnetic materials are described, for example, in the following handbooks: (1) Handbook of Condensed Matter and Materials Data, Chap. 4.3.2, Soft Magnetic Materials, pp. 758-793, and Chap. 4.3.4, Magnetic Oxides, p. 811-813, Springer 2005; (2) Ferromagnetic Materials, Vol. 1, Iron, Cobalt and Nickel, p. 1-70, Elsevier 1999; (3) Ferromagnetic Materials, Vol. 2, Cap. 2, Soft Magnetic Metallic Materials, p. 55-188, e Cap. 3, Ferrites for non-microwave Applications, p. 189-241, Elsevier 1999; (4) Electric and Magnetic Properties of Metals, C. Moosbrugger, Cap. 8, Magnetically Soft Materials, p. 196-209, ASM International, 2000; (5) Handbook of modern Ferromagnetic Materials, Chap. 9, High-permeability Highfrequency Metal Strip, p. 155-182, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2002; e (6) Smithells Metals Reference Book, Cap. 20.3, Magnetically Soft Materials, p. 20-9 - 20-16, Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd, 1992. Petição 870250090004, de 02 / 10 / 2025, pág. 228 / 335 55 / 122

[0100] The soft magnetic plate (x10) described herein may be a plate made of one or more metals, alloys or compounds of high magnetic permeability (hereinafter referred to as soft magnetic metal plate) or a plate made of a compound comprising soft magnetic particles dispersed in a non-magnetic material (hereinafter referred to as soft magnetic composite plate).

[0101] According to one embodiment, the soft magnetic metal plate (x10) described herein is made of one or more soft magnetic metals or alloys that are easily workable as sheets or wires.Preferably, the soft magnetic metal plate described in this document is made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, nickel-molybdenum alloys, nickel-iron alloys (permalloy or supermalloy type materials), cobalt-iron alloys, cobalt-nickel alloys, iron-nickel-cobalt alloys (Fernico type materials), Heusler type alloys (such as Cu2MnSn or Ni2MnAl), low-silicon steels, low-carbon steels, silicon irons (electrical steels), iron-aluminum alloys, iron-aluminum-silicon alloys, amorphous metal alloys (e.g., alloys such as Metglas®, iron-boron alloys), nanocrystalline soft magnetic materials (e.g., Vitroperm®) and combinations thereof, more preferably selected from the group consisting of iron, Cobalt, nickel, low-carbon steels, silicon steels, nickel-iron alloys, and cobalt-iron alloys, and combinations thereof.

[0102] For embodiments in which the soft magnetic plate (x10) is a soft magnetic metal plate (x10) such as Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 229 / 335 56 / 122 described in this document and comprising one or more indentations (x11) described in this document, said one or more indentations (x11) preferably have independently a depth (D) between about 20% and about 99% compared to the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic metal plate (x10), more preferably between about 30% and about 95% compared to the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic metal plate (x10), and even more preferably between about 50% and about 90% compared to the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic metal plate (x10). The soft magnetic metal plate (x10) comprising one or more indentations (x11) described in this document preferably has a thickness (T) between about 10 pm and about 5,000 pm, more preferably between about 50 pm and about 2,500 pm, and even more preferably between about 50 pm and about 1,000 pm.

[0103] In embodiments wherein the soft magnetic plate (x10) is a soft magnetic metal plate (x10), as described in this document, and comprising one or more voids (x12) described in this document, said soft magnetic metal plate (x10) has a thickness (T) between about 10 pm and about 5,000 pm, more preferably between about 50 pm and about 2,500 pm, more preferably still between about 50 pm and about 1,000 pm.

[0104] For embodiments in which the soft magnetic plate (x10) is a soft magnetic metal plate (x10), as described herein, and comprising one or more protrusions (x13) described herein, said one or more protrusions (x13) preferably have Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 230 / 335 57 / 122 an independent height (H) between 20% and about 10,000% compared to the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic metal plate (x10), more preferably between 30% and about 2,000% compared to the thickness of the soft magnetic metal plate, and even more preferably between about 50% and about 1,000% compared to the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic metal plate (x10), provided that the sum of the height (H) of one or more protrusions (x13) and the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic metal plate (x10) is preferably between about 10 pm and about 5,000 pm, more preferably between about 50 pm and about 2,500 pm, even more preferably between about 50 pm and about 1,000 pm. A height (H) of the protrusion (x13) of more than 100% of the (T) of the soft magnetic metal plate (x10) means that the actual height of the protrusion is greater than the thickness of the soft magnetic plate (x10) from which the protrusion (x13) projects. For example, a height (H) of 10.000% means that the protrusion (x13) has a height 100 times greater than the thickness of the soft magnetic metal plate (x10) from which it protrudes.

[0105] According to another embodiment, one or more soft magnetic plates (x10) described herein are made of a composite comprising from 25% by weight to 95% by weight of soft magnetic particles dispersed in a non-magnetic material, the weight percentages being based on the total weight of one or more soft magnetic plates. Preferably, the composite of one or more soft magnetic composite plates (x10) comprises from about 50% by weight to about 90% by weight of soft magnetic particles, the weight percentages being based on the total weight. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 231 / 335 58 / 122 of one or more soft magnetic composite plates. The soft magnetic particles described herein are made of one or more soft magnetic materials, preferably selected from the group consisting of iron (especially pentacarbonyl iron, also called carbonyl iron), nickel (especially tetracarbonyl nickel, also called carbonyl nickel), cobalt, soft magnetic ferrites (e.g., manganese-zinc ferrites and nickel-zinc ferrites), soft magnetic oxides (e.g., manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel oxides), soft silicon irons and combinations thereof, more preferably selected from the group consisting of carbonyl iron, nickel carbonyl, cobalt, soft silicon irons and combinations thereof.

[0106] The soft magnetic particles may have a needle, platelet or spherical shape.Preferably, the soft magnetic particles have a spherical shape to maximize the saturation of the soft magnetic composite plate and to have the highest possible concentration without losing the cohesion of the soft magnetic composite plate. Preferably, the soft magnetic particles have a spherical shape and an average particle size (d50) between about 0.1 μm and about 1000 μm, more preferably between about 0.5 μm and about 100 μm, and even more preferably between about 1 μm and about 20 μm, with d50 measured by laser diffraction using, for example, a microtrac X100 laser particle size analyzer.

[0107] The soft magnetic composite plate described in this document is made of a composite, wherein said composite comprises soft magnetic particles. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 232 / 335 59 / 122 described in this document dispersed in a non-magnetic material. Suitable non-magnetic materials include, without limitation, polymeric materials that form a matrix for the dispersed soft magnetic particles. The polymeric matrix-forming materials may be one or more thermoplastic materials or one or more thermosetting materials, or comprise one or more thermoplastic materials or one or more thermosetting materials. Suitable thermoplastic materials include, without limitation, polyamides, copolyamides, polyphthalimides, polyolefins, polyesters, polytetrafluoroethylenes, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates (e.g., PMMA), polyimides, polyetherimides, polyetheretherketones, polyaryletherketones, polyphenylene sulfides, liquid crystal polymers, polycarbonates, and mixtures thereof. Suitable thermosetting materials include, without limitation, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, polyimide resins, polyester resins, silicone resins, and mixtures thereof.The soft magnetic plate described in this document is made of a compound comprising from about 5% by weight to about 75% by weight of the non-magnetic material described in this document, the weight percentages being based on the total weight of the soft magnetic plate.

[0108] The composite described in this document may additionally comprise one or more additives, such as hardeners, dispersants, plasticizers, fillers / extenders and antifoaming agents.

[0109] For embodiments in which the soft magnetic plate (x10) is a soft magnetic composite plate (x10), as described herein, and comprising a Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 233 / 335 60 / 122 or more indentations (x11) described in this document, said one or more indentations (x11) preferably have independently a depth (D), preferably between about 5% and about 99% compared to the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic composite plate (x10), more preferably between about 10% and about 95% compared to the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic composite plate (x10), and even more preferably between about 50% and about 90% compared to the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic composite plate (x10). The soft magnetic composite plate (x10) comprising one or more indentations (x11) described in this document preferably has a thickness (T) of at least about 500 μm, more preferably at least about 1000 μm and even more preferably between about 1000 μm and about 5000 μm.

[0110] In embodiments where the soft magnetic plate (x10) is a soft magnetic composite plate (x10), as described in this document, and comprising one or more voids (x12) described in this document, said soft magnetic composite plate (x10) preferably has a thickness (T) of at least about 0.5 mm, more preferably at least about 0.7 mm and, even more preferably, between about 0.7 mm and about 5 mm.

[0111] For embodiments in which the soft magnetic plate (x10) is a soft magnetic composite plate (x10), as described herein, and comprising one or more protrusions (x13) described herein, said one or more protrusions (x13) have, of Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 234 / 335 61 / 122 preference, an independent height (H), preferably between about 5% and about 10,000% compared to the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic composite plate (x10), more preferably between about 10% and about 2,000% compared to the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic composite plate (x10) and even more preferably between about 50% and about 1,000% compared to the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic composite plate (x10), provided that the sum of the height (H) of the one or more protrusions (x13) and the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic composite plate (x10) is preferably at least about 0.5 mm, more preferably at least about 0.7 mm and even more preferably between about 0.7 mm and about 5 mm.A protrusion height (x13) greater than 100% of the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic composite plate (x10) means that the actual height (H) of the protrusion (x13) is greater than the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic composite plate (x10) from which the protrusion (x13) projects. For example, a height (H) of 10,000% means that the protrusion has a height 100 times the thickness (T) of the soft magnetic plate from which it projects.

[0112] The present invention advantageously utilizes the soft magnetic composite plates described herein, since these plates can be easily produced and treated like any other polymeric material. Well-known techniques in the art can be used, including 3D printing, lamination molding, compression molding, resin transfer molding, or injection molding. After molding, standard curing procedures can be applied, such as cooling (when they are Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 235 / 335 62 / 122 (using thermoplastic polymers) or curing at high or low temperatures (when thermosetting polymers are used). Another way to obtain the soft magnetic composite plates described in this document is to remove parts of them to obtain the necessary indentations, voids, or protrusions using standard tools for working with plastic parts. Mechanical ablation tools, in particular, can be used to advantage.

[0113] According to one of the embodiments shown, for example, in Fig. 4P, the apparatus (x00) described in this document may further comprise an engraved magnetic plate (x30), wherein said engraved magnetic plate (x30) comprises one or more engravings (x31), said engraving (x31) preferably having the form of traces, wherein the traces (x31) of the engraved magnetic plate (x30) may be the same as or different from the traces of the soft magnetic plate (x10). The engraved magnetic plate (x30) described in this document is placed on top of the first magnetic field generating device (x20). As mentioned in this document, the fact that the surface of the top plate is smaller than the top surface of the device results in one or more regions of the top surface of the apparatus (x00) described in this document being free of the soft magnetic plate (x10).According to one embodiment, the engraved magnetic plate (x30) is placed in one or more regions that are free from the soft magnetic plate (x10). Preferably, the upper surface of the engraved magnetic plate (x30) is flush with the upper surface of the soft magnetic plate (x10) and may partially or completely overlap one or more regions that... Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 236 / 335 63 / 122 are free from the soft magnetic plate (x10). Fig. 4P shows an example where the engraved magnetic plate (430) comprising the engravings (431) is placed in one or more regions (one region in Fig. 4P), remaining free from the soft magnetic plate (410). The engraved magnetic plate (x30) described in this document may be adjacent to or separate from the soft magnetic plate (x10).

[0114] The engraved magnetic plate (x30) described in this document is made of a permanent magnetic powder material and a polymer. The engraved magnetic plate (x30) described in this document can typically be produced by an injection molding process or by metal or laser engraving. Preferred permanent magnetic powder materials include cobalt, iron and their alloys, chromium dioxide, generic magnetic oxide spinels, generic magnetic garnets, generic magnetic ferrites, including hexaferrites such as calcium, strontium and barium hexaferrite (CaFe12019, SrFe12019, BaFe12019, respectively), generic alnico alloys, generic samarium-cobalt (SmCo) alloys and generic rare earth-iron-boron alloys (such as NdFeB), as well as permanent magnetic chemical derivatives thereof (as indicated by the generic term) and mixtures thereof.Plates made of a composite material comprising a polymer and a permanent magnetic powder can be obtained from various sources, such as Bomatec, Hori, CH, ARNOLD® Magnetic Technologies (Plastiform®) or Materiali Magnetici, Albairate, Milano, IT (Plastoferrite).

[0115] The apparatus (x00) described in this document comprises the magnetic field generating device (x20) Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 237 / 335 64 / 122 comprising at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a). Alternatively, the apparatus (x00) described in this document comprises the magnetic field generating device (x20) comprising a combination of two or more dipolar bar magnets (x20-a1, x20-a2), wherein these magnets have the same magnetic direction. Depending on the required dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) during tilting, different magnetic field generating devices (x20) may be used.

[0116] According to one embodiment, wherein the dynamic motion of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a bright reflective horizontal bar that moves in a longitudinal direction when the substrate (x50) bearing the OEL is tilted about a longitudinal axis, the at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) of the first magnetic field generating device (x20) has a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P). An example of a first magnetic field generating device (x20) suitable for this embodiment is shown in Fig. 5A. The optical effect is the so-called “rolling bar” effect, as disclosed in US document 2005 / 0106367. A rolling bar effect is based on the orientation of pigment particles that mimic a curved surface through the coating. The observer sees a zone of specular reflection that moves away from or towards the observer as the safety feature is tilted.

