Process for producing an optical effect layer comprising oriented non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of magnetic components and methods for producing optical effect layers (OELs) on a substrate, the OEL comprising magnetically oriented non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. In particular, this invention relates to magnetic components and methods for producing said OELs as anti-counterfeiting measures on secure documents or security articles, or for decorative purposes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of protecting valuable documents and valuable commercial goods from counterfeiting and illegal copying. In particular, this invention relates to optical effect layers (OELs) that display optical effects dependent on annular viewing angles, magnetic components and methods for producing said OELs, ​​and the use of said optical effect layers as anti-counterfeiting measures on documents. Background Technology

[0002] The production of safety elements and safety documents using inks, coating compositions, films, or layers containing magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, particularly non-spherical optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, is known in the prior art.

[0003] For example, security features used in secure documents can be categorized as "covert" and "overt" security features. The protection provided by covert security features relies on the fact that these features are hidden, typically requiring specialized instruments and knowledge for detection. Overt security features, on the other hand, can be easily detected by unaided human senses; for example, these features may be visually visible and / or detectable by touch, but are still difficult to produce and / or replicate. However, the effectiveness of overt security features largely depends on their ease of identification as security features, because if users are aware of their existence and nature, they will essentially rely solely on these features for security checks.

[0004] Coatings or layers comprising oriented magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are disclosed, for example, in US 2,570,856; US 3,676,273; US 3,791,864; US 5,630,877 and US 5,364,689. The magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the coating are capable of generating magnetically induced images, designs, and / or patterns by applying a corresponding magnetic field, resulting in localized orientation of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the uncured coating, followed by curing of the coating. This results in a specific optical effect, namely, a highly counterfeit-resistant, fixed magnetically induced image, design, or pattern. Security features based on oriented magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles can be generated solely through the simultaneous use of magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles or a corresponding ink or composition containing said particles, and specific techniques for applying said ink or composition and for orienting said pigment particles in the applied ink or composition.

[0005] The moving-ring effect has been developed as an effective security element. The moving-ring effect consists of optical illusory images of objects, such as funnels, cones, bowls, circles, ellipses, and hemispheres, that appear to move in any xy direction depending on the tilt angle of the optical effect layer. Methods for generating the moving-ring effect are disclosed, for example, in EP 17 10756 A1, US 8,343,615, EP 2306 222 A1, EP 2 325 677 A2, and US 2013 / 084411.

[0006] WO 2011 / 092502 A2 discloses an apparatus for producing moving ring images, which display a ring that appears to move noticeably when the viewing angle changes. The disclosed moving ring images can be obtained or generated using a device capable of orienting magnetic or magnetizable particles by means of a magnetic field, the magnetic field being generated by a combination of a soft magnetizable plate and a spherical magnet whose north-south axis is perpendicular to the plane of the coating and disposed below the soft magnetizable plate.

[0007] Existing moving ring images are typically generated by arranging magnetic or magnetizable particles according to the magnetic field of a single rotating or static magnet. Because the field lines of a single magnet are generally relatively gently curved (i.e., have low curvature), changes in the orientation of the magnetic or magnetizable particles are relatively gradual across the surface of the OEL. Furthermore, when using only a single magnet, the strength of the magnetic field decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the magnet. This makes it difficult to obtain highly dynamic and well-defined features by means of the orientation of the magnetic or magnetizable particles, and results in a visual effect exhibiting blurred ring edges.

[0008] WO 2014 / 108404 A2 discloses an optical effect layer (OEL) comprising a plurality of magnetically oriented, non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles dispersed in a coating. The specific magnetic orientation pattern of the disclosed OEL provides an observer with an optical effect or impression of a toroidal object moving when the OEL is tilted. Furthermore, WO 2014 / 108404 A2 discloses an OEL that further exhibits an optical effect or impression of protrusions in the central region of a toroid, the protrusions being caused by reflective areas in the central region surrounded by the toroid. The disclosed protrusions provide an impression of a three-dimensional object, such as a hemisphere, existing in the central region surrounded by the toroid.

[0009] WO 2014 / 108303 A1 discloses an optical effect layer (OEL) comprising a plurality of magnetically oriented, non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles dispersed in a coating. The specific magnetic orientation pattern of the disclosed OEL provides an observer with the optical effect or impression of multiple nested rings surrounding a common central region, wherein the rings exhibit apparent motion dependent on the viewing angle. Furthermore, WO 2014 / 108303 A1 discloses an OEL that further includes protrusions surrounded by and partially filling the central region defined by the innermost ring. The disclosed protrusions provide the illusion of a three-dimensional object, such as a hemisphere, existing within the central region.

[0010] WO 2017 / 064052 A1, WO 20170 / 80698 A1 and WO 2017 / 148789 A1 disclose magnetic components and methods for producing optical effect layers (OELs) comprising magnetically oriented non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles on a substrate, wherein the optical effect layer provides an optical imprint of more than one annulus having dimensions that vary when the optical effect layer is tilted.

[0011] There is a need for security features that display a striking, dynamic ring-shaped effect on a substrate with good quality, which can be easily verified regardless of the orientation of the security documentation. This is difficult to mass-produce with equipment readily available to counterfeiters and can be offered in a large number of possible shapes and forms. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome the defects of the prior art discussed above.

[0013] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) on a substrate (x10) and the resulting optical effect layer (OEL), the method comprising the following steps:

[0014] a) Applying a first radiation-curable coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to the surface of a substrate (x10) to form one or more first patterns of a first coating (x21), wherein the first radiation-curable coating composition is in a first state.

[0015] b) Exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to a magnetic field, thereby orienting at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles.

[0016] The magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), the first magnetic component (x00-a) comprising: i) a magnetic field generating device (x30), the magnetic field generating device (x30) comprising an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a single annular dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in an annular configuration and the resulting magnetic axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), optionally one or more pole pieces (x33) and / or optionally a support base (x34); and ii) a magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) with the resulting magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10); or

[0017] The magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), the first magnetic component (x00-a) comprising: i) a magnetic field generating device (x30), the magnetic field generating device (x30) comprising a supporting substrate (x34), an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), a single dipole magnet (x32) with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) with their magnetic axes substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction and / or one or more pole pieces (x33), the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) having its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) A single annular dipole magnet or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in a ring on the surface of a substrate (x10), wherein the magnetic axes of the two or more dipole magnets are substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) and have the same magnetic field direction; and ii) a magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) whose magnetic axes are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and have the same magnetic field direction; or

[0018] The magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), the first magnetic component (x00-a) comprising: i) a magnetic field generating device (x30), the magnetic field generating device (x30) comprising a support substrate (x34), a ring-shaped magnetic field generating device (x31), a single dipole magnet (x32) whose magnetic axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), or a single dipole magnet (x32) whose magnetic axis is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), or two or more dipole magnets (x32), the ring-shaped magnetic field generating device (x31) being a single ring magnet or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in a ring, the ring-shaped magnetic field generating device (x31) having radial magnetization, the magnetic axes of each of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) being substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein the north pole of the single ring magnet forming the ring-shaped magnetic field generating device (x31) or the north pole of the two or more dipole magnets points to When the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) is located on the outer periphery, the north pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points towards the surface of the substrate (x10), or when the south pole of the single annular magnet forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) or the south pole of the two or more dipole magnets points towards the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the south pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points towards the surface of the substrate (x10); and ii) a magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) whose magnetic axes are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), each of the two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) having a magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction.

[0019] c) Curing the first radiation-curable coating composition of step b) at least partially to a second state, thereby fixing the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in their adopted positions and orientations, and thus forming one or more at least partially cured first patterns.

[0020] d) Applying a second radiation-curable coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles at least partially onto one or more of the at least partially cured first patterns in step c) to form one or more second patterns of a second coating layer (x22), wherein the second radiation-curable coating composition is in a first state.

[0021] e) Exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of a second magnetic component (x00-b), the second magnetic component (x00-b) being selected from the first magnetic component (x00-a) of step b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is different from the first magnetic component (x00-a) used in step b), and wherein the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (x40) of the magnetic component (x00-b) is opposite to the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (x40) of the first magnetic component (x00-a) within the reference frame of the substrate (x10); and

[0022] f) Curing the second radiation-curable coating composition from step e) at least partially to a second state, thereby fixing the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in their adopted positions and orientations, and thus forming one or more at least partially cured second patterns.

[0023] The optical effect layer provides an optical impression of a ring-shaped body whose size and shape change when the optical effect layer is tilted.

[0024] The optical effect layer provides an optical impression of a ring-shaped body whose size and shape change when the optical effect layer is tilted.

[0025] In a further aspect, the present invention provides an optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) prepared by the method described above.

[0026] In a further aspect, an optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) is provided for use in protecting secure documents against forgery or fraud or for decorative applications.

[0027] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a secure document or decorative element or object comprising one or more optical effect layers (OELs) as described herein. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1AThis illustrates an example of a method according to the invention suitable for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) (120) comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles on a substrate (110). The method comprises the following steps: a) applying a first radiation-curable coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to the surface of the substrate (110) to form a first pattern of a first coating (121); b) exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of a first magnetic component (100-a), thereby orienting at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles; c) at least partially curing the first radiation-curable coating composition of step b) to a second state, thereby fixing the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in their adopted positions and orientations, and thus forming an optical effect layer (OEL) (120). d) Applying a second radiation-curable coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to the at least partially cured first pattern of step c) to form a second pattern of a second coating (122), e) exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of a second magnetic component (100-b), and f) curing the second radiation-curable coating composition of step d) to at least partially cure to a second state, thereby fixing the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in their adopted positions and orientations, and thereby forming a at least partially cured second pattern. Figure 1A (Left) Schematically illustrates a method in which a first coating (121) and a second coating (122) have the same dimensions, and in which the second coating (122) completely covers the first coating (121), that is, the second coating (122) completely overlaps the first coating (121). Figure 1A (middle) and 1A (right) schematically illustrate the method, wherein the first coating (121) has a different size from the second coating (122), in particular the second coating (122) has a smaller size than the first coating (121), and wherein the second coating (122) partially covers the first coating (121), that is, the second coating (122) partially overlaps the first coating (121).

[0029] Figure 1BThis illustrates an example of a method according to the invention suitable for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) (120) comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles on a substrate (110). The method comprises the following steps: a) applying a first radiation-curable coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to the surface of the substrate (110) to form two first patterns, particularly two spaced-apart first patterns, of a first coating (121); b) exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of a first magnetic component (100-a), thereby orienting at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles; and c) at least partially curing the first radiation-curable coating composition of step b) to a second state, thereby fixing the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in their adopted positions and orientations. d) Applying a second radiation-curable coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to the two at least partially cured first patterns in step c) to form a second pattern of the second coating (122), e) exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (100-b), and f) curing the first radiation-curable coating composition in step b) to at least partially cure to a second state, thereby fixing the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in their adopted positions and orientations, and thereby forming a at least partially cured second pattern. Figure 1B The illustration shows a method in which a first coating (121) has a different size than a second coating (122), and in which the second coating (122) partially covers the first coating (121).

[0030] Figure 2-5 schematically illustrates a first / second magnetic assembly (x00-a, x100-b) suitable for the method according to the invention, wherein the method uses two magnetic assemblies, one used with the first magnetic assembly (x00-a) during step b) to orient at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles of one or more first patterns of the first coating (x21), and the other used with the second magnetic assembly (x00-b) during step e) to orient at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles of one or more second patterns of the second coating (x22), wherein the second magnetic assembly (x00-b) is different from the first magnetic assembly (x00-a), and wherein the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (x40) of the magnetic assembly (x00-b) is opposite to the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (x40) of the first magnetic assembly (x00-a) within the reference frame of the substrate (x10).

[0031] Figure 2AThe schematic representation shows a first / second magnetic assembly (200-a, 200-b) comprising i) a magnetic field generating device (230) including a support base (234), an annular magnetic field generating device (231), particularly an annular dipole magnet whose magnetic axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (210), and an annular pole piece (233), particularly an annular pole piece (233); and ii) a magnetic field generating device (240) including two or more, particularly seven, dipole magnets (241) whose magnetic axes are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (210), and six spacers (242).

[0032] Figure 2B1 Indicative Figure 2A Bottom view of the magnetic field generating device (230).

[0033] Figure 2B2 Indicative Figure 2A The cross section of the supporting base (234).

[0034] Figure 3A The schematic representation shows the first / second magnetic components (300-a, 300-b), which include i) a magnetic field generating device (330) comprising a support base (334), an annular magnetic field generating device (331), particularly a combination of four dipole magnets arranged in an annular or square configuration, the annular magnetic field generating device (331) having radial magnetization, and two or more dipole magnets (332), particularly eight dipole magnets, each of which has a magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (310); i) a magnetic field generating device (340), particularly a single rod-shaped dipole magnet, the magnetic axis of which is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (310).

[0035] Figure 3B1 Indicative Figure 3A A top view of the magnetic field generating device (330).

[0036] Figure 3B2 Schematic indication along Figure 3A The cross section of the line (D-D') of the supporting base (334).

[0037] Figure 4AThe schematic representation shows a first / second magnetic assembly (400-a, 400-b), comprising i) a magnetic field generating device (430), the magnetic assembly including a support substrate (434), an annular magnetic field generating device (431), particularly a combination of four dipole magnets arranged in an annular or square configuration, the annular magnetic field generating device (431) having radial magnetization, and two or more dipole magnets (432), particularly nineteen dipole magnets, each of whose magnetic axes are substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (410); b) a magnetic field generating device (440), particularly a single rod-shaped dipole magnet, whose magnetic axis is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (410); and c) one or more pole pieces (450), particularly a disc-shaped pole piece (450).

[0038] Figure 4B1 Indicative Figure 4A A top view of the magnetic field generating device (430).

[0039] Figure 4B2 Schematic indication along Figure 4A The cross section of the line (D-D') of the supporting base (434).

[0040] Figure 5A The schematic representation shows a first / second magnetic assembly (500-a, 500-b) comprising i) a magnetic field generating device (530) including a support base (534), an annular magnetic field generating device (531), particularly an annular dipole magnet whose magnetic axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (510), and an annular pole piece (533), particularly an annular pole piece (533); and i) a magnetic field generating device (540) including two or more, particularly seven, dipole magnets (541) whose magnetic axes are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (510), and two spacers (542).

[0041] Figure 5B1 Indicative Figure 5A Bottom view of the magnetic field generating device (530).

[0042] Figure 5B2 Indicative Figure 5A The cross section of the supporting base (534).

[0043] Figure 6A -C shows images of the OEL (620) observed from different perspectives and obtained by the method according to the invention, wherein the method uses two different first or second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) depicted in Figures 2-4 in sequence. Figure 6A It shows what was observed from different perspectives and through the use of Figure 2A -B2 depicts the first magnetic component (200-a) and Figure 3A -B2 depicts the second magnetic component (300-b) and the image of OEL (620) obtained by the method. Figure 6B and 6 C shows observations from different perspectives and through the use of... Figure 2A -B2 depicts the first magnetic component (200-a) and Figure 4A -B2 depicts the second magnetic component (400-b) and the image of OEL (620) obtained by the method.

[0044] Figure 7 Shown by using Figure 5A -B2 shows the first magnetic component (500-a) and Figure 4A Images of the contrasting OELs observed from different perspectives were obtained by the method of the second magnetic component (400-b) shown in -B, wherein the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (540) used in the first orientation step is the same as the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (440) used in the second orientation step. Detailed Implementation

[0045] definition

[0046] The following definitions are used to clarify the meaning of the terms discussed in the specification and listed in the claims.

[0047] As used in this article, the indefinite article “a” means one and more than one, and does not necessarily limit its noun to a single one.

[0048] As used herein, the term "about" means that the quantity or value in discussion can be a specified value or some other value near it. Generally, the term "about" indicating a specific value is intended to represent a range within ±5% of that value. As an example, the phrase "about 100" means a range of 100 ± 5, that is, from 95 to 105. Generally, when using the term "about," it is expected that similar results or effects according to the invention can be obtained within ±5% of the specified value.

[0049] The term "substantially parallel" means a deviation of no more than 10° from a parallel arrangement, and the term "substantially perpendicular" means a deviation of no more than 10° from a perpendicular arrangement.

[0050] As used herein, the term "and / or" means that all or only one of the elements of the group may be present. For example, "A and / or B" should mean "A only, or B only, or both A and B". In the case of "A only", the term also covers the possibility that B is not present, i.e., "A only, but no B".

