Magnetic assembly and method for producing an optical effect layer comprising aligned small plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of protecting security documents, such as banknotes and identity cards, against counterfeiting and illegal duplication. In particular, the present invention provides a magnetic assembly and a method for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate, said method comprising exposing a coating composition comprising platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to a magnetic field of a magnetic assembly so as to orient at least a portion of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles along two axes.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of magnetic assemblies and methods for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) comprising magnetically oriented platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. Specifically, the present invention relates to magnetic assemblies and methods for magnetically orienting platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles within a coating layer to produce an OEL, and to anti-counterfeiting means for security documents or security articles and the use of said OEL for decorative purposes. Background of the Invention

[0002]

[0002] For example, in the field of security documents, in order to produce security elements, inks, compositions, coatings, or layers containing oriented magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, in particular optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, are used, which is known in the art. Coatings or layers containing oriented magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are disclosed, for example, in US Patent No. 2,570,856, US Patent No. 3,676,273, US Patent No. 3,791,864, US Patent No. 5,630,877, and US Patent No. 5,364,689. Coatings or layers containing oriented magnetic discoloring pigment particles that particularly appeal to the optical effects useful for the protection of security documents are disclosed in International Publication No. 2002 / 090002 and International Publication No. 2005 / 002866.

[0003]

[0003] Generally, security features for security documents, for example, can be classified into "secret" security features on the one hand and "public" security features on the other hand. The protection provided by secret security features relies on the principle that it is difficult to detect such features and typically requires special equipment and knowledge for detection, whereas "public" security features rely on the concept that they can be easily detected by the unaided human senses, for example, such features may be detectable visually and / or tactilely, but are still difficult to produce and / or replicate. However, the effectiveness of public security features depends greatly on being easily recognizable as security features.

[0004] [

[0004] ]Magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in printing inks or coatings can be used to create magnetically induced images, designs, and / or patterns by applying a magnetic field of a corresponding structure to induce a local orientation of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles within the still-unset (i.e., wet) coating, followed by setting the coating. As a result, a fixed and stable magnetically induced image, design, or pattern is obtained. Materials and techniques for the orientation of magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in coating compositions are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 2,418,479, U.S. Patent No. 2,570,856, U.S. Patent No. 3,791,864, German Patent Application Publication No. 2006848, U.S. Patent No. 3,676,273, U.S. Patent No. 5,364,689, U.S. Patent No. 6,103,361, European Patent No. 0406667, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 0160194, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0009308, European Patent No. 0710508, International Publication No. 2002 / 09002, International Publication No. 2003 / 000801, International Publication No. 2005 / 002866, and International Publication No. 2006 / 061301. In such methods, magnetically induced patterns with high anti-counterfeiting properties can be created. The security element can only be created by having access to both the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles or corresponding inks and the specific techniques used to print the ink and orient the pigment within the printed ink.

[0005] [

[0005] ]The methods and devices described above use a magnetic assembly to orient small platelet-shaped magnetic pigment particles in a uniaxial direction. As a result of the uniaxial orientation of the magnetic pigment particles, the long axes of adjacent particles are parallel to each other and to the magnetic field, while the short axes in the plane of the pigment particles are not parallel to each other or to the magnetic field, or are hardly constrained by the applied magnetic field.

[0006] For the purpose of producing a coating or layer containing magnetically or magnetizable pigment particles oriented in two axial directions, a method for generating a time-dependent directionally variable magnetic field has been developed, thus enabling the two-axial orientation of magnetically or magnetizable pigment particles.

[0007]

[0007] WO 2015 / 086257 discloses a method for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate, said process comprising two magnetic orientation steps, said steps consisting of: i) exposing a coating composition containing platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to the alternating magnetic field, i.e., a magnetic field whose direction changes, of a first magnetic field generating device so as to orient at least some of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in two axial directions; and ii) exposing the coating composition to the static magnetic field of a second magnetic field generating device, thus reorienting at least some of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in one axial direction according to the design transmitted by said second magnetic field generating device.

[0008] European Patent Application Publication No. 2157141 discloses a magnetic field generating device comprising a linear arrangement of at least three magnets arranged alternately or in a zigzag, wherein the magnetic axis of each of the three magnets is substantially orthogonal to the substrate surface, and the at least three magnets have the same polarity on the same side of the supply path, and this polarity is opposite to the polarity of the magnet(s) located opposite to the supply path alternately. The arrangement of at least three magnets provides a predetermined change in the magnetic field direction as the small plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the coating composition move across the magnets (the direction of movement is shown as an arrow). However, as is known to those skilled in the art, the magnetic field rapidly decreases with the distance between the magnet and the sample. Therefore, the supply path of the magnetic field generating device in European Patent Application Publication No. 2157141 is limited in width, and thus the production of a large-sized optical effect layer is limited. Furthermore, the process described in European Patent Application Publication No. 2157141 should require a long supply path, and as a result, a large number of magnets are arranged alternately, and the long supply path does not fit into the limited available space in an industrial press.

[0009]

[0009] WO 2015 / 086257, WO 2018 / 019594, and EP 3224055 disclose devices and processes for producing an optically effective layer (OEL) comprising small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles magnetically oriented in two axial directions. This process discloses exposing the pigment particles to the dynamic magnetic field of a magnetic assembly constituting a Halbach cylinder assembly, wherein each of said Halbach assemblies is a linear Halbach array disposed on one side of a substrate holding the orientable pigment particles in WO 2015 / 086257 and WO 2018 / 019594, and a Halbach cylinder assembly in EP 3224055. WO 2015 / 086257 and WO 2018 / 019594 may have the same drawbacks as those described with respect to EP 2157141 A and EP 3224055, where it is necessary to perform curing of the layer within the cylinder assembly, thus precluding a potential reorientation step of the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles.

[0010] US Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0172261 discloses a rotating magnet or magnetic assembly that generates a radially symmetric time-varying magnetic field, and the magnet or magnetic assembly is driven by a shaft (or spindle) connected to an external motor. CN102529326B discloses an example of a device comprising a rotating magnet that may be suitable for orienting small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in two axial directions. International Publication No. 2015 / 082344, International Publication No. 2016 / 026896, and International Publication No. 2018 / 141547 disclose a rotating magnet or magnetic assembly without a shaft, which is constrained within a housing made of a non-magnetic material and is driven by one or more magnet wire coils wound around the housing. However, the rotating magnet or magnetic assembly may be difficult or impossible to use in industrial printing presses such as those disclosed in, for example, European Patent No. 1648702 or European Patent Application Publication No. 1961559. The difficulties may include the need for significant re-design of existing industrial printing presses, including providing power and control signals to operate the motor of the rotating magnet.

[0011]

[0011] Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved magnetic assembly and method for creating a homogeneous two-axial magnetic orientation of small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles contained within a coating layer to form an optical effect layer (OEL), the method being mechanically robust, easy to implement in industrial high-speed printing equipment, particularly on a rotating magnetic cylinder, and not using very cumbersome, boring, and expensive modifications of the equipment. In particular, there is a need for a small magnetic assembly having a wide supply path / usable working area, as well as a method suitable for orienting magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles over a wide printing area and a printing area arranged at a maximum distance of 20 mm from the magnetic assembly.

Summary of the Invention

[0012]

[0012] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art. This is a) It is realized by providing a magnetic assembly (x00) for fabricating an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate (x20), the magnetic assembly (x00) being configured to receive the substrate (x20) on a first surface in an orientation substantially parallel to the first surface, the first surface being located on top of the topmost surfaces of two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ). a) Further comprising at least a first set (S1) and a second set (S2), each of the first and second sets (S1, S2) comprising i) One first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31), having a first thickness (L1), a first length (L4), and a first width (L5), and having a magnetic axis oriented substantially parallel to the first surface, one first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31); ii) Two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ), having a second thickness (L2), a second length (L6), and a second width (L7), having topmost surfaces located on the same plane as each other, and having magnetic axes oriented substantially perpendicular to the first surface, two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ), wherein the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first set (S1) has a magnetic direction opposite to the magnetic direction of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the second set (S2), the first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) are spaced apart by a first distance (d1), the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first set (S1) has substantially the same first length (L4) and first width (L5) as the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the second set (S2), the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first set (S1) are such that the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32b ) and having a second length (L6) and a second width (L7) that are substantially the same as For each of the first and second sets (S1, S2), a first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) and a second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) are aligned so as to form a column, in which column, the first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) are respectively located between the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) and are spaced apart from the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) by a second distance (d2), The first width (L5) and the second length (L6) are substantially the same, For each of the first and second sets (S1, S2), the N pole of one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) points to the first surface when the N pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to said one, For each of the first and second sets (S1, S2), the S pole of the other second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) points to the first surface, and the S pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to said other, and the magnetic assembly (x00) is b) Further comprising a third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) of the first pair (P1), and the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33a and x33b) are Having a third thickness (L3), a third length (L8), and a third width (L9), Having a magnetic axis oriented substantially parallel to the first surface, The second width (L7) of the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is substantially the same value as the third width (L9) of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ), The third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33a and x33 b ) each forms two lines aligned with one second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first set (S1) and one second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ), and the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) is disposed between the respective second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) and is separated from each second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) by a third distance (d3), the N poles of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) each point to one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ), the N pole of said one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) points to the first face, or the S poles of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) each point to one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ), and the S pole of said one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) points to the first face, the first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2), the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2), and the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) are at least partially embedded in a non-magnetic support matrix.

[0013] The use of the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein for fabricating an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate (x20) described herein is also described herein.

[0014] A printing apparatus comprising the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein attached in the vicinity of a transfer device preferably selected from the group consisting of a chain, a belt, a cylinder, and combinations thereof is also described herein.

[0015] A method of fabricating an optical effect layer (OEL) described herein on a substrate (x20) described herein, and the optical effect layer (OEL) obtained therefrom are also described herein, the method comprising: i) applying a radiation-curable coating composition to the surface of the substrate (x20), wherein the radiation-curable coating composition contains platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, the X-axis and the Y-axis define the main extension plane of the particles, and the radiation-curable coating composition is in a first liquid state so as to form a coating layer (x10); ii) exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein so as to orient at least a part of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in a biaxial direction; iii) at least partially curing the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii) to a second solid state so as to fix the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the adopted position and orientation.