[0117] According to one embodiment, in which the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a pattern of light and dark areas that move when the substrate (x50) containing the OEL is tilted, the first devices Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 238 / 335 65 / 122 suitable magnetic field generators (x20) are disclosed in documents WO 2013 / 167425 A1 and WO 2021 / 083809 A1. In particular, said first magnetic field generating devices (x20) comprise at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and a combination comprising at least four additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) having their north poles pointing in the same direction and having their magnetic geometric axes oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P), said first dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) being spaced apart, wherein each of the additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) is arranged at an intersection of at least two substantially parallel straight lines ai (i = 1, 2, ...) and at least two substantially parallel straight lines β^ (j = 1, 2, ...), the straight lines ai and 3j forming a grid, wherein at least two additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) are arranged on one of the straight lines ai and at least two other additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) are arranged on another of the straight lines ai, wherein the magnetic geometric axes of the additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) are oriented substantially parallel to the substantially parallel straight lines ai, wherein at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) is arranged below the combination comprising at least four first dipole magnets (x20b, x20-c). According to one embodiment, each straight line ai and a vector H of the magnetic geometric axis of at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) are substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to each other and the OEL exhibits. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 239 / 335 66 / 122 a dynamic movement being a pattern of light and dark areas that move when the substrate (x50) bearing said OEL is tilted, said pattern of light and dark areas moving in the same direction as the tilt direction. According to another embodiment, each straight line ai and a vector H of the magnetic geometric axis of at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) are substantially non-parallel and substantially non-perpendicular to each other OEL, preferably, wherein each straight line ai and the vector sum H of the magnetic geometric axis of at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) form an angle Y in the range of approximately 20° to approximately 70° or in the range of approximately 110° to approximately 160° or in the range of approximately 200° to approximately 250° or in the range of approximately 290° to approximately 340°;and the OEL exhibits dynamic movement, being a pattern of light and dark areas that move not only in a diagonal direction when the substrate (x50) bearing said OEL is tilted around a vertical / longitudinal axis, but also moves in a diagonal direction when the substrate containing said OEL is tilted around a horizontal / longitudinal axis (in other words, the OEL optical effect layer described in this document provides the optical impression of a plurality of dark spots and a plurality of light spots that move when the substrate (x50) bearing said OEL is tilted around two perpendicular geometric axes, i.e., horizontal / longitudinal geometric axis and vertical / longitudinal geometric axis. An example of a first device; Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 240 / 335 67 / 122 magnetic field generator (x20) suitable for this mode is shown in Fig. 5B.

[0118] According to a similar embodiment, in which the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a pattern of light areas and dark areas that move when the substrate (x50) bearing the OEL is tilted, the first suitable magnetic field generating devices (x20) are disclosed in documents WO 2013 / 167425 A1 and WO 2021 / 083808 A1.In particular, said first magnetic field generating devices (x20) comprise at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and a combination comprising at least four additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) having their north poles pointing in the same direction and having their magnetic geometric axes oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P), said first dipole magnets (x31) being spaced apart, wherein each of the additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) is arranged at an intersection of at least two substantially parallel straight lines ai (i = 1, 2, ...) and at least two substantially parallel straight lines β^ (j = 1, 2, ...), the straight lines ai and 3j forming a grid, in which at least two additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) are arranged in one of the straight lines ai and at least two other additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) are arranged in another of the straight lines ai, in which the magnetic geometric axes of the additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) are oriented substantially parallel to the first plane (P), straight lines ai, in which at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) is. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 241 / 335 68 / 122 arranged below the combination comprising at least four first dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c), wherein, in each straight line ai, and in each straight line pj, the additional neighboring dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) have their north pole pointing in an opposite direction, wherein each straight line ai and a vector H of the magnetic geometric axis of at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) are substantially non-parallel and substantially non-perpendicular to each other OEL, preferably, wherein each straight line ai and the vector sum H of the magnetic geometric axis of at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) form an angle Y in the range of about 20° to about 70° or in the range of about 110° to about 160° or in the range of about 200° to about 250°, or in the range of about 290° to about 340°;and the OEL exhibits dynamic movement, being a pattern of light and dark areas that move not only in a diagonal direction when the substrate (x50) bearing said OEL is tilted around a vertical / longitudinal axis, but also moves in a diagonal direction when the substrate containing said OEL is tilted around a horizontal / longitudinal axis (in other words, the OEL optical effect layer described herein provides the optical impression of a plurality of dark spots and a plurality of light spots that move when the substrate (x50) bearing said OEL is tilted around two perpendicular geometric axes, i.e., horizontal / longitudinal geometric axis and vertical / longitudinal geometric axis).

[0119] According to an embodiment in which the dynamic motion of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a body in Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 242 / 335 69 / 122 loop format that moves when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL), suitable magnetic field generating devices (x20) are disclosed in document WO 2014 / 108404 A2. In particular, said first magnetic field generating devices (x20) comprise: a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and one or more pole pieces (x21), said one or more pole pieces (x21) being disposed below the at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) and in contact with the dipole magnet (x20-a) and / or being spaced and laterally surrounding the at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) (see, for example, Figs.3-5 of document WO 2014 / 108404 A2); b) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a loop magnet having radial magnetization (i.e., having its north-south magnetic geometric axis extending radially from the center of the loop magnet to the periphery) (see, for example, Fig. 6 of document WO 2014 / 108404 A2); or c) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being three or more dipole magnets arranged in a loop-shaped arrangement having radial magnetization (i.e., each of said three or more dipole magnets has its magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and has its magnetic geometric axis aligned so as to extend substantially radially from the center of symmetry of the loop-shaped arrangement, wherein the north-south directions of said three or more dipole magnets all point towards the center of symmetry or all towards. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 243 / 335 70 / 122 away from it (see, for example, Fig. 7 of document WO 2014 / 108404 A2).

[0120] According to an embodiment in which the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a nested body in the form of multiple loops that moves when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) moves, suitable magnetic field generating devices (x20) are disclosed in document WO 2014 / 108303 A2. In particular, the first magnetic field generating devices (x20) comprise a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a loop-shaped magnet that defines a loop and having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and a pole piece (x21) being disposed below the at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) and within the loop of said dipole magnet (x20-a) and having one or more protrusions disposed within the loop of the dipole magnet (x20a) (see, for example, Figs. 3-5 of WO 2014 / 108303 A2); or b) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P), an additional dipolar magnet (x20-b) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P), and two or more pole pieces (x21-a, x21-b), wherein said dipolar magnet (x20-a) and the additional magnet (x20-b) have the same magnetic direction and are provided at different distances from the first plane (P), wherein the two or more pole pieces (x21-a, x21-b) are arranged in the space between the magnets (x20-a and x20-b) and in contact with them, and wherein at least one of Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 244 / 335 71 / 122 two or more pole pieces form one or more loop-shaped projections around a central area in which at least one dipole magnet is arranged (x20-a) (see, for example, Figs. 6a, 6b and 6d of WO 2014 / 108303 A2); or (c) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P), a plate-shaped pole piece (x21-a) being disposed below and in contact with the at least one dipole magnet (x20-a), and one or more loop-shaped pole pieces (x21-b) being disposed on top of the at least one dipole magnet (x20-a), wherein a central pole piece of said one or more loop-shaped pole pieces (x21-b) is in contact with the at least one dipole magnet (x20-a), and wherein said plate-shaped pole piece (x21a) may comprise one or more laterally spaced protrusions around at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) (see, for example, Figs. 7a-7d of document WO 2014 / 108303 A2). An example of a first suitable magnetic field generating device (x20) for this modality is shown in Fig. 5C.

[0121] According to an embodiment in which the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a loop-shaped body having a size that varies when the substrate (x50) bearing said OELs is tilted, suitable magnetic field generating devices (x20) are disclosed in documents WO 2017 / 064052 A1, WO 2017 / 080698A1 and WO 2017 / 148789 A1. In particular, the first magnetic field generating devices (x20) comprise one of the following: Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 245 / 335 72 / 122 - a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a single dipole bar magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic north-south axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole bar magnets (x20-a1, x20-a2) having a resulting magnetic north-south axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and b) a loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b) being a single dipole loop magnet (x20-b) having a magnetic north-south axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) arranged in a loop arrangement and having a resulting magnetic north-south axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) (see, for example, Figs. 1-4 of WO 2017 / 064052 A1), or - a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a single dipole magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole bar magnets (x20-a1, x20-a2), each of the two or more dipole bar magnets (x20-a1, x20-a2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and having the same magnetic field direction, b) a loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b) being a single dipole loop magnet (x20-b) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) arranged in a loop arrangement, each of the two or more dipole magnets Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 246 / 335 73 / 122 (x20-b1, x20-b2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and having the same magnetic field direction, and c) a single dipole magnet (x20-c) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) or two or more dipole magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2), each of the two or more dipole magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and having the same magnetic field direction and / or one or more pole pieces (x21) (see, for example, Figs. 112 of document WO 2017 / 080698 A1), or - a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a single dipole bar magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole bar magnets (x20a1, x20-a2), each of the two or more dipole bar magnets (x20-a1, x20-a2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and having the same magnetic field direction, b) a loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b) being a single loop-shaped magnet (x20-b) or a combination of two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) arranged in a loop arrangement, the loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b) having radial magnetization,(ec) a single dipole magnet (x20-c) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) or a single dipole magnet (x20-c) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P), or two or more dipole magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2), each of the two or more dipole magnets (x20-c1, Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 247 / 335 74 / 122 x20-c2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P), wherein the north pole of said single dipole magnet (x20-c) or the north pole of at least one of said two or more dipole magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2) is pointing towards the substrate surface (x50) when the north pole of the single loop magnet (x20-b) or of the two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) that form the loop magnetic field generating device is pointing towards the periphery of said loop magnetic field generating device (x20-b), or wherein the south pole of said single dipole magnet (x20-c) or the south pole of at least one of said two or more dipole magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2) is pointing towards the first plane (P) when the south pole of the magnet single dipole (x20-b) or two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1,x20-b2) that form the loop-shaped magnetic field generating device is pointing towards the periphery of said loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b) (see, for example, Figs. 1-14 of document WO 2017 / 148789 A1). An example of a first suitable magnetic field generating device (x20) for this embodiment is shown in Fig. 5D.

[0122] According to an embodiment in which the dynamic motion of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a bright reflective vertical bar that moves in a longitudinal direction when the substrate (x50) bearing said OEL is tilted about a horizontal / latudinal geometric axis or moves in a horizontal / latudinal direction when the substrate bearing said OEL is tilted about a longitudinal axis, the first suitable magnetic field generating devices (x20) Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 248 / 335 75 / 122 are revealed in document WO 2020 / 160993 A1. In particular, said first magnetic field generating devices (x20) comprise a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a), being a square or rectangular shaped dipole magnet (x20-a) having its magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and b) a combination of n sets of spaced bar dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2), wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 1, wherein each of said bar dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) has its north-south magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the substrate surface (x50) and to the first plane (P), wherein, for each set of said n sets, the bar dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) have their north pole pointing in the same direction and are substantially parallel to each other;wherein the vector sum H1 of the magnetic geometric axes of the dipole magnets of the bar (x20-b1, x20-b2) and the vector sum H2 of at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) form an angle α in the range of about 5° to about 175° or in the range of about 185° to about 355°, preferably in the range of about 60° to about 120° or in the range of about 240° to about 300°; wherein the combination of n sets of spaced dipole bar magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) is placed below or above the second dipole magnet (x20-a) and wherein the dipole magnet (x20-a) and the combination of n sets of spaced dipole bar magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) are essentially centered on each other (see, for example, Figures 2-5 of document WO 2020 / 160993 A1). An example of a first device; Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 249 / 335 76 / 122 magnetic field generator (x20) suitable for this mode is shown in Fig. 5E.

[0123] According to an embodiment in which the dynamic motion of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a crescent moon that moves and rotates when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted and the first suitable magnetic field generating devices (x20) are disclosed in document WO 2019 / 215148 A1. In particular, said first magnetic field generating devices (x20) comprise a) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a), the first dipolar magnet (x20-a) having its north-south magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface (x20) and having length L1, b) a second dipolar magnet (x20-b) having its north-south magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and having a length L3, and c) a flat pole piece (x21) without any protrusions or projections extending outward from the surface of said pole piece and having a length L5,wherein the first dipolar magnet (x20-a) and the second dipolar magnet (x20-b) have the same magnetic field direction, wherein the first dipolar magnet (x20-a) is facing the substrate (x50) and is located on top of the flat pole piece (x21), wherein the second dipolar magnet (x20b) is facing the environment and is located below the flat pole piece (x21), wherein the length L1 of the first dipolar magnet (x20-a) is less than the length L3 of the second dipolar magnet (x20-b), wherein the length L1 of the first dipolar magnet (x20-a) is less than the length L5 of the flat pole piece (x21), and wherein the length L3 of the second dipolar magnet (x20-b) is less than the length L5 of the pole piece (x21), Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 250 / 335 77 / 122 (see, for example, Figs. 1-12 of document WO 2017 / 148789 A1). An example of a first suitable magnetic field generating device (x20) for this embodiment is shown in Fig. 5F.