[0051] As used herein, the term "comprising" is intended to be non-exclusive and open-ended. Thus, for example, a dampening solution comprising compound A may include other compounds besides A. However, the term "comprising" also encompasses the more restrictive meaning of "consistently composed of" and "composed of" as in particular embodiments thereof, such that, for example, "a dampening solution comprising A, B and optional C" may also consist (substantially) of A and B or (substantially) of A, B and C.

[0052] The term "coating composition" refers to any composition capable of forming the optical effect layer (OEL) of the present invention on a solid substrate and can be applied preferably, but not exclusively, by a printing method. The coating composition comprises at least a plurality of non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles and a binder.

[0053] As used herein, the term "Optical Effect Layer (OEL)" refers to a combination of two layers comprising at least a plurality of non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles with magnetic orientations and a binder, wherein the orientation of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles is fixed or frozen (fixed / frozen) in the binder.

[0054] The term "magnetic axis" refers to a theoretical line connecting the corresponding north and south poles of a magnet and extending through said poles. This term does not include any specific direction of the magnetic field.

[0055] The term "magnetic field direction" refers to the direction of the magnetic field vector along the magnetic field lines outside the magnet, pointing from the North Pole to the South Pole (see Handbook of Physics, Springer 2002, pp. 463-464).

[0056] The term "curing" is used to describe a method of increasing the viscosity of a coating composition in response to a stimulus, thereby converting the material into a state in which non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are fixed / frozen in their current position and orientation and are no longer able to move or rotate, i.e., a hardened or solid state.

[0057] Where this specification refers to "preferred" embodiments / features, combinations of such "preferred" embodiments / features should also be considered as disclosed, provided that such combination of "preferred" embodiments / features is technically meaningful.

[0058] As used in this article, the term “at least” is intended to define one or more than one, such as one, two, or three.

[0059] The term "secure document" refers to a document that is typically protected against forgery or fraud by at least one security feature. Examples of secure documents include, but are not limited to, documents of value and commercial goods of value.

[0060] The term "security feature" is used to refer to an image, pattern, or graphic element that can be used for authentication purposes.

[0061] The term "loop-shaped body" refers to an optical impression of a closed loop surrounding a central dark area, where non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles are provided to the observer. The OEL (Optical Image Processor) can have circular, oval, elliptical, square, triangular, rectangular, or arbitrary polygonal shapes. Examples of loop shapes include rings or circles, rectangles or squares (with or without rounded corners), triangles (with or without rounded corners), (regular or irregular) pentagons (with or without rounded corners), (regular or irregular) hexagons (with or without rounded corners), (regular or irregular) heptagons (with or without rounded corners), (regular or irregular) octagons (with or without rounded corners), and arbitrary polygons (with or without rounded corners). In this invention, the optical impression of a loop-shaped body is formed by the orientation of non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles.

[0062] The present invention provides a method for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) on a substrate (x10) and the resulting optical effect layer (OEL), wherein the optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) thus obtained provides an observer with an optical impression of an annular body whose size and shape change when the substrate including the optical effect layer is tilted.

[0063] The magnetic fields generated by the magnetic field generating device (x30) of the first and second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) and the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device (x40) interact, such that the resulting magnetic field of the magnetic components can orient non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in an uncured radiation-curable coating composition disposed in the magnetic field of the magnetic components to produce an optical imprint of an optical effect layer with dimensional variations when the optical effect layer is tilted. The combination of the two coatings (x21, x22) of the OEL (x20) thus obtained advantageously provides a final optical imprint of an OEL exhibiting an optical effect layer with varying sizes and shapes when the optical effect layer is tilted, each coating having an optical imprint of different (e.g., one circular and the other square) annular shapes with varying sizes when the optical effect layer is tilted on the substrate (x10). On one hand, the optical impression of the OEL thus obtained makes a first annular body having a first shape perceived as decreasing in size when the substrate is tilted along a first direction, while a second annular body having a second shape is perceived as increasing in size when tilted along the same first direction, and vice versa when the substrate is tilted in the opposite direction. The perception of the combined effect makes the first annular body perceived as deforming into the second annular body (and vice versa) when the substrate is tilted along the first direction (respectively, in the opposite direction). The optical impression of the OEL thus obtained makes the annular body have a first shape when the substrate is tilted in one direction from a vertical viewpoint, the first shape reducing its size to another second shape increasing its size, or the annular body has a first shape increasing its size to another second shape decreasing its size. Figure 6A -C provides an example of an OEL obtained according to the method of the present invention, and it demonstrates an optical impression of an annular body whose size and shape change when the optical effect layer as described above is tilted.

[0064] The optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) described herein is formed by at least partially curing a first coating (x21) and at least partially curing a second coating (x22), wherein the at least partially curing second coating (x22) is at least partially present over the at least partially curing first coating (x21). The first coating (x21) has the shape of more than one first pattern, and the second coating (x22) has the shape of more than one second pattern. The at least partially curing first coating (x21) has a shape identical to the shape of more than one first pattern of the first coating (x21), and the at least partially curing second coating (x22) has a shape identical to the shape of more than one second pattern of the second coating (x22).

[0065] The shape of one or more first patterns of the first coating (x21) may be the same as or different from the shape of one or more second patterns of the second coating (x22). The one or more first patterns of the first coating (x21) and the one or more second patterns of the second coating (x22) described herein may be independently continuous or discontinuous. Preferably, the shape of one or more first patterns of the first coating (x21) and the shape of one or more second patterns of the second coating (x22) independently represent one or more marks, dots, and / or lines. As used herein, the term "mark" should mean design and pattern, including but not limited to symbols, alphanumeric symbols, graphics, letters, words, numbers, logos, and drawings. When more than one first pattern of the first coating (x21) and more than one second pattern of the second coating (x22) are present on the substrate (x10) described herein, the more than one first / second pattern may independently consist of lines, dots, and / or marks, which are spaced apart from each other by areas without the first coating (x21) and areas without the second coating (x22), respectively.

[0066] like Figure 1A As shown in -B, the size of the first coating (x21) and the size of one or more first patterns of the first coating (x21) may be the same as or different from the size of the second coating (x22) and the size of one or more second patterns of the second coating (x22).

[0067] like Figure 1A As shown in -B, a second coating (x22) exists above a first coating (x21), wherein the second coating (x22) can completely cover the first coating (x21) (see...). Figure 1A -Left) or may partially cover the first coating (x21) (see Figure 1A - center and right and Figure 1B ).

[0068] For example Figure 1AAs shown in -B, the present invention provides a method and process for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) as described herein on a substrate (x10) and the resulting optical effect layer (OEL) (x20), wherein the method and process comprises: two separate steps (i.e., steps a) and d)) applying a radiation-curable coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in a first state; two separate steps (i.e., steps b) and e)) exposing the radiation-curable coating composition to a magnetic field of a magnetic component (100-a, 100-b) to orient at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles; and two separate steps (i.e., steps c) and f)) curing the radiation-curable coating composition at least partially to a second state to fix the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in their adopted positions and orientations.

[0069] The method described herein can be performed in two stages on an apparatus comprising a) an application unit, preferably a printing unit, b) a magnetic alignment unit, and c) a curing unit, wherein the magnetic alignment unit includes a first magnetic component (x00-a) during the first stage and a second magnetic component (x00-b) during the second stage. Alternatively, the method described herein can be performed in a single stage on an apparatus comprising a) a first application unit, preferably a first printing unit, b) a first magnetic alignment unit including the first magnetic component (x00-a), c) a first curing unit, d) a second application unit, preferably a second printing unit, e) a second magnetic alignment unit including the second magnetic component (x00-b), and f) a second curing unit. The magnetic alignment unit described herein can consist of a rotating magnetic cylinder including one or more first / second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) described herein, wherein the one or more first / second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) described herein are mounted on circumferential grooves of the rotating magnetic cylinder, or it can consist of a flatbed printing unit including one or more first / second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) described herein, wherein the one or more first / second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) described herein are mounted to recesses of the flatbed printing unit. The rotating magnetic cylinder described herein is intended for use with, in conjunction with, or as part of, application units such as printing or coating units. The rotating magnetic cylinder can be part of a rotary, sheet-fed, or web-fed printing press that operates continuously at high printing speeds. The flatbed printing unit can be part of an industrial printing press that operates discontinuously with sheet feeding.

[0070] The method described herein includes steps a) and d), applying a radiation-curable coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, wherein the radiation-curable coating composition is in a first state. Step a) of applying the first radiation-curable coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to the surface of a substrate (x10) to form one or more of the first patterns of the first coating (x21) described herein and / or step d) of applying a second radiation-curable coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to the surface of a substrate (x10) to form one or more of the second patterns of the second coating (x22) described herein is preferably performed independently by a printing method, wherein the printing method is preferably selected from the group consisting of free screen printing, rotary gravure printing, flexographic printing, inkjet printing and intaglio printing (also known in the art as engraved copperplate printing and engraved steel mold printing), more preferably the group consisting of free screen printing, rotary gravure printing and flexographic printing.

[0071] With respect to the application of the first radiation-curable coating composition described herein (step a) and the second radiation-curable coating composition described herein (step d) respectively onto the surface of the substrate (x10) described herein or at least partially onto one or more at least partially cured first patterns, at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are independently oriented by exposing the radiation-curable coating compositions of the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions to the magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a) and the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b), respectively, thereby aligning at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles along magnetic field lines generated by the respective magnetic components.

[0072] Following or partially simultaneously with steps (steps b) and e) of orienting / aligning at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles by applying the magnetic field described herein, the orientation of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles is fixed or frozen. The first and second radiation-curable coating compositions thus must significantly have a first state, i.e., a liquid or paste state, wherein the radiation-curable coating composition is wet or sufficiently soft such that the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles dispersed in the radiation-curable coating composition are freely movable, rotatable, and / or oriented when exposed to a magnetic field; and a second cured (e.g., solid) state, wherein the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are fixed or frozen in their respective positions and orientations.

[0073] Therefore, the method for producing the described optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) on the substrate (x10) described herein independently includes steps c) and f), which at least partially cure the first radiation-curable coating composition of step a) and the second radiation-curable coating composition of step d) to a second state, thereby fixing the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in their adopted positions and orientations. The steps of at least partially curing the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions (steps a) and d)) can be performed independently, followed by or partially simultaneously with the steps of orienting / aligning at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles by applying the magnetic field described herein (steps b) and e)). Preferably, the step of at least partially curing the first radiation-curable coating composition to the second state, thereby fixing the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles at their adopted positions and orientations and thus forming one or more at least partially cured first patterns (step c) is performed concurrently with the step of exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a) described herein (step b)). Preferably, the step of at least partially curing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the second state, thereby fixing the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles at their adopted positions and orientations and thus forming one or more at least partially cured second patterns (step e) is performed concurrently with the step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b) described herein (step e)). Preferably, the method for producing the optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) described herein on the substrate (x10) described herein includes step c) performed concurrently with step b) and step f) performed concurrently with step e). The phrase "partially simultaneous" means that the two steps are performed partially simultaneously, that is, the timing of each step partially overlaps. In the context described herein, when curing is performed partially simultaneously with orientation steps b) and e), it must be understood that curing becomes effective after orientation, allowing the pigment particles to be oriented before the OEL is fully or partially hardened.

[0074] The first and second states of the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions are provided by using specific types of radiation-curable coating compositions. For example, the components of the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions, other than non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, can take the form of ink or radiation-curable coating compositions, such as those used in security applications like banknote printing. The aforementioned first and second states are provided by using materials that exhibit an increase in viscosity upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation. That is, when the fluid binder material cures or solidifies, the binder material transforms into a second state in which the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are fixed in their current position and orientation and are no longer able to move or rotate within the binder material.

[0075] As those skilled in the art will recognize, the components contained in a radiation-curable coating composition to be applied to a surface, such as a substrate, and the physical properties of the radiation-curable coating composition must meet the requirements of the method for transferring the radiation-curable coating composition to the substrate surface. Therefore, the binder materials contained in the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions described herein are typically selected from those known in the prior art and depend on the coating or printing method used to apply the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions and the selected radiation curing method.

[0076] In the optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) described herein, the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein are dispersed in first and second radiation-curable coating compositions comprising a cured binder material that fixes / freezes the orientation of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. The cured binder material is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range included between 200 nm and 2500 nm. Thus, the binder material, at least in its cured or solid state (also referred to herein as the second state), is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range included between 200 nm and 2500 nm, i.e., in the wavelength range typically referred to as the “spectrum” and including the infrared, visible, and UV portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, such that the particles contained in the binder material in its cured or solid state and their orientation-dependent reflectivity can be perceived through the binder material. Preferably, the cured adhesive material is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range including 200 nm to 800 nm, more preferably between 400 nm and 700 nm. Here, the term "transparent" means that, at the wavelength of interest, the transmittance of electromagnetic radiation through a 20 µm layer of the cured adhesive material (excluding platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, but including all other optional components of the OEL in the presence of such a component) present in the OEL (x20) is at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, and even more preferably at least 70%. This can be determined, for example, by measuring the transmittance of a test piece of the cured adhesive material (excluding platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles) according to a well-established test method such as DIN 5036-3 (1979-11). If the OEL(x20) is used as a covert security feature, then typical technical means will be necessary for detecting the (full) optical effects produced by the OEL(x20) under various illumination conditions, including selected invisible wavelengths; the detection requires that the wavelength of the selected incident radiation be outside the visible range, for example, in the near-UV range. In this case, it is preferable that the OEL(x20) comprises luminescent pigment particles that emit light in response to selected wavelengths outside the visible spectrum included in the incident radiation. The infrared, visible, and UV portions of the electromagnetic spectrum approximately correspond to wavelength ranges between 700-2500 nm, between 400-700 nm, and between 200-400 nm, respectively.

[0077] As described above, the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions described herein depend on the coating or printing method used to apply the radiation-curable coating compositions and the selected curing method. Preferably, the curing of the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions involves a chemical reaction that occurs in typical use of articles including the OEL(x20) described herein and is not reversed by a simple increase in temperature (e.g., up to 80°C). The terms "curing" or "curable" refer to a method that includes a chemical reaction, crosslinking, or polymerization in such a way that at least one component of the applied radiation-curable coating composition is converted into a polymeric material having a larger molecular weight than the starting material. Radiation curing advantageously results in a transient increase in the viscosity of the radiation-curable coating composition after exposure to curing irradiation, thereby preventing any further movement of pigment particles and thus preventing any loss of information after the magnetic orientation step. Preferably, the curing step (step c) is performed by radiation curing including UV-visible light radiation curing or by electron beam radiation curing, more preferably by UV-visible light radiation curing.

[0078] Therefore, suitable first and second radiation-curable coating compositions of the present invention comprise radiation-curable compositions that can be cured by UV-visible radiation (hereinafter referred to as UV-Vis radiation curing) or by electron beam radiation (hereinafter referred to as EB radiation). Radiation-curable compositions are known in the art and can be found in standard textbooks such as the series "Chemistry & Technology of UV & EB Formulation for Coatings, Inks & Paints", Volume IV, Formulation, C. Lowe, G. Webster, S. Kessel and I. McDonald, 1996, jointly published by John Wiley & Sons and SITA Technology Limited. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions described herein are UV-Vis radiation-curable coating compositions.

[0079] Preferably, the first and second UV-Vis radiation-curable coating compositions independently comprise one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of radical curable compounds and cationic curable compounds. The first and second UV-Vis radiation-curable coating compositions described herein may independently be a hybrid system and comprise a mixture of one or more cationic curable compounds and one or more radical curable compounds. The cationic curable compounds are cured via a cationic mechanism, which typically involves activating one or more photoinitiators by radiation, the photoinitiators releasing cationic species, such as acids, which then initiate curing to react and / or crosslink the monomers and / or oligomers, thereby curing the radiation-curable coating composition. The radical curable compounds are cured via a radical mechanism, which typically involves activating one or more photoinitiators by radiation, thereby generating free radicals, which then initiate polymerization to cure the radiation-curable coating composition. Different photoinitiators may be used depending on the monomers, oligomers, or prepolymers used to prepare the binder included in the first and second UV-Vis radiation-curable coating compositions described herein. Suitable examples of free radical photoinitiators are known to those skilled in the art and include, but are not limited to, acetophenone, benzophenone, benzyl dimethyl ketal, α-amino ketones, α-hydroxy ketones, phosphine oxides and phosphine oxide derivatives, and mixtures of two or more thereof. Suitable examples of cationic photoinitiators are known to those skilled in the art and include, but are not limited to, onium salts such as organic iodonium salts (e.g., diaryliodonium salts), oxonium salts (e.g., triaryloxonium salts), and sulfonium salts (e.g., triarylsulfonium salts), and mixtures of two or more thereof. Other examples of available photoinitiators can be found in standard textbooks such as “Chemistry & Technology of UV & EB Formulation for Coatings, Inks & Paints,” Volume III, “Photoinitiators for Free Radical Cationic and Anionic Polymerization,” 2nd ed., JV Crivello & K. Dietliker, edited by G. Bradley, and published in 1998 by John Wiley & Sons in conjunction with SITA Technology Limited. It is also advantageous to include a sensitizer together with one or more photoinitiators to achieve effective curing. Typical examples of suitable photosensitizers include, but are not limited to, 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.One or more photoinitiators contained in the UV-Vis radiation-curable coating composition are preferably present in a total amount of about 0.1% to about 20% by weight, more preferably about 1% to about 15% by weight, said weight percentage being based on the total weight of the UV-Vis radiation-curable coating composition.