[0016] The optical effect layer (OEL) obtained by the method described herein, and / or the optical effect layer (OEL) obtained by using the printing apparatus described herein, and the use of the optical effect layer (OEL) as an anti-counterfeiting means for documents and articles (in other words, for protecting and authenticating documents and articles) and for decorative purposes are also described herein.

[0017]

[0017] The magnetic assembly and method provided by the present invention are mechanically robust, easy to implement in industrial high-speed printing equipment, and do not use very cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive modifications of said equipment. Further, the magnetic assembly and method of the present invention enable homogeneous biaxial orientation of small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles and are also suitable for creating an optical effect layer over a large printing area and a printing area arranged at a maximum distance of 20 mm from said magnetic assembly.

[0018]

[0018] The magnetic assembly (x00) and method described herein for creating an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate (x20) described herein will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

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Figure 2C3

Figure 2D1

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Figure 2D3

Figure 3A

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Figure 5D

Figure 5E

Figure 5F

Figure 5G

Figure 5H

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 7C

[0020] Definition

[0019] The following definitions are used to interpret the meaning of the terms discussed in the description and recited in the claims.

[0021]

[0020] As used herein, the term "at least" means defining one or more, for example one or two or three.

[0022]

[0021] As used herein, the terms "about" and "substantially" mean that the quantity or value in question can be any other value at or near the specified particular value. Generally, the terms "about" and "substantially" when referring to a particular value are intended to refer to a range of ±5% of the value. As an example, the phrase "about 100" refers to the range of 100 ± 5, i.e., the range of 95 to 105. Generally, when the terms "about" and "substantially" are used, it can be expected that similar results or effects according to the present invention can be obtained within a range of ±5% of the indicated value.

[0023]

[0022] The term "substantially parallel" refers to deviating by 10° or less from a parallel alignment, and the term "substantially orthogonal" refers to deviating by 10° or less from an orthogonal alignment.

[0024]

[0023] As used herein, the term "and / or" means that all or only one of the elements of the recited group may be present. For example, "A and / or B" shall mean "only A, or only B, or both A and B". In the case of "only A", this term also encompasses the possibility that B is not present, i.e., "only A and not B".

[0025]

[0024] As used herein, the term "comprising" is intended to be non-exclusive and open-ended. Thus, for example, a coating composition comprising compound A can also contain other compounds other than A. However, the term "comprising" also encompasses, as specific embodiments thereof, the more restrictive meanings of "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of". Thus, for example, "a wetting water comprising A, B, and optionally C" can also (essentially) consist of A and B, or (essentially) consist of A, B, and C.

[0026]

[0025] As used herein, the term "optical effect layer (OEL)" refers to a coating layer comprising oriented platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles and an adhesive, wherein the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are oriented by a magnetic field, and after fixing / freezing the oriented platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in their orientation and position (i.e., after hardening / curing), a magnetically induced image is formed.

[0027]

[0026] The term "coating composition" refers to any composition that can form an optical effect layer (OEL) on a solid substrate and that can preferably be applied by a printing method, although not exclusively. The coating composition contains the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein and the adhesive described herein.

[0028] As used herein, the term "wet" refers to a coating layer that has not yet cured, such as platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles that are still capable of changing their position and orientation under the influence of an external force acting on those pigment particles.

[0029] As used herein, the term "print" shall mean, without limitation, a discontinuous layer such as a symbol, alphanumeric symbol, motif, character, word, number, logo, and a pattern including a drawing.

[0030] The term "harden" is used to refer to a process in which the viscosity of a coating composition in a first physical state that has not yet been hardened (i.e., wet) is increased to convert the coating composition to a second physical state, i.e., a hardened state or a solid state, and platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are fixed / frozen in their current position and orientation and can no longer move or rotate.

[0031] The term "security document" refers to a document that is typically protected against forgery or fraud by at least one security feature. Examples of security documents include, without limitation, valuable documents and valuable goods.

[0032] The term "security feature" is used to refer to an image, pattern, or graphic element that can be used for authentication purposes.

[0033] When this description refers to "preferred" embodiments / features, to the extent that combinations of these "preferred" embodiments / features have technical meaning, this combination of "preferred" embodiments / features shall also be considered disclosed.

[0034] In the context of this specification, the term "plane" encompasses not only flat planes but also curved surfaces such as the circumferential surface of a cylinder. In this regard, a "plane" oriented "parallel" to a curved surface is also curved, such that the local tangents to the two surfaces are parallel to each other. Similarly, a direction oriented perpendicular to a curved surface is perpendicular to the tangent to the surface at the point of intersection with the surface.

[0035] In other words, when a substrate is oriented substantially parallel to a first curved surface and is located on the first surface, the substrate is formed such that the local tangent to the substrate at a first point thereof is parallel to the local tangent to the first curved surface at a second point, and the first and second points are relatively positioned with respect to each other along a direction perpendicular to the local tangents at the first and second points.

[0036] The present invention provides a magnetic assembly (x00) suitable for fabricating an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate (x20), wherein the OEL is based on magnetically oriented small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. In contrast to needle-shaped pigment particles, which can be considered as one-dimensional particles, the small platelet-shaped pigment particles have an X-axis and a Y-axis defining the plane of the main extension of the particle. In other words, the small platelet-shaped pigment particles can be considered as two-dimensional particles since, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the aspect ratio of the dimensions of such pigment particles is large. As shown in FIG. 1, the small platelet-shaped pigment particles can be considered to have a two-dimensional structure, and the dimensions X and Y are substantially larger than the dimension Z. The small platelet-shaped pigment particles are also referred to in the art as discoidal particles or flakes. Such pigment particles can be described such that a major axis line X corresponding to the longest dimension intersects the pigment particle, and a second axis line Y is also located within the pigment particle and is perpendicular to X.

[0037]

[0036] In contrast to the uniaxial orientation in which small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are oriented such that only the long axis is bound by a magnetic field, implementing a biaxial orientation means that the small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are oriented such that two long axes are bound. That is, each small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particle can be considered to have a long axis in the plane of the pigment particle and a short axis orthogonal to the long axis in the plane of the pigment particle. The long axis and the short axis of the small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are each oriented according to a magnetic field. In fact, as a result, adjacent small platelet-shaped magnetic pigment particles that are close to each other in space become essentially parallel to each other. In other words, the biaxial orientation aligns the surfaces of the small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles such that the surfaces of the pigment particles are essentially parallel to the surfaces of adjacent (in all directions) small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. The magnetic assembly (x00) described herein enables the small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein to be oriented in a biaxial direction. By exposing the small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles only to the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein (i.e., without simultaneous exposure to additional magnetic field generating devices and / or reorientation steps), the small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles form a sheet-like structure in which the X and Y axes are substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x20) and are flattened in said two dimensions.

[0038]

[0037] The magnetic assembly (x00) described herein is configured to receive the substrate (x20) described herein in an orientation substantially parallel to the first surface and substantially parallel to the substrate (x20) during the method of making the optical effect layer (OEL) described herein. The first surface described herein is substantially parallel to the substrate (x20) during the method described herein and is the first surface located above the uppermost surfaces of two second rod-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b )(shown in the figure).

[0039]

[0038] The magnetic assembly (x00) described in this specification comprises a) at least a first set (S1) and a second set (S2), each set (S1, S2) comprising the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) described in this specification, and b) further comprises the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) of the first pair (P1) described in this specification, the first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2), the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2), and the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) being at least partially embedded in the non-magnetic support matrix described in this specification.

[0040]

[0039] For example, as shown in Figure 2A, each of the first and second sets (S1, S2) comprises i) the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) described in this specification and two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b) and includes. The bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) have a first thickness (L1), a first length (L4), and a first width (L5), are substantially parallel to the first surface, and are oriented to be substantially parallel to the length (L4) (and substantially parallel to the substrate (x20) during the method described herein) and have a magnetic axis. The first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) have substantially the same first length (L4) and first width (L5). The first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) preferably have substantially the same first thickness (L1) as the first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the second set (S2). The first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) are spaced apart by a first distance (d1). The first distance (d1) between the first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is preferably 15% or more and 150% or less of the first length (L4) (i.e., 0.15*L4≦d1≦1.5*L4), more preferably 25% or more and 120% or less of the first length (L4) (i.e., 0.25*L4≦d1≦1.2*L4), and even more preferably 25% or more and 80% or less of the first length (L4) (i.e., 0.25*L4≦d1≦0.8*L4).

[0041]

[0040] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first set (S1) has a magnetic direction opposite to the magnetic direction of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the second set (S2).

[0042]

[0041] The first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first set (S1) and the second set (S2) may be single units, or may be formed by two or more adjacent bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31 i ) having the first width (L5) and the first thickness (L1), and the first length (L4) described herein is the sum of all of the two or more adjacent bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31 i ).

[0043]

[0042] The two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) have a second thickness (L2), a second length (L6), and a second width (L7), and have top surfaces that are located on the same plane as each other. The two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) have magnetic axes that are oriented so as to be substantially orthogonal to the first surface and substantially parallel to the thickness (L2) (and substantially orthogonal to the substrate (x20) during the method described herein). The two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) have substantially the same second length (L6) and substantially the same second width (L7). The two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first set (S1) preferably have substantially the same second thickness (L2) as the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the second set (S2).

[0044]

[0043] For each of the first and second sets (S1, S2), the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) are aligned to form a column, in which each first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is respectively disposed between the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ), and is spaced apart from the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) by a second distance (d2), and the second distance (d2) is substantially the same for the first and second sets (S1, S2).

[0045]

[0044] For each set (S1, S2), the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 bOne of the N - poles of ( ) points to the first surface when the N - pole of the first bar - shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to its second bar - shaped dipole magnet (x32 a , x32 b ), and points to the first surface (and points to the substrate (x20) in the method described in this specification), and the other S - pole of the second bar - shaped dipole magnet (x32 a , x32 b ) points to the first surface when the S - pole of the first bar - shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to its second bar - shaped dipole magnet (x32 a , x32 b ), and points to the first surface (and points to the substrate (x20) in the method described in this specification).