[0124] According to one embodiment, wherein the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a loop-shaped body surrounded by one or more loop-shaped bodies, wherein said one or more loop-shaped bodies have their shape and / or brightness varying when the substrate (x50) bearing said OELs is tilted, the first suitable magnetic field generating devices (x20) are disclosed in document WO 2020 / 193009 A1. In particular, said first magnetic field generating devices (x20) comprise a) a combination of three or more first dipole magnets x20-bi (x20-b1, x20-b2, x20-b3, ...), each of said first dipole magnets having its center Cx20-bi (Cx20-b1, Cx20-b2, Cx20-b3, ...) arranged in a loop in the first plane (P), wherein said first dipole magnets x20-bi (x20-b1, x20-b2, x20-b3, ...a) have their magnetic geometric axes oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and b) at least one dipole magnet (x20a) having its magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and being arranged to have a projection of its center onto the first plane (P) that is located at a projection point Cx20-inside the loop, wherein the at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) is arranged above the combination of three or more first dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2 and x20-b3), wherein angles ai are formed between each of the vectors Cx20-aCx20-bl(Cx20-aCx20-b1, Cx20-a^x20-b2 , Cx20-a^x20-b3) and the vector hX20—bl(hX20—bl,. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 251 / 335 78 / 122 hx20-b2, hx20-b3, ...) of the magnetic geometric axis of the respective first dipolar magnet x20-bi (x20-b1, x20-b2, x20-b3, ...), wherein all angles ai, when measured counterclockwise, are in the range of about 20° to about 160° or in the range of about 200° to about 340°, and wherein each of the first dipolar magnets x20-bi (x20-b1, x20-b2, x20b3, ...) is disposed at a first distance (Yi), said first distance (Yi) being in the first plane (P) between the projection point Cx20-a and the center Cx20-bi (Cx20-b1, Cx20-b2, Cx20b3, ...) of the first dipolar magnet x20-bi (x20-b1, x20-b2, x20b3, ...) (see, for example, Figs. 2-9 of document WO 2020 / 193009 A1).According to one embodiment, at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) and the combination of three or more first dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2 and x20-b3) are arranged in such a way that at least two, preferably all, angles ei are equal to each other, wherein said angles βι are respectively formed between the vectors Cx20-aCx20por and ϋχ2ι-δύχ2ο-(δ+ΐ), that is, the angles formed between the straight lines from the projection point (Cx20-a) to the respective center (Cx20-b1, Cx20-b2,..) of the adjacent (but not necessarily in direct contact) dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2, .). An example of an early magnetic field generating device (x20) suitable for this mode is shown in Figs. 5G.

[0125] The assembly (x100) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00) described herein is moved through the non-homogeneous magnetic field of the second static magnetic field generating device (x70), as described herein, so that the pigment particles Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 252 / 335 79 / 122 magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped particles are exposed to a time-varying magnetic field, thereby biaxially orienting at least part of said magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles while the coating composition is still in a wet state (i.e., not yet hardened).

[0126] The dc distance (shown in Fig. 1B) between the coating layer (x40) and the second magnetic field generating device (x70) is adjusted and selected to obtain the desired optical effect layers.

[0127] The movement of said assembly (x100) within the magnetic field of the second static magnetic field generating device (x70) must allow the magnetic field vector, as described in the substrate reference frame, to vary essentially in a single plane at individual locations on the substrate. This can be achieved by rotational oscillations, by complete rotation (360° or more) of the assembly (x100), preferably by a forward and backward translational motion along a path, more preferably by a single-direction translational motion along a path. Simple translational motions following a linear or cylindrical path are particularly preferred.The soft magnetic plate (x10) described in this document acts as a magnetic field guide, very close to the coating composition, when placed in the magnetic field of the second external static magnetic field generating device (x70), thus deflecting the magnetic field from its original direction. At the location of the indentations (x11), empty spaces (x12) and / or protrusions (x13), the direction and intensity of the magnetic field lines are... Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 253 / 335 80 / 122 modified locally so as to cause the orientation of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form to change locally compared to the orientation of pigment particles that are further away from said indentations or protrusions. This, in turn, generates, in addition to the dynamic appearance described in this document, the striking relief and the desired 3D effect.

[0128] Unlike a monoaxial orientation, in which the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles are oriented in such a way that only one of their principal geometric axes (the longer one) is constrained by the magnetic field vector, performing a biaxial orientation means that the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles are oriented in such a way that both of their principal geometric axes are constrained. This biaxial orientation is achieved, according to the invention, by exposing and moving the assembly (x100) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00) to and through the non-homogeneous magnetic field of the second static magnetic field generating device (x70).Thus, the said static magnetic field generating device must be configured so that, along the path of movement followed by individual magnetic particles in the form of platelets or magnetizable pigment particles of the coating layer, the magnetic field lines change at least in direction within a plane that is fixed in the reference frame of the moving assembly (x100). The biaxial orientation aligns the planes of the pigment particles. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 254 / 335 81 / 122 magnetic or magnetizable plates in the form of plates so that these planes are oriented to be locally parallel to each other.

[0129] According to one embodiment, the step of performing a biaxial orientation of the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles leads to a magnetic orientation in which the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles have their two principal axes substantially parallel to the substrate surface (x50) and to the foreground plane (P), except in regions bearing indentations, voids or protrusions and in regions subjected to the influence of the magnetic field of the first magnetic field generating device (x20). For this alignment, the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles are planarized within the coating layer on the substrate and are oriented with both axes parallel to the substrate surface, except in regions bearing one or more indentations or protrusions, in which a wider range of angles is covered.

[0130] According to another embodiment, the biaxial orientation step of at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles leads to a magnetic orientation in which the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles have a first principal geometric axis substantially parallel to the substrate surface (x50) and to the first plane (P) and a second principal geometric axis being perpendicular to said first geometric axis at an elevation angle substantially different from zero with respect to Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 255 / 335 82 / 122 substrate surface (x50) and foreground (P), except in regions with indentations, voids or protrusions and in regions subjected to the influence of the magnetic field of the first magnetic field generating device (x20), where a wider range of angles is covered. Alternatively, the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form have their two principal axes X and Y at an elevation angle substantially different from zero relative to the substrate surface (x50) and foreground (P), except in regions with indentations, voids or protrusions and in regions subjected to the influence of the magnetic field of the first magnetic field generating device (x20), where a wider range of angles is covered.This is achieved when, viewed along the path of motion, the angle between the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field generating device varies within a plane that forms a non-zero angle with respect to a plane tangential to the surface of the assembly (x100) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00).

[0131] Suitable magnetic field generating devices (x70) for biaxially orienting the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles described in this document are not limited.

[0132] The biaxial orientation of magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form can be achieved by moving the assembly (x100), comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00), at a suitable speed through the magnetic field of the magnetic field generating device (x70), Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 256 / 335 83 / 122 as described in document EP 2 157 141 A1. These devices provide a magnetic field that changes its direction as the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form move through said devices, forcing the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form to oscillate rapidly until both principal geometric axes, geometric axis X and geometric axis Y, become parallel to the substrate surface (x50) and the foreground plane (P), that is, the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form oscillate until they reach a stable sheet-shaped formation with their geometric axes X and Y parallel to the substrate surface (x50) and the foreground plane (P) and are planarized in the two dimensions mentioned. As shown in Fig.5 of document EP 2 157 141, the magnetic field generating device described (x70) in this document comprises a linear arrangement of at least three magnets positioned in a staggered or zigzag pattern, said at least three magnets being on opposite sides of a feed path wherein the magnets on the same side of the feed path have the same polarity, which is opposite to the polarity of the magnet(s) on the opposite side of the staggered feed path. The arrangement of the at least three magnets provides a predetermined change in the field direction as the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles in a coating composition move past the magnets (direction of movement: arrow). According to one embodiment, the magnetic field generating device (x70) comprises a) a first magnet and a third magnet in a... Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 257 / 335 84 / 122 first side of a feed path and b) a second magnet between the first and third magnets on a second opposite side of the feed path, wherein the first and third magnets have the same polarity and wherein the second magnet has a polarity complementary to that of the first and third magnets. According to another embodiment, the magnetic field generating device (x70) further comprises a fourth magnet on the same side of the feed path as the second magnet, having the polarity of the second magnet and complementary to the polarity of the third magnet. As described in document EP 2 157 141 A1, the magnetic field generating device (x70) may be under the layer comprising the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form or above and below.

[0133] Biaxial orientation of magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form can be achieved by moving the assembly (x100), comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00), at a suitable speed through the magnetic field of the magnetic field generating device (x70), described in document EP 1 519 794 B1. Suitable devices (x70) include permanent magnets arranged on each side of the surface of the assembly (x100), above or below it, so that the magnetic field lines are substantially parallel to the surface of the assembly (x100).

[0134] Biaxial orientation of magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form can be achieved by moving the assembly (x100), comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00), at a suitable speed through the field Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 258 / 335 85 / 122 magnetic field generating device (x70), which consists of linear arrays of Halbach permanent magnets, i.e., devices comprising a plurality of magnets with different magnetization directions and cylindrical devices. A detailed description of Halbach permanent magnets was provided by ZQ Zhu and D. Howe (Halbach permanent magnet machines and applications: a review, IEE. Proc. Electric Power Appl., 2001, 148, pages 299-308). The magnetic field produced by this magnetic field generating device (x70), which consists of a Halbach array, has the property of being concentrated on one side and weakened almost to zero on the other side. Linear Halbach arrangements are disclosed, for example, in documents WO 2015 / 086257 A1 and WO 2018 / 019594 A1, and cylindrical Halbach devices are disclosed in document EP 3 224 055 B1.

[0135] The biaxial orientation of magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form can be achieved by moving the assembly (x100), comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00), at a suitable speed through the magnetic field of the magnetic field generating device (x70), which consists of a rotating magnet, said magnet comprising one or more rotating disc-shaped magnets or magnetic field generating devices that are essentially magnetized along their diameter. Suitable magnetic field generating devices (x70), consisting of rotating magnets or magnetic field generating devices, are described in US patent 2007 / 0172261 A1, said rotating magnets or devices Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 259 / 335 86 / 122 Magnetic field generators generate radially symmetrical time-varying magnetic fields, enabling biaxial orientation of pigment particles in an uncured coating composition. These magnets or magnetic field generating devices are driven by a shaft (or spindle) connected to an external motor. Document CN 102529326 B discloses examples of magnetic field generating devices (x70) comprising rotating magnets that may be suitable for biaxial orientation of pigment particles. In a preferred embodiment, the suitable magnetic field generating device (x70) consists of rotating magnets or disc-shaped magnetic field generating devices free of shafts constrained in a housing made of non-magnetic, preferably non-conductive materials, and is driven by one or more coils of magnet wire wound around the housing.Examples of such rotating magnets or disc-shaped, axis-free magnetic field generating devices are disclosed in documents WO 2015 / 082344 A1, WO 2016 / 026896 A1 and WO2018 / 141547 A1.

[0136] The biaxial orientation of magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form can be achieved by moving the assembly (x100) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00) at a suitable speed through the magnetic field of the magnetic field generating device (x70) comprising a) at least a first assembly (S1) and a second assembly (S2), each of the first and second assemblies (S1, S2) comprising a first dipolar bar magnet having its magnetic geometric axis oriented to be Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 260 / 335 87 / 122 substantially parallel to the substrate during magnetic orientation and two second dipole bar magnets having their magnetic geometric axes oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the substrate; and b) a pair (P1) of third dipole bar magnets having their magnetic geometric axes oriented to be substantially parallel to the substrate as those disclosed in document WO 2021 / 239607 A1.

[0137] The OEL production process described in this document comprises, partially simultaneously with or subsequently with step c), preferably partially simultaneously, a hardening step (step d)) of the coating composition. The hardening step of the coating composition allows the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form to be fixed in the positions and orientations adopted in a desired pattern to form the OEL, thus transforming the coating composition into a second state. However, the time between the end of step c) and the beginning of step d) is preferably relatively short to avoid any disorientation and loss of information. Typically, the time between the end of step c) and the beginning of step d) is less than 1 minute, preferably less than 20 seconds, and even more preferably less than 5 seconds.It is particularly preferable that there be essentially no time interval between the end of the orientation phase c) and the beginning of the healing phase d), that is, that phase d) follows immediately after phase c) or begins while phase c) is still in progress (partially simultaneously). Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 261 / 335 88 / 122 “partially simultaneously”, it is understood that both steps are partially performed simultaneously, that is, the times for each step partially overlap. In the context described in this document, when hardening is performed partially simultaneously with step c), it should be understood that hardening becomes effective after orientation, so that the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form orient themselves before the total or partial hardening of the OEL. As mentioned in this document, the hardening step can be performed using different means or processes depending on the binder material included in the coating composition, which also includes magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form.

[0138] The hardening step can generally be any step that increases the viscosity of the coating composition so that a substantially solid material that adheres to the substrate is formed. The hardening step may involve a physical process based on the evaporation of a volatile component, such as a solvent and / or evaporation of water (i.e., physical drying). In this document, hot air, infrared, or a combination of hot air and infrared may be used. Alternatively, the hardening process may include a chemical reaction, such as curing, polymerization, or crosslinking of the binder and optional initiator compounds and / or optional crosslinking compounds comprised in the coating composition. Such a chemical reaction may be initiated by heat or IR irradiation, as described above for the processes of Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 262 / 335 89 / 122 physical hardening, but may preferably include the initiation of a chemical reaction by a radiation mechanism including, without limitation, curing by ultraviolet-visible light radiation (hereinafter referred to as UVVis Curing) and curing by electron beam radiation (E-beam curing); oxypolymerization (oxidative crosslinking, typically induced by a joint action of oxygen and one or more catalysts, preferably selected from the group consisting of cobalt-containing catalysts, vanadium-containing catalysts, zirconium-containing catalysts, bismuth-containing catalysts and manganese-containing catalysts); crosslinking reactions or any combination thereof.