[0080] The first and second radiation-curable coating compositions described herein may independently further comprise one or more taggants and / or one or more machine-readable materials selected from the group consisting of magnetic materials (different from the sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein), luminescent materials, conductive materials, and infrared-absorbing materials. As used herein, the term "machine-readable material" means a material that exhibits at least one distinguishing characteristic not discernible to the naked eye and can be contained in a layer to provide a method for identifying said layer or an article containing said layer using a specific identification instrument.

[0081] The first and second radiation-curable coating compositions described herein may independently further comprise one or more coloring components selected from the group consisting of organic pigment particles, inorganic pigment particles, and organic dyes, and / or one or more additives. The latter includes, but is not limited to, compounds and materials used to adjust the physical, rheological, and chemical parameters of the radiation-curable coating composition, such as viscosity (e.g., solvents, thickeners, and surfactants), uniformity (e.g., anti-settling agents, fillers, and plasticizers), foaming properties (e.g., defoamers), lubricity (waxes, oils), UV stability (light stabilizers), adhesion, antistatic properties, storage stability (polymerization inhibitors), etc. The additives described herein may be present in the radiation-curable coating composition in amounts and forms known in the art (including so-called nanomaterials in which at least one of the additives has a size in the range of 1 to 1000 nm).

[0082] The binder, photoinitiator, marker substance, tracer, machine-readable material, coloring component, and additives of the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions described herein may be independently the same or independently different.

[0083] The first and second radiation-curable coating compositions described herein independently comprise the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein. Preferably, the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are present in an amount of about 2% to about 40% by weight, more preferably about 4% to about 30% by weight, said weight percentage being based on the total weight of the first radiation-curable coating composition, which respectively comprises a binder material, non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, and other optional components of the first radiation-curable coating composition. Preferably, the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are present in an amount of about 2% to about 40% by weight, more preferably about 4% to about 30% by weight, said weight percentage being based on the total weight of the second radiation-curable coating composition, which respectively comprises a binder material, non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, and other optional components of the second radiation-curable coating composition.

[0084] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first radiation-curable coating composition and the second radiation-curable coating composition described herein contain different amounts of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein, wherein the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are preferably present in the first radiation-curable coating composition in an amount of about 2% to about 40% by weight, more preferably about 4% to about 30% by weight, and wherein the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are preferably present in the second radiation-curable coating composition in an amount of about 2% to about 40% by weight, more preferably about 4% to about 30% by weight. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first radiation-curable coating composition and the second radiation-curable coating composition described herein contain about the same amount of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein in the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions, preferably in an amount of about 2% to about 40% by weight, more preferably about 4% to about 30% by weight.

[0085] The non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein are defined as having non-isotropic reflectivity to incident electromagnetic radiation due to their non-spherical shape, wherein the hardened binder material is at least partially transparent. As used herein, the term "non-isotropic reflectivity" means that the proportion of incident radiation from a first angle reflected by the particle to a specific (observation) direction (second angle) is a function of the particle's orientation; that is, a change in the particle's orientation relative to the first angle can result in a different magnitude of reflection towards the observation direction. Preferably, the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein have non-isotropic reflectivity to incident electromagnetic radiation in a portion or all of the wavelength range of about 200 to about 2500 nm, more preferably about 400 to about 700 nm, such that a change in the particle's orientation results in a change in the reflection from the particle towards a specific direction. As those skilled in the art will know, the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein differ from conventional pigments, which display the same color at all viewing angles, while the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein exhibit anisotropic reflectivity as described above.

[0086] Non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are preferably ellipsoidal, platelet-shaped, or needle-shaped particles or a mixture of two or more thereof, with platelet-shaped particles being more preferred.

[0087] Suitable examples of non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein include, but are not limited to, pigment particles comprising: magnetic metals selected from the group consisting of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), gadolinium (Gd), and nickel (Ni); magnetic alloys of iron, manganese, cobalt, nickel, and mixtures thereof; magnetic oxides of chromium, manganese, cobalt, iron, nickel, and mixtures thereof; and mixtures thereof. The term "magnetic" in relation to metals, alloys, and oxides refers to ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic metals, alloys, and oxides. Magnetic oxides of chromium, manganese, cobalt, iron, nickel, or mixtures thereof can be pure or mixed oxides. Examples of magnetic oxides include, but are not limited to, iron oxides such as hematite (Fe2O3) and magnetite (Fe3O4), chromium dioxide (CrO2), magnetic ferrite (MFe2O4), magnetic spinel (MR2O4), and magnetic hexagonal ferrite (MFe2O4). 12 O 19 ), magnetic positive ferrite (RFeO3), magnetic garnet M3R2(AO4)3, where M represents a divalent metal, R represents a trivalent metal and A represents a tetravalent metal.

[0088] Examples of non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein include, but are not limited to, pigment particles comprising a magnetic layer M made of one or more of the following substances: magnetic metals such as cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), gadolinium (Gd), or nickel (Ni); and magnetic alloys of iron, cobalt, or nickel, wherein the sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles may be a multilayer structure comprising one or more additional layers. Preferably, the additional layer is: layer A, which is independently made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of, for example, metal fluorides such as magnesium fluoride (MgF2), silicon oxide (SiO), silicon dioxide (SiO2), titanium oxide (TiO2), zinc sulfide (ZnS), and aluminum oxide (Al2O3), more preferably silicon dioxide (SiO2); or layer B, which is independently made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metals and metal alloys, preferably from the group consisting of reflective metals and reflective metal alloys, and more preferably from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni), and even more preferably aluminum (Al); or a combination of one or more layers A such as those mentioned above and one or more layers B such as those mentioned above. Typical examples of the above-mentioned multilayered sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles include, but are not limited to, 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, and B / A / M / B / A / multilayer structures, wherein layer A, magnetic layer M, and layer B are selected from those mentioned above.

[0089] At least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein may be composed of non-spherical optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles and / or non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles without optically variable properties. Preferably, at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein are composed of non-spherical optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. In addition to the explicit security feature provided by the color-changing properties of the non-spherical optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles—which allows for easy detection, verification, and / or identification using independent human senses of inks, radiation-curable coating compositions, coatings, or layers containing the non-spherical optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein—as well as security documents against potential for counterfeiting, the optical properties of the flake-like optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles can also be used as a machine-readable tool for verifying OELs. Thus, the optical properties of the non-spherical optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles can simultaneously be used as implicit or semi-implicit security features in the identification process where the optical (e.g., spectral) properties of the pigment particles are analyzed. The use of non-spherical, optically variable, magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in radiation-curable coating compositions for the production of OEL (x20) enhances the prominence of OEL as a security feature in secure document applications because such materials (i.e., non-spherical, optically variable, magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles) are reserved for the secure document printing industry and are not commercially available to the public.

[0090] Furthermore, due to their magnetic properties, the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein are machine-readable, and therefore radiation-curable coating compositions containing such pigment particles can be detected, for example, using a specific magnetic detector. Radiation-curable coating compositions containing the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein can therefore be used as implicit or semi-implicit security elements (identification tools) for secure documents.

[0091] As described above, preferably, at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are composed of non-spherical optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. These may be more preferably selected from the group consisting of non-spherical magnetic thin-film interference pigment particles, non-spherical magnetic cholesterol-type liquid crystal pigment particles, non-spherical interference-coated pigment particles containing magnetic materials, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0092] Magnetic thin-film interference pigment particles are known to those skilled in the art and are disclosed, for example, in 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 A1 and the documents cited herein. 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.

[0093] The preferred five-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure includes an absorber / dielectric / reflector / dielectric / absorber multilayer structure, wherein the reflector and / or absorber are also magnetic layers. Preferably, the reflector and / or absorber are magnetic layers containing nickel, iron and / or cobalt, and / or magnetic alloys containing nickel, iron and / or cobalt, and / or magnetic oxides containing nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and / or cobalt (Co).

[0094] The preferred six-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure includes an absorber / dielectric / reflector / magnetic / dielectric / absorber multilayer structure.

[0095] Preferred seven-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structures include absorber / dielectric / reflector / magnetic / reflector / dielectric / absorber multilayer structures, such as those disclosed in US 4,838,648.

[0096] Preferably, the reflector layer described herein is independently made of: selected from the group consisting of metals and metal alloys, more 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 one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and alloys thereof, and even more preferably aluminum (Al). Preferably, the dielectric layer is independently made 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), sodium aluminum fluoride (e.g., Na3AlF6), neodymium fluoride (NdF3), samarium fluoride (SmF3), barium fluoride (BaF2), calcium fluoride (CaF2), and lithium fluoride (LiF) and metal oxides such as silicon oxide (SiO), silicon dioxide (SiO2), titanium oxide (TiO2), and aluminum oxide (Al2O3). More preferably, it is selected from the group consisting of magnesium fluoride (MgF2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2), and even more preferably, it is magnesium fluoride (MgF2). Preferably, the absorber layer is independently made of a material 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), their metal oxides, their metal sulfides, their metal carbides, and their metal alloys; more preferably, a material selected from the group consisting of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), their metal oxides, and their metal alloys; and even more preferably, a material selected from the group consisting of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and their metal alloys. Preferably, the magnetic layer comprises nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), and / or cobalt (Co); and / or a magnetic alloy containing nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), and / or cobalt (Co); and / or a magnetic oxide containing 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 Fabry-Perot absorber / dielectric / reflector / magnetic body / reflector / dielectric / absorber multilayer structure composed of a Cr / MgF2 / Al / M / Al / MgF2 / Cr multilayer structure, wherein M is a magnetic layer containing nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and / or cobalt (Co); and / or a magnetic alloy containing nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and / or cobalt (Co); and / or a magnetic oxide containing nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and / or cobalt (Co).

[0097] The magnetic thin-film interference pigment particles described herein can be multilayer pigment particles considered safe for human health and the environment, and based on, for example, five-layer, six-layer, and seven-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structures. These pigment particles include one or more magnetic layers comprising a magnetic alloy having a substantially nickel-free composition comprising approximately 40% to approximately 90% by weight of iron, approximately 10% to approximately 50% by weight of chromium, and approximately 0% to approximately 30% by weight of aluminum. Typical examples of multilayer pigment particles considered safe for human health and the environment can be found in EP 2 402 401 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0098] The magnetic thin-film interference pigment particles described herein are typically manufactured using conventional deposition techniques for depositing different desired layers onto a mesh. After depositing the desired number of layers, for example by physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), or electrolytic deposition, the stack of layers is removed from the mesh by dissolving the release layer in a suitable solvent or by stripping the material from the mesh. The resulting material is then broken into flake-shaped pigment particles, which must be further processed by grinding, milling (e.g., jet milling) or any suitable method to obtain pigment particles of the desired size. The resulting product consists of flat, flake-shaped pigment particles with broken edges, irregular shapes, and varying aspect ratios. Further information on the preparation of suitable flake-shaped magnetic thin-film interference pigment particles can be found, for example, in EP 1 710 756 A1 and EP 1 666 546 A1, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0099] Suitable magnetic cholesterol-type liquid crystal pigment particles exhibiting optically variable properties include, but are not limited to, magnetic monolayer cholesterol-type liquid crystal pigment particles and magnetic multilayer cholesterol-type liquid crystal pigment particles. Such pigment particles are disclosed, for example, in WO2006 / 063926 A1, US 6,582,781, and US 6,531,221. WO 2006 / 063926 A1 discloses monolayers with other specific properties such as magnetizability and high brightness and color-changing properties, and pigment particles obtained therefrom. The disclosed monolayers and pigment particles obtained therefrom by comminuted said monolayers include three-dimensionally cross-linked cholesterol-type liquid crystal mixtures and magnetic nanoparticles. US 6,582,781 and US 6,410,130 disclose cholesterol-type multilayer pigment particles comprising sequence A. 1 / B / A 2 A 1 and A 2They may be the same or different and each includes at least one cholesterol-type layer, and B is an intermediate layer that absorbs the cholesterol from layer A. 1 and A 2 All or part of the transmitted light is transmitted and magnetism is imparted to the intermediate layer. US6,531,221 discloses plate-like cholesterol-type multilayer pigment particles comprising sequence A / B and optional C, wherein A and C are absorbing layers containing magnetically imparted pigment particles, and B is a cholesterol-type layer.

[0100] Suitable interference coating pigments comprising one or more magnetic materials include, but are not limited to, structures comprising a substrate selected from the group consisting of a core coated with one or more layers, wherein at least one core or one or more layers are magnetic. For example, suitable interference coating pigments include: cores made of magnetic materials such as those described above, said cores coated with one or more layers made of one or more metal oxides, or they have structures comprising cores made of synthetic or natural mica, layered silicates (e.g., talc, kaolin, and sericite), glass (e.g., borosilicates), silicon dioxide (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2), graphite, and mixtures of two or more thereof. Additionally, one or more other layers, such as coloring layers, may be present.

[0101] The non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein may be surface treated to protect them from any degradation that may occur in the radiation-curable coating composition and / or to promote their incorporation into the radiation-curable coating composition; typically, corrosion-inhibiting materials and / or wetting agents may be used.

[0102] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions described herein comprise non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles that are different in size and / or color characteristics, including, for example, optically variable properties. According to another embodiment of the invention, the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions described herein comprise non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles that are identical in size and / or color characteristics, including, for example, optically variable properties. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second radiation-curable coating compositions described herein are identical.

[0103] According to one embodiment, and provided that the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are flake-shaped pigment particles, the method for producing the optical effect layer described herein may further include one or two steps of exposing the radiation-curable coating composition described herein to a dynamic magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device to achieve biaxial orientation of at least a portion of the flake-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. According to one embodiment, the method further includes the step of exposing a first radiation-curable coating composition to a dynamic magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device to achieve biaxial orientation of at least a portion of the flake-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, said step being performed after step a) and before step b), and / or the method further includes the step of exposing a second radiation-curable coating composition to a dynamic magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device to achieve biaxial orientation of at least a portion of the flake-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, said step being performed after step d) and before step e).

[0104] A method comprising exposing the coating composition to the dynamic magnetic field of the first magnetic field generating device, prior to the step of further exposing the coating composition to the second magnetic field generating device, thereby causing at least a portion of the sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to biaxially orient, is disclosed in WO 2015 / 086257 A1. After exposing the radiation-curable coating composition to the dynamic magnetic field of the first magnetic field generating device described herein, and while the radiation-curable coating composition remains sufficiently wet or soft such that the sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles therein can be further moved and rotated, the sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles can be further reoriented by using the magnetic field of the first / second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) described herein.

[0105] Biaxial orientation means aligning the plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in such a way that they are constrained by two principal axes. That is, each plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particle can be considered to have a major axis in the plane of the pigment particle and a minor axis orthogonal to the plane of the pigment particle. The major and minor axes of the plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are each oriented according to a dynamic magnetic field. Effectively, this results in adjacent plate-like magnetic pigment particles being spatially close to each other and thus substantially parallel to each other. For biaxial orientation to be achieved, the plate-like magnetic pigment particles must undergo a strongly time-dependent external magnetic field. In other words, biaxial orientation aligns the planes of the plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles such that the planes of the pigment particles are oriented substantially parallel to the planes of adjacent (in all directions) plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. In an embodiment, both the major axis of the plane of the plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particle and the minor axis perpendicular to the aforementioned major axis are oriented by a dynamic magnetic field, such that adjacent (in all directions) pigment particles have major and minor axes aligned with each other.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the step of biaxially oriented flake-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles results in magnetic orientation, wherein the two principal axes of the flake-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are substantially parallel to the substrate surface. For this alignment, the flake-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are planarized in the radiation-curable coating composition on the substrate and oriented such that both their X-axis and Y-axis (shown in Figure 1 of WO 2015 / 086257 A1) are parallel to the substrate surface.