[0046]

[0045] For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the first pair (P1) described in this specification includes the third bar - shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ), and the third bar - shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) have a third thickness (L3), a third length (L8), and a third width (L9), and have a magnetic axis oriented so as to be substantially parallel to the first surface (and substantially parallel to the substrate (x20) in the method described in this specification).

[0047]

[0046] The second width (L7) of the two second bar - shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) has a value substantially the same as the third width (L9) of the third bar - shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ).

[0048]

[0047] Each of the third bar - shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) is one of the second bar - shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first set (S1) and one of the second bar - shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b) is aligned to form two lines, and the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) is disposed between the respective second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ), and is spaced from the respective second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) by a third distance (d3), and the third distance (d3) is substantially the same for the two lines.

[0049]

[0048] The N poles of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) each point to one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ), and the N pole of the said one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) points to the first surface (and points to the substrate (x20) during the method described herein), or the S poles of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) each point to one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ), and the S pole of the said one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) points to the first surface (and points to the substrate (x20) during the method described herein).

[0050]

[0049] For example, according to the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A, 3, and 4, the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein is, when observed from above, in a rectangular shape, particularly a square shape. Thus, the magnetic assembly (x00) in a rectangular shape, particularly a square shape, is delimited in FIG. 2A by two columns and two lines formed by the first and second sets (S1, S2), or in FIG. 3 by two columns and two lines of the first and third sets (S1, S3), or in FIG. 4 by two columns and two lines of the first and fourth sets (S1, S4).

[0051]

[0050] The first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2). It is preferably not more than the second thickness (L2). The ratio (L2 / L1) of the second thickness (L2) of the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) to the first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is more preferably not more than 3 and not less than 1 (i.e., 1 ≦ L2 / L1 ≦ 3), and even more preferably not more than 2.5 and not less than 1.5 (i.e., 1.5 ≦ L2 / L1 ≦ 2.5).

[0052]

[0051] The first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) of the first pair (P1). It is preferably not more than the third thickness (L3). The ratio (L3 / L1) of the third thickness (L3) of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) of the first pair (P1) to the first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is more preferably not more than 3 and not less than 1 (i.e., 1 ≦ L3 / L1 ≦ 3), and even more preferably not more than 2.5 and not less than 1.5 (i.e., 1.5 ≦ L3 / L1 ≦ 2.5).

[0053]

[0052] The second distance (d2) between the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) is 0 or more and not more than half of the first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) (i.e., 0 ≦ d2 ≦ (1 / 2)L1).

[0054]

[0053] The third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 aand x33 b ) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 of the first and second sets (S1, S2) a and x32 b ) and the third distance (d3) between is 0 or more and 1 / 2 or less of the first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) (i.e., 0 ≦ d3 ≦ (1 / 2)L1).

[0055]

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2A, the first distance (d1) between the first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is the third length (L8) of one of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) and the sum of the two third distances (d3) between the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ).

[0056]

[0055] For example, according to an embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B1 to 2B3, the top surface of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 of the first and second sets (S1, S2) a and x32 b ). The top surface of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is preferably located on the same plane as the top surface of the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 of the first and second sets (S1, S2) a and x32 b ), and further preferably located on the same plane as the top surface of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ).

[0057]

[0056] For example, according to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 2C1 to 2D3, the top surface of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 of the first and second sets (S1, S2) a and x32 bis not located on the same plane as the top surface of , and there is a fourth distance (d4) between the top surface of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2). According to this embodiment, between the top surface of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2), the absolute value of the fourth distance (d4) is greater than 0 and less than or equal to one-half of the first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) (i.e., 0 < |d4| ≤ (1 / 2)L1).

[0058]

[0057] According to one embodiment, the magnetic assembly (x00) may further include one or more combinations including i) a (2 + i)-th set (S (2+i) ) such as those described with respect to the first and second sets (S1, S2), and ii) corresponding additional (1 + i)-th pairs (P 1+i ) (such as those described herein), where i = 1, 2, etc.

[0059]

[0058] For each combination described herein, the (2 + i)-th set (S (2+i) ) includes one further first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) having a first thickness (L1), a first length (L4), and a first width (L5), and having a magnetic axis oriented substantially parallel to the first plane, and two further second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) having a second thickness (L2), a second length (L6), and a second width (L7), having top surfaces located on the same plane as each other, and having magnetic axes oriented substantially perpendicular to the first plane. The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the (2 + i)-th set (S 2+i ) has a magnetic direction opposite to the magnetic direction of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the (2 + i - 1)-th set (S 2+i-1 ), and the (2 + i)-th and (2 + i - 1)-th sets (S2+i , S 2+i-1 )'s first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) is spaced apart by a first distance (d1), and the (2 + i)-th set (S 2+i )'s first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) is the (2 + i - 1)-th set (S 2+i-1 )'s first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) has substantially the same length (L5) and width (L4), and the (2 + i)-th set (S 2+i )'s two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) are the (2 + i - 1)-th set (S 2+i-1 )'s two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) have substantially the same length (L6) and width (L7), and the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) are aligned to form a column, in which column, the (2 + i)-th set (S 2+i )'s first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) is arranged between the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) and is spaced apart by a second distance (d2) from the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ), the first and second lengths (L4 and L6) are substantially the same, and one of the N poles of the (2 + i)-th set (S 2+i )'s second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) points to the first surface, the N pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to its second bar-shaped dipole magnet, and the other S pole of the (2 + i)-th set (S 2+i )'s second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) points to the first surface, and the S pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to its second bar-shaped dipole magnet.

[0060]

[0059] For each combination described in this specification, the (1 + i)-th pair (P 1+i ) is the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33b ) including a third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) has a third thickness (L3), a third length (L9), and a third width (L8), and the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 1+i-1 ) of the (1 + i - 1)-th pair (P a and x33 b ) has a magnetic axis oriented substantially parallel to the magnetic axis of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33

[0061]

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, the magnetic assembly (x00) may further comprise one or more combinations including c) a third set (S3) such as those described herein (i.e., the (2 + i)-th set, i = 1), and d) an additional second pair (P2) such as those described herein (i.e., the (1 + i)-th pair, i = 1). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the magnetic assembly (x00) may include c) i) a further first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) and ii) two further second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) in a third set (S3), and d) a second pair (P2) including two further third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ), and the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the third set (S3), the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the third set (S3), and the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) of the second pair (P2) are at least partially embedded in a non-magnetic support matrix (not shown in FIG. 3) described herein.

[0062]

[0061] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the third set (S3) has a first thickness (L1), a first length (L4), and a first width (L5). The second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the third set (S3) have a second thickness (L2), a second length (L6), and a second width (L7), and have topmost surfaces located on the same plane as each other.

[0063]

[0062] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the third set (S3) has a magnetic axis oriented substantially parallel to the first surface (and substantially parallel to the substrate (x20) during the methods described herein). The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the third set (S3) has a magnetic direction opposite to the magnetic direction of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the second set (S2). The second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) of the third set (S3) has a magnetic axis oriented perpendicular to the first surface (and substantially perpendicular to the substrate (x20) during the methods described herein).

[0064]

[0063] The first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the third and second sets (S3, S2) are spaced apart by a first distance (d1), and the first distance (d1) is substantially the same as the first distance (d1) for the first and second sets (S1, S2).

[0065]

[0064] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the third set (S3) has a first length (L4) and a first width (L5) that are substantially the same as those of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the second set (S2), and the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) of the third set (S3) have a second length (L6) and a second width (L7) that are substantially the same as those of the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) of the second set (S2). The first width (L5) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the third set (S3) and the second length (L6) of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the third set (S3) are substantially the same.

[0066]

[0065] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b) are aligned to form a column, in which the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the third set (S3) is located between the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) of the third set (S3), and is spaced from the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a , x32 b ) of the third set (S3) by a second distance (d2), and the second distance (d2) is substantially the same as the second distance (d2) with respect to the first and second sets (S1, S2).

[0067]

[0066] One of the N poles of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) of the third set (S3) points to the first surface (and points to the substrate (x20) during the method described herein), and the N pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to its second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a , x32 b ). The S pole of the other of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) of the third set (S3) points to the first surface (and points to the substrate (x20) during the method described herein), and the S pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to its second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a , x32 b ).

[0068]

[0067] The third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) of the second pair (P2) have a third thickness (L3), a third length (L8), and a third width (L9), and have a magnetic axis oriented parallel to the magnetic axis of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) of the first pair (P1) (and substantially parallel to the first surface and the substrate (x20) during the method described herein).

[0069]

[0068] The third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 bEach of ) is one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 of the third set (S3) a and x32 b ) and one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 of the second set (S2) a and x32 b ) are aligned to form two lines, and the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) are respectively arranged between the respective second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) and are spaced apart from the respective second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) by a third distance (d3), and the third distance (d3) is substantially the same as the third distance (d3) described herein.

[0070]

[0069] The N poles of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 of the second pair (P2) a and x33 b ) respectively point to one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 of the third and second sets (S3, S2) a and x32 b ), and the N pole of the one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) points to the first face (and points to the substrate (x20) during the method described herein), or the S poles of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 of the second pair (P2) a and x33 b ) respectively point to one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 of the third and second sets (S3, S2) a and x32 b ), and the S pole of the one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) points to the first face (and points to the substrate (x20) during the method described herein).

[0071] As shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic assembly (x00) may further comprise one or more combinations including i) a fourth set (S4) such as those described herein (i.e., the (2 + i)-th set, i = 2), and an additional third pair (P3) such as those described herein (i.e., the (1 + i)-th pair, i = 2). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic assembly (x00) comprises c) the third set (S3) described above, and i) a further first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) and ii) two further second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) that form a fourth set (S4), and d) the second pair (P2) described herein, and a third pair (P3) including a third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ). The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the fourth set (S4), the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the fourth set (S4), and the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) of the third pair (P3) are at least partially embedded in a non-magnetic support matrix (not shown in FIG. 4) described herein.

[0072]

[0071] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the fourth set (S4) has a first thickness (L1), a first length (L4), and a first width (L5). The second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the fourth set (S4) have a second thickness (L2), a second length (L6), and a second width (L7), and have topmost surfaces that are located on the same plane as each other.