[0139] Radiation curing is particularly preferred, and UV-Vis light radiation curing is even more preferred, as these technologies advantageously lead to very fast curing processes and therefore drastically reduce the preparation time of any article comprising the OEL described in this document. Furthermore, radiation curing has the advantage of producing an almost instantaneous increase in the viscosity of the coating composition after exposure to the curing radiation, thus minimizing any further movement of the particles. Consequently, any loss of orientation after the magnetic orientation step can be essentially avoided. Photopolymerization radiation curing under the influence of actinic light having a wavelength component in the UV or blue part of the electromagnetic spectrum (typically 200 nm to 650 nm; more preferably 200 nm to 420 nm) is particularly preferred. The curing equipment Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 263 / 335 90 / 122 UV-visible can comprise a high-power light-emitting diode (LED) lamp or an arc discharge lamp, such as a medium-pressure mercury arc (MPMA) or a metal vapor arc lamp, as the actinic radiation source.

[0140] The OEL production process described in this document may additionally include a step e) of releasing or separating the substrate (x50) that carries the OEL thus obtained from the soft magnetic plate (x10).

[0141] The present invention provides processes for producing optical effect layers (OELs) on the substrate (x50) described herein. The substrate described herein is preferably selected from the group consisting of papers or other fibrous materials (including woven and non-woven fibrous materials), such as cellulose, paper-containing materials, glasses, metals, ceramics, plastics and polymers, metallized plastics or polymers, composite materials and mixtures or combinations of two or more thereof. Typical paper-like or other fibrous materials are produced from a variety of fibers including, without limitation, abaca, cotton, linen, wood pulp and blends thereof. As is well known to those skilled in the art, cotton and cotton / linen blends are preferred for banknotes, while wood pulp is commonly used in security documents other than banknotes.Typical examples of plastics and polymers include polyolefins, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), including biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyamides, and polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate). Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 264 / 335 91 / 122 (PET), poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) (PBT), poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthoate) (PEN), and polyvinyl chlorides (PVC). Direct-spun olefin fibers such as those sold under the Tyvek® trademark can also be used as a substrate. Typical examples of metallized plastics or polymers include the plastic or polymer materials described above in this document that have a metal disposed continuously or discontinuously on their surface. Typical examples of metals include, without limitation, aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), gold (Au), silver (Ag), alloys thereof, and combinations of two or more of the aforementioned metals. The metallization of the plastic or polymer materials described above in this document can be done by an electrodeposition process, a high-vacuum coating process, or a cathodic deposition process.Typical examples of composite materials include, without limitation, multilayer structures or laminates of paper and at least one plastic or polymer material such as those described above in this document, as well as plastic and / or polymer fibers incorporated into a paper-like or fibrous material such as those described above in this document. Obviously, the substrate may comprise additional additives known to those skilled in the art, such as fillers, sizing agents, bleaches, processing aids, reinforcing agents and wet fortifiers, etc. When the OELs produced according to the present invention are used for decorative or cosmetic purposes, including, for example, nail polishes, said OEL may be produced on other types of substrates including nails, artificial nails or other parts of an animal or human being. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 265 / 335 92 / 122

[0142] If the OEL produced according to the present invention is on a security document, and with the aim of further increasing the level of security and resistance against counterfeiting and illegal reproduction of said security document, the substrate may comprise printed, coated or laser-marked or laser-perforated markings, watermarks, security threads, fibers, clipboards, luminescent compounds, windows, metallic foils, decals and combinations of two or more thereof. With the same aim of further increasing the level of security and resistance against counterfeiting and illegal reproduction of security documents, the substrate may comprise one or more marking substances or markers and / or machine-readable substances (for example, luminescent substances, UV / visible / IR absorbing substances, magnetic substances and combinations thereof).

[0143] If desired, a primer layer may be applied to the substrate (x50) before step a). This may enhance the OEL quality described in this document or promote adhesion. Examples of such primer layers may be found in document WO 2010 / 058026 A2.

[0144] With the aim of increasing durability through dirt or chemical resistance and cleaning, and therefore the service life of an article, a safety document or a decorative element or object comprising the OEL obtained through the process described in this document, or with the aim of modifying its aesthetic appearance (e.g., optical brightness), one or more protective layers may be applied over the OEL. When present, one or more Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 266 / 335 93 / 122 protective layers are typically made of protective varnishes. They can be transparent or lightly colored or tinted and can be more or less glossy. Protective varnishes can be radiation-curable compositions, heat-curable compositions, or any combination thereof. Preferably, one or more protective layers are radiation-curable compositions, more preferably UV-Vis curable compositions. Protective layers are typically applied after the OEL has formed.

[0145] The present invention also offers optical effect layers (OELs) produced by the process according to the present invention.

[0146] The optical effect layer (OEL) described in this document can be supplied directly onto a substrate on which it is to remain permanently (such as for banknote applications). Alternatively, an optical effect layer (OEL) can also be supplied onto a temporary substrate for production purposes, from which the OEL is subsequently removed. This can, for example, facilitate the production of the optical effect layer (OEL), particularly while the binder material is still in its fluid state. Then, after the coating composition for the production of the optical effect layer (OEL) has hardened, the temporary substrate can be removed from the OEL.

[0147] Alternatively, in another embodiment, an adhesive layer may be present on the optical effect layer (OEL) or may be present on the substrate comprising the OEL, wherein said adhesive layer is on the opposite side of the substrate. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 267 / 335 94 / 122 on the side where the OEL is provided or on the same side as the OEL and over the OEL. Therefore, an adhesive layer can be applied to the optical effect layer (OEL) or to the substrate (x50), wherein said adhesive layer is applied after the curing step has been completed. Such an article can be attached to all types of documents or other articles or items without printing or other processes involving machines and a considerable amount of effort. Alternatively, the substrate described herein comprising the optical effect layer (OEL) described herein may be in the form of a metallic transfer foil, which can be applied to a document or article in a separate transfer step. For this purpose, the substrate is provided with a release coating, on which the optical effect layer (OEL) is produced as described herein. One or more adhesive layers may be applied over the optical effect layer (OEL) thus produced.

[0148] Also described in this document are substrates comprising more than one, i.e., two, three, four, etc. optical effect (OEL) layers obtained by the process described in this document.

[0149] Articles, in particular security documents, decorative elements or objects, comprising the optical effect layer (OEL) produced in accordance with the present invention are also described in this document. The articles, in particular security documents, decorative elements or objects, may comprise more than one (e.g., two, three, etc.) OELs produced in accordance with the present invention. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 268 / 335 95 / 122

[0150] As mentioned above in this document, the optical effect layer (OEL) produced according to the present invention can be used for decorative purposes as well as to protect and authenticate a security document.

[0151] Typical examples of decorative elements or objects include, without limitation, luxury goods, cosmetic packaging, automotive parts, electronic / electrical appliances, furniture and nail products.

[0152] Security documents include, without limitation, valuable documents and valuable commercial goods. Typical examples of valuable documents include, without limitation, banknotes, deeds, tickets, checks, vouchers, tax stamps and tax labels, agreements and the like, identity documents such as passports, identity cards, visas, driver's licenses, bank cards, credit cards, transaction cards, access documents or cards, entry tickets, public transport passes or tickets and the like, preferably banknotes, identity documents, entitlement documents, driving licenses and credit cards.The term "commercial goods of value" refers to packaging materials, in particular, for cosmetic articles, nutraceutical articles, pharmaceutical articles, alcohols, tobacco articles, beverages or foodstuffs, electrical / electronic articles, fabrics or jewelry; that is, articles that must be protected against counterfeiting and / or illegal reproduction to guarantee the contents of the packaging, such as genuine pharmaceuticals. Examples of such packaging materials include, without limitation, labels, such as labels for... Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 269 / 335 96 / 122 authentication marks, tamper-evident labels and seals. It is indicated that the disclosed substrates, valuable documents and valuable commercial goods are provided solely for illustrative purposes, without restricting the scope of the invention.

[0153] Alternatively, the optical effect layer (OEL) can be produced on an auxiliary substrate, such as, for example, a security wire, security strip, a sheet, an adhesive, a window or a label and subsequently transferred to a security document in a separate step.

[0154] Those skilled in the art may contemplate various modifications to the specific embodiments described above, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. These modifications are covered by the present invention.

[0155] Furthermore, all documents referred to throughout this descriptive report are incorporated herein by way of reference in their entirety, as set forth in full herein. EXAMPLES

[0156] The present invention is now described in more detail with reference to non-limiting examples. The examples below provide further details on suitable apparatus and magnetic field generating devices for the production of optical effect layers (OELs).

[0157] A UV-curable screen printing composition comprising magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form has been prepared and is described in Table 1.

[0158] Combinations of i) an apparatus (x00) comprising Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 270 / 335 97 / 122 a soft magnetic plate (x10) bearing one or more indentations (x11) and / or one or more voids (x12) and / or one or more protrusions (x13) shown in Figures 4 and a first magnetic field generating device (x20) shown in Figures 5 with ii) a second magnetic field generating device (x70) shown in Fig. 3 were used to produce optical effect layers (OELs) comprising magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the form of magnetically oriented platelets on a commercial paper substrate (x50) (a standard BNP 100 g / m2 fiduciary paper, from Papierfabrik Louisenthal, 80 x 70 mm). The OELs thus obtained are shown in Fig. 6. Table 1 Epoxyacrylate oligomer 36% by weight Trimethylolpropane triacrylate monomer 13.5% by weight Tripropylene glycol diacrylate monomer 20% by weight Genorad™ 16 (Rahn) 1% by weight Aerosil® 200 (Evonik) 1% by weight Speedcure TPO-L (Lambson) 2% by weight IRGACURE® 500 (BASF) 6% by weight Genocure EPD (Rahn) 2% by weight Tego® Foamex N (Evonik) 2% by weight Optically variable magnetic pigment particles in platelet form (7 layers)(*) 16.5% by weight (*) optically variable magnetic gold pigment particles for jade in flake form with a diameter d50 of approximately 9 μm and a thickness of approximately 1 μm, obtained from Viavi Solutions, Santa Rosa, CA.

[0159] The UV curable screen printing ink described in Table 1 was applied independently to the substrate (x50) Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 271 / 335 98 / 122 described above (step a) of the method described in this document), said application being carried out by manual screen printing using a T90 screen to form a coating layer (x40) (a square coating layer of 25 mm x 25 mm (Figs. 6A, 6J and 6N), a square coating layer of 30 mm x 30 mm (Figs. 6B, 6C, 6E, 6H, 6I, 6M and 6O); a square coating layer of 35 mm x 35 mm (Figs. 6G and 6K); or a V-shaped coating layer of 22 mm x 14 mm (Figs. 6D, 6F, 6L, 6P) having a thickness of approximately 20 µm. As shown, for example, in Figs.1A-B, the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) was arranged in an apparatus (x00) comprising a non-magnetic support case (x60), a first magnetic field generating device (x20) and a soft magnetic plate (x10) bearing one or more clues (x11 and / or x12 and / or x13) to form an assembly (x100) (step b) of the method described herein). As shown in Figs. 1A-B, the assembly thus obtained (x100) was moved at a speed of about 1 m / s in the vicinity and below a second static magnetic field generating device (x70) (step c) of the method described herein) with the coating layer (x40) facing the second magnetic field generating device (x70), the dc distance between the coating layer (x40) and the second magnetic field generating device (x70) being about 5 mm.Immediately after moving the assembly (x100) under the second magnetic field generating device (x70), the coating layer (x40) was at least partially cured at a distance of about 35 mm from the end of the second field generating device. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 272 / 335 99 / 122 magnetic (x70) using a Phoseon UV-LED lamp (Type FireFlex 25 x 10 mm, 395 nm, 4 W / cm2). The images of the optical effect layers (OELs) thus obtained are shown in Fig. 6 at different viewing angles of the substrate (x50). A) Devices (x00)

[0160] The apparatus (x00) used to prepare optical effect layers (OELs) on the substrate (x50) described in this document comprised a non-magnetic support case (x60) schematized in Figures 1C1 and 1C2 and having an H-shaped cross-section (dimensions: 40 mm x 40 mm and the height and crossbar being adjusted to have the distance given in Table 3) having a curved surface in one direction, a soft magnetic plate (x10) described in Table 2 and shown in Figures 4 and a magnetic field generating device (x20) shown in Figures 5, wherein said apparatus (x00) were configured to receive the substrate (x50) in an orientation parallel to a first plane (P) and above the first plane (P), said first plane (P) being substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x50) during the preparation process. A1. 410 Soft Magnetic Plates (See Figures 4A12, 4B, 4D, 4H, 4M, 40, and 4P)