[0107] According to another embodiment, the step of biaxially oriented the sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles results in magnetic orientation, wherein the first axis of the sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles lies in an XY plane substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate, and the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis at a substantially non-zero elevation angle relative to the surface of the substrate.

[0108] According to another embodiment, the step of biaxially oriented sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles results in magnetic orientation, wherein the XY plane of the sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles is substantially parallel to the surface of the imaginary spheroid.

[0109] A particularly preferred magnetic field generating device for biaxially orienting sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles is disclosed in EP 2 157 141 A1. The magnetic field generating device disclosed in EP 2 157 141 A1 provides a dynamic magnetic field that changes its direction to force the sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to vibrate rapidly until the two principal axes, the X-axis and the Y-axis, become substantially parallel to the substrate surface; that is, the sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles rotate until they achieve a stable sheet-like structure in which the X-axis and Y-axis are substantially parallel to the substrate surface and planarized in said two dimensions.

[0110] Other particularly preferred magnetic field generating devices for biaxially oriented sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles include linear permanent magnet Halbach arrays, i.e., assemblies comprising multiple magnets with different magnetization directions. A detailed description of Halbach permanent magnets is given by ZQ Zhu et D. Howe (Halbach permanent magnetmachines and applications: a review, IEE. Proc. Electric Power Appl., 2001, 148, pp. 299-308). The magnetic field generated by such Halbach arrays has the property that it is concentrated on one side while weakening to almost zero on the other. Co-pending application EP 14195159.0 discloses suitable devices for biaxially oriented sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, wherein said devices include Halbach cylindrical assemblies. Other particularly preferred magnetic field generating devices for biaxially oriented sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are spinning magnets comprising disk-shaped spinning magnets or magnet assemblies magnetized primarily along their diameter. Suitable rotating magnets or magnet assemblies are described in US 2007 / 0172261 A1, which generate radially symmetrical, time-variable magnetic fields that cause biaxial orientation of sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in an uncured coating composition. These magnets or magnet assemblies are driven by a shaft (or spindle) connected to an external motor. CN 102529326 B discloses examples of magnetic field generating devices including rotating magnets suitable for biaxially orienting sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. In a preferred embodiment, a suitable magnetic field generating device for biaxially orienting sheet-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles is a shaftless, disk-shaped rotating magnet or magnet assembly constrained within a housing made of a non-magnetic, preferably non-conductive material, and driven by one or more magnet-wire coils wound around the housing. Examples of such shaftless disk-shaped rotating magnets or magnet assemblies are disclosed in WO 2015 / 082344 A1 and WO 2016 / 026896 A1.

[0111] The substrates (x10) described herein are preferably selected from the group consisting of: paper or other fibrous materials such as cellulose, paper-containing materials, glass, metals, ceramics, plastics and polymers, metallized plastics or polymers, composite materials and mixtures or combinations thereof. Typical paper, paper-like or other fibrous materials are made from a variety of fibers, including but not limited to Manila hemp, cotton, flax, wood pulp and blends thereof. As is known to those skilled in the art, cotton and cotton / flax blends are preferred for banknotes, while wood pulp is commonly used for security documents other than banknotes. Typical examples of plastics and polymers include polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), polyamides such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutadiene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene 2,6-naphthylene oxide (PEN), polyesters, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Spunbond olefin fibers, for example, are used in the trademark Tyvek. ® Those sold below can also be used as substrates (x10). Typical examples of metallized plastics or polymers include the aforementioned plastic or polymer materials on which metals are deposited continuously or discontinuously on their surfaces. Typical examples of metals include, but are not limited to, aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), gold (Au), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), silver (Ag), combinations thereof, or alloys of two or more of the aforementioned metals. The metallization of the aforementioned plastic or polymer materials can be accomplished by electrodeposition, high-vacuum coating, or sputtering. Typical examples of composite materials include, but are not limited to, paper and at least one plastic or polymer material such as those described above, as well as multilayer structures or laminates incorporating plastic and / or polymer fibers into paper or fibrous materials such as those described above. Of course, the substrate (x10) may further contain additives known to those skilled in the art, such as sizing agents, brighteners, processing aids, reinforcing or humectant agents, etc. The substrates (x10) described herein can be in the form of a mesh (e.g., a continuous sheet of the aforementioned materials) or a sheet. The OEL (x20) according to the invention should be produced on the secure document, and to further enhance the level of security and resistance to forgery and illegal copying of the secure document, the substrate (x10) may include printed, coated, laser-marked, or laser-perforated markings, watermarks, anti-counterfeiting security threads, fibers, divination boards, luminescent compounds, windows, foils, labels, and combinations thereof. Similarly, to further enhance the level of security and resistance to forgery and illegal copying of the secure document, the substrate (x10) may include one or more marking or tracer substances and / or machine-readable substances (e.g., luminescent substances, UV / visible / IR absorbing substances, magnetic substances, and combinations thereof).

[0112] This document also describes first and second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) for producing an OEL (x20) as described herein on a substrate (x10), the OEL (x20) comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles oriented in a first radiation-curable coating composition as described herein and non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles oriented in a second radiation-curable coating composition as described herein.

[0113] For each of the first and second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b), the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic field generating device (x30) and the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device (x40) interact such that the resulting magnetic fields of the first and second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) independently enable at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the uncured first and second radiation-curable coating compositions, which are respectively disposed in the magnetic fields of the first / second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) to produce an optical impression of more than one annular body whose size changes when the optical effect layer (x10) is tilted.

[0114] Suitable magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) are disclosed in WO 2017 / 064052 A1, WO 20170 / 80698 A1 and WO 2017 / 148789 A1, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0115] Figures 2-5 show examples of magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) suitable for producing the optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) described herein when used in two separate orientation steps (steps b) and e), wherein the magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) include the magnetic field generating device (x30) and the magnetic field generating device (x40) described herein.

[0116] The magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) described herein include the magnetic field generating device (x30), which includes a ring-shaped magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a single ring-shaped dipole magnet or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in a ring. Typical examples of combinations of two or more dipole magnets arranged in a ring include, but are not limited to, a combination of two dipole magnets arranged in a circular ring, a combination of three dipole magnets arranged in a triangular ring, or a combination of four dipole magnets arranged in a square or rectangular ring.

[0117] According to some embodiments, the magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) described herein include the magnetic field generating device (x30) described herein, which further includes the support base (x34) described herein. The support base (x34) described herein holds together all components of the magnetic field generating device (x30), i.e., the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), a single dipole magnet (x32) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) (when present), and one or more pole pieces (x33) (when present). Specifically, the support base (x34) described herein holds the single dipole magnet (x32) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) within a ring defined and spaced apart from the single annular magnetic field generating device (x31), or within a ring defined and spaced apart from two or more dipole magnets in an annular configuration. The annular magnetic field generating device (x31) can be symmetrically arranged in the support base (x34) or asymmetrically arranged in the support base (x34).

[0118] The support substrate (x34) described herein includes one or more indentations or grooves for receiving the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) described herein, a single dipole magnet (x32) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) (when present) and one or more pole pieces (x33) (when present).

[0119] The support substrate (x34) of the magnetic field generating device (x30) described herein is made of one or more non-magnetic materials. The non-magnetic materials are preferably selected from the group consisting of: low-conductivity materials, non-conducting materials and mixtures thereof, such as engineering plastics and polymers, aluminum, aluminum alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, and austenitic steel (i.e., non-magnetic steel). Engineering plastics and polymers include, but are not limited to, polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK) and its derivatives, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyether ketone ketone (PEKK), polyether ether ketone ketone (PEEKK), and polyether ketone ether ketone ketone (PEKEKK); polyacetal, polyamide, polyester, polyether, copolyether ester, polyimide, polyetherimide, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer, fluorinated and perfluorinated polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and liquid crystal polymers. Preferred materials are PEEK (polyetheretherketone), POM (polyoxymethylene), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), Nylon® (polyamide), and PPS.

[0120] The magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) described herein include a magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of a substrate (x10) or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) described herein. When the magnetic field generating device (x40) is a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41), the two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) can be separated by one or more spacers (x42) made of a non-magnetic material, or can be included in a support substrate made of a non-magnetic material. The non-magnetic material is preferably selected from the material provided for the support substrate (x34).

[0121] In the first orientation step (step b) and the second orientation step e), the distance (h) between the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (x30) or the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (x40) (i.e., the portion closest to the surface of the substrate (x10)) and the surface of the substrate (x10) facing the magnetic field generating device (x30) or the magnetic field generating device (x40) is preferably independently between about 0.1 and about 10 mm, more preferably between about 0.2 and about 5 mm.

[0122] In the first orientation step (step b) and the second orientation step e), the distance (d) between the magnetic field generating device (x30) and the magnetic field generating device (x40) can be independently included in the range of about 0 and about 10 mm, preferably between about 0 and about 3 mm.

[0123] First embodiment of the magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b):

[0124] According to the first embodiment, the magnetic assembly (x00-a, x00-b) for producing the described OEL (x20) on the substrate (x10) described herein includes:

[0125] i) A magnetic field generating device (x30), said magnetic field generating device (x30) comprising an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a single annular dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) as described herein, or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in an annular configuration with their magnetic axes substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein said magnetic field generating device (x30) may further include those support bases (x34) as described herein and may further include those one or more pole pieces (x33) as described herein, and

[0126] ii) A magnetic field generating device (x40), which is either a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) with their magnetic axes substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) as described herein. When the magnetic field generating device (x40) is a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) with their magnetic axes substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), the two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) may be arranged in a symmetrical or asymmetrical configuration. Preferably, all two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) have the same magnetic direction, i.e., all their north pole faces are in the same direction.

[0127] The magnetic field generating device (x30) may be positioned above the magnetic field generating device (x40), or alternatively, the magnetic field generating device (x40) may be positioned above the magnetic field generating device (x30). The distance (d) between the magnetic field generating device (x30) and the magnetic field generating device (x40) may be in the range of about 0 to about 10 mm, preferably in the range of about 0 to about 3 mm.

[0128] according to Figure 2A -B and Figure 5A -B shows an embodiment for producing a magnetic assembly (x00-a, x00-b) of the described OEL (x20) on the described substrate (x10) comprising i) the described magnetic field generating device (x30), which includes i-1) the described support substrate (x34), i-2) annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a single annular, particularly circular, dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the described substrate (x10), and i-3) one or more pole pieces (x33), particularly one or more annular pole pieces. The magnetic field generating device (x31) comprises: ii) a magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) described herein, the magnetic axes of the two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) being substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction, wherein the two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) can be separated by one or more spacers (x42) described herein, and wherein the magnetic field generating device (x30) is positioned above the magnetic field generating device (x40).

[0129] Figure 2A -B and Figure 5A-B indicates an example of a magnetic assembly (200-a, 200-b / 500-a, 500-b) applicable to the first orientation step (step b) or the second orientation step (step e) described herein, the magnetic assembly (200-a, 200-b / 500-a, 500-b) including a magnetic field generating device (230 / 530) and a magnetic field generating device (240 / 540).

[0130] Figure 2A and 5A The magnetic components (200-a, 200-b / 500-a, 500-b) include a magnetic field generating device (240 / 540), which is a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (241 / 641) as described herein, the magnetic field generating device (240 / 540) being disposed below the magnetic field generating device (230 / 630), wherein the magnetic axes of each of the two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (241 / 541) are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (210 / 510) and their north pole faces are in the same direction.

[0131] Magnetic field generating device (240 / 540) is Figure 2A and 5A Combinations of two or more, or seven rod-shaped dipole magnets, rod-shaped dipole magnets (241 / 541) and Figure 2A and 5A One or more of six spacers (242 / 542), said spacers being made of those non-magnetic materials as described herein for supporting the substrate (x34). Figure 2A and 5A As shown, the configuration of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (241 / 541) and spacers (242 / 542) can be asymmetrical.

[0132] Two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (241) can each be as follows: Figure 2A The parallelepiped shown has a length (B1), width (B2), and thickness (B3). Each spacer (242) can be a parallelepiped with a length (B4), width (B5), and thickness (B6). Two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (541) can each be as follows: Figure 5A The parallelepiped shown has a length (L1), width (L2a), and thickness (L3). Each spacer (542) can be a parallelepiped with a length, width (L2b), and thickness (L3).

[0133] The magnetic field generating device (230) includes a support base (234), which can be, for example, Figure 2A The parallelepiped shown has a length (A6), width (A7), and thickness (A8). The magnetic field generating device (530) includes a support base (534), which can be as follows: Figure 5A The parallelepiped shown has a length (L4), width (L5), and thickness (L6).

[0134] Figure 2A and 5A The magnetic field generating device (230 / 530) includes a support base (234 / 534), a ring-shaped magnetic field generating device as a ring-shaped dipole magnet (231 / 531), and one or more ring-shaped pole pieces (233 / 533), particularly Figure 2A and 5A A ring-shaped pole piece is shown, as described herein. The ring-shaped magnetic field generating device, which is a ring-shaped dipole magnet (231), has an outer diameter (A1), an inner diameter (A2), and a thickness (A5). The ring-shaped magnetic field generating device, which is a ring-shaped dipole magnet (531), has an outer diameter (L7), an inner diameter (L8), and a thickness (L9). The magnetic axis of the ring-shaped dipole magnet (231 / 531) is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic axis of the magnetic field generating device (240 / 540), that is, substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (210 / 510), with the south pole facing the substrate (210 / 510).

[0135] One or more annular electrode sheets (233), particularly one annular electrode sheet (233), have an outer diameter (A3), an inner diameter (A4), and a thickness (A5). One or more annular electrode sheets (533), particularly one annular electrode sheet (533), have an outer diameter (L10), an inner diameter (L11), and a thickness (L9).

[0136] The magnetic field generating devices (230 / 530) and (240 / 540) are preferably in direct contact, i.e., the distance (d) between the lower surface of the support base (234 / 534) and the upper surface of the rod-shaped dipole magnet (240 / 540) is approximately 0 mm (for clarity of the accompanying drawings). Figure 2A and Figure 5A (Not shown to scale). The distance between the upper surface of the support base (234 / 534) and the surface of the substrate (210 / 510) facing the support base (234 / 534) is represented by the distance (h). Preferably, the distance (h) is between about 0.1 and about 10 mm, and more preferably between about 0.2 and about 6 mm.

[0137] A second embodiment of the magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b):

[0138] According to the second embodiment, the magnetic assembly (x00-a, x00-b) for producing the described OEL (x20) on the substrate (x10) described herein includes...

[0139] i) A magnetic field generating device (x30), said magnetic field generating device (x30) comprising i-1) the support base (x34) described herein, i-2) an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a single annular dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in an annular configuration, the magnetic axes of the two or more dipole magnets being substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction described herein, i-3) a single dipole magnet (x32) with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) with their magnetic axes substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction described herein, and / or one or more pole pieces (x33) described herein, and

[0140] ii) A magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) whose magnetic axes are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and which have the same magnetic field direction as described herein.

[0141] Preferably, the one or more pole pieces (x33) described herein are annular pole pieces (x33). Preferably, the one or more pole pieces (x33), more preferably, the one or more annular pole pieces (x33) are disposed within the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) or within a combination of dipole magnets arranged in a ring. The one or more pole pieces (x33), more preferably, the one or more annular pole pieces (x33) can be symmetrically disposed within the ring of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) (e.g., Figure 2A and 6 (As shown in Figure A) or can be asymmetrically arranged within the ring of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31). The pole pieces represent a structure composed of soft magnetic materials. Soft magnetic materials have low coercivity and high saturation. Appropriately low coercivity, high saturation materials have coercivity below 1000 A. . m -1 This allows for rapid magnetization and demagnetization, and their saturation is preferably at least 0.1 Tesla, more preferably at least 1.0 Tesla, and even more preferably at least 2 Tesla. The low coercivity, high saturation materials described herein include, but are not limited to, soft magnetic iron (from annealed iron and carbonyl iron), nickel, cobalt, soft ferrites such as manganese-zinc ferrite or nickel-zinc ferrite, nickel-iron alloys (such as permalloy-type materials), cobalt-iron alloys, ferrosilicon, and amorphous metal alloys such as Metglas® (iron-boron alloy), preferably pure iron and ferrosilicon (electrical steel), and cobalt-iron and nickel-iron alloys (permalloy-type materials). The pole pieces are used to guide the magnetic field generated by the magnet.