[0073]

[0072] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the fourth set (S4) has a magnetic axis oriented substantially parallel to the first plane (and substantially parallel to the substrate (x20) during the method described herein). The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the fourth set (S4) has a magnetic direction opposite to the magnetic direction of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the third set (S3). The second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) of the fourth set (S4) has a magnetic axis oriented perpendicular to the first plane (and substantially perpendicular to the substrate (x20) during the method described herein).

[0074]

[0073] The first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the fourth and third sets (S4, S3) are spaced apart by a first distance (d1), and the first distance (d1) is substantially the same as the first distance (d1) with respect to the first and second sets (S1, S2), and substantially the same as the first distance (d1) with respect to the second and third sets (S2, S3).

[0075]

[0074] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the fourth set (S4) has a first length (L4) that is substantially the same as the second length (L6) of the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) of the fourth set (S4), and the second lengths (L6) of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the third set (S3), the second set (S2), and the first set (S1).

[0076]

[0075] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the fourth set (S4) has a first length (L4) and a first width (L5) that are substantially the same as the first length (L4) and the first width (L5) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the third set (S3), the second set (S2), and the first set (S1).

[0077]

[0076] The two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32b ) has a second length (L6) and a second width (L7) that are substantially the same as those of the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) of the third set (S3), the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) of the second set (S2), and the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) of the first set (S1).

[0078]

[0077] The first width (L5) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the fourth set (S4) and the second length (L6) of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the fourth set (S4) are substantially the same.

[0079]

[0078] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) of the fourth set (S4) are aligned to form a column in which the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the fourth set (S4) is disposed between the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) and is spaced from the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) by a second distance (d2), and the second distance (d2) is substantially the same as the second distance (d2) for the first and second sets (S1, S2) and the second and third sets (S2, S3).

[0080]

[0079] One N pole of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b ) of the fourth set (S4) points to the first face (and points to the substrate (x20) during the method described herein), and the N pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to its second bar-shaped dipole magnet. The second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a , x32 b) Of the other S pole of (and points to the substrate (x20) in the method described in this specification) pointing to the first surface, the S pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to its second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a , x32 b ).

[0081]

[0080] The third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) of the third pair (P3) have a third thickness (L3), a third length (L8), and a third width (L9), and are substantially parallel to the magnetic axis of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) of the first pair (P1), and are substantially parallel to the magnetic axis of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) of the second pair (P2) (and are substantially parallel to the first surface and the substrate (x20) in the method described in this specification), and have a magnetic axis oriented accordingly.

[0082]

[0081] Each of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) of the third pair (P3) is aligned with one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the fourth set (S4) and one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the third set (S3) to form two lines, and the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) are respectively arranged between the respective second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ), and are spaced apart from the respective second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) by a third distance (d3), and the third distance (d3) is substantially the same as the third distance (d3) described in this specification.

[0083]

[0082] The third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33b ) The N poles of each of them point to one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the fourth and third sets (S4, S3), and the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) of the third pair (P3), and the N pole of said one of them points to the first surface (and points to the substrate (x20) in the method described in this specification), or the S poles of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 a and x33 b ) of the third pair (P3) each point to one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the fourth and third sets (S4, S3), and the S pole of said one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of them points to the first surface (and points to the substrate (x20) in the method described in this specification).

[0084]

[0083] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31), the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) and the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 bThe top surface of the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein, which includes [[]], may be flat or curved. In embodiments where the magnetic assembly (x00) is used in the vicinity of a cylinder (see, for example, FIGS. 5B - 5G), the top surface of the assembly (x00) is curved to conform to the curvature of the cylinder and the curvature of the substrate (x20) that holds the coating layer (x10) (see, for example, FIGS. 3B and 3C), and the curvature of the magnetic assembly (x00) is obtained by bending the assembly. In embodiments where the top surface of the assembly (x00) is curved, all references to the orientation of the first surface described herein and the magnetic axis (substantially parallel / perpendicular to the first surface) described herein correspond to the flattened magnetic assembly (i.e., its configuration prior to bending). In embodiments where the top surface of the assembly (x00) is curved, the magnetic assembly (x00) has a first width (L5) of a rod-shaped dipole magnet (x31), a second length (L6) of two second rod-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ), and a third length (L8) of a third rod-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) that are substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cylinder, and are arranged around the first cylindrical surface such that the centers of (L5), (L6), and (L8) are substantially tangential to the cylindrical surface. In these embodiments, the magnetic assembly (x00) forms a multi-faceted surface around the curved first surface and the cylinder. In these embodiments, the distance d3 corresponds to the minimum distance between the sides of each of the two second rod-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a or x32 b ) and the third rod-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a or x33 b ).

[0085]

[0084] The material of the first rod-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the set (S1, S2, etc.) described herein, the material of the second rod-shaped dipole magnets (x32 a and x32 b ) of the set (S1, S2, etc.) described herein, the material of the third rod-shaped dipole magnet (x33 aand x33 b ) the material, and the first distance (d1), the second distance (d2), the third distance (d3), the fourth distance (d4), and the distance (h) are such that the magnetic field resulting from the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein, which makes both the X-axis and the Y-axis substantially parallel to the substrate surface, is suitable for orienting at least a part of the small plate-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein in a biaxial direction.

[0086]

[0085] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the assemblies (S1, S2, etc.) described herein, the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) of the pair(s) (P1, etc.) described herein, the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) are preferably made independently from a high coercivity material (also called a ferromagnetic material). Suitable high coercivity materials have a maximum energy product (BH) of at least 20 kJ / m 3 , preferably at least 50 kJ / m 3 , more preferably at least 100 kJ / m 3 , even more preferably at least 200 kJ / m 3 . These materials are Alnico, 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), hexaferrites of the chemical formula MFe max 12 19 O 19 (e.g., strontium hexaferrite (SrO*6Fe2O3) or barium hexaferrite (BaO*6Fe2O3)), hard ferrites of the chemical formula MFe204 (e.g., cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) or magnetite (Fe3O4) (M is a divalent metal ion), ceramic 8 (SI-1-5), RECo5 (RE = Sm or Pr), RE2TM17 (RE = Sm, TM = Fe, Cu, Co, Zr, Hf), RE2TM 14 A rare earth magnetic material selected from the group consisting of B (RE = Nd, Pr, Dy, TM = Fe, Co), an anisotropic alloy of Fe, Cr, Co, PtCo, MnAlC, RE cobalt 5 / 16, RE cobalt 14, It is preferably made of one or more sintered or polymer-bonded magnetic materials selected from the group consisting of materials. The high coercivity material of the rod-shaped dipole magnet is preferably from the group consisting of rare earth magnetic materials, more preferably Nd2Fe 14 Selected from the group consisting of B and SmCo5. Strontium hexaferrite (SrFe 12 O 19 ) or neodymium-iron-boron (Nd2Fe 14 B) powder, etc., an easily processable permanent magnetic composite material containing a permanent magnetic filler is particularly preferred. The first rod-shaped dipole magnet (x31), the second rod-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ), and the third rod-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) may be made of one or more different materials or the same material.

[0087]

[0086] The first rod-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the set (S1, S2, etc.) described in this specification, the second rod-shaped dipole magnet (x32 a and x32 b ) of the set (S1, S2, etc.) described in this specification, and the third rod-shaped dipole magnet (x33 a and x33 b ) of the pair (s) (P1, etc.) described in this specification are at least partially embedded in the non-magnetic support matrix described in this specification, and the support matrix is the rod-shaped dipole magnet (x31, x32 a , x32 b , x33 a , x33 b) are used to hold both. The non-magnetic support matrix described herein is made from one or more non-magnetic materials. The non-magnetic material is preferably selected from the group consisting of non-magnetic metals and engineering plastics and polymers. Non-magnetic metals include, but are not limited to, aluminum, aluminum alloys, brass (an alloy of copper and zinc), titanium, titanium alloys, and austenitic steel (i.e., non-magnetic steel). Engineering plastics and polymers include, but are not limited to, polyaryletherketone (PAEK) and its derivatives, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyetheretherketoneketone (PEEKK), and polyetherketoneetherketoneketone (PEKEKK), polyacetal, polyamide, polyester, polyether, copolyetherester, polyimide, polyetherimide, high density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer, fluorinated and perfluoropolyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and liquid crystal polymer. Preferred materials include aluminum alloy, PEEK (polyetheretherketone), POM (polyoxymethylene), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), Nylon (registered trademark) (polyamide), and PPS.

[0088]

[0087] A printing apparatus comprising the magnetic assembly (x00) and the transfer device (x70) described herein is also described herein, and the transfer device is configured to transfer or convey a substrate (x20) comprising a radiation-curable coating composition containing the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein near and onto the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein in order to orient at least a portion of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in two axial directions, and also provides a constant distance between the substrate (x20) and the magnetic assembly (x00).

[0089]

[0088] The transfer device described in this specification consists of a substrate guiding system, and the substrate guiding system is preferably selected from the group consisting of a chain, a belt, a cylinder, and combinations thereof. The belt described in this specification may be provided with magnets attached to the belt (in the art, it is called a linear magnetic transfer device). The belt described in this specification preferably includes a gripping portion. The cylinder described in this specification is a rotating cylinder (x60, x70), and may be provided with a hard magnetic magnet (M1) attached to the cylinder (in the art, it is called a rotating magnetic orientation cylinder), or a soft magnetic plate (M1) that holds one or more marks in the form of voids and / or depressions and / or protrusions.

[0090]

[0089] For example, in the case of an embodiment of a method in which a single magnetic assembly (x00) is used as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the magnetic assembly (x00) in this specification may be attached near the transfer device described in this specification, and the transfer device is a belt having a gripping portion (see, for example, FIG. 5A), or is preferably attached near the transfer device described in this specification, and the transfer device is a rotating cylinder (x60, x70, and x70-b) (see FIGS. 5B to 5D).

[0091]

[0090] For example, as shown in FIGS. 5E to 5H, in the case of an embodiment of a method in which several magnetic assemblies (such as x00a, x00b, etc.), i.e., a first magnetic assembly (x00a), a second magnetic assembly (x00b), etc. are used independently, the first magnetic assembly (x00a) described in this specification is attached in the vicinity of the transfer device described in this specification, and the transfer device is a belt having a gripping portion (see FIGS. 5E and 5H), or is preferably attached in the vicinity of a rotating cylinder (x60) (see FIGS. 5F and 5G), and further magnetic assemblies (such as x00b, x00c, etc.) are attached in the vicinity of a transfer device such as that described in this specification, and the transfer device is preferably a rotating cylinder (x70) (see FIGS. 5F, 5G, and 5H) or a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60) (see FIGS. 5E, 5G, and 5H).