[0161] The soft magnetic plates (410) (from Bomatec, Hori, CH) shown in Figs. 4A1-2, 4B, 4D, 4H, 4M, 4O and 4P were made of FeSi3 granules (Catamold® FeSi3 from BASF, soft magnetic iron-silicon alloy having a coercivity Hc = 73 Am-1 and permeability mRmax = 5215) injected at about 80% by weight in polyoxymethylene (POM). Table 2 Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 273 / 335 100 / 122 x10 length mm width mm T (thickness) mm D (depth) and width (W) of the indentations / empty spaces / protrusions 410 in Fig. 4A1 37 20 1 9 wave-shaped indentations 411 (D: 0.7 mm, W: 0.4 mm) 410 in Fig. 4A2 37 20 1 9 wave-shaped protrusions 414 (H: 0.8 mm, W: 0.4 mm) 410 — 1 / 2 in Fig. 4B* 37 15 1 two sets of 9 wave-shaped indentations 411—1 and 411—2 (D: 0.7 mm, W: 0.4 mm) 410 in Fig. 4D 37 10 1 empty space in the shape of 5 (6 mm x 9 mm) 412 (W: 1 mm) or empty space in the shape of 50 412 (W: 1 mm) 410 in Fig. 4H 37 16 — 20 1 9 wave-shaped indentations 411 (D: 0.7 mm, W: 0.4 mm) Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 274 / 335 101 / 122 x10 length mm width mm T (thickness) mm D (depth) and width (W) of the indentations / empty spaces / protrusions 410 in Fig. 4M 37 37 1 centrally aligned disc-shaped empty space (W: 17 mm) and 10 petal-shaped indentations 411 (D: 0.8 mm, W: 3 mm) symmetrically arranged around the disc-shaped empty space 412 410 in Fig. 40 10 10 1 square-shaped empty space 412 (W: 5 mm) comprising a cylindrical bar dipole magnet 414 (diameter: 4 mm and thickness: 9 mm, made of NdFeB N42) having its magnetic geometric axis perpendicular to the substrate surface (x50) and to the first plane (P), with the south pole facing the substrate (x50), arranged and glued in the center of the empty space 412, with its upper surface aligned with the upper surface of the plate 410 Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 275 / 335 102 / 122 x10 length mm width mm T (thickness) mm D (depth) and width (W) of the indentations / empty spaces / protrusions 410 in Fig. 4P 37 10 1 indentations in the shape of 50 (4 mm x 3 mm) 411 (D: 0.9 mm, W: 0.4 mm) *** * The two soft magnetic plates 410-1 and 410-2 were spaced approximately 7 mm apart. ** an engraved magnetic plate (430) made of plastohardferrite (supplier = Bomatec, Hori, CH) and produced by injection molding was used in combination with the soft magnetic plate (410), wherein said engraved magnetic plate (430) (38 mm x 19 mm x 1 mm) comprised indentations in the shape of 50 (4 mm x 3 mm) 431 (D: 0.4 mm, W: 0.4 mm) and was placed next to the soft magnetic plate (410) with its upper surface flush with the upper surface of the soft magnetic plate (410). A2. Magnetic field generating devices 520 (Fig. 5) First magnetic field generating device of Figs. 5A (top view): 5A1 and cross-section: 5A2)

[0162] The first magnetic field generating device (520) illustrated in Figs. 5A was a dipolar bar magnet (520-a) having the following dimensions: length (L1) of approximately 29.9 mm, width (L2) of approximately 29.9 mm and thickness (L3) of approximately 2 mm (E1-E2, E8, E15-E16). The first magnetic field generating device (520-a) had a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to its length and substantially parallel to the substrate surface (550) and the first plane (P). The dipolar bar magnet (520-a) was made of NdFeB N52. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 276 / 335 103 / 122 First magnetic field generating device of Figs. 5B (top view): 5B1 and cross section: 5B2)

[0163] The first magnetic field generating device was similar to the first magnetic field generating device revealed in Fig. 6A of document WO 2021 / 083809 A1.

[0164] The first magnetic field generating device in Fig. 5B comprised a dipole bar magnet (520-a) and 121 dipole magnets (520-b and 520-c) embedded in a non-magnetic square-shaped support array (522).

[0165] The dipolar bar magnet (520-a) had the following dimensions: a length (L1) of about 29.9 mm, a width (L2) of about 29.9 mm, and a thickness (L3) of about 6.9 mm. The dipolar bar magnet (520-a) had a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to its length and substantially parallel to the substrate surface (x50) (not shown) and to the foreground (P). The dipolar bar magnet (520-a) was made of compressed plasto-NdFeB GMP13 L grade BMNpi-80 / 48 (from Bomatec, Hori, CH).

[0166] Each of the 121 dipole magnets (520-be 520-c) was a cylinder having a diameter (L4) of about 2 mm and a thickness (L5) of about 2 mm, and having a magnetic geometric axis parallel to the thickness (L5) and perpendicular to the substrate surface (x50) and the first plane (P). The 121 dipole magnets (520-be 520-c) were made of NdFeB N48.

[0167] The square-shaped support matrix (522) had a length of about 29.9 mm, a width of about 29.2 mm, and a thickness of about 3 mm. The square-shaped support matrix (522) was made of POM. The matrix of Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 277 / 335 104 / 122 square-shaped support (522) contained 121 indentations to receive the 121 dipole magnets (520-b and 520-c).

[0168] The 121 dipole magnets (520-b and 520-c) were embedded in the indentations of the support matrix (522), wherein eleven sets comprising each of the eleven of the 121 dipole magnets (520-b and 520-c) were arranged in eleven substantially parallel straight lines a1-11, wherein each of said dipole magnets (520-b and 520-c) arranged in an odd-numbered straight line a1 (i.e., the dipole magnets arranged in lines (a1, a3, a5, a7, a9 and an) were arranged at the intersections of a grid comprising the eleven substantially parallel straight lines a1-11 and eleven parallel straight lines b1-11. The straight lines a1-11 were parallel to each other, the straight lines b1 were parallel to each other and the straight lines a1 were perpendicular to the lines straight lines b1-11. The eleven lines a1-11 and the eleven lines b1-11 were equally spaced, and neighboring lines were separated by a distance of approximately 2.5 mm.

[0169] Each of the 121 dipole magnets (520-b and 520-c) arranged in a straight line of even number ai (that is, the dipole magnets arranged in lines (a2, a4, a6, a8 and a10) were arranged between two adjacent straight lines bj, as illustrated in Fig. 5B1.

[0170] In each of the eleven straight lines ai and in each of the eleven straight lines bi, the dipole magnets (520-b and 520-c) were spaced and separated by a distance of 0.5 mm. In each of the eleven straight lines ai and in each of the eleven straight lines bi, the dipole magnets (520-b) and the magnets (520-c) were arranged alternately, that is, they were arranged with alternating north or south poles facing the substrate. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 278 / 335 105 / 122 (550), the first and last dipole magnets in each straight line being a dipole magnet (520-b) having its north pole facing the substrate (550).

[0171] Each straight line a1-11 was substantially perpendicular with respect to the vector H of the first magnetic field generating device (520-a) (not shown in Figure 5B).

[0172] The dipole bar magnet (520-a) and the square-shaped support matrix (522) that holds the 121 dipole magnets (520-b and 520-c) were spaced by a distance of about 0.2 mm. First magnetic field generating device of Fig. 5C (cross-section in the symmetrical plane of 520)

[0173] The first magnetic field generating device in Fig. 5C was similar to the first magnetic field generating device revealed in Fig. 6a of document WO 2014 / 108303 A1.

[0174] The first magnetic field generating device (520) of Fig. 5C comprised a disc-shaped dipole magnet (520-a), a ring-shaped dipole magnet (520-b) and three pole pieces (521-a, 521-b and 521-c).

[0175] The disc-shaped dipolar magnet (520-a) had a diameter (L1) of about 5 mm and a thickness (L2) of about 2 mm, a magnetic geometric axis perpendicular to its diameter and perpendicular to the substrate surface (550) and to the first plane (P) with its north pole pointing towards the substrate, and was made of NdFeB N48.

[0176] The ring-shaped dipolar magnet (520-b) had an outer diameter (L3) of about 6 mm, an inner diameter (L4) of about 2 mm and a thickness (L5) of about 2 mm, Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 279 / 335 106 / 122 a magnetic geometric axis perpendicular to its diameter, parallel to the magnetic geometric axis of the disc-shaped dipole magnet (520-a) and perpendicular to the substrate surface (550) and to the first plane (P), with its north pole pointing towards the substrate (520) and was made of NdFeB N48.

[0177] The pole piece (521-a) had an outer diameter (L6) of about 10 mm and a thickness (L7) of about 3 mm. The pole piece (521-a) comprised a recess having a diameter of about 8 mm and a thickness (recess depth) of about 2 mm. The pole piece (521-b) was a ring-shaped pole piece and had an outer diameter (L8) of about 30 mm, an inner diameter (L9) of about 17 mm and a thickness (L10) of about 3 mm. The pole piece (521c) was a disc-shaped pole piece having a diameter (L11) of about 30 mm and a thickness (L12) of about 2 mm. The three pole pieces (521-a, 521-b and 521-c) were made of S235 steel.

[0178] The disc-shaped dipole magnet (520-a) was placed in the recess of the pole piece (521-a) so that its uppermost surface was level with the uppermost surface of the pole piece (521-a). The pole piece (521-a) was placed in the ring-shaped dipole magnet (520-b). The ring-shaped dipole magnet (520-b) and the pole piece (521b) were placed in the pole piece (521-c), so that the dipole magnet (520-b) was level with the upper surface of the pole piece (521-b). The dipole magnets (520-a and 520-b) and the pole pieces (521-a, 521-b and 521-c) were centrally aligned. First magnetic field generating device in Fig. 5D (oblique view) Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 280 / 335 107 / 122

[0179] The first magnetic field generating device in Fig. 5D was similar to the first magnetic field generating device revealed in Fig. 11 of document WO 2017 / 080698 A1 (except that the x40 magnet was a single bar dipole).

[0180] The first magnetic field generating device (520) in Fig. 5D comprised three dipole magnets (520-a, 520-b and 520-c) and a pole piece (521).

[0181] The dipolar magnet (520-a) had a length (L2) of about 30 mm, a width (L1) of about 30 mm, and a thickness (L3) of about 5 mm. The magnetic geometric axis of the dipolar magnet (520-a) was substantially parallel to the substrate surface (550) and to the first plane (P). The dipolar magnet (520-a) was made of NdFeB N30.

[0182] The dipolar magnet (520-b) was a ring-shaped dipolar magnet having an inner diameter (L6) of about 17 mm, an outer diameter (L7) of about 25 mm, and a thickness (L5) of about 2 mm. The magnetic geometric axis of the dipolar magnet (520-b) was substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface (550) and to the first plane (P), with its south pole pointing towards the substrate (550). The dipolar magnet (520-b) was made of NdFeB N45.

[0183] The dipolar magnet (520-c) was a cylindrical dipolar magnet having a diameter (L4) of about 4 mm and a thickness (L5) of about 2 mm. The magnetic geometric axis of the dipolar magnet (520-c) was substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface (550) and to the first plane (P) with its north pole pointing towards the substrate (550). The dipolar magnet (520-c) was made of NdFeB N45.

[0184] The polar piece (521) was a polar piece in the shape Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 281 / 335 108 / 122 ring having an inner diameter (L8) of about 10 mm, an outer diameter (L9) of about 14 mm and a thickness (L5) of about 2 mm. The pole piece (521) was made of iron.

[0185] The dipole magnets (520-be 520-c) and the pole piece (521) were embedded in a non-magnetic square-shaped support matrix (522) made of POM (30 mm x 30 mm x 3 mm) and comprising recesses to receive the dipole magnets (520-be 520-c) and the pole piece (521).

[0186] The dipolar magnet (520-b), the ring-shaped pole piece (521) and the support matrix (522) were centrally aligned along the length and width of the non-magnetic support matrix (522). The dipolar magnet (520-c) was arranged asymmetrically at a distance of about 1 mm from the edge of the inner diameter of the pole piece (521).

[0187] The support matrix (522) and the embedded dipole magnets (520-b and 520-c) and the ring-shaped pole piece (521) were set away from the dipole magnet (520-a), that is, the distance d between the lower surface of the support matrix (522) and the upper surface of the dipole magnet (520-a) was approximately 1 mm. First magnetic field generating device in Fig. 5E (oblique view)

[0188] The first magnetic field generating device in Fig. 5E was similar to the first magnetic field generating device revealed in Fig. 3 of document WO 2020 / 160993 A1.

[0189] The first magnetic field generating device (520) of Fig. 5E comprises five dipole magnets (520-a, 520-b1, 520-b2, 520-c1 and 520-c2) and a pole piece (521).

[0190] The dipolar magnet (520-a) had a length (L1) of Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 282 / 335 109 / 122 approximately 30 mm, a width (L2) of approximately 30 mm and a thickness (L3) of approximately 2 mm. The magnetic geometric axis of the dipolar magnet (520-a) was substantially parallel to the length (L1) and substantially parallel to the substrate surface (550) and the first plane (P). The dipolar magnet (520a) was made of NdFeB N30.

[0191] Each of the dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2, 520c1 and 520-c2) had a length (L1) of about 30 mm, a width (L4) of about 3 mm and a thickness (L5) of about 6 mm. The magnetic geometric axis of each of the dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2, 520-c1 and 520-c2) was substantially parallel to the width (L4) and substantially parallel to the substrate surface (550) and the first plane (P). Each of the dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2, 520-c1 and 520-c2) was made of NdFeB N45.

[0192] The dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2, 520-c1 and 520c2) were arranged in two sets (S1 and S2), each comprising two dipole magnets (S1: 520-b1 and 520-b2; S2: 520-c1 and 520-c2), spaced by a distance (d2) of 18 mm (where d2 is equal to the width (L2) minus 4 times the width (L4); that is, d2 = L2 - (4 x L4)), each of the two sets being formed by the juxtaposition of two dipole magnets ((S1: 520b1 and 520-b2; S2: 520-c1 and 520-c2) along its length, as illustrated in Fig. 5E.

[0193] The polar piece (521) had a length (L1) of about 30 mm, a width (L2) of about 30 mm and a thickness (L6) of about 1 mm. The polar piece (521) was made of iron.

[0194] The dipole magnet (520-a) was placed on top of the two sets of each of the two dipole magnets (S1 and S2) Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 283 / 335 110 / 122 at a distance (dl) of about 1 mm; the two sets of each of the two dipole magnets (S1 and S2) were placed on top of and in direct contact with the pole piece (521); that is, the two sets of each of the two dipole magnets (S1 and S2) were placed between the dipole magnet (520-a) and the pole piece (521). First magnetic field generating device of Fig. 5F (cross-section in the symmetrical plane of 520)

[0195] The first magnetic field generating device in Fig. 5F was similar to the first magnetic field generating device revealed in Fig. 1 of document WO 2019 / 215148 A1.