[0142] According to one embodiment, the magnetic field generating device (x30) described herein includes the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) described herein and a single dipole magnet (x32) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) described herein. The single dipole magnet or two or more dipole magnets (x32) are disposed within the annular dipole magnet or within a combination of dipole magnets arranged in a ring configuration. The single dipole magnet (x32) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) may be symmetrically disposed within the ring of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) or asymmetrically disposed within the ring of the annular dipole magnet.

[0143] According to another embodiment, the magnetic field generating device (x30) described herein includes the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) described herein and one or more pole pieces (x33) described herein, preferably one or more annular pole pieces (x33). The one or more pole pieces (x33), preferably one or more annular pole pieces (x33), are preferably independently disposed within the annular dipole magnet or disposed within a combination of dipole magnets arranged in an annular configuration.

[0144] According to another embodiment, the magnetic field generating device (x30) described herein includes the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) described herein, a single dipole magnet (x32) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) described herein, and one or more pole pieces (x33) described herein, preferably one or more annular pole pieces (x33). The single dipole magnet (x32) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) and one or more pole pieces (x33) described herein, preferably one or more annular pole pieces (x33), are independently disposed within the annular dipole magnet or within a combination of dipole magnets arranged in a ring. The single dipole magnet (x32) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) and one or more pole pieces (x33) described herein, preferably one or more annular pole pieces (x33), can be independently and symmetrically or asymmetrically disposed within the ring of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31).

[0145] The magnetic field generating device (x30) can be positioned above the magnetic field generating device (x40), or alternatively, the magnetic field generating device (x40) can be positioned above the annular magnetic field generating device (x30). Preferably, the magnetic field generating device (x30) can be positioned above the magnetic field generating device (x40).

[0146] The distance (d) between the magnetic field generating device (x30) and the magnetic field generating device (x40) can be between about 0 and about 10 mm, preferably between about 0 and about 3 mm.

[0147] A third implementation scheme for the magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b):

[0148] According to the third embodiment, the magnetic assembly (x00-a, x00-b) for producing the described OEL (x20) on the substrate (x10) described herein includes...

[0149] i) A magnetic field generating device (x30), which includes i-1) the support substrate (x34) described herein, i-2) a ring-shaped magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a single ring-shaped magnet or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in a ring, having radial magnetization as described herein, and i-3) a single dipole magnet (x32) with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), or a single dipole magnet (x32) with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), or two or more dipole magnets (x32) whose magnetic axes are substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10).

[0150] When the north pole of a single ring magnet or the north pole of two or more dipole magnets forming a ring magnetic field generating device (x31) points to the outer periphery of the ring magnetic field generating device (x31), the north pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10); or when the south pole of a single ring magnet or the south pole of two or more dipole magnets forming a ring magnetic field generating device (x31) points to the outer periphery of the ring magnetic field generating device (x31) described herein, the south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the south pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10).

[0151] ii) A magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) whose magnetic axes are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and which have the same magnetic field direction as described herein.

[0152] According to one embodiment, the magnetic assembly (x00-a, x00-b) includes the magnetic field generating device (x30) and the magnetic field generating device (x40) described herein, and one or more pole pieces (x50) described herein, preferably made of the material described herein for the one or more pole pieces (x33). The one or more pole pieces (x50) can be annular pole pieces or solid pole pieces (i.e., the pole pieces do not include a central region lacking the material of the pole pieces), preferably solid pole pieces, and more preferably disc pole pieces.

[0153] According to one embodiment, the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) is a single annular magnet whose magnetic axis is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and has a radial direction, i.e., when viewed from above (i.e., from the substrate (x10) side), its magnetic axis points from the central region of the ring of the annular magnet to the outer periphery, or in other words, its north or south pole points radially towards the central region of the ring of the annular dipole magnet. According to a preferred embodiment, the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) is a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in a ring configuration as described herein, the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) having radial magnetization, i.e., when viewed from above (i.e., from the substrate (x10) side), the magnetic axis of each dipole magnet points from the central region of the ring of the annular magnet to the outer periphery, or in other words, its north or south pole points radially towards the central region of the ring of the annular dipole magnet.

[0154] Preferably, the magnetic field generating device (x30) described herein includes a single dipole magnet (x32), wherein when the north pole of the single ring magnet or the north poles of two or more dipole magnets forming the ring magnetic field generating device (x31) point to the outer periphery of the ring magnetic field generating device (x31), the magnetic axis of the single dipole magnet is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) and its north pole points to the surface of the substrate (x10); or when the south pole of the single ring magnet or the south pole of two or more dipole magnets forming the ring magnetic field generating device (x31) points to the outer periphery of the ring magnetic field generating device (x31) or includes two or more dipole magnets (x32), its south pole points to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein... The magnetic axes of two or more dipole magnets (x32) are substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), and wherein when the north pole of a single ring magnet or the north pole of two or more dipole magnets forming a ring magnetic field generating device (x31) points to the outer periphery of the ring magnetic field generating device (x31), the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10), or wherein when the south pole of a single ring magnet or the south pole of two or more dipole magnets forming a ring magnetic field generating device (x31) points to the outer periphery of the ring magnetic field generating device (x31) as described herein, the south pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10).

[0155] According to one embodiment, the magnetic field generating device (x30) described herein includes the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) described herein and a single dipole magnet (x32) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) described herein. The single dipole magnet or two or more dipole magnets (x32) are disposed within the annular dipole magnet or in a combination of dipole magnets arranged in a ring configuration. The single dipole magnet (x32) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) may be symmetrically disposed within the ring of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) or may be asymmetrically disposed within the ring of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31).

[0156] The magnetic field generating devices (x30) and (x40) may be disposed above each other. Preferably, the magnetic field generating device (x40) is disposed above the magnetic field generating device (x30). When one or more pole pieces (x50) described herein are included in the magnetic assembly (x00-a, x00-b), the magnetic field generating device (x30) is preferably disposed above one or more pole pieces (x50) (see, for example, FIG4). The distance (e) between the lower surface of the magnetic field generating device (x30) and the upper surface of one or more pole pieces (x50) may include a range between about 0 and about 5 mm, preferably between about 0 and about 1 mm.

[0157] The support base (x34) can hold a single dipole magnet (x32) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) within a ring defined and spaced apart by a single annular dipole magnet, or within a ring defined and spaced apart by two or more dipole magnets in an annular configuration of an annular magnetic field generating device (x31).

[0158] The distance (d) between the magnetic field generating device (x30) and the magnetic field generating device (x40) can be in the range of about 0 to about 10 mm, preferably between about 0 and about 3 mm.

[0159] according to Figure 3A-B shows an embodiment for producing a magnetic assembly (x00-a, x00-b) of the described OEL (x20) on a substrate (x10) described herein, comprising i) a magnetic field generating device (x30), said magnetic field generating device (x30) comprising i-1) a support base (x34) described herein, i-2) an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a combination of two or more, particularly four, dipole magnets arranged in an annular, particularly square, configuration, said annular magnetic field generating device (x31) having radial magnetization as described herein; and i-3) two or more dipole magnets (x32), each of said two or more dipole magnets (x32) having a magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein when the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) When the north pole of the body points to the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the north pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10), or when the south pole of the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) points to the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) described herein, the south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the south pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10), and ii) a magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) as described herein, wherein the magnetic field generating device (x40) is preferably disposed above the magnetic field generating device (x30).

[0160] Figure 3A -B indicates an example of a magnetic assembly (300-a, 300-b) applicable to the first orientation step (step b) or the second orientation step (step e) described herein, the magnetic assembly (300-a, 300-b) including a magnetic field generating device (330) and a magnetic field generating device (340).

[0161] Figure 3A The magnetic components (300-a, 300-b) include a magnetic field generating device (340), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet, and the magnetic field generating device (340) is disposed above the magnetic field generating device (330). The magnetic field generating device (340) can be as follows: Figure 3A The parallelepiped shown has a length (B1), width (B2), and thickness (B3). The magnetic axis of the magnetic field generating device (340) is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (310).

[0162] Figure 3A The magnetic field generating device (330) includes a support base (334), which can be, for example, Figure 3AThe parallelepiped shown has a length (A4), a width (A5), and a thickness (A6).

[0163] Figure 3A The magnetic field generating device (330) includes a ring magnetic field generating device (331), which is a combination of four dipole magnets arranged in a square shape and a combination of two or more, particularly eight dipole magnets (332).

[0164] Each of the four dipole magnets in the ring-shaped magnetic field generating device (331), which forms a square-shaped magnetic device, can be as follows: Figure 3A The parallelepiped shown has a length (A1), width (A2), and thickness (A3). The magnetic axis of each of the four dipole magnets is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (310), and their respective north poles point radially toward the central region of the ring arranged in a square configuration (331), and their south poles point toward the outside of the supporting base (334).

[0165] The combination of two or more, particularly eight, dipole magnets (332) has a diameter (A7) and a thickness (A8) and the magnetic axis is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic axis of the magnetic field generating device (340), that is, substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (310), with the south pole facing the substrate (310).

[0166] The magnetic field generating devices (330 and (340), which are single rod-shaped dipole magnets, are preferably in direct contact, i.e., the distance (d) between the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (330) and the lower surface of the magnetic field generating device (340) is approximately 0 mm (for clarity of the figures). Figure 3A (Not shown to scale). The distance between the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (340) and the surface of the substrate (310) facing the magnetic field generating device (340) is represented by a distance (h). Preferably, the distance (h) is between about 0.1 and about 10 mm, and more preferably between about 0.2 and about 5 mm.

[0167] according to Figure 4A-B, another embodiment, shows a magnetic assembly (x00-a, x00-b) for producing the described OEL (x20) on the described substrate (x10) including i) a magnetic field generating device (x30), said magnetic field generating device (x30) including the described support base (x34), an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a combination of two or more, particularly four, dipole magnets arranged in an annular, particularly square, configuration, such as the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) with the described radial magnetization; two or more dipole magnets (x32), each of said two or more dipole magnets (x32) having a magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein when the north poles of the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) point to the outer periphery of said annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the single dipole... The north pole of the polar magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points toward the surface of the substrate (x10), or wherein when the south pole of the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) points toward the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) described herein, the south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the south pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points toward the surface of the substrate (x10), ii) a magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) described herein, and iii) one or more pole pieces (x50) described herein, wherein the magnetic field generating device (x40) is preferably disposed above the magnetic field generating device (x30), and wherein the magnetic field generating device (x30) is disposed above one or more pole pieces (x50).

[0168] Figure 4A -B indicates an example of a magnetic assembly (400-a, 400-b) applicable to the first orientation step (step b) or the second orientation step (step e) described herein, the magnetic assembly (400-a, 400-b) including a magnetic field generating device (430), a magnetic field generating device (440), and one or more pole pieces (450).

[0169] Figure 4A The magnetic components (400-a, 400-b) include a magnetic field generating device (440), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet, and the magnetic field generating device (440) is disposed above the magnetic field generating device (430). The magnetic field generating device (440) can be as follows: Figure 4A The parallelepiped shown has a length (B1), width (B2), and thickness (B3). The magnetic axis of the magnetic field generating device (440) is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (410).

[0170] Figure 4AThe magnetic field generating device (430) includes a support base (434), which can be, for example, Figure 4A The parallelepiped shown has a length (A4), a width (A5), and a thickness (A6).

[0171] Figure 4A The magnetic field generating device (430) includes a ring magnetic field generating device (431), which is a combination of four dipole magnets arranged in a square shape and a combination of two or more, particularly nineteen dipole magnets (432).

[0172] Each of the four dipole magnets in the ring-shaped magnetic field generating device (431), which forms a square-shaped magnetic device, can be as follows: Figure 4A The parallelepiped shown has a length (A1), width (A2), and thickness (A3). The magnetic axis of each of the four dipole magnets is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (410), and their respective north poles point radially toward the central region of the ring arranged in a square configuration (431), and their south poles point toward the outside of the supporting base (434).

[0173] The combination of two or more, particularly nineteen, dipole magnets (432) each has a length (A8) and a diameter (A7) and the magnetic axis is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic axis of the magnetic field generating device (440), that is, substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (410), with the south pole facing the substrate (410).

[0174] Figure 4A The magnetic components (400-a, 400-b) include one or more pole pieces (450), particularly a disc-shaped pole piece (450) having a diameter (C1) and a thickness (C2), wherein a magnetic field generating device (430) is disposed above one or more pole pieces (450).

[0175] The magnetic field generating devices (430 and 440), which are single rod-shaped dipole magnets, are preferably in direct contact, that is, the distance (d) between the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (430) and the lower surface of the magnetic field generating device (440) is about 0 mm (for clarity of the figures). Figure 4A (Not shown to scale). The distance between the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (440) and the surface of the substrate (410) facing the magnetic field generating device (440) is represented by a distance (h). Preferably, the distance (h) is between about 0.1 and about 10 mm, and more preferably between about 0.2 and about 5 mm.

[0176] The magnetic field generating device (430) and one or more pole pieces (450), particularly a disc-shaped pole piece (450), are preferably in direct contact, i.e., the distance (e) between the lower surface of the support base (434) of the magnetic field generating device (430) and the upper surface of the disc-shaped pole piece (450) is approximately 0 mm (for clarity of the figures). Figure 4A (Not shown to scale).

[0177] The annular magnetic field generating device (x31) and the two or more dipole magnets arranged in a ring and included in the magnetic field generating device (x30) are preferably made independently of a high-coercivity material (also known as a strong magnetic material). A suitable high-coercivity material has a maximum energy product (BH)max of at least 20 kJ / m³, preferably at least 50 kJ / m³, and more preferably at least 100 kJ / m³. 3 Or even better, at least 200 kJ / m 3 The materials are preferably made of one or more sintered or polymer-bonded magnetic materials selected from the group consisting of: Alnicos, such as Alnico 5 (R1-1-1), Alnico 5 DG (R1-1-2), Alnico 5-7 (R1-1-3), Alnico 6 (R1-1-4), Alnico 8 (R1-1-5), Alnico 8 HC (R1-1-7), and Alnico 9 (R1-1-6); and MFe 12 O 19 Hexagonal ferrites (e.g., strontium hexagonal ferrites (SrO2)) 6Fe2O3) or barium hexagonal ferrite (BaO) Hard ferrites of the formula MFe2O4 (e.g., cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) or magnetite (Fe3O4)), where M is a divalent metal ion, and ceramics 8 (SI-1-5); selected from RECo5 (RE=Sm or Pr), RE2TM 17 (RE=Sm, TM=Fe, Cu, Co, Zr, Hf), RE2TM 14 Rare-earth magnetic materials from the group B (RE = Nd, Pr, Dy, TM = Fe, Co); anisotropic alloys of Fe, Cr, and Co; and materials selected from the group PtCo, MnAlC, REcobalt5 / 16, and REcobalt14. Preferably, the high coercivity material of the magnetic rod is selected from the group consisting of rare-earth magnetic materials, and more preferably from the group consisting of Nd2Fe4B and SmCo5. Particularly preferred are materials comprising permanent magnetic fillers such as strontium-hexagonal ferrite (SrFe) in a plastic or rubber matrix.12 O 19 or neodymium-iron-boron (Nd2Fe) 14 B) Powdered, easily processable permanent magnetic composite materials.

[0178] The single dipole magnet (x32) and two or more dipole magnets (x32) of the magnetic field generating device (x30) described herein are preferably made independently of strongly magnetic materials, as are the ring magnets and two or more dipole magnets used in the ring magnetic field generating device (x31) as described above.

[0179] The rod-shaped dipole magnet of the magnetic field generating device (x40) is preferably made of a strongly magnetic material, such as the material used for the annular magnet and two or more dipole magnets in the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) as described above.

[0180] The materials of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the dipole magnet (x32), the pole piece (x33) (when present), the magnetic field generating device (x40), the two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41), the pole piece (x50) (when present), and the distances (d), (h), and (e) are selected such that the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device (x30) and the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device (x40) interact to produce a magnetic field, i.e., the magnetic field obtained by the device described herein, suitable for producing the required magnetic orientation, i.e., the magnetic orientation pattern of the particles in the first radiation-curable coating composition and the magnetic orientation pattern of the particles in the second radiation-curable coating composition, to produce an optical imprint of one or more annular bodies whose size changes when the optical effect layer (x10) is tilted.