[0092]

[0091] In the case of an embodiment in which the magnetic assembly (x00) is used in the vicinity of a rotating cylinder (for example, see FIGS. 5B to 5H), the top surface of the assembly (x00) is preferably curved so as to conform to the curvature of the cylinder (for example, see FIGS. 3B and 3C) and the curvature of the substrate (x20) holding the coating layer (x10), and the ratio between the diameter of the cylinder and the first width (L4) of the first rod-shaped dipole magnet (x31) is preferably about 5 or more.

[0093]

[0092] For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 5A to 5H, the printing apparatus described in this specification may further include a curing unit (x50). Suitable curing units include equipment for a UV-visible curing unit having a high-power light-emitting diode (LED) lamp or an arc discharge lamp, such as a medium-pressure mercury arc (MPMA) or a metal vapor arc lamp, as a radiation source.

[0094]

[0093] For example, as shown in FIGS. 5A - 5C and FIGS. 5E - 5H, the printing apparatus described herein may further comprise one or more selective curing units (x80). Selective curing enables the production of an optical effect layer (OEL) presenting a motif made from at least two regions, the two regions having two different magnetic orientation patterns. The one or more selective curing units (x80) may comprise one or more fixed or removable photomasks, such photomasks including one or more voids corresponding to a pattern formed as part of a coating layer. The one or more selective curing units (x80) may be addressable, such as a scanning laser beam disclosed in European Patent Application Publication No. 2468423, an array of light - emitting diodes (LEDs) disclosed in International Publication No. 2017 / 021504, or a chemiluminescent LED source (x41) comprising an array of individually addressable chemiluminescent emitters disclosed in co - pending International Application PCT / EP2019 / 087072.

[0095]

[0094] The printing apparatus described herein may further comprise a coating or printing unit for applying a radiation - curable coating composition comprising the non - spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein to a substrate described herein. The printing unit may be a screen printing unit, a rotary gravure printing unit, a flexographic printing unit, an inkjet printing unit, an intaglio printing unit (also referred to in the art as gravure copperplate printing and gravure steel die printing), or a combination thereof.

[0096]

[0095] The printing apparatus described herein may further comprise a substrate feeder, and thus the substrate (x20) is supplied in the form of a sheet or web by the substrate feeder.

[0097]

[0096] The present invention provides a method for fabricating an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate. The method described herein includes step i) of applying a radiation-curable coating composition containing platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein onto the surface of a substrate (x20) described herein to form a coating layer (x10) described herein, wherein the composition is in a first liquid state that can be applied as a layer that has not yet been cured (i.e., is wet), and the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles can move and rotate within the composition. Since the radiation-curable coating composition described herein is provided on the surface of the substrate (x20), the radiation-curable coating composition includes at least an adhesive material such as those described herein and platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, and the composition is in a shape that can be processed by a desired printing or coating apparatus. Step i) is preferably carried out by a printing process, and the printing process is preferably selected from the group consisting of screen printing, rotogravure printing, flexographic printing, inkjet printing, and intaglio printing (also referred to in the art as engraved copperplate printing and engraved steel die printing), more preferably selected from the group consisting of intaglio printing, screen printing, rotogravure printing, and flexographic printing, and even more preferably selected from the group consisting of screen printing, rotogravure printing, and flexographic printing.

[0098]

[0097] The radiation-curable coating composition described herein and the coating layer (x10) described herein include the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein, and such pigment particles are preferably in an amount of about 5 wt% to about 40 wt%, more preferably about 10 wt% to about 30 wt%, and the weight percent is based on the total weight of the radiation-curable coating composition or the coating composition.

[0099]

[0098] The small plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein have an anisotropic reflectivity with respect to incident electromagnetic radiation for which the solidified / cured adhesive material is at least partially transmissive due to their non-spherical shape. As used herein, the term "anisotropic reflectivity" means that the proportion of the incident radiation from a first angle that is reflected by the particles in a particular (field of view) direction (second angle) is a function of the orientation of the particles, i.e., the magnitude of the reflection in the field of view direction can vary with a change in the orientation of the particles with respect to the first angle.

[0100]

[0099] The OELs described herein include platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles having an anisotropic reflectance due to their shape. In the OELs described herein, the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein are dispersed within a coating composition comprising a cured adhesive material, such an adhesive material fixing the orientation of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. The adhesive material is at least in a cured or solid state (also referred to herein as the second state) and is at least partially transmissive to electromagnetic radiation within a wavelength range from 200 nm to 2500 nm, i.e., a wavelength range comprising the infrared, visible, and UV portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, typically referred to as the "optical spectrum". Thus, at some wavelengths within this range, the adhesive material enables the recognition of the particles contained in the adhesive material in the cured or solid state and their orientation-dependent reflectance. The cured adhesive material is preferably at least partially transmissive to electromagnetic radiation within a wavelength range from 200 nm to 800 nm, more preferably from 400 nm to 700 nm. As used herein, the term "transmissive" means that the transmission of electromagnetic radiation through a 20 μm layer of the cured adhesive material present in the OEL (which does not include platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, but includes all other optional components of the OEL if present) is at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, even more preferably at least 70% at the corresponding wavelength(s). This can be determined, for example, by measuring the transmittance of a test specimen of the cured adhesive material (not including platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles) according to established test methods, such as DIN 5036-3 (1979-11). When the OEL functions as a security feature, typically technical means are required to detect the (complete) optical effect generated by the OEL under each illumination condition, including the selected non-visible wavelength(s), and the detection requires the incident radiation wavelength to be selected outside the visible range, for example within the near UV range.

[0101]

[0100] Suitable examples of the small plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described in this specification include, but are not limited to, magnetic metals selected from the group consisting of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), and nickel (Ni), iron, manganese, cobalt, nickel magnetic alloys or mixtures of two or more of these, chromium, manganese, cobalt, iron, nickel magnetic oxides or mixtures of two or more of these, or pigment particles containing mixtures of two or more of these. The term "magnetic" as related to metals, alloys, and oxides refers to ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic metals, alloys, and oxides. Magnetic oxides of chromium, manganese, cobalt, iron, nickel, or mixtures of two or more of these may be pure oxides or mixed oxides. Examples of magnetic oxides include, but are not limited to, hematite (Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4), chromium dioxide (CrO2), magnetic ferrite (MFe2O4), magnetic spinel (MR2O4), magnetic hexaferrite (MFe 12 O 19 ), magnetic orthoferrite (RFeO3), magnetic garnet (M3R2(AO4)3), etc. of iron oxide, where M represents a divalent metal, R represents a trivalent metal, and A represents a tetravalent metal.

[0102]

[0101] Examples of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described in this specification include, but are not limited to, magnetic metals such as cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), or nickel (Ni), and pigment particles containing a magnetic layer M made from one or more of magnetic alloys of iron, cobalt, or nickel. The magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles may be a multilayer structure including one or more additional layers. The one or more additional layers are preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of metal fluorides such as magnesium fluoride (MgF2), silicon monoxide (SiO), silicon dioxide (SiO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and aluminum oxide (Al2O3), more preferably layer A made independently from silicon dioxide (SiO2), or preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of metals and metal alloys selected from the group consisting of reflective metals and reflective metal alloys, more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni), even more preferably layer B made independently from aluminum (Al), or a combination of one or more layer A as described above and one or more layer B as described above. Typical examples of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles having the multilayer structure described above include, but are not limited to, A / M multilayer structure, A / M / A multilayer structure, A / M / B multilayer structure, A / B / M / A multilayer structure, A / B / M / B multilayer structure, A / B / M / B / A / multilayer structure, B / M multilayer structure, B / M / B multilayer structure, B / A / M / A multilayer structure, B / A / M / B multilayer structure, B / A / M / B / A / multilayer structure. Layer A, magnetic layer M, and layer B are selected from those described above.

[0103]

[0102] The radiation-curable coating composition described herein may contain platelet-shaped optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles and / or platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles that do not have optically variable properties. At least a part of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein is preferably composed of platelet-shaped optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. In addition to the overt security provided by the color-changing properties of the optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles that enable the easy detection, recognition, and / or discrimination of an ink, coating composition, or an article or security document holding a coating layer containing the optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein from a possible forgery using unaided human senses, the optical properties of the optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles may also be used as a machine-readable tool for the recognition of OELs. Therefore, the optical properties of the optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles may be used simultaneously as a secret or semi-secret security feature in an authentication process in which the optical (e.g., spectral) properties of the pigment particles are analyzed.

[0104]

[0103] The use of platelet-shaped optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in a coating layer for producing an OEL enhances the importance of the OEL as a security feature in applications of security documents because such materials are reserved for the security document printing industry and are not generally commercially available.

[0105]

[0104] As described above, at least a part of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles is preferably composed of platelet-shaped optically variable magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. These are more preferably selected from the group consisting of magnetic thin film interference pigment particles containing a magnetic material and a mixture of two or more thereof, magnetic cholesteric liquid crystal pigment particles, and interference-coated pigment particles.

[0106]

[0105] Magnetic thin film interference pigment particles are known to those skilled in the art and are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,838,648, International Publication No. 2002 / 073250, European Patent No. 0686675, International Publication No. 2003 / 000801, U.S. Patent No. 6,838,166, International Publication No. 2007 / 131833, European Patent No. 2402401, International Publication No. 2019 / 103937, International Publication No. 2020 / 006286, and the documents cited therein. The magnetic thin film interference pigment particles preferably include pigment particles having a 5-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure, and / or pigment particles having a 6-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure, and / or pigment particles having a 7-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure, and / or pigment particles having a multilayer structure combining one or more multilayer Fabry-Perot structures.

[0107]

[0106] A preferred 5-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure consists of a multilayer structure of absorber / dielectric / reflector / dielectric / absorber, and the reflector and / or absorber is also a magnetic layer. The reflector and / or absorber is preferably a magnetic layer containing nickel, iron, and / or cobalt, and / or a magnetic alloy containing nickel, iron, and / or cobalt, and / or a magnetic oxide containing nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), and / or cobalt (Co).