[0196] The first magnetic field generating device (520-a) of Fig. 5F comprised two bar dipole magnets (520-a and 520-b) and a pole piece (521), wherein said bar dipole magnet (520-a) was disposed on top of and in direct contact with said pole piece (521) and the pole piece (521) was disposed on top of and in direct contact with said bar dipole magnet (520-b). Both bar dipole magnets (520-a and 520-b) have their magnetic north-south geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (550) and to the first plane (P), with the north pole pointing towards the substrate (550).

[0197] The dipole bar magnet (520-a) had a diameter (L1) of 5 mm and a thickness (L2) of 3 mm. The dipole bar magnet (520-b) had a diameter (L3) of 20 mm and a thickness (L4) of 2 mm. The dipole bar magnets (520-a and 520-b) were made of NdFeB N30.

[0198] The polar piece (521) had a diameter (L5) of about 30 mm and a thickness (L6) of about 6 mm and was made Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 284 / 335 111 / 122 iron. First magnetic field generating device in Figures 5G (oblique and top views)

[0199] The first magnetic field generating device in Figs. 5G was the first magnetic field generating device disclosed in Example 1 and Fig. 2 of document WO 2020 / 193009 A1.

[0200] The first magnetic field generating device (520) in Figs. 5G comprised a cylindrical dipole magnet (520-a) and three cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2 and 520b3), said three cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2 and 520-b3) being embedded in a support matrix (522).

[0201] The first three cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2 and 520-b3) had a side length (L4) of about 3 mm and were made of NdFeB N45.

[0202] As shown in Fig. 5G, the first three cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2 and 520-3) were arranged in such a way that each center (C520-b1, C520-b2 and C520b3) was arranged in a ring in the plane (P), being substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (550) and to the first plane (P). The three cubic dipole magnets (520b1, 520-b2 and 520-3) had their magnetic geometric axes substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (550) and to the first plane (P) and substantially perpendicular to the magnetic geometric axis of the cylindrical dipole magnet (520a). The three cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2 and 520-b3) had their north poles pointing in the same circular direction (that is, counterclockwise circular direction).

[0203] The support matrix (522) had a length (L2) of about 30 mm, a width (L1) of about 30 mm Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 285 / 335 112 / 122 and a thickness L3 of about 5.5 mm, was made of POM and comprised three indentations to hold the first three cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2 and 520-3), said indentations having the same shape and dimensions as the first three cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2 and 520-b3), so that the upper surface of the first three cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2 and 520-b3) was flush with the upper surface of the support matrix (522).

[0204] The dipole magnet (520-a) had a diameter (L7) of 4 mm and a thickness (L8) of 3 mm. The bar dipole magnet (520a) was made of NdFeB N44 and had its magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface (550) and to the first plane (P), with its north pole pointing towards (i.e., facing) the substrate (550). The second cylindrical dipole magnet (520) was arranged in direct contact with and above the support matrix (522). The center of the dipole magnet (520-a) was centrally aligned with the center of the ring formed by the three cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520b2 and 520-b3) and centrally aligned with the support matrix (522).

[0205] The projection of the center of the second magnet (520-a) onto the plane (P) was located at the projection point (C520-a) and was symmetrically arranged within the ring, that is, the projection point (C520-a) also corresponded to the center of the symmetrical ring.

[0206] The three angles α1 / 2 / 3 respectively formed by i) the vectors ^520-( / -520-01 ^520-a^520-b2, ^520-( / -520- / )3 (that is, the vectors between the projection point (C520) and the center (C520-b1, C520-b2 and C520-b3) of each of the respective cubic dipole magnets Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 286 / 335 113 / 122 (520-b1, 520-b2, 520-b3) and ii) the vectors (h520-b1, h520-b2, ^520-b3, when measured in a counterclockwise direction, were equal to each other, in particular, 90°, that is, the three cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2, 520-b3) had their magnetic geometric axes substantially tangential to the ring at the position of their respective center (C520-b1, C520-b2 and C520-b3).

[0207] The three cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2, 520-b3) were uniformly distributed around the projection point (C520-a) of the dipole magnet (520-a). The three angles β respectively formed by the vectors C520-aCS20-b1 (which correspond to the straight line from the projection point (C520a) to the center C520-b1 of the first cubic dipole magnet (250b1)) and ^520-α^520-ί)2; the vectors £520-0^520-61 and £520-0^520-1)2; and the vectors £520-^520-62 and £520-^520-63 were equal to each other, in particular, 120°.

[0208] The center of the dipole magnet (520-a) and the center of the combination of cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2, 520b3) were substantially centered with respect to each other and were substantially centered with respect to the projection point (C520-a) of the center of the dipole magnet (520-a). The distances Y between the projection point (C520) of the center of the dipole magnet (520-a) and the center (C520-b1, C520-b2 and C520-b3) of each of said first three cubic dipole magnets (520-b1, 520-b2, 520-b3) were equal to each other, said distances Y being about 4.5 mm. B) Second static magnetic field generating device 270 (Fig. 2)

[0209] The second magnetic field generating device (270) used to biaxially orient the particles of Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 287 / 335 114 / 122 pigment according to the method of the present invention comprised a) a first set (S1) comprising a first dipolar bar magnet (271-a) and two second dipolar bar magnets (272-ae 272-d), a second set (S2) comprising a first dipolar bar magnet (271-b) and two second dipolar bar magnets (272-be 272-e) and a third set (S3) comprising a first dipolar bar magnet (271-c) and two second dipolar bar magnets (272-ce 272-f), and b) a first pair (P1) of third dipolar bar magnets (273-ae 273-b) and a second pair (P2) of third dipolar bar magnets (273-ce 273-d).

[0210] The uppermost surface of the first dipole bar magnet (271-a, 271-b and 271-c) of the first, second and third sets (S1, S2, S3), of the second dipole bar magnets (272-aa and 272-f) of the first, second and third sets (S1, S2, S3) and of the third dipole bar magnets (273-a, 273-b, 273-c and 273-d) of the first and second pairs (P1 and P2) were aligned with each other.

[0211] The third dipole bar magnet (273-a) was aligned with the second dipole bar magnet (272-a) of the first set (S1), with the second dipole bar magnet (272-b) of the second set (S2), with the third dipole bar magnet (273-c) and with the second dipole bar magnet (272c) of the third set (S3) so as to form a line. The third dipole bar magnet (273-b) was aligned with the second dipole bar magnet (272-d) of the first set (S1), with the second dipole bar magnet (272-e) of the second set (S2), with the third dipole bar magnet (273-d) and with the second dipole bar magnet (272-f) of the third set (S3) so as to form a line. For each line Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 288 / 335 115 / 122 described in this document, the third dipole bar magnets (273a, 273-b, 273-c and 273-d) and the second dipole bar magnets (272-aa and 272-f) were spaced by a third distance (d2) of 2 mm. The first dipole bar magnet (271-a) of the first set (S1) and the first dipole bar magnet (271-b) of the second set (S2) and the first dipole bar magnet (271-c) of the third set (S3) were separated by a distance (d3) of 24 mm.

[0212] The first dipole bar magnets (271-a, 271b and 271-c) of the first, second and third sets (S1, S2, S3) had the following dimensions: first length (L1) of 60 mm, first width (L2) of 40 mm and first thickness (L3) of 5 mm. Each of the second dipole bar magnets (272-aa 272-f) of the first, second and third sets (S1, S2, S3) had the following dimensions: second length (L4) of 40 mm, second width (L5) of 10 mm and second thickness (L6) of 10 mm. Each of the third dipole bar magnets (273-a, 273-b and 273-c) of the first and second pairs (P1, P2) had the following dimensions: third length (L7) of 20 mm, third width (L8) of 10 mm and third thickness (L9) of 10 mm.

[0213] The first dipole bar magnet (271-a) of the first set (S1) and the second dipole bar magnets (272-ae 272-d) of the first set (S1) were aligned to form a column; and the first dipole bar magnet (271b) of the second set (S2) and the second dipole bar magnets (272-be 272-e) of the second set (S2) were aligned to form a column; and the first dipole bar magnet (271-c) of the third set (S3) and the second dipole bar magnets (272-ce 272-f) of the third set Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 289 / 335 116 / 122 (S3) were aligned to form a column. For each set (S1, S2, S3) and each column described in this document, the first two dipole bar magnets (271-a, 271b and 271-c) and the second two dipole bar magnets (272a and 272-d; 272b and 272-e; and 272c and 272-f, respectively) were spaced by a second distance (d1) of 2 mm.

[0214] The first dipolar bar magnets (271-a, 271b and 271-c) of the first, second and third sets (S1, S2, S3) had their magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane and substantially parallel to the substrate surface (250) and to the first plane (P), wherein the first dipolar bar magnet (271-a) of the first set (S1) had its magnetic direction opposite to the magnetic direction of the first dipolar bar magnet (271-b) of the second set (S2), and the first dipolar bar magnet (271-b) of the second set (S2) had its magnetic direction opposite to the magnetic direction of the first dipolar bar magnet (271-c) of the third set (S3).The first dipole bar magnet (271-a) of the first set (S1) and the first dipole bar magnet (271-b) of the second set (S2), as well as the first dipole bar magnet (271-b) of the second set (S2) and the first dipole bar magnet (271c) of the third set (S3), were spaced by a first distance (d3) of 24 mm (corresponding to the sum of the third length (L7) and the two third distances (d2)).

[0215] The second two dipole bar magnets (272-aa 272-f) of the first, second and third sets (S1, S2, S3) had their magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 290 / 335 117 / 122 (250) and to the first plane (P). The south pole of the second dipolar bar magnet (272-a) of the first set (S1), the south pole of the second dipolar bar magnet (272-e) of the second set (S2) and the south pole of the second dipolar bar magnet (272-c) of the third set (S3) point to the first plane (P) and to the substrate (250). The north pole of the second dipolar bar magnet (272-d) of the first set (S1), the north pole of the second dipolar bar magnet (272-b) of the second set (S2) and the north pole of the second dipolar bar magnet (272-f) of the third set (S3) point to the first plane (P) and to the substrate (250).The north pole of the first dipole bar magnet (271-a) of the first set (S1) points to the second dipole bar magnet (272-d) of the first set (S1), the north pole of the second dipole bar magnet (271-b) of the second set (S2) points to the first dipole bar magnet (272-b) of the second set (S2) and the north pole of the first dipole bar magnet (271-c) of the third set (S3) points to the second dipole bar magnet (272-f) of the third set (S3).The south pole of the third dipole bar magnet (273-a) of the first pair (P1) points towards the second dipole bar magnet (272-a) of the first set (S1), said second dipole bar magnet (272-a) having its south pole pointing towards the substrate (250) and towards the first plane (P); the south pole of the third dipole bar magnet (273-d) of the second pair (P1) points towards the second dipole bar magnet (272-e) of the second set (S2), said second dipole bar magnet (272-e) having its south pole pointing towards the substrate (250) and towards the first plane (P); the north pole of the third dipole bar magnet (273-b) of the first pair (P1) points towards the second dipole bar magnet. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 291 / 335 118 / 122 bar (272-d) of the first set (S1), said second dipolar bar magnet (272-d) having its north pole pointing towards the substrate (250) and towards the first plane (P); and the north pole of the third dipolar bar magnet (273-c) of the second pair (P2) points towards the second dipolar bar magnet (272-b) of the second set (S2), said second dipolar bar magnet (272-b) having its north pole pointing towards the substrate (250) and towards the first plane (P).

[0216] The first dipole bar magnets (271-a, 271b and 271-c) of the first, second and third sets (S1, S2, S3) and the second dipole bar magnets (272-aa 272f) of the first, second and third sets (S1, S2, S3) were made of NdFeB N42; the third dipole bar magnets (273a, 273b and 273c) of the first and second pairs (P1, P2) were made of NdFeB N48. All magnets (271-aa 271c, 272-aa 272f and 273-aa 273d) were embedded in a non-magnetic support matrix (not shown) made of POM having the following dimensions: 200 mm x 120 mm x 12 mm. C) Examples E1-16 and combinations of a) apparatuses (x00) comprising independently the soft magnetic plates (x10) and the magnetic field generating devices (x20), and b) the second magnetic field generating device (x70)

[0217] The assemblies (x00) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40), the soft magnetic plate (x10) and the magnetic field generating device (x20) given in Table 3 were moved into the vicinity of and below the second static magnetic field generating device (x70) shown in Fig. 2, as described above. After moving said assemblies (x00), the coating layers (x40) were cured Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 292 / 335 119 / 122 independently, as described above.