[0181] The first magnetic component (x00-a) and / or the second magnetic component (x00-b) used to produce the OEL (x20) described herein may further include an engraved magnetic plate, such as those disclosed in WO 2005 / 002866 A1 and WO 2008 / 046702 A1. The engraved magnetic plate is located between the magnetic field generating device (x30) or the magnetic field generating device (x40) and the surface of the substrate (x10) to locally modify the magnetic field of the magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b). This engraved plate may be made of iron (iron yoke). Alternatively, this engraved plate may be made of a plastic material, such as those described herein in which magnetic particles are dispersed (e.g., plastic ferrite).

[0182] As described herein, a method for producing the optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) described herein and providing an optical imprint of annular bodies whose size and shape change when the optical effect layer is tilted includes two separate magnetic alignment steps (step b) and step e) to produce on the substrate (x10) described herein one or more first patterns made of a first coating (x21) described herein and one or more second patterns made of a second coating (x22) described herein, wherein the second coating (x22) is at least partially disposed above the first coating (x21). As described herein, each of the two magnetic alignment steps (step b) and step e)) advantageously uses two different magnetic components (x00-a and x00-b), wherein each of the magnetic components (x00-a and x00-b) allows the production of an optical effect layer exhibiting annular bodies whose size changes when the optical effect layer is tilted, and the annular bodies thus obtained have different shapes. An optical imprint of more than one annular body whose size and shape change when the optical effect layer is tilted is obtained by using a specific magnetic orientation pattern obtained in steps b) and e) and fixed / frozen in steps c) and f).

[0183] The two magnets of the magnetic field generating device (x40), one used during the first magnetic orientation step (b)) in the first magnetic assembly (x00-a) and the other used during the second magnetic orientation step (e)) in the second magnetic assembly (x00-b), need to have opposite magnetic directions, that is, the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (x40) of the first magnetic assembly (x00-a) and the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (x40) of the second magnetic assembly (x00-b) are opposite within the reference frame of the substrate (x10).

[0184] The method for producing the described OEL (x20) on the substrate (x10) described herein includes step b) of exposing a first radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of a first magnetic component (x00-a) described herein, and step e) of exposing a second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of a second magnetic component (x00-b) described herein, wherein the first and second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) are different, and wherein the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (x40) of the first magnetic component (x00-a) is opposite to the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (x40) of the second magnetic component (x00-b) within a reference frame of the substrate (x10), wherein steps c) (at least partial curing of the first radiation-curable coating composition) and d) (application of the second radiation-curable coating composition) are performed between steps b) and e). According to one embodiment, a method for producing the described OEL (x20) on a substrate (x10) described herein includes i) exposing a first radiation-curable coating composition to a magnetic field of a first magnetic component (x00-a), wherein the first magnetic component (x00-a) is selected from the components described in the first embodiment described herein, and ii) exposing a second radiation-curable coating composition to a magnetic field of a second magnetic component (x00-b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is selected from the components described in the first embodiment described herein, wherein the magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) are different; or includes i) exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to a magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), wherein The first magnetic component (x00-a) is selected from the components described in the first embodiment described herein, and the step of i) exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is selected from the components described in the second embodiment described herein; or the step of i) exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), wherein the first magnetic component (x00-a) is selected from the components described in the first embodiment described herein, and the step of ii) exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is selected from the components described in the third embodiment described herein.

[0185] According to another embodiment, a method for producing the described OEL (x20) on a substrate (x10) herein includes i) exposing a first radiation-curable coating composition to a magnetic field of a first magnetic component (x00-a), wherein the first magnetic component (x00-a) is selected from the components described in the second embodiment herein, and ii) exposing a second radiation-curable coating composition to a magnetic field of a second magnetic component (x00-b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is selected from the components described in the first embodiment herein; or includes i) exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to a magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), wherein the first magnetic component (x00-a) is selected from the components described in the second embodiment herein. The components described in the embodiment, and i) the step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is selected from the components described in the second embodiment described herein, wherein the magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) are different; or include i) the step of exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), wherein the first magnetic component (x00-a) is selected from the components described in the second embodiment described herein, and ii) the step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is selected from the components described in the third embodiment described herein.

[0186] According to another embodiment, a method for producing the described OEL (x20) on a substrate (x10) herein includes i) exposing a first radiation-curable coating composition to a magnetic field of a first magnetic component (x00-a), wherein the first magnetic component (x00-a) is selected from the components described in the third embodiment herein, and ii) exposing a second radiation-curable coating composition to a magnetic field of a second magnetic component (x00-b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is selected from the components described in the first embodiment herein; or includes i) exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to a magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), wherein the first magnetic component (x00-a) is selected from the components described in the third embodiment herein. The components described in the embodiment include, and i) the step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is selected from the components described in the second embodiment herein; or include i) the step of exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), wherein the first magnetic component (x00-a) is selected from the components described in the third embodiment herein, and ii) the step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is selected from the components described in the third embodiment herein, wherein the magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) are different.

[0187] According to a preferred embodiment, a method for producing the described OEL (x20) on the substrate (x10) described herein includes:

[0188] i) The step of exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), wherein the first magnetic component (x00-a) is selected from the components described in the first embodiment herein, i.e., the first magnetic component (x00-a) includes i) a magnetic field generating device (x30), the magnetic field generating device (x30) including i-1) the support substrate (x34) described herein, i-2) annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a single annular dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) or two or more arranged in a ring. The combination of two or more dipole magnets, each with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction as described herein, and optionally i-3) one or more pole pieces (x33) as described herein, and ii) a magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41), each with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction as described herein, and

[0189] ii) The step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is selected from the components described in the third embodiment herein, namely the second magnetic component (x00-b), which includes i) a magnetic field generating device (x30), the magnetic field generating device (x30) including i-1) the support substrate (x34) described herein, i-2) annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a single annular magnet or two or more dipoles arranged in annular configuration. The combination of magnets, the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) having radial magnetization as described herein, and i-3) a single dipole magnet (x32) with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), or a single dipole magnet (x32) with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), or two or more dipole magnets (x32), each of which has its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein when the north pole of the single annular magnet or the two poles forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) are perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), the magnetic axis of the single dipole magnet is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein the magnetic axis of the single dipole magnet is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), and the magnetic axis of the two poles forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), ... single dipole magnet is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), the magnetic axis of the single dipole magnet is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), and the magnetic axis of the single dipole magnet is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), the magnetic axis of the single dipole magnet is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), and the magnetic axis of the single dipole magnet is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), the magnetic axis of the single dipole magnet is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), the magnetic axis of the single dipole magnet is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), the magnetic axis of the single dipole magnet is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), the magnetic axis of the single dip When the north poles of one or more dipole magnets point towards the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the north pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points towards the surface of the substrate (x10), or when the south pole of the single annular magnet or the south pole of the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) points towards the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) described herein, the south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of the two or more dipole magnets... At least one of the pole magnets (x32) has its south pole pointing toward the surface of the substrate (x10), and ii) a magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41), each of which has its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and has the same magnetic field direction, wherein the magnetic field generating device (x40) may further include one or more pole pieces (x50) as described herein.

[0190] Preferably, the step of exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a) is performed using the first magnetic component (x00-a), which includes a magnetic field generating device (x30). The magnetic field generating device (x30) includes i-1) the support substrate (x34) described herein, i-2) the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) described herein, preferably a single annular dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) described herein, and i-3) one or more pole pieces (x33), preferably one or more annular pole pieces, wherein the one or more pole pieces (x33) are independently disposed within the single annular dipole magnet or within a combination of dipole magnets arranged in an annular configuration. More preferably, and for example... Figure 2A -B and Figure 5A As shown in -B, the step of exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a) is performed using the first magnetic component (x00-a), which includes i) magnetic field generating devices (x30) as described herein, and said magnetic field generating devices (x30) include i-1) the support substrate (x34) described herein, i-2) annular magnetic field generating devices (x31), which are single annular, particularly circular, dipole magnets with magnetic axes substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) described herein, and i-3) one or more pole pieces (x33), particularly a... More than one annular pole piece, wherein the more than one annular, particularly circular annular pole piece (X33) is symmetrically arranged within the ring of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), and ii) the magnetic field generating device (x40) described herein, which is a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) described herein, the magnetic axes of the two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) being substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction, wherein the two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) can be separated by one or more spacers (x42) described herein, and wherein the magnetic field generating device (x30) is positioned above the magnetic field generating device (x40).

[0191] Preferably, the step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b) is performed using the second magnetic component (x00-b), which includes a magnetic field generating device (x30) comprising i-1) a support substrate (x34) as described herein, and i-2) an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a single annular magnet or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in an annular configuration. The annular magnetic field generating device (x31) has a single dipole magnet (x32) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) radially magnetized with magnetic axes substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), the magnetic axes of each of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) being substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) as described herein, wherein the north pole of the single annular magnet or the north pole of the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) points towards the annular magnetic field generating device (x32). 1) When the north pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points towards the surface of the substrate (x10), or when the south pole of the single ring magnet or the south pole of the two or more dipole magnets forming the ring magnetic field generating device (x31) points towards the outer periphery of the ring magnetic field generating device (x31), the south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the south pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points towards the outer periphery of the ring magnetic field generating device (x31). The poles point towards the surface of the substrate (x10); ii) a magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41), each of which has its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and has the same magnetic field direction as described herein; iii) and optionally one or more pole pieces (x50), preferably one or more disk-shaped pole pieces (x50). More preferably and for example... Figure 3AAs shown in -B or 4A-B, the step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b) is performed using the second magnetic component (x00-b), which includes i) a magnetic field generating device (x30), the magnetic field generating device (x30) including i-1) a support substrate (x34) as described herein, i-2) an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a combination of two or more, particularly four, dipole magnets arranged in an annular, particularly square, shape, the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) having radial magnetization as described herein, and i-3) two or more dipole magnets (x32), each of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) The magnetic axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein when the north poles of two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) point to the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the north pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10), or wherein when the south poles of two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) point to the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the south pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10), and ii) magnetic field generating device The magnetic field generating device (x40) is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet whose magnetic axis is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) as described herein. The magnetic field generating device (x40) is preferably positioned above the magnetic field generating device (x30), or the step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b) is performed using the second magnetic component (x00-b). The second magnetic component (x00-b) includes i) the magnetic field generating device (x30), which includes i-1) the support substrate (x34) described herein, and an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a combination of two or more, particularly four, dipole magnets arranged in an annular, particularly square, configuration. The annular magnetic field generating device (x31) has radial magnetization as described herein, and two or more dipole magnets (x32), the magnetic axes of each of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) being substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10). When the north poles of the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) point towards the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the north pole of a single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points towards the surface of the substrate (x10), or when the south poles of the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) point towards the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31),The south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points towards the surface of the substrate (x10); ii) a magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), as described herein; and iii) one or more pole pieces (x50) described herein, preferably one or more disk-shaped pole pieces (x50) described herein, wherein the magnetic field generating device (x40) is preferably disposed above the magnetic field generating device (x30), and wherein the magnetic field generating device (x30) is disposed above one or more pole pieces (x50).

[0192] According to another embodiment, a method for producing the described OEL (x20) on the substrate (x10) described herein includes:

[0193] i) the step of exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), wherein the first magnetic component (x00-a) is selected from the components described in the third embodiment described herein, namely the first magnetic component (x00-a), and ii) the step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is selected from the components described in the third embodiment described herein, namely the first and second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b), the first and second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) The magnetic field generating device (x30) independently includes i) a magnetic field generating device (x30), which includes i-1) the support base (x34) described herein, i-2) the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) described herein, which is a single annular magnet or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in an annular configuration, the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) having radial magnetization as described herein, i-3) a single dipole magnet (x32) whose magnetic axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), or a single dipole magnet (x32) whose magnetic axis is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), or two or more dipole magnets (x34). 32) The magnetic axes of each of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) are substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein when the north pole of a single ring magnet or the north pole of two or more dipole magnets forming the ring magnetic field generating device (x31) points to the outer periphery of the ring magnetic field generating device (x31), the north pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10), or wherein when the south pole of a single ring magnet or the south pole of two or more dipole magnets forming the ring magnetic field generating device (x31) points to the outer periphery of the ring magnetic field generating device (x31), the north pole of the single ring magnet or the south pole of two or more dipole magnets forming the ring magnetic field generating device (x31) points to the outer periphery of the ring magnetic field generating device (x10). When the device (x31) is located on the outer periphery, the south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points toward the surface of the substrate (x10), and ii) the magnetic field generating device (x40) described herein, which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) whose magnetic axes are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), each of the two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) having a magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction, wherein the first and second magnetic components (x00-a, x00-b) are different.

[0194] Preferably and for example Figure 3AAs shown in -B, the step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b) is performed using the second magnetic component (x00-b), which includes i) a magnetic field generating device (x30), the magnetic field generating device (x30) including i-1) a support substrate (x34) as described herein, i-2) an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a combination of two or more, particularly four, dipole magnets arranged in an annular, particularly square, shape, the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) having radial magnetization as described herein, and i-3) two or more dipole magnets (x32), the magnetic axes of each of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) being substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein when the two annular magnetic field generating devices (x31) are formed... When the north pole of the above-mentioned dipole magnet points to the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the north pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10), or when the south pole of the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) points to the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the south pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10), and ii) the magnetic field generating device (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) as described herein, wherein the magnetic field generating device (x40) is preferably disposed above the magnetic field generating device (x30).

[0195] Preferably, the step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b) is performed using the second magnetic component (x00-b), which includes a magnetic field generating device (x30). The magnetic field generating device (x30) includes i-1) the support substrate (x34) described herein, and i-2) the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) described herein, which is a single annular magnet or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in an annular configuration. The generating device (x31) has radially magnetized, and i-3) a single dipole magnet (x32) with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), or a single dipole magnet (x32) with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), or two or more dipole magnets (x32), each of which has its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein the north pole of the single annular magnet or the north pole of the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) points to When the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) is directed towards the outer periphery, the north pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points towards the surface of the substrate (x10), or wherein when the south pole of the single annular magnet or the south pole of the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) points towards the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points towards the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31). One of the south poles points towards the surface of the substrate (x10); ii) the magnetic field generating device (x40) described herein, which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41), each of the two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) having its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction; and iii) one or more pole pieces (x50) described herein, preferably one or more disk-shaped pole pieces (x50) described herein. More preferably and for example Figure 4AAs shown in -B, the step of exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of the second magnetic component (x00-b) is performed using the second magnetic component (x00-b), which includes i) a magnetic field generating device (x30), the magnetic field generating device (x30) including i-1) a support substrate (x34) as described herein, i-2) an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a combination of two or more, particularly four, dipole magnets arranged in an annular, particularly square, configuration, the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) having radial magnetization as described herein, and i-3) two or more dipole magnets (x32), the magnetic axes of each of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) being substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein the north poles of the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) point towards the annular magnetic field generating device (x31). When the magnetic field generating device (x31) is located on the outer periphery, the north pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points toward the surface of the substrate (x10), or when the south pole of the two or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) points toward the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the south pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points toward the surface of the substrate (x10), ii) the magnetic field generating device (x40) described herein, which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) as described herein, and iii) one or more pole pieces (x50), preferably one or more disc-shaped pole pieces, wherein the magnetic field generating device (x40) is preferably disposed above the magnetic field generating device (x30).

[0196] The OEL (x20) described herein can be directly applied to a substrate (x10) on which it is intended to remain permanently (e.g., for banknote applications). Alternatively, for production purposes where the OEL (x20) can subsequently be removed, the OEL (x20) can also be applied to a temporary substrate (x10). This can, for example, facilitate the production of the OEL (x20) while the adhesive material is still in its fluid state. Subsequently, after the coating composition has been at least partially cured to produce the OEL (x20), the temporary substrate (x10) can be removed from the OEL.

[0197] Optionally, the adhesive layer may be present on the OEL (x20) or on the substrate (x10) including the OEL (x20), said adhesive layer on the side of the substrate opposite to the side in which the OEL (x20) is disposed, or on the same side as the OEL (x20) and above the OEL (x20). Thus, the adhesive layer may be applied to the OEL (x20) or to the substrate (x10). Such articles can be attached to a wide variety of documents or other articles or articles without printing or other methods including machines and considerable effort. Optionally, the substrate (x10) described herein, including the OEL (x20) described herein, may be in the form of a transfer foil, which may be applied to the document or article in a separate transfer step. For this purpose, the substrate is provided with a release coating on which the OEL (x20) has been produced as described herein. More than one adhesive layer may be applied to the produced OEL (x20).