[0108]

[0107] A preferred 6-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure consists of a multilayer structure of absorber / dielectric / reflector / magnetic / dielectric / absorber.

[0109]

[0108] A preferred 7-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure consists of a multilayer structure of absorber / dielectric / reflector / magnetic / reflector / dielectric / absorber, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,838,648.

[0110] Preferred pigment particles having a multilayer structure combining one or more Fabry - Perot structures are those described in International Publication No. WO 2019 / 103937, which consist of a combination of at least two Fabry - Perot structures. The two Fabry - Perot structures independently include a reflector layer, a dielectric layer, and an absorber layer. The reflector and / or absorber layer can each independently include one or more magnetic materials, and / or a magnetic layer is sandwiched between the two structures. International Publication No. WO 2020 / 006286 and European Patent Application Publication No. EP 3587500 disclose even more preferred pigment particles having a multilayer structure.

[0111]

[0110] The reflective material layer described in this specification is preferably made independently from one or more selected from the group consisting of metals and metal alloys. Such metals and metal alloys are preferably selected from the group consisting of reflective metals and reflective metal alloys, more preferably selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), niobium (Nb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and alloys thereof, even more preferably selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and alloys thereof, and even more preferably aluminum (Al). The dielectric layer is preferably 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), lithium fluoride (LiF), and metal oxides such as silicon monoxide (SiO), silicon dioxide (SiO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of magnesium fluoride (MgF2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2), and even more preferably made independently from magnesium fluoride (MgF2). The absorber layer is preferably 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), these metal oxides, these metal sulfides, these metal carbides, and alloys thereof, more preferably selected from the group consisting of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), these metal oxides, and alloys thereof, and even more preferably made independently from one or more selected from the group consisting of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and alloys thereof.The magnetic layer preferably contains 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 including a 7-layer Fabry-Perot structure are preferred, the magnetic thin-film interference pigment particles particularly preferably include a 7-layer Fabry-Perot absorber / dielectric / reflector / magnetic / reflector / dielectric / absorber multilayer structure composed of a Cr / MgF2 / Al / Ni / Al / MgF2 / Cr multilayer structure.

[0112]

[0111] The magnetic thin-film interference pigment particles described in this specification may be multilayer pigment particles based on, for example, a 5-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure, a 6-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure, and a 7-layer Fabry-Perot multilayer structure, which are considered to be safe for human health and environmental safety. The pigment particles include one or more magnetic layers including a magnetic alloy having a composition substantially free of nickel and containing about 40 wt% to about 90 wt% iron, about 10 wt% to about 50 wt% chromium, and about 0 wt% to about 30 wt% aluminum. Typical examples of multilayer pigment particles considered to be safe for human health and the environment can be found in European Patent No. 2402401, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0113]

[0112] The magnetic thin film interference pigment particles described herein are typically manufactured by conventional deposition techniques onto webs of the different required layers. For example, after deposition of the desired number of layers by physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), or electrodeposition, the laminate of layers is removed from the web by dissolving the release layer in a suitable solvent or by peeling the material from the web. The material thus obtained is then broken down into flakes, and those flakes must be further processed by grinding, milling (e.g., a jet milling process, etc.), or any suitable method to obtain pigment particles of the required size. The resulting product consists of flat flakes with broken edges, irregular shapes, and different aspect ratios. Further information regarding the preparation of suitable magnetic thin film interference pigment particles can be found, for example, in European Patent Application Publication No. 1710756 and European Patent Application Publication No. 1666546, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0114]

[0113] Suitable magnetic cholesteric liquid crystal pigment particles that exhibit optically variable properties include, but are not limited to, magnetic monolayer cholesteric liquid crystal pigment particles and magnetic multilayer cholesteric liquid crystal pigment particles. Such pigment particles are disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. 2006 / 063926, U.S. Patent No. 6,582,781, and U.S. Patent No. 6,531,221. International Publication No. 2006 / 063926 discloses monolayers having high brightness and discoloration properties, along with additional specific properties such as magnetizability, and pigment particles obtained therefrom. The disclosed monolayers and the pigment particles obtained therefrom by grinding the monolayers include a three-dimensionally crosslinked cholesteric liquid crystal mixture and magnetic nanoparticles. U.S. Patent No. 6,582,781 and U.S. Patent No. 6,410,130 disclose platelet-shaped cholesteric multilayer pigment particles containing 1 / B / A 2 where A 1 and A 2 may be the same or different and each contains at least one cholesteric layer, B is an intermediate layer, and layer A 1 and A2 absorbs all or part of the light transmitted therethrough. U.S. Patent No. 6,531,221 discloses platelet-shaped cholesteric multilayer pigment particles comprising arrays A / B and optionally C, where A and C are absorbing layers containing pigment particles imparting magnetism and B is a cholesteric layer.

[0115]

[0114] 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 cores coated with one or more layers, wherein the core or at least one of the one or more layers is magnetic. For example, a suitable interference coating pigment may include a core made of a magnetic material such as those described above, the core being coated with one or more layers made of one or more metal oxides, or a suitable interference coating pigment may have a structure comprising a core made of synthetic or natural mica, phyllosilicates (e.g., talc, kaolin, and sericite), glass (e.g., borosilicate glass), silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), graphite, and mixtures of two or more thereof. Additionally, one or more additional layers, such as a coloring layer, may be present.

[0116]

[0115] The magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein may be surface-treated to protect those particles from any degradation that may occur within the coating composition and coating layer and / or to facilitate their incorporation within the coating composition and coating layer. Typically, corrosion-preventive materials and / or wetting agents may be used.

[0117]

[0116] The method described herein further includes step ii) of exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein so as to orient at least a portion of the small plate-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in a biaxial direction in order to make both the X-axis line and the Y-axis line substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate (x20); and step iii) of at least partially curing the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii) to a second state so as to fix the small plate-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the positions and orientations adopted. As used herein, "at least partially curing the radiation-curable coating composition" means that the small plate-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are fixed / frozen in the positions and orientations adopted and cannot move or rotate anywhere (also referred to in the art as "pinning" of the particles).

[0118]

[0117] The distance (h) (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2) from the uppermost surface of the rod-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the set (S1, S2, S3, etc.) of the magnetic assemblies (x00) described herein to the lowermost surface of the substrate (x20) facing the magnetic assembly is preferably less than about 20 mm and more than about 2 mm, more preferably less than about 10 mm and more than about 4 mm, and even more preferably less than about 7 mm and more than about 2 mm.

[0119] According to one embodiment, the method described herein comprising step ii) of exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a magnetic assembly (x00) consists of a single step of using the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein. The method described herein includes step iii) of at least partially curing the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii) to enable fixing in the positions and orientations employed by the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, and the step of at least partially curing may be carried out partially simultaneously with step ii) or subsequent to step ii). During the method described herein, the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein is preferably a stationary device. The magnetic assembly (x00) described herein is attached in the vicinity of the transfer device described herein, and the transfer device is preferably a belt with gripping portions or one or more rotating cylinders.

[0120]

[0119] According to one embodiment shown, for example, in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the method described herein includes step ii) of exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a magnetic assembly (x00), and then further exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) so as to reorient at least a part of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable particles in a uniaxial direction, wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60), and the further step is carried out following step ii). The method described herein includes step iii) of at least partially curing the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii), which step may be carried out at least partially simultaneously with the step of reorienting the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable particles in a uniaxial direction, or may be carried out following the step of reorienting the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable particles in a uniaxial direction, although it is preferably carried out at least partially simultaneously with the reorienting step. WO 2015 / 086257 discloses a process in which the next step of reorienting the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable particles in a uniaxial direction is also carried out. During the method described herein, the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein is preferably a stationary device. FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate the method, wherein one or more magnets (M1) of the magnetic field generating device are attached to the rotating magnetic cylinder (560) described herein, and a substrate (520) holding the coating layer (510, not shown in FIG. 5A) moves along with the rotating magnetic cylinder (560). According to one embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, the magnetic assembly (500) described herein is attached in the vicinity of the transfer device described herein, and the transfer device is preferably a belt with gripping portions. According to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 5B to 5C, the magnetic assembly (500) described herein is attached in the vicinity of the transfer device described herein, and the transfer device preferably consists of one or more cylinders (570-a and 570-b).

[0121]

[0120] The method shown in FIG. 5A can be implemented with the substrate (520) facing the magnetic assembly (500), but the same method may be implemented with the coating layer (510, not shown in FIG. 5A) facing the magnetic assembly (500).

[0122]

[0121] According to one embodiment shown, for example, in FIG. 5D, the method described herein includes, in a single step, exposing a coating layer (x10) to the interaction between the magnetic field of the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein and the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1), wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60) that also acts as a transfer device. The method described herein includes step iii) of at least partially curing the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii), which step may be carried out partially simultaneously with step ii) or subsequent to step ii). During the method described herein, the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein is preferably a stationary device and the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) move in association with a substrate (x20) that holds the coating layer (x10). FIG. 5D shows the method, wherein the magnet (M1) of the magnetic field generating device is attached to the rotating magnetic cylinder (560) described herein and the substrate (520) that holds the coating layer (510) moves in association with the rotating magnetic cylinder (560) in the vicinity of the stationary magnetic assembly (500) described herein. According to the embodiment, the magnetic assembly (500) described herein is attached in the vicinity of the rotating magnetic cylinder (560) described herein. FIGS. 4 of WO 2019 / 141452 and WO 2019 / 141453 disclose a process in which a hard magnetic magnet (x30 of the PCT application) is used simultaneously with a magnetic field generating device (x40 of the PCT application).For example, according to one embodiment shown in FIG. 5E, the method described herein includes step ii) of exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of the first magnetic assembly (x00a) described herein, and selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in a position and orientation employed, such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to the irradiation, an optional further step (indicated by the selective curing unit (x80)), and subsequently, in a single step, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of the second magnetic assembly (x00b) described herein and the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1), wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60) that also acts as a transfer device. The method described herein includes step iii) of at least partially curing the radiation curable coating composition of step ii), and said step may be carried out at least partially simultaneously with step ii) or subsequent to step ii). During the method described herein, the magnetic assemblies (x00a and x00b) described herein are preferably stationary devices, and the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) move in association with a substrate (x20) that holds the coating layer (x10). The method shown in FIG. 5E can be carried out with the substrate (520) facing the magnetic assembly (500), although the same method may also be carried out with the coating layer (510, not shown in FIG. 5E) facing the magnetic assembly (500).