[0218] The optical effect layers (OELs) thus obtained exhibited dynamic motion when tilting the substrate (x50) and one or more indications as a 3D effect. Table 3 provides details of the dynamic motion and its area in the OEL and details of the 3D effect and its area in the OEL. Table 3 Ex soft magnetic plate 410 in Fig. magnetic field generator device 520 in Fig. / mm OEL of Fig. Dynamic movement of the OEL with 3D effect E1 4A-1 5A 8, 4 6A a) left right E2 4H 5A 8, 4 6B a) left right E3 4A-1 5B 1, 7 6C b) left right E4 4B 5B 1, 7 6D b) center left and right E5 4H 5B 1, 7 6E b) left right E6 4A-2 5B 1, 7 6F b) right left E7 4D 5B 2, 7 6G b) right left E8 4M 5A 8, 4 6H a) left and right center E9 4M 5B 1, 7 6I b) left and right center E1 0 4D 5C 3, 4 6J c) left right Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 293 / 335 120 / 122 Ex soft magnetic plate 410 in Fig. magnetic field generator device 520 in Fig. / mm OEL of Fig. Dynamic movement of the OEL OEL with 3D effect E1 1 4D 5F 3, 4 6K d) left right E1 2 4A-1 5D 4, 4 6L e) left right E1 3 4D 5G 3, 4 6M f) left right E1 4 4D 5E 3, 4 6N g) left right E1 5 4O 5A 8, 4 6O a) everywhere left E1 6 4P 5A 2, 4 6P a) everywhere right * The distance consists of the distance between the top surface of the magnetic field generating device 520 and the bottom surface of the soft magnetic plate 410. The dB distance (distance between the top surface of the 410 soft magnetic plate and the bottom surface of the x50 substrate) for all examples was approximately 0.2 mm. * Due to the presence of the engraved magnetic plate 430, the OEL also displayed markings on its left side. Dynamic motion when tilting the substrate (x50) of the OEL in Table 3 The dynamic movements revealed in Table 3 are as follows: a) bright reflective horizontal bar that moves in a longitudinal direction when the substrate (x50) bearing the OEL is tilted around a longitudinal axis; Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 294 / 335 121 / 122 b) pattern of light and dark areas that move when the substrate (x50) carrying the OELs is tilted. c) nested body in the form of multiple loops that moves when the substrate (x50) that holds the OELs is tilted; d) crescent moon moving and rotating when the substrate (x50) that holds the OELs is tilted; e) loop-shaped body with a size that varies when the substrate (x50) that holds the OELs is tilted; f) a loop-shaped body surrounded by one or more loop-shaped bodies, wherein said one or more loop-shaped bodies have their shape and / or brightness varying when the substrate (x50) bearing the OEL is tilted; and g) bright reflective vertical bar that moves in a longitudinal direction when the substrate (x50) bearing the OEL is tilted around a horizontal / latitudinal axis or that moves in a horizontal / latitudinal direction when the substrate bearing said OEL is tilted around a longitudinal axis.

[0219] Fig. 7 shows a device in which the apparatus (700) forms the assembly (7100) while mounted on a cylinder. The cylinder can be rotated so as to move along with the substrate (750) on which the coating layer (740) is disposed. The cylinder comprises cavities into which the apparatus (700) is inserted. Alternatively, the apparatus (700) can be disposed on a cylinder or can be inserted only partially.

[0220] The substrate (750) comprises the coating layer (740) and the apparatus (700) forms the assembly (7100) together with the substrate (750) and the coating layer (740). Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pages 295 / 335 122 / 122

[0221] The second magnetic field generating device (770) is arranged above the cylinder, so that the substrate (750) and the coating layer (740) can pass between the apparatus (700) and the second magnetic field generating device (770).

[0222] The second magnetic field generating device (770) has the shape of an arc in the plane of the paper in Fig. 7. However, the shape of the second magnetic field generating device (770) is not limited to this shape. Any shape is conceivable, provided that the substrate (750) can pass through a space between the second magnetic field generating device (770) and the apparatus (700) disposed on or above the cylinder and provided that the second magnetic field generating device (770) and the apparatus (700) allow biaxial orientation of the coating particles (740).

[0223] In this configuration, the apparatus (700) is moved together with the substrate (750) and the coating (740) in relation to the second magnetic field generating device (770), so that at least a portion of the particles in the coating layer (740) are biaxially oriented. After the substrate (750) has passed through the space between the cylinder and the second magnetic field generating device (770), the magnetic orientation obtained from the particles in the coating (740) is fixed / frozen by means of at least partial curing with the curing unit (780). Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 296 / 335

Claims

1 / 26 CLAIMS 1. Process for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate (x50), said optical effect layer (OEL) exhibiting dynamic movement when the substrate (x50) is tilted and one or more indications, said process being characterized by comprising the steps of: a) applying to a substrate surface (x50) a coating composition comprising i) magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form and ii) a binder material, so as to form a coating layer (x40) on said substrate (x50), said coating composition being in a first state, b) forming an assembly (x100) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and an apparatus (x00) for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) comprising magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in magnetically oriented platelet form on a substrate (x50),the said optical effect layer (OEL) comprising at least a first area exhibiting a 3D effect in the form of one or more indentations and at least a second area exhibiting dynamic motion when tilted, wherein at least one of said first area and at least one of said second area are adjacent, said apparatus (x00) being configured to receive the substrate (x50) in an orientation substantially parallel to a foreground (P) and above the foreground (P) and being suitable for use in combination with a second magnetic field generating device (x70), allowing Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page. 297 / 335 2 / 26 wherein at least part of the particles are biaxially oriented and which comprise: aa) a soft magnetic plate (x10) bearing one or more indications in the form of one or more indentations (x11) and / or one or more empty spaces (x12) and / or one or more protrusions (x13), said soft magnetic plate (x10) having an upper plate surface,ab) a magnetic field generating device (x20) comprising at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) and having an upper device surface, wherein the soft magnetic plate (x10) is placed on top of the magnetic field generating device (x20), and wherein the upper plate surface is smaller than the upper device surface, c) moving the assembly (x100) comprising the substrate (x50) bearing the coating layer (x40) and the apparatus (x00) obtained in step b) through a non-homogeneous magnetic field of a second static magnetic field generating device (x70), so as to biaxially orient at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles, ed) hardening the coating composition to a second state, so as to fix the magnetic or magnetizable platelet-shaped pigment particles in their adopted positions and orientations,wherein the optical effect layer (OEL) comprises at least a first area exhibiting a 3D effect in the form of one or more indentations and at least a second area exhibiting dynamic motion upon tilting, wherein at least one of said first area and at least one of said second area are adjacent.

2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the first magnetic field generating device (x20) further comprises one or more dipole magnets (x14) arranged in one or more indentations (x11) and / or in one or more empty spaces (x12) of the soft magnetic plate (x10).

3. Process, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a bright reflective horizontal bar that moves in a longitudinal direction when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is inclined around a longitudinal axis and in that the at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) of the first magnetic field generating device (x20) has a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P).

4. Process, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a pattern of light areas and dark areas that move when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted, and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and a combination comprising at least four additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) having their north poles pointing in the same direction and having their geometric axes Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page.299 / 335 4 / 26 magnetic magnets oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P), said first dipole magnets (x31) being spaced apart, wherein each of the additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20c) is arranged at an intersection of at least two substantially parallel straight lines ai (i = 1, 2, ...) and at least two substantially parallel straight lines β^ (j = 1, 2, ...), wherein the straight lines ai and 3j form a grid, in which at least two additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) are arranged in one of the straight lines ai and at least two other additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) are arranged in another of the straight lines ai, in which the magnetic geometric axes of the additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) are oriented substantially parallel to the substantially parallel straight lines ai, in which at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) is arranged below the combination comprising at least four first dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c), and in which each straight line ai and a vector H of the magnetic geometric axis of at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) are i) substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to each other or ii) substantially not parallel and substantially not perpendicular to each other.

5. Process, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a loop-shaped body that moves when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises: Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p.300 / 335 5 / 26 - a) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and one or more pole pieces (x21), said one or more pole pieces (x21) being disposed below the at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) and in contact with the dipolar magnet (x20-a) and / or being spaced and laterally encircling the at least one dipolar magnet (x20a); -b) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) being a loop-shaped magnet having radial magnetization; or c) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) being three or more dipolar magnets arranged in a loop-shaped arrangement having radial magnetization.

6. Process, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a nested body in the form of multiple loops that moves when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises a) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) being a loop-shaped magnet that defines a loop and having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and a polar piece (x21) being disposed below the at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) and within the loop of said at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) and having one or more protrusions disposed within the loop of the at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a);or b) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page. 301 / 335 6 / 26 perpendicular to the first plane (P), an additional dipole magnet (x20-b) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and two or more pole pieces (x21-a, x21-b), wherein said at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) and the additional magnet (x20-b) have the same magnetic direction and are provided at different distances from the first plane (P), wherein said two or more pole pieces (x21-a, x21-b) are disposed in the space between the magnets (x20-a and x20-b) and in contact with them and wherein at least one of the two or more pole pieces forms one or more loop-shaped projections around a central area in which the at least one dipole magnet is disposed (x20a);or c) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P), a plate-shaped pole piece (x21-a) being disposed below and in contact with at least one dipole magnet (x20-a), and one or more loop-shaped pole pieces (x21-b) being disposed on top of at least one dipole magnet (x20-a), wherein a central pole piece of said one or more loop-shaped pole pieces (x21-b) is in contact with at least one dipole magnet (x20a).

7. Process, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a crescent moon that moves and rotates when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises a) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) being Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 302 / 335 7 / 26 a first dipolar magnet (x20-a) having its north-south magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x20) and having length L1, b) a second dipolar magnet (x20-b) having its north-south magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and having a length L3;(ec) a flat pole piece (x21) without any protrusions or projections extending outward from the surface of said pole piece and having a length L5, wherein the first dipole magnet (x20a) and the second dipole magnet (x20-b) have the same magnetic field direction, wherein the first dipole magnet (x20-a) faces the substrate (x50) and is arranged on top of the flat pole piece (x21), wherein the second dipole magnet (x20-b) faces the environment and is arranged below the flat pole piece (x21), wherein the length L1 of the first dipole magnet (x20-a) is less than the length L3 of the second dipole magnet (x20-b), wherein the length L1 of the first dipole magnet (x20-a) is less than the length L5 of the flat pole piece (x21), and wherein the length L3 of the second dipole magnet (x20b) is less than the length L5 of the pole piece. (x21).; 8. Process, according to claim 1 or 2, and characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a loop-shaped body having a size that varies when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises: - a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a single dipole bar magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic north-south geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole bar magnets (x20-a1,a) a loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-a) being a single loop-shaped dipole magnet (x20-b) having a magnetic north-south axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) arranged in a loop arrangement and having a resulting magnetic north-south axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P), or - a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a single dipole magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more bar dipole magnets (x20-a1, x20-a2), each of the two or more bar dipole magnets (x20-a1, x20-a2) having a magnetic axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P). first plane (P) and having the same direction as the magnetic field,b) a loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b) being a single loop-shaped dipole magnet (x20-b) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) arranged in a loop-shaped arrangement, each of the two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and having the same magnetic field direction, and c) a single dipole magnet (x20-c) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) or two or more magnets Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page. 304 / 335 9 / 26 dipole magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2), each of the two or more dipole magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and having the same magnetic field direction and / or one or more pole pieces (x21),or - a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a single dipole bar magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole bar magnets (x20a1, x20-a2), each of the two or more dipole bar magnets (x20-a1, x20-a2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and having the same magnetic field direction, b) a loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b) being a single loop-shaped magnet (x20-b) or a combination of two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) arranged in a loop arrangement, the loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b) having radial magnetization,(ec) a single dipolar magnet (x20-c) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) or a single dipolar magnet (x20-c) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P), or two or more dipolar magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2), each of said two or more dipolar magnets (x20c1, x20-c2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P), wherein the north pole of said single dipolar magnet (x20-c) or the north pole of said at least one of said two or more dipolar magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2) is pointing towards the substrate surface (x50) when the north pole of the dipolar magnet in Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page. 305 / 335 10 / 26 single loop format (x20-b) or two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) forming the loop-shaped magnetic field generating device is pointing towards the periphery of said loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b),or wherein the south pole of said single dipole magnet (x20-c) or the south pole of at least one of said two or more dipole magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2) is pointing toward the foreground (P) when the south pole of the single loop magnet (x20-b) or of the two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) forming the loop magnetic field generating device is pointing toward the periphery of said loop magnetic field generating device (x20-b).

9. Process, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a loop-shaped body surrounded by one or more loop-shaped bodies, wherein said one or more loop-shaped bodies have their shape and / or brightness varying when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted, and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises a) a combination of three or more first dipole magnets x20-bi (x20-b1, x20-b2, x20-b3, ...), each of said first dipole magnets having its center Cx20-bi (Cx20b1, Cx20-b2, Cx20-b3, ...) arranged in a loop in the foreground (P), wherein said first dipole magnets x20-bi (x20b1, x20-b2, ...) x20-b3, ...) have their magnetic geometric axes oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page.306 / 335 11 / 26 b) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) having its magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and being arranged to have a projection of its center onto the first plane (P) that is located at a projection point Cx20-a within the loop, wherein the at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) is arranged above the combination of three or more first dipolar magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2 and x20-b3), wherein angles ai are formed between each of the vectors (Qx20-a^x20-bi (^X20-aQx20-b1, CX20-aCX20-b2 , (-'X20-aCX20-b3··· and the vector frx20-íu (hx20-bi, hx20-b2, hx20-b3, ...) of the magnetic geometric axis of the respective first dipole magnet x20-bi (x20-b1, x20-b2, x20-b3, ...), wherein all angles ai, when measured counterclockwise, are in the range of about 20° to about 160° or in the range of about 200° to about 340° and wherein each of the first dipole magnets x20-bi (x20b1, x20-b2, x20-b3, ...) is placed at a first distance (Yi), said first distance (Yi) being in the first plane (P) between the projection point Cx20-a and the center Cx20-bi (Cx20-b1, Cx20-b2, Cx20-b3, .) of the first dipolar magnet x20-bi (x20-b1, x20b2, x20-b3, ...).