[0198] This document also describes substrates (x10) including optical effect layers (OEL) (x20) obtained by the methods described herein, such as two, three, or four layers.

[0199] This document also describes articles comprising an optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) produced according to the present invention, particularly security documents, decorative elements, or objects. Articles, particularly security documents, decorative elements, or objects, may comprise more than one layer (e.g., two layers, three layers, etc.) of an OEL (x20) produced according to the present invention.

[0200] As described above, an optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) produced according to the present invention can be used for decorative purposes as well as for the protection and authentication of secure documents. Typical examples of decorative elements or objects include, but are not limited to, luxury goods, cosmetic packaging, motor vehicle parts, electronic / electrical appliances, furniture, and nail polish.

[0201] Secure documents include, but are not limited to, documents of value and commercial goods of value. Typical examples of documents of value include, but are not limited to, banknotes, contracts, bills, checks, vouchers, stamp duty stamps and tax labels, agreements, etc., and identity documents such as passports, ID cards, visas, driver's licenses, bank cards, credit cards, transaction cards, access documents or cards, admission tickets, public transport tickets or certificates, etc., preferably banknotes, identity documents, authorization documents, driver's licenses, and credit cards. The term "commercial goods of value" refers, particularly to cosmetics, nutritional products, pharmaceuticals, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, beverages or food, electronic / electrical products, textiles, or jewelry, i.e., packaging materials that should be protected against counterfeiting and / or illegal reproduction to guarantee the contents of the packaging, such as packaging materials for genuine pharmaceutical products. Examples of such packaging materials include, but are not limited to, labels such as brand identification labels, tamper-evident labels, and seals. It should be noted that the disclosed substrates, documents of value, and commercial goods of value are given for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0202] Optionally, the OEL (x20) described herein can be produced onto an auxiliary substrate (x10) such as a security thread, security strip, foil, label, window, or tag, thereby transferring it to the security document during the separation step.

[0203] Example

[0204] The magnetic components depicted in Figure 2-4 are used in the independent magnetic orientation step of the non-spherical, optically variable magnetic pigment particles in the printing layer of the UV-curable screen printing inks listed in Table 1, thereby producing... Figure 6A -C shows the optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) prepared according to the present invention. The magnetic components depicted in Figures 4 and 5 are used to orient the non-spherical, optically variable magnetic pigment particles in the printing layer of the UV-curable screen printing inks listed in Table 1, thereby producing... Figure 7 The comparative optical effect layer (OEL) (720) is shown.

[0205] The usual preparation methods of Examples E1-E3 and Comparative Example C1

[0206] The UV-curable screen printing inks described in Table 1 were applied independently to a black commercial paper substrate (x10) (Credit Standard Paper BNP 90g / m²). 2The first single pattern (16mm x 16mm) of a first coating (x21) with a thickness of about 20μm is formed by hand screen printing on a paper substrate (x10) bearing the applied first coating (x21) single pattern (step b). The paper substrate (x10) bearing the applied first coating (x21) single pattern is independently set on a first magnetic component (x00-a) (Figures 2 and 5) (step b). The magnetic orientation pattern of the thus obtained non-spherical optically variable pigment particles is simultaneously applied with the orientation step part using a Phoseon (Type FireFlex 50 x 75mm, 395nm, 8W / cm) screen. 2 A UV-LED lamp is used to UV-cur the printed layer containing pigment particles to at least partially cure it (step c). The same UV-curable screen printing ink (Table 1) is applied manually and independently over a first single pattern of the first coating (x21) using a T90 screen (step d), thereby forming a second pattern (E1-E2) made of the second coating (x22) with a thickness of about 20 μm. Figure 6A -B) and C1( Figure 7 ) is 16mm x 16mm; E3 ( Figure 6C (x10 is 10mm x 10mm). A paper substrate (x10) bearing a first pattern made of a first hardened coating (x21) and a second pattern made of a coating (x22) that has not yet hardened is independently set on a second magnetic component (x00-b) (Figures 3-4) that is different from the first magnetic component (x00-a) (step e). The magnetic orientation pattern of the non-spherical optically variable pigment particles thus obtained is independently and simultaneously with the second orientation step using a Phoseon (Type FireFlex 50 x 75mm, 395nm, 8W / cm) magnet. 2 The UV-LED lamps of the lamps UV-cur the printed layer containing pigment particles to at least partially cure it (step f).

[0207] Table 1. UV-curable screen printing inks:

[0208]

[0209] ( Gold-to-green optically variable magnetic pigment particles, having a flake shape with a diameter d50 of about 9 μm and a thickness of about 1 μm, are available from Viavi Solutions, Santa Rosa, CA.

[0210] Description of the first and second magnetic components (x00-a, x100-b) (Figure 2-5)

[0211] Magnetic components (200-a, 200-b) Figure 2A -2B)

[0212] Magnetic components (200-a, 200-b) Figure 2A -2B) includes a magnetic field generating device (230) disposed between a magnetic field generating device (240) and a substrate (210) carrying a coating composition (221, 221+222), the coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, such as Figure 2A As shown schematically.

[0213] The magnetic field generating device (230) includes an annular dipole magnet (231), an annular pole piece (233), and a square support base (234) to maintain the annular dipole magnet (231) and the annular pole piece (233) in the appropriate position.

[0214] The annular dipole magnet (231) has an outer diameter (A1) of approximately 26.1 mm, an inner diameter (A2) of approximately 18.3 mm, and a thickness (A5) of approximately 2 mm. The magnetic axis of the annular dipole magnet (231) is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic axis of the magnetic field generating device (240) and substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (210), with the south pole pointing towards the substrate (210). The annular dipole magnet (231) is made of NdFeB N40.

[0215] The annular electrode (233) has an outer diameter (A3) of approximately 14 mm, an inner diameter (A4) of approximately 10 mm, and a thickness (A5) of approximately 2 mm. The annular electrode (233) is aligned with the center of the annular magnetic field generating device (231). The annular electrode (233) is made of S235 steel.

[0216] The support base (234) has a length (A6) and width (A7) of approximately 29.9 mm and a thickness (A8) of approximately 3 mm. The support base (234) is made of POM. Figure 2B2 As shown, the lower surface of the support base (234) includes two circular indentations with a depth (A5) of about 2 mm for receiving the annular dipole magnet (231) and the annular pole piece (233).

[0217] The magnetic field generating device (240) includes seven rod-shaped dipole magnets (241) and six spacers (242). The seven rod-shaped dipole magnets (241) and six spacers (242) are arranged as follows: Figure 2AThe arrangement is an alternating asymmetrical configuration, where two rod-shaped dipole magnets (241) are in direct contact and adjacent to spacers (242), while the other five rod-shaped dipole magnets alternate with spacers (242). A sixth spacer (242) ensures the correct positioning of the magnetic field generating device (240) below the magnetic field generating device (230). Each of the seven rod-shaped dipole magnets (241) has a length (B1) of approximately 29.9 mm, a width (B2) of approximately 3 mm, and a thickness (B3) of approximately 6 mm. Each of the six spacers (242) has a length (B4) of approximately 20 mm, a width (B5) of approximately 1.5 mm, and a thickness (B6) of approximately 6 mm. The magnetic axes of each of the seven rod-shaped dipole magnets (241) are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (210) and all point in the same direction. The seven rod-shaped dipole magnets (241) are made of NdFeB N42. The six spacers (242) are made of POM.

[0218] The magnetic field generating device (230) and the magnetic field generating device (240) are in direct contact, that is, the distance (d) between the lower surface of the magnetic field generating device (230) and the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (240) is approximately 0 mm (for clarity of the attached drawings). Figure 2A (Not shown to scale). The magnetic field generating device (230) and the magnetic field generating device (240) are aligned with each other at their centers, that is, the middle portion of the length (A6) and the middle portion of the width (A7) of the magnetic field generating device (230) are aligned with the middle portion of the length (B1) and the middle portion of the width (B7) of the magnetic field generating device (240). The distance (h) between the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (230) (i.e., the upper surface of the supporting substrate (234)) and the surface of the substrate (210) facing the magnetic field generating device (230) is approximately 3.5 mm.

[0219] Magnetic components (300-a, 300-b) Figure 3A -3B)

[0220] Magnetic field generating components (300-a, 300-b) Figure 3A -3B) includes a magnetic field generating device (340) disposed between a magnetic field generating device (330) and a substrate (310) carrying a coating composition (321, 321+322), the coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, such as... Figure 3A As shown schematically.

[0221] The magnetic field generating device (330) includes four rod-shaped dipole magnets (331), eight dipole magnets (332), and a support base (334) arranged in a square configuration. The eight dipole magnets (332) are respectively positioned at the corners of a first square and a second square, wherein the first square is nested within the second square and centrally positioned within the square configuration of the four rod-shaped dipole magnets (331). Figure 3A As illustrated in 3B.

[0222] like Figure 3A As shown in 3B, the four rod-shaped dipole magnets (331) arranged in a square configuration each have a length (A1) of approximately 25 mm, a width (A2) of approximately 2 mm, and a thickness (A3) of approximately 5 mm. The four rod-shaped dipole magnets (331) are placed in the support substrate (334) such that their magnetic axes are substantially parallel to the magnetic axis of the magnetic field generating device (340) and substantially parallel to the surface of the material (310), with their north poles pointing radially towards the central region of the square-shaped ring, and their south poles pointing outwards from the support substrate (334), i.e., towards the environment. The center of the square formed by the four rod-shaped dipole magnets (331) coincides with the center of the support substrate (334). The four rod-shaped dipole magnets (331) arranged in a square configuration are made of NdFeB N48.

[0223] Each of the eight dipole magnets (332) has a diameter (A7) of approximately 2 mm and a thickness (A8) of approximately 4 mm. Four of the eight dipole magnets (332) are arranged in four indentations located on the diagonal of the support base (334) to form a first square. The other four of the eight dipole magnets (332) are arranged in four indentations located on the diagonal of the support base (334) to form a second square, such as... Figure 3B1 As shown. The magnetic axes of each of the eight dipole magnets (332) are substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (310) and to the magnetic axis of the magnetic field generating device (340), with their south poles pointing towards the magnetic field generating device (340). Each of the eight dipole magnets (332) is made of NdFeB N45.

[0224] The support base (334) has a length (A4) and width (A5) of approximately 30 mm and a thickness (A6) of approximately 6 mm. The support base (334) is made of POM. Figure 3B1As shown in Figure -2, the upper surface of the support base (334) includes thirty-six recesses and recesses with a depth (A3) of approximately 5 mm and a width (A2) of approximately 2 mm for receiving four rod-shaped dipole magnets (331) arranged in a square configuration. These recesses are arranged in six rows, each containing six recesses. The depth (A8) of each recess is approximately 4 mm and the diameter (A7) is approximately 2 mm. Eight of the thirty-six recesses are used to receive eight dipole magnets (332). The distance (A9) between the centers of two recesses in two adjacent rows is approximately 3 mm. The distance (A10) between the centers of two adjacent recesses on the diagonal of the support base (334) is approximately 4.2 mm.

[0225] The magnetic field generating device (340) is a rod-shaped dipole magnet with a length (B1) and width (B2) of approximately 29.9 mm and a thickness (B3) of approximately 2 mm. The magnetic axis of the rod-shaped dipole magnet (340) is parallel to the surface of the substrate (310). The rod-shaped dipole magnet (340) is made of NdFeB N30UH.

[0226] The magnetic field generating device (340) and the magnetic field generating device (330) are in direct contact, that is, the distance (d) between the lower surface of the magnetic field generating device (340) and the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (330) is approximately 0 mm (for clarity of the attached drawings). Figure 3A (Not shown to scale). The magnetic field generating device (340) and the magnetic field generating device (330) are centered relative to each other, that is, the middle portion of the length (B1) and the middle portion of the width (B2) of the magnetic field generating device (340) are aligned with the middle portion of the length (A4) and the middle portion of the width (A5) of the magnetic field generating device (330). The distance (h) between the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (340) and the surface of the substrate (310) facing the magnetic field generating device (340) is approximately 1.5 mm.

[0227] Magnetic components (400-a, 400-b) Figure 4A -4B)

[0228] Magnetic field generating components (400-a, 400-b) Figure 4A -4B) includes a magnetic field generating device (440) disposed between a magnetic field generating device (430) and a substrate (410) carrying a coating composition (421, 421+422), the coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, such as... Figure 4A As shown schematically, the magnetic field generating components (400-a, 400-b) further include disk-shaped pole pieces (450).

[0229] The magnetic field generating device (430) includes four rod-shaped dipole magnets (431), nineteen dipole magnets (432), eighteen dipole magnets (432) arranged in a square shape, and a support base (434). The eighteen dipole magnets (432) are arranged to form a double-row thick "V" shape, with the nineteenth dipole magnet (432) located at the top of the "V". Figure 4A and 4B1 As shown schematically.

[0230] like Figure 4A As shown in 4B, the four rod-shaped dipole magnets (431) arranged in a square configuration each have a length (A1) of approximately 25 mm, a width (A2) of approximately 2 mm, and a thickness (A3) of approximately 5 mm. The four rod-shaped dipole magnets (431) are placed in the support substrate (434) such that their magnetic axes are substantially parallel to the magnetic axis of the magnetic field generating device (440) and substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (410), with their north poles pointing radially towards the central region of the square-shaped ring and their south poles pointing outwards from the support substrate (434), i.e., towards the environment. The center of the square formed by the four rod-shaped dipole magnets (431) coincides with the center of the support substrate (434). Each of the four rod-shaped dipole magnets (431) arranged in a square configuration is made of NdFeB N48.

[0231] Nineteen dipole magnets (432) are arranged to form a double-row thick "V", with the nineteenth dipole magnet (432) located at the top of the "V". The diameter (A7) of each dipole magnet (432) is approximately 2 mm and the thickness (A8) is approximately 1 mm. The magnetic axis of each of the nineteen dipole magnets (432) is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (410) and to the magnetic axis of the magnetic field generating device (440), with its south pole facing the magnetic field generating device (440). Each of the nineteen dipole magnets (432) is made of NdFeB N48.

[0232] The support base (434) has a length (A4) and width (A5) of approximately 30 mm and a thickness (A6) of approximately 6 mm. The support base (434) is made of POM. Figure 4B1As shown in Figure -2, the surface of the support base (434) includes seventy-seven indentations and indentations with a depth (A3) of approximately 5 mm and a width (A2) of approximately 2 mm for receiving square magnetic field generating devices (431). These indentations are arranged in five rows of nine indentations each, alternating with four rows of eight indentations each. The depth (A8) of the indentations is approximately 1 mm and the diameter (A7) is approximately 2 mm. Nineteen of the seventy-seven indentations are used to receive nineteen dipole magnets (432). The distance (A9) between the centers of two indentations in two adjacent rows along the length (A4) is approximately 4 mm. The distance (A10) between the centers of two indentations in a row parallel to the width (A5) is approximately 2.5 mm. The distance (A11) between the centers of the first indentation in a row of nine indentations and the first indentation in a row of eight indentations on the support base (434) is approximately 1.5 mm. The distances (A12) and (A13) between the center of the first nine-dent row and the nearest rod-shaped dipole magnet (431) are approximately 1.5 mm.

[0233] The magnetic field generating device (440) is a rod-shaped dipole magnet with a length (B1) and width (B2) of approximately 29.9 mm and a thickness (B3) of approximately 2 mm. The magnetic axis of the rod-shaped dipole magnet (440) is parallel to the surface of the substrate (410). The rod-shaped dipole magnet (440) is made of NdFeB N30UH.

[0234] The disc electrode (450) has a diameter (C1) of approximately 30 mm and a thickness (C2) of approximately 2 mm. The disc electrode (450) is made of S235 steel.

[0235] The magnetic field generating device (440) and the magnetic field generating device (430) are in direct contact, that is, the distance (d) between the lower surface of the magnetic field generating device (440) and the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (430) is approximately 0 mm (for clarity of the attached drawings). Figure 4A (Not shown to scale). The disc-shaped electrode (450) is positioned below the magnetic field generating device (430) such that the distance (e) between the lower surface of the support base (434) of the magnetic field generating device (430) and the upper surface of the disc-shaped electrode is approximately 0 mm (for clarity in the figures). Figure 4A(Not shown to scale). The magnetic field generating device (440), magnetic field generating device (430), and disc-shaped electrode (450) are centered relative to each other, that is, the middle portion of the length (B1) and the middle portion of the width (B2) of the magnetic field generating device (440) are aligned with the middle portion of the length (A4) and the middle portion of the width (A5) of the magnetic field generating device (430), and are aligned with the diameter (C1) of the disc-shaped electrode (450). The distance (h) between the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (440) and the surface of the substrate (410) facing the magnetic field generating device (440) is approximately 1.5 mm.