[0123]

[0122] According to one embodiment shown, for example, in FIG. 5D, the method described herein includes, in a single step, exposing a coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein and the magnetic field of one or more soft magnetic plates (M1) that hold one or more imprints in the form of gaps and / or indentations and / or protrusions, wherein the soft magnetic plate is preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder or disposed in a movable device under a substrate (x20). The method described herein includes step iii) of at least partially curing the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii) to enable fixing in the positions and orientations adopted by the small plate-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles, and the step of at least partially curing may be carried out partially simultaneously with step ii) or subsequent to step ii). During the method described herein, the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein is preferably a stationary device, and one or more soft magnetic plates (M1) move along with the substrate (x20) that holds the coating layer (x10). Suitable soft magnetic plates that hold one or more imprints in the form of gaps and / or indentations and / or protrusions are made from one or more metals, alloys, or compounds with high magnetic permeability, or from composites containing about 25 wt% to about 95 wt% of soft magnetic particles dispersed in a non-magnetic material, the weight percentages being based on the total weight of the soft magnetic plate, as disclosed in WO 2018 / 033512 and WO 2018 / 019594. FIG. 3 of WO 2018 / 033512 discloses a process in which a soft magnetic plate (x10 in said PCT application) is also used in addition to a magnetic field generating device (x40 in said PCT application). FIG. 4 of WO 2018 / 019594 discloses a process in which a soft magnetic plate (x50 in said PCT application) is also used in addition to a magnetic field generating device (x60 in said PCT application). According to said embodiment, the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein is attached in the vicinity of the transfer device described herein, and the transfer device is preferably one or more rotating cylinders.For example, according to one embodiment shown in FIG. 5E, the method described herein includes step ii) of exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of the first magnetic assembly (x00a) described herein, and selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in an adopted position and orientation, such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to the irradiation, an optional further step (indicated by the selective curing unit (x80)); and further subsequently, in a single step, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of the second magnetic assembly (x00b) described herein and the magnetic field of one or more soft magnetic plates (M1) that hold one or more imprints in the form of voids and / or indentations and / or protrusions, wherein the soft magnetic plate is preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder or disposed in a movable device under the substrate (x20). The method described herein includes step iii) of at least partially curing the radiation curable coating composition of step ii) to enable fixing small plate-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in an adopted position and orientation, and the step of at least partially curing may be carried out partially simultaneously with step ii) or subsequent to step ii). During the method described herein, the magnetic assemblies (x00 and x00b) described herein are preferably stationary devices, and one or more hard-soft magnetic plates (M1) move in association with the substrate (x20) that holds the coating layer (x10). The method shown in FIG. 5E can be carried out with the substrate (520) facing the magnetic assembly (500), but the same method may also be carried out with the coating layer (510, not shown in FIG. 5E) facing the magnetic assembly (500).

[0124]

[0123] According to one embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A - 5C, for example, the method described herein includes step ii) of exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a magnetic assembly (x00), and following this step ii), selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in an employed position and orientation, as a result of which one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to irradiation, (shown by a selective curing unit (580)), a further step, and subsequently, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) so as to reorient at least a portion of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable particles within one or more second regions in a uniaxial direction, wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60) which also acts as a transfer device. The method described herein includes step iii) of at least partially curing the radiation curable coating composition of step ii), and said step may be carried out at least partially simultaneously with the step of reorienting the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable particles, or may be carried out following the step of reorienting the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable particles, but is preferably carried out at least partially simultaneously with the step of reorienting. During the method described herein, the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein is preferably a stationary device, and the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) move in association with a substrate (x20) holding the coating layer (x10). FIGS. 5A - 5C illustrate the method, and one or more magnets (M1) of the magnetic field generating device are attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (560) described herein, and a substrate (520) holding a coating layer (510, not shown in FIG. 5A) moves in association with the rotating magnetic cylinder (560) in the vicinity of a stationary magnetic assembly (500) described herein. According to one embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, the magnetic assembly (500) described herein is attached in the vicinity of a transfer device described herein, and the transfer device is preferably a belt comprising a gripping portion.According to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 5B - 5C, the magnetic assembly (500) described herein is attached in the vicinity of the transfer device described herein, and the transfer device is preferably one or more cylinders (570 - a and 570 - b).

[0125]

[0124] According to one embodiment, the method described herein comprises step ii) of exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a magnetic assembly (x00), and then further exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a first magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a) so as to reorient at least a portion of the small plate - shaped magnetic or magnetizable particles in a uniaxial direction, wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60a) that also acts as a transfer device, and the further step of reorienting in a uniaxial direction is carried out subsequent to step ii); a further step of selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation - curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non - spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in an adopted position and orientation, such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to irradiation (shown by a selective curing unit (x80)); and a further step of subsequently exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a second magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b), wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60b) that also acts as a transfer device. The method described herein comprises a step of orienting the coating layer (x10) in the magnetic field of a second magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1), and partially simultaneously with, or subsequent to, this step, a step of at least partially curing the radiation - curable coating composition.

[0126] According to one embodiment, the method described herein includes step ii) of exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a first magnetic assembly (x00a), and then a further step of exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a first magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) so as to reorient at least a portion of the small platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable particles in a uniaxial direction, wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60a) that also acts as a transfer device, the further step being carried out subsequent to step ii), the further step of reorienting in a uniaxial direction; a further step of selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in an employed position and orientation, such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to irradiation, (shown by a selective curing unit (x80)); a further step of subsequently exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a second magnetic assembly (x00b); and a further step of subsequently exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a second magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b), wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60b) that also acts as a transfer device. The method described herein includes a step of curing at least partially the radiation-curable coating composition, partially simultaneously with, or subsequent to, the step of orienting the coating layer (x10) in the magnetic field of a second magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b).

[0127]

[0126] According to one embodiment, the method described herein includes step ii) of exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a first magnetic assembly (x00a) such as those described herein; and following this step ii), selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in a position and orientation such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to irradiation; a further step; and subsequently, a single step of exposing the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of a second magnetic assembly (x00b) such as those described herein and the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1), wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60). The method described herein includes the step of orienting the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of the second magnetic assembly (x00b) and the magnetic field of the magnetic field generating device and, partially simultaneously with, or following this step, the step of at least partially curing the radiation curable coating composition. During the method described herein, the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein is preferably a stationary device, the magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) moves in association with a substrate (x20) holding the coating layer (x10), and the substrate (x20) holding the coating layer (x10) moves in association with the rotating magnetic cylinder in the vicinity of the stationary magnetic assembly (x00) described herein.

[0128]

[0127] According to one embodiment, the method described herein includes step ii) of exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a first magnetic assembly (x00a) such as those described herein, and following this step ii), selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in an employed position and orientation, such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to the irradiation, a further step; and further following, a single step of exposing the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of a second magnetic assembly (x00b) such as those described herein and the magnetic field of one or more soft magnetic plates such as those described herein. The method described herein includes a step of orienting the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of the magnetic assembly (x00b) and the magnetic field of the soft magnetic plate and, partially simultaneously with, or following this step, a step of at least partially curing the radiation-curable coating composition.

[0129]

[0128] For example, according to one embodiment shown in FIG. 5F, the method described herein comprises, in a single step, exposing a coating layer (x10) to the interaction between the magnetic field of a first magnetic assembly (x00a), such as those described herein, and the magnetic field of a first magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a), wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60a) that also acts as a transfer device, step ii); selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in a desired position and orientation, such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to the irradiation, a further step; subsequently exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a second magnetic assembly (x00b); and subsequently exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a second magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b), wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60b) that also acts as a transfer device. The method described herein includes, partially simultaneously with, or subsequent to, the step of orienting the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a second magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b), a step of at least partially curing the radiation curable coating composition.

[0130]

[0129] According to one embodiment shown, for example, in FIG. 5F, the method described herein includes, in a single step, exposing a coating layer (x10) to the interaction between the magnetic field of a first magnetic assembly (x00a), such as those described herein, and the magnetic field of one or more soft magnetic plates (M1a), such as those described herein (step ii); selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in a position and orientation such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to the irradiation, a further step; subsequently, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a second magnetic assembly (x00b); and subsequently, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b), wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60) that also acts as a transfer device. The method described herein includes a step of at least partially curing the radiation curable coating composition, either partially simultaneously with, or subsequent to, the step of orienting the coating layer (x10) in the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b).

[0131]

[0130] For example, according to one embodiment shown in FIG. 5G, the method described herein comprises, in a single step, exposing a coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of a first magnetic assembly (x00a), such as those described herein, and the magnetic field of a first magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a), wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60a) that also acts as a transfer device, step ii); selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in a position and orientation such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to irradiation, a further step; subsequently, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a second magnetic assembly (x00b); and subsequently, in a single step, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of a third magnetic assembly (x00c), such as those described herein, and the magnetic field of a second magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b), wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60b) that also acts as a transfer device. The method described herein comprises, partially simultaneously with, or subsequent to, the step of orienting the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of the second magnetic assembly (x00b) and the magnetic field of the second magnetic field generating device, the step of at least partially curing the radiation curable coating composition.

[0132]

[0131] According to one embodiment shown, for example, in FIG. 5G, the method described herein comprises, in a single step, exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a first magnetic assembly (x00a), such as those described herein, and the magnetic field of a first magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a), wherein it is preferred that the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a) are attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60a) that also acts as a transfer device, step ii); selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in a position and orientation, such that as a result one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to the irradiation, a further step; subsequently exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a second magnetic assembly (x00b); and subsequently exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a third magnetic assembly (x00c), such as those described herein, and the magnetic field of one or more soft magnetic plates (M1b), such as those described herein, in a single step. The method described herein comprises, partially simultaneously with, or subsequent to, the step of orienting the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of the third magnetic assembly (x00c) and the magnetic field of one or more soft magnetic plates, the step of at least partially curing the radiation curable coating composition.