10. Process, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a bright reflective vertical bar that moves in a longitudinal direction when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted around a horizontal / latitudinal geometric axis or moves in a horizontal / latitudinal direction when the substrate bearing said Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page. 307 / 335 12 / 26 optical effect layer (OEL) is inclined around a longitudinal geometric axis and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises: a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a square or rectangular shaped dipole magnet (x20-a) having its magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P), and b) a combination of n spaced bar dipole magnet assemblies (x20-b, x20-c),where n is an integer equal to or greater than 1, in which each of said dipole bar magnets (x20-b, x20-c) has its north-south magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the substrate surface (x50), in which, for each set of said n sets, the dipole bar magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) have their north pole pointing in the same direction and are substantially parallel to each other, in which the vector sum H1 of the magnetic geometric axes of the dipole bar magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) and the vector sum H2 of at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) form an angle α in the range of about 5° to about 175° or in the range of about 185° to about 355°, in which the combination of n sets of spaced dipole bar magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) is placed below or above the second at least one dipole magnet (x20-a), and in which the at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) and the combination of n sets of spaced bar dipole magnets (x20-b1,x20-b2) are essentially centralized among themselves. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 308 / 335 13 / 26, 11. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the soft magnetic plate (x10) is a soft magnetic composite plate (x10) comprising about 50% by weight to about 90% by weight of soft magnetic particles, the weight percentages being based on the total weight of one or more soft magnetic composite plates (10) and wherein the one or more indentations have a depth (D) between about 5% and about 99% and / or the one or more protrusions have a height (H) between about 5% and about 10,000%.

12. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by further comprising an engraved magnetic plate (x30) with one or more engravings (x31) in the form of markings, wherein said engraved magnetic plate (x30) is placed on top of the first magnetic field generating device (x20) and has a magnetic surface engraved on the top plate, preferably flush with the surface of the top plate of the soft magnetic plate (x10), wherein said engraved magnetic plate (x30) is preferably made of plastoferrite.

13. Use of the apparatus (x00) as defined in any of claims 1 to 12 characterized by being for magnetically orienting magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form in a coating layer (x40) and manufacturing the optical effect layer (OEL).

14. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the apparatus (x00) faces the substrate (x50), wherein Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 309 / 335 14 / 26 the substrate (x50) of the assembly (x100) bearing the coating layer (x40) is disposed above the soft magnetic plate (x10), the soft magnetic plate (x10) faces the substrate (x50) and the coating layer (x40) is the topmost layer of the assembly (x100).

15. Device for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) characterized by comprising magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the form of magnetically oriented platelets on a substrate (x50), said optical effect layer (OEL) comprising at least a first area exhibiting a 3D effect in the form of one or more indentations and at least a second area exhibiting dynamic movement upon tilting, wherein at least one of said first area and at least one of said second area are adjacent, said device (x00) being configured to receive the substrate (x50) and comprising a first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprising at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) and having an upper device surface, a second magnetic field generating device (x70),a soft magnetic plate (x10) bearing one or more indications in the form of one or more indentations (x11) and / or one or more empty spaces (x12) and / or one or more protrusions (x13), said soft magnetic plate (x10) having a top plate surface, wherein the soft magnetic plate (x10) is placed on top of the first magnetic field generating device (x20), and wherein the top plate surface is smaller than the top device surface; Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, pp. 310 / 335 15 / 26 wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) and the soft magnetic plate (x10) are arranged in or within the cylinder, so that when the cylinder is rotated, the first magnetic field generating device (x20) and the second magnetic field generating device (x70) are moved relative to each other,so that the upper surface of the first magnetic field generating device (x70) faces the second magnetic field generating device (x70), allowing at least some of the particles to be oriented biaxially.

16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the first magnetic field generating device (x20) further comprises one or more dipole magnets (x14) arranged in one or more indentations (x11) and / or in one or more empty spaces (x12) of the soft magnetic plate (x10) and / or in that the second magnetic field generating device (x70) has an arc shape in a section orthogonal to the height of the cylinder and / or in that the position of the geometric axis of rotation of the cylinder is fixed in relation to the second magnetic field generating device (x70).

17. Device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a bright reflective horizontal bar that moves in a longitudinal direction when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is inclined about a longitudinal axis and wherein the at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) of the first magnetic field generating device (x20) has a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P). Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 311 / 335 16 / 26 18. Device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a pattern of light and dark areas that move when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted, and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and a combination comprising at least four additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) having their north poles pointing in the same direction and having their magnetic geometric axes oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P), said first dipole magnets (x31) being spaced apart, wherein each of the additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) is arranged at an intersection of at least two substantially parallel straight lines. ai (i = 1, 2, ...) and at least two substantially parallel straight lines pj (j = 1, 2, ...), wherein the straight lines ai and Pj form a grid, wherein at least two additional dipole magnets (x20b, x20-c) are arranged in one of the straight lines ai and at least two other additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) are arranged in another of the straight lines ai, wherein the magnetic geometric axes of the additional dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c) are oriented substantially parallel to the substantially parallel straight lines ai, wherein at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) is arranged below the combination comprising at least four Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page. 312 / 335 17 / 26 first dipole magnets (x20-b, x20-c), and wherein each straight line ai and a vector H of the magnetic geometric axis of at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) are i) substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to each other or ii) substantially not parallel and substantially not perpendicular to each other.

19. Device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a loop-shaped body that moves when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises: - a) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and one or more pole pieces (x21), said one or more pole pieces (x21) being disposed below the at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) and in contact with the dipolar magnet (x20-a) and / or being spaced and laterally surrounding the at least one dipolar magnet (x20a); - b) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) being a loop-shaped magnet having radial magnetization;or c) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being three or more dipole magnets arranged in a loop arrangement having radial magnetization.; 20. Device, according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a nested body in the form of multiple loops that moves when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted and Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page. 313 / 335 18 / 26 wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises a) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) being a loop-shaped magnet that defines a loop and having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and a pole piece (x21) being disposed below the at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) and within the loop of said at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) and having one or more protrusions disposed within the loop of the at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a);or b) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P), an additional dipolar magnet (x20-b) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and two or more pole pieces (x21-a, x21-b), wherein said at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) and the additional magnet (x20-b) have the same magnetic direction and are provided at different distances from the first plane (P), wherein said two or more pole pieces (x21-a, x21-b) are disposed in the space between the magnets (x20-a and x20-b) and in contact with them and wherein at least one of the two or more pole pieces forms one or more loop-shaped projections around a central area in which the at least one dipolar magnet is disposed (x20a);or c) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P), a plate-shaped pole piece (x21-a) being disposed below and in contact with at least one dipole magnet (x20-a), and one or more loop-shaped pole pieces (x21-b) being disposed on top of at least one dipole magnet (x20-a), wherein a central pole piece of said one or more loop-shaped pole pieces (x21-b) is in contact with at least one dipole magnet (x20a).

21. Device, according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a crescent moon that moves and rotates when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises a) at least one dipolar magnet (x20-a) being a first dipolar magnet (x20-a) having its north-south magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x20) and having length L1, b) a second dipolar magnet (x20-b) having its north-south magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and having a length L3;(ec) a flat pole piece (x21) without any protrusions or projections extending outward from the surface of said pole piece and having a length L5, wherein the first dipolar magnet (x20a) and the second dipolar magnet (x20-b) have the same magnetic field direction, wherein the first dipolar magnet (x20-a) is facing the substrate (x50) and is arranged on top of the flat pole piece (x21), wherein the second dipolar magnet (x20-b) is facing the environment and is arranged below the flat pole piece (x21), wherein the length L1 of the first dipolar magnet (x20-a) is less than the length L3 of the second dipolar magnet (x20-b), wherein the length L1 of the first dipolar magnet (x20-a) is less than the length L5 of the flat pole piece. Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page. 315 / 335 20 / 26 (x21), and wherein the length L3 of the second dipole magnet (x20b) is less than the length L5 of the pole piece (x21).; 22. Device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a loop-shaped body whose size varies when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted, and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises: - a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a single dipole bar magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic north-south axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole bar magnets (x20-a1, x20-a2) having a resulting magnetic north-south axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and b) a loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b) being a single dipole loop magnet (x20-b) having a magnetic north-south axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1,x20-b2) arranged in a loop-shaped arrangement and having a resulting north-south magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P), or - a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a single dipole magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole bar magnets (x20-a1, x20-a2), each of the two or more dipole bar magnets (x20-a1, x20-a2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and having Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page. 316 / 335 21 / 26 same direction of magnetic field, b) a loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b) being a single loop-shaped dipole magnet (x20-b) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) arranged in a loop-shaped arrangement,each of the two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and having the same magnetic field direction, and c) a single dipole magnet (x20-c) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) or two or more dipole magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2), each of the two or more dipole magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and having the same magnetic field direction and / or one or more pole pieces (x21), or - a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a single dipole bar magnet (x20-a) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) or a combination of two or more dipole bar magnets (x20a1, x20-a2), each of the two or more dipole bar magnets (x20-a1,x20-a2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and having the same magnetic field direction, b) a loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b) being a single loop-shaped magnet (x20-b) or a combination of two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) arranged in a loop arrangement, the loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b) having a magnetization Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page. 317 / 335 22 / 26 radial, etc.) a single dipolar magnet (x20-c) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) or a single dipolar magnet (x20-c) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the first plane (P), or two or more dipolar magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2), each of said two or more dipolar magnets (x20c1, x20-c2) having a magnetic geometric axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P),wherein the north pole of said single dipole magnet (x20-c) or the north pole of said at least one of said two or more dipole magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2) is pointing towards the substrate surface (x50) when the north pole of the single loop-shaped dipole magnet (x20-b) or of the two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) forming the loop-shaped magnetic field generating device is pointing towards the periphery of said loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b), or wherein the south pole of said single dipole magnet (x20-c) or the south pole of at least one of said two or more dipole magnets (x20-c1, x20-c2) is pointing towards the foreground (P) when the south pole of the single loop-shaped magnet (x20-b) or of the two or more dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) forming the loop-shaped magnetic field generating device is pointing towards the periphery of said loop-shaped magnetic field generating device (x20-b)., 23. Device, according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a loop-shaped body surrounded by one or more loop-shaped bodies, wherein said one or more loop-shaped bodies have their shape and / or Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page. 318 / 335 23 / 26 its brightness varying when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is tilted and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises a) a combination of three or more first dipole magnets x20-bi (x20-b1, x20-b2, x20-b3, ...), each of said first dipole magnets having its center Cx20-bi (Cx20b1, Cx20-b2, Cx20-b3, ...) arranged in a loop in the foreground (P), wherein said first dipole magnets x20-bi (x20b1, x20-b2, x20-b3, ...a) have their magnetic geometric axes oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P) and b) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) having its magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P) and being arranged to have a projection of its center onto the first plane (P) that is located at a projection point Cx20-a within the loop, wherein the at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) is arranged above the combination of three or more first dipole magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2 and x20-b3), wherein angles ai are formed between each of the vectors (Qx20-a^x20-bi (^X20-aQx20-b1, CX20-aCX20-b2 , (-'X20-aCX20-b3··· and the vector hX20-bi (hx20-bl, hx20-b2, / ιΧ20-ί,3, ...) of the magnetic geometric axis of the respective first dipolar magnet x20-bi (x20-b1, x20-b2, x20-b3, .), wherein all angles ai, when measured counterclockwise, are in the range of about 20° to about 160° or in the range of about 200° to about 340° and wherein each of the first dipole magnets x20-bi (x20b1, x20-b2, x20-b3, ...) is arranged at a first distance Petition 870250090004, of 02 / 10 / 2025, page. 319 / 335 24 / 26 (Yi), where said first distance (Yi) in the first plane (P) is between the projection point Cx20-a and the center Cx20-bi (Cx20-bi, Cx20-b2, Cx20-b3, ...) of the first dipolar magnet x20-bi (x20-b1, x20b2, x20-b3, ...).

24. Device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the dynamic movement of the optical effect layer (OEL) is a bright reflective vertical bar that moves in a longitudinal direction when the substrate (x50) bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is inclined about a horizontal / latitudinal geometric axis or moves in a horizontal / latitudinal direction when the substrate bearing said optical effect layer (OEL) is inclined about a longitudinal geometric axis and wherein the first magnetic field generating device (x20) comprises: a) at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) being a square or rectangular shaped dipole magnet (x20-a) having its magnetic geometric axis oriented to be substantially parallel to the first plane (P), and b) a combination of n spaced bar dipole magnet sets (x20-b, x20-c), wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 1,wherein each of said dipole bar magnets (x20-b, x20-c) has its north-south magnetic geometric axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x50), wherein, for each set of said n sets, the dipole bar magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) have their north pole pointing in the same direction and are substantially parallel to each other, Petition 870250090004, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 320 / 335 25 / 26 wherein the vector sum H1 of the magnetic geometric axes of the dipole bar magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) and the vector sum H2 of at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) form an angle α in the range of about 5° to about 175° or in the range of about 185° to about 355°, wherein the combination of n sets of spaced dipole bar magnets (x20-b1, x20-b2) is placed below or above the second at least one dipole magnet (x20-a), and wherein the at least one dipole magnet (x20-a) and the combination of n sets of spaced dipole bar magnets (x20-b1,x20-b2) are essentially centered on each other.

25. Device according to any one of claims 15 to 24, characterized in that the soft magnetic plate (x10) is a soft magnetic composite plate (x10) comprising about 50% by weight to about 90% by weight of soft magnetic particles, the weight percentages being based on the total weight of one or more soft magnetic composite plates (10) and wherein the one or more indentations have a depth (D) between about 5% and about 99% and / or the one or more protrusions have a height (H) between about 5% and about 10,000%.

26. Device, according to any one of claims 15 to 24, characterized by further comprising an engraved magnetic plate (x30) comprising one or more engravings (x31) in the form of inscriptions, wherein said engraved magnetic plate (x30) is placed on top of the first magnetic field generating device (x20) and has a magnetic surface engraved on the top plate, preferably flush with the surface of the top plate of the soft magnetic plate (x10), wherein said engraved magnetic plate (x30) is preferably made of plastoferrite.

27. Use of the device as defined in any one of claims 15 to 26, characterized by being for magnetically orienting magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in platelet form in a coating layer (x40) and manufacturing the optical effect layer (OEL). Petition 870250090004, dated 10 / 02 / 2025, pp. 322 / 335

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