[0236] Magnetic components (500-a, 500-b) Figure 5A -B)

[0237] Magnetic components (500)( Figure 5A -B2) includes a magnetic field generating device (530), said magnetic field generating device (530) disposed between a magnetic field generating device (540) and a substrate (510) carrying a coating composition (521, 521+522), said coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, such as Figure 5A As shown schematically.

[0238] The magnetic component (530) is the same as that of Embodiment 6 disclosed in WO 2017 / 080698 A1 and includes an annular dipole magnet (531), an annular pole piece (533) and a support base (534).

[0239] The annular dipole magnet (531) has an outer diameter (L7) of approximately 26 mm, an inner diameter (L8) of approximately 16.5 mm, and a thickness (L9) of approximately 2 mm. The magnetic axis of the annular dipole magnet (531) is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic axis of the magnetic field generating device (540) and substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (510), with the south pole facing the substrate (520). The annular dipole magnet (531) is made of NdFeB N40.

[0240] The annular electrode (533) has an outer diameter (L10) of approximately 14 mm, an inner diameter (L11) of approximately 10 mm, and a thickness (L9) of approximately 2 mm. The annular electrode (533) is aligned with the center of the annular magnetic field generating device (531). The annular electrode (533) is made of iron.

[0241] The support base (534) has a length (L4) of approximately 30 mm, a width (L5) of approximately 30 mm, and a thickness (L6) of approximately 3 mm. The support base (534) is made of POM. Figure 5B2 As shown, the lower surface of the support base (534) includes two circular indentations with a depth (L9) of about 2 mm for receiving the annular dipole magnet (531) and the annular pole piece (533).

[0242] The annular magnetic field generating device (531), the annular pole piece (533), and the support base (534) are aligned along the center of the length (L4) and width (L5) of (534).

[0243] The magnetic field generating device (540) includes seven rod-shaped dipole magnets (541) and six spacers (542). The seven rod-shaped dipole magnets (541) and six spacers (542) are as follows: Figure 5A The arrangement is shown in an alternating asymmetrical manner, with two rod-shaped dipole magnets (541) in direct contact and adjacent to spacers (542), and the other five rod-shaped dipole magnets each alternating with a spacer (542). A sixth spacer (542) is used to ensure the correct positioning of the magnetic field generating device (540) below the magnetic assembly (530). Each of the seven rod-shaped dipole magnets (541) has a length (L1) of approximately 30 mm, a width (L2a) of approximately 3 mm, and a thickness (L3) of approximately 6 mm. Each of the six spacers (542) has a length of approximately 20 mm, a width (L2b) of approximately 1.5 mm, and a thickness (L3) of approximately 6 mm. The magnetic axes of each of the seven rod-shaped dipole magnets (541) are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (510). The seven rod-shaped dipole magnets (541) are made of NdFeB N42. The six spacers (542) are made of POM. Except that its magnetic direction is opposite to that of the magnetic field generating device (540), the magnetic field generating device (540) and the magnetic field generating device (240) are otherwise identical. Figure 2A )same.

[0244] The magnetic field generating device (530) and the magnetic field generating device (540) are in direct contact, that is, the distance (d) between the lower surface of the magnetic field generating device (530) and the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (540) is approximately 0 mm (for clarity of the attached drawings). Figure 5A (Not shown to scale). The distance (h) between the upper surface of the magnetic field generating device (530) (i.e. the upper surface of the support substrate (534)) and the surface of the substrate (510) facing the magnetic field generating device (530) is approximately 3.5 mm.

[0245] Example E1 ( Figure 6A ):use Figure 2A -B depicts the magnetic component as the first magnetic component (200-a) and Figure 3A -B describes the method of using the magnetic component as a second magnetic component (300-b).

[0246] Example E1 is prepared according to the general method described above, the method using the magnetic component (200-a) for the first orientation step (step b)). Figure 2A-B) and the magnetic assembly (300-b) for the second orientation step (step e) Figure 3A -B). The substrate (610) is disposed on the magnetic assembly (200-a) for the first orientation step ( Figure 2A -B) and the magnetic assembly (300-b) for the second orientation step ( Figure 3A -B) such that the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (240) of the magnetic component (200-a) and the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (340) of the magnetic component (300-b) are opposite to each other relative to the substrate (610).

[0247] The resulting OEL (620) was obtained by tilting the substrate (610) at different viewing angles between +20° and -60°. Figure 6A As shown in the figure. The resulting OEL (620) provides the visual impression of a circle whose size decreases when tilted onto the substrate (610) and transforms into a square whose size increases, and vice versa, or in other words, a circle that shrinks into a square when tilted onto the substrate (610) and vice versa.

[0248] Example E2 ( Figure 6B ):use Figure 2A -B depicts the magnetic component as the first magnetic component (200-a) and Figure 4A -B describes the magnetic component as a second magnetic component (400-b)

[0249] Example E2 is prepared according to the general method described above, the method using the magnetic component (200-a) for the first orientation step (step b)). Figure 2A -B) and the magnetic assembly (400-b) for the second orientation step (step e) Figure 4A -B). The substrate (610) is disposed on the magnetic assembly (200-a) for the first orientation step ( Figure 2A -B) and the magnetic assembly (400-b) for the second orientation step ( Figure 4A -B) such that the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (240) of the magnetic component (200-a) and the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (440) of the magnetic component (400-b) are opposite to each other relative to the substrate (610).

[0250] The resulting OEL (620) was obtained by tilting the substrate (610) at different viewing angles between +20° and -60°. Figure 6BAs shown in the figure. The resulting OEL (620) provides the visual impression of a circle that decreases in size when tilted onto the substrate (610) and transforms into a triangle that increases in size, and vice versa, wherein both the circle and the triangle change their size when tilted onto the substrate (610), or in other words, when tilted onto the substrate (610), the circle transforms into a triangle that grows as it shrinks, and vice versa.

[0251] Example E3 ( Figure 6C ):use Figure 2A -B depicts the magnetic component as the first magnetic component (200-a) and Figure 4A -B describes the magnetic component as a second magnetic component (400-b)

[0252] Except that the second single pattern (10mm x 10mm) made by the second coating (622) is smaller than the first single pattern (16mm x 16mm) of the first coating (621), Example E3 is prepared in the same manner as Example E2.

[0253] The resulting OEL (620) was obtained by tilting the substrate (610) at different viewing angles between +20° and -60°. Figure 6C As shown in the figure. The resulting OEL (620) provides the visual impression of a circle that decreases in size when tilted onto the substrate (610) and transforms into a triangle that increases in size, and vice versa, wherein both the circle and the triangle change their size when tilted onto the substrate (610), or in other words, when tilted onto the substrate (610), the circle transforms into a triangle that grows as it shrinks, and vice versa.

[0254] Comparative example C1 ( Figure 7 ).

[0255] Comparative Example C1 was prepared according to the usual method described above, the method using a magnetic component (500-a) ( Figure 5A -B) and the magnetic assembly (400-b) for the second orientation step (step e) Figure 4A -B). The substrate (710) is disposed on the magnetic assembly (500-a) for the first orientation step ( Figure 5A -B) and the magnetic assembly (400-b) for the second orientation step ( Figure 4A -B) such that the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (540) of the first magnetic component (500-a) and the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device (440) of the second magnetic component (400-b) are the same relative to the substrate (710).

[0256] The resulting comparison OEL (720) was obtained by tilting the substrate (710) at different viewing angles between +20° and -60°. Figure 7As shown in the figure. The resulting OEL (720) provides a visual impression of a circle with an inscribed triangle, wherein both the circle and the triangle increase their size (or selectively decrease their size) when the substrate (710) is tilted, i.e., it is not an OEL that provides an optical impression of an annular body whose size and shape change when the optical effect layer is tilted.

Claims

1. A method for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) on a substrate (x10), the method comprising the steps of: a) Applying a first radiation-curable coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to the surface of a substrate (x10) to form one or more first patterns of a first coating (x21), wherein the first radiation-curable coating composition is in a first state. b) Exposing the first radiation-curable coating composition to a magnetic field that orients at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles: The magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), the first magnetic component (x00-a) comprising: i) a magnetic field generating device A (x30), the magnetic field generating device A (x30) comprising an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), which is a single annular dipole magnet whose magnetic axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in an annular configuration and the resulting magnetic axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10); and ii) a magnetic field generating device B (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet whose magnetic axis is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) whose resulting magnetic axis is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10); or The magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), the first magnetic component (x00-a) comprising: i) a magnetic field generating device A (x30), the magnetic field generating device A (x30) comprising a supporting substrate (x34), an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), a single dipole magnet (x32) with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) or two or more dipole magnets (x32) with their magnetic axes substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction and / or one or more pole pieces A (x33), the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) having its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction. The substrate (x10) surface has a single annular dipole magnet or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in a ring, wherein the magnetic axes of the two or more dipole magnets are substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) and have the same magnetic field direction; and ii) a magnetic field generating device B (x40) having a single rod-shaped dipole magnet or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) whose magnetic axes are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and have the same magnetic field direction; or The magnetic field of the first magnetic component (x00-a), the first magnetic component (x00-a) comprising: i) a magnetic field generating device A (x30), the magnetic field generating device A (x30) comprising a supporting substrate (x34), a ring-shaped magnetic field generating device (x31), a single dipole magnet (x32) with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), or a single dipole magnet (x32) with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), or two or more dipole magnets (x32), each of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) having its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), the ring-shaped magnetic field generating device (x31) being a single ring-shaped dipole magnet or a combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in a ring, the ring-shaped magnetic field generating device (x31) having radial magnetization, wherein when the north pole of the single ring-shaped dipole magnet forming the ring-shaped magnetic field generating device (x31) or the north pole of the two or more dipole magnets points to When the magnetic field generating device (x31) is directed towards the outer periphery, the north pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points towards the surface of the substrate (x10), or wherein when the south pole of the single ring dipole magnet forming the ring magnetic field generating device (x31) or the south pole of the two or more dipole magnets points towards the outer periphery of the ring magnetic field generating device (x31), the south pole of the single dipole magnet (x32) or the south pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points towards the surface of the substrate (x10); and ii) a magnetic field generating device B (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet or a combination of two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) whose magnetic axes are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), each of the two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41) having a magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction. A single ring-shaped dipole magnet includes a single circular ring-shaped dipole magnet. A combination of two or more dipole magnets arranged in a ring configuration includes a combination of two dipole magnets arranged in a circular ring configuration, a combination of three dipole magnets arranged in a triangular ring configuration, or a combination of four dipole magnets arranged in a square or rectangular ring configuration. Basically parallel means that the deviation from a parallel arrangement is no greater than 10°, and basically perpendicular means that the deviation from a perpendicular arrangement is no greater than 10°. and c) Curing the first radiation-curable coating composition of step b) at least partially to a second state, thereby fixing the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in their adopted positions and orientations, and thus forming one or more at least partially cured first patterns. d) Applying a second radiation-curable coating composition comprising non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles at least partially onto one or more of the at least partially cured first patterns in step c) to form one or more second patterns of a second coating layer (x22), wherein the second radiation-curable coating composition is in a first state. e) Exposing the second radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field of a second magnetic component (x00-b), the second magnetic component (x00-b) being selected from the first magnetic component (x00-a) of step b), wherein the second magnetic component (x00-b) is different from the first magnetic component (x00-a) used in step b), and wherein the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device B (x40) of the magnetic component (x00-b) is opposite to the magnetic direction of the magnetic field generating device B (x40) of the first magnetic component (x00-a) within the reference frame of the substrate (x10). and f) Curing the second radiation-curable coating composition from step e) at least partially to a second state, thereby fixing the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in their adopted positions and orientations, and thus forming one or more at least partially cured second patterns. The optical effect layer provides an optical impression of a ring-shaped body whose size and shape change when the optical effect layer is tilted.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic component (x00-a) and / or the second magnetic component (x00-b) independently comprises i) the magnetic field generating device A (x30), comprising a supporting substrate (x34), an annular magnetic field generating device (x31) consisting of a single annular dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), and one or more pole pieces A (x33); and ii) the magnetic field generating device B (x40), comprising two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41), each of which has its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and has the same magnetic field direction; or ii) The magnetic field generating device A (x30) includes a support base (x34), an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), and two or more dipole magnets (x32) with magnetic axes substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction. The annular magnetic field generating device (x31) is a combination of four or more dipole magnets arranged in a ring, each of which has a magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), and the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) is radially magnetized. ii) the magnetic field generating device B (x40), which is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), wherein when the north poles of four or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) point to the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10), or wherein when the south poles of the four or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) point to the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the south pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10); and iii) optionally one or more pole pieces B (x50).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) is a combination of four or more dipole magnets arranged in a square shape.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic field generating device A (x30) of the first magnetic component (x00-a) is placed above the magnetic field generating device B (x40) of the first magnetic component (x00-a), and wherein the magnetic field generating device B (x40) of the second magnetic component (x00-b) is placed above the magnetic field generating device A (x30) of the second magnetic component (x00-b).

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first magnetic component (x00-a) comprises i) The magnetic field generating device A (x30) includes a supporting substrate (x34), an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), and one or more pole pieces A (x33), wherein the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) is a single annular dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10), and ii) The magnetic field generating device B (x40) comprises two or more rod-shaped dipole magnets (x41), each of which has a magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10) and has the same magnetic field direction. The second magnetic component (x00-b) includes i) The magnetic field generating device A (x30) includes a support base (x34), an annular magnetic field generating device (x31), and two or more dipole magnets (x32) with magnetic axes substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (x10) and having the same magnetic field direction. The annular magnetic field generating device (x31) is a combination of four or more dipole magnets arranged in a ring, each of the four or more dipole magnets having a magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), and the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) has radial magnetization. When the north poles of the four or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) point to the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the north pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10), or when the south poles of the four or more dipole magnets forming the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) point to the outer periphery of the annular magnetic field generating device (x31), the south pole of at least one of the two or more dipole magnets (x32) points to the surface of the substrate (x10). ii) The magnetic field generating device B (x40) is a single rod-shaped dipole magnet with its magnetic axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x10), and iii) Select one or more electrodes B (x50).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the annular magnetic field generating device (x31) is a combination of four or more dipole magnets arranged in a square configuration.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the magnetic field generating device A (x30) of the first magnetic component (x00-a) is positioned above the magnetic field generating device B (x40) of the first magnetic component (x00-a), and wherein the magnetic field generating device B (x40) of the second magnetic component (x00-b) is positioned above the magnetic field generating device A (x30) of the second magnetic component (x00-b).

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein step a) and / or step d) are performed by a printing method.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein step a) and / or step d) are performed by a printing method selected from the group consisting of screen printing, rotary gravure printing and flexographic printing.

10. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles is composed of non-spherical optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles is selected from the group consisting of magnetic thin film interference pigment particles, magnetic cholesterol-type liquid crystal pigment particles, and mixtures thereof.

12. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the first radiation-curable coating composition and in the second radiation-curable coating composition are the same, or wherein the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the first radiation-curable coating composition and in the second radiation-curable coating composition are different in size and / or color characteristics.

13. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are present in the first radiation-curable coating composition in an amount of 2% to 40% by weight, and the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are present in the second radiation-curable coating composition in an amount of 2% to 40% by weight.

14. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are present in equal amounts in the first radiation-curable coating composition and the second radiation-curable coating composition.

15. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein c) is performed partially simultaneously with step b) and / or f) is performed partially simultaneously with step e).

16. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are flake-shaped pigment particles, and wherein the method further comprises the step of exposing the radiation-curable coating composition to a dynamic magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device, thereby causing at least a portion of the flake-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to be biaxially oriented, the step being performed after step a) and before step b) and / or the step being performed after step d) and before step e).

17. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shape of one or more first patterns of the first coating (x21) and the shape of one or more second patterns of the second coating (x22) independently represent one or more marks, dots and / or lines.

18. An optical effect layer (OEL) (x20) produced by any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A secure document comprising one or more optical effect layers (OEL) as described in claim 18 (x20).

20. A decorative element comprising one or more optical effect layers (OEL) as described in claim 18 (x20).

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