[0133]

[0132] For example, according to one embodiment shown in FIG. 5G, the method described herein comprises, in a single step, exposing a coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of a first magnetic assembly (x00a), such as those described herein, and the magnetic field of one or more soft magnetic plates (M1a), such as those described herein, step ii); and selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in an employed position and orientation, such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to irradiation, a further step; and subsequently exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a second magnetic assembly (x00b); and subsequently, in a single step, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of a third magnetic assembly (x00c), such as those described herein, and the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b), such as those described herein, one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b) being preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60) which also acts as a transfer device. The method described herein comprises a step of orienting the coating layer (x10) in the interaction of the magnetic field of the third magnetic assembly (x00c) and the magnetic field of the second magnetic field generating device, and partially simultaneously with, or subsequent to, this step, a step of at least partially curing the radiation-curable coating composition.

[0134]

[0133] According to one embodiment shown, for example, in FIG. 5G, the method described herein includes, in a single step, exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a first magnetic assembly (x00a), such as those described herein, and the magnetic field of one or more first soft magnetic plates (M1a), such as those described herein; step ii) selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in an adopted position and orientation, such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to the irradiation; a further step; subsequently exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a second magnetic assembly (x00b); and subsequently, in a single step, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a third magnetic assembly (x00c), such as those described herein, and the magnetic field of one or more second soft magnetic plates (M1b), such as those described herein. The method described herein includes, partially simultaneously with, or subsequent to, the step of orienting the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of the third magnetic assembly (x00c) and the magnetic field of the second soft magnetic plate, the step of at least partially curing the radiation curable coating composition.

[0135]

[0134] According to one embodiment shown, for example, in FIG. 5H, the method described herein comprises: a) exposing a radiation-curable coating composition to the interaction of the magnetic fields of the first magnetic assembly (x00a) described herein, and then b) in a single step, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of a second magnetic assembly (x00b) such as those described herein and the magnetic field of a first magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a), wherein it is preferred that one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a) are attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60a) that also acts as a transfer device, step ii); selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in a position and orientation such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to irradiation, a further step; subsequently, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a third magnetic assembly (x00c); and subsequently, in a single step, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the interaction of the magnetic field of a fourth magnetic assembly (x00d) such as those described herein and the magnetic field of a second magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b), wherein it is preferred that one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1b) are attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60b) that also acts as a transfer device. The method described herein includes a step of orienting the coating layer (x10) in the interaction of the magnetic field of the fourth magnetic assembly (x00c) and the magnetic field of the second magnetic field generating device and, partially simultaneously with, or subsequent to, this step, a step of at least partially curing the radiation-curable coating composition. The method shown in FIG. 5H can be carried out with the substrate (520) facing the magnetic assembly (500), although the same method may also be carried out with the coating layer (510, not shown in FIG. 5H) facing the magnetic assembly (500).

[0136]

[0135] According to one embodiment shown, for example, in FIG. 5H, the method described herein comprises: a) exposing a radiation curable coating composition to the magnetic field interaction of a first magnetic assembly (x00a) described herein, and then b) in a single step, exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field interaction between the magnetic field of a second magnetic assembly (x00b) such as those described herein and the magnetic field of a first magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a), wherein it is preferred that one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1a) are attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60) that also acts as a transfer device, step ii); selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least some of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in a position and orientation such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to irradiation, a further step; subsequently exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a third magnetic assembly (x00c); and subsequently exposing the coating layer (x10) in a single step to the magnetic field interaction between the magnetic field of a fourth magnetic assembly (x00d) such as those described herein and the magnetic field of one or more soft magnetic plates (M1b) such as those described herein. The method described herein includes a step of at least partially curing the radiation curable coating composition, either partially simultaneously with or subsequent to the step of orienting the coating layer (x10) in the magnetic field interaction between the magnetic field of the fourth magnetic assembly (x00d) and the magnetic field of one or more soft magnetic plates (M1b). This embodiment is shown in FIG. 5H, where the magnet (M1b) of the second magnetic field generating device is replaced by a soft magnetic plate. The method shown in FIG. 5H can be carried out with the substrate (520) facing the magnetic assembly (500), although the same method may also be carried out with the coating layer (510, not shown in FIG. 5H) facing the magnetic assembly (500).

[0137]

[0136] For example, according to one embodiment shown in FIG. 5H, the method described herein includes: a) exposing a radiation curable coating composition to the magnetic field interaction of the first magnetic assembly (x00a) described herein, and then b) in a single step, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field interaction of a second magnetic assembly (x00b) such as those described herein and the magnetic field of one or more soft magnetic plates (M1a) such as those described herein, step ii); and selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least some of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in a position and orientation, such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to irradiation, a further step; and subsequently, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a third magnetic assembly (x00c); and subsequently, in a single step, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field interaction of a fourth magnetic assembly (x00d) such as those described herein and the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1), wherein the one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) are preferably attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60) that also acts as a transfer device. The method described herein includes a step of orienting the coating layer (x10) in the magnetic field interaction of the magnetic field of the fourth magnetic assembly (x00d) and the magnetic field of a second magnetic field generating device, and at least partially simultaneously with, or subsequent to, this step, a step of at least partially curing the radiation curable coating composition. The method shown in FIG. 5H can be carried out with the substrate (520) facing the magnetic assembly (500), although the same method may also be carried out with the coating layer (510, not shown in FIG. 5H) facing the magnetic assembly (500).

[0138]

[0137] According to one embodiment shown, for example, in FIG. 5H, the method described herein includes: a) exposing a radiation-curable coating composition to the magnetic field interaction of a first magnetic assembly (x00a) described herein, and then b) in a single step, exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field interaction between the magnetic field of a second magnetic assembly (x00b) such as those described herein and the magnetic field of one or more first soft magnetic plates (M1a) such as those described herein, step ii); selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii) so as to fix at least a portion of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles in a position and orientation such that as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to irradiation, a further step; subsequently, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a third magnetic assembly (x00c); and subsequently, in a single step, exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field interaction between the magnetic field of a fourth magnetic assembly (x00d) such as those described herein and the magnetic field of one or more second soft magnetic plates (M1b) such as those described herein. The method described herein includes a step of orienting the coating layer (x10) in the magnetic field interaction between the magnetic field of the fourth magnetic assembly (x00d) and the magnetic field of one or more second soft magnetic plates (M1b), and at least partially simultaneously with or subsequent to this step, a step of at least partially curing the radiation-curable coating composition. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 5G, where the magnets (M1a) of the first magnetic field generating device and the magnets (M1b) of the second magnetic field generating device are replaced by soft magnetic plates. The method shown in FIG. 5H can be carried out with the substrate (520) facing the magnetic assembly (500), although the same method may also be carried out with the coating layer (510, not shown in FIG. 5H) facing the magnetic assembly (500).

[0139] One or more hard magnetic magnets (M1, M1a, M1b) described in this specification are not limited and include, for example, dipole magnets, quadrupole magnets, and combinations thereof. The following hard magnetic magnets are provided in this specification by way of example.

[0140] An optical effect known as the flip-flop effect (also called the switching effect in the art) includes a first printed portion and a second printed portion separated by a transition portion, and the pigment particles are aligned parallel to a first surface within the first portion, and the pigment particles within the second portion are aligned parallel to a second surface. Methods and magnets for providing said effect are disclosed, for example, in US Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0106367 and European Patent No. 1819525.

[0141] An optical effect known as the rolling bar effect disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0106367 may be provided. The "rolling bar" effect is based on the orientation of pigment particles that mimic a curved surface in a coating. When the image is tilted, the observer sees a specular reflection section that moves away from or towards the observer. The pigment particles are curved and aligned, following a convex curve (also called a negative curvature orientation in the art) or a concave curve (also called a positive curvature orientation in the art). Methods and magnets for providing said effect are disclosed, for example, in European Patent Application Publication No. 2263806, European Patent No. 1674282, European Patent Application Publication No. 2263807, International Publication No. 2004 / 007095, International Publication No. 2012 / 104098, and International Publication No. 2014 / 198905.

[0142] An optical effect known as the Venetian blind effect may be provided. The Venetian blind effect gives visibility to the substrate surface below along a specific viewing direction and obscures visibility along another viewing direction, while allowing marks or other features present on the substrate surface to be revealed to the observer, including the orientation of pigment particles. Methods and magnets for providing said effect are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 8,025,952 and European Patent No. 1819525.

[0143] An optical effect known as the moving ring effect may be provided. The moving ring effect consists of an optically illusory image of an object such as a funnel, cone, bowl, circle, ellipse, and hemisphere that appears to move in any xy direction depending on the tilt angle of the optical effect layer. Methods and magnets for providing said effect are disclosed, for example, in European Patent Application Publication No. 1710756, U.S. Patent No. 8,343,615, European Patent Application Publication No. 2306222, European Patent Application Publication No. 2325677, International Publication No. 2011 / 092502, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 084411, International Publication No. 2014 / 108404, and International Publication No. 2014 / 108303.

[0144] An optical effect may be provided that, when the effect is tilted, provides an optical impression in which the pattern of bright and dark areas moves. Methods and magnets for providing said effect are disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. 2013 / 167425.

[0145] An optical effect may be provided that, when the effect is tilted, provides an optical impression in which the size of a loop-like body varies. Methods and magnets for providing these optical effects are disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. 2017 / 064052, International Publication No. 2017 / 080698, and International Publication No. 2017 / 148789.

[0146]

[0145] Tilting the optical effect layer may result in an optical effect that provides an optical impression in which the shape of one or more loop-like bodies varies. The method and magnet for providing said effect are disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. WO 2018 / 054819.

[0147]

[0146] Tilting may result in an optical effect that provides an optical impression in which the crescent moves and rotates. The method and magnet for providing said effect are disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. WO 2019 / 215148.

[0148]

[0147] Tilting may result in an optical effect that provides an optical impression in which the size and shape of the loop-like body vary. The method and magnet for providing said effect are disclosed, for example, in co-pending international application PCT / US2020 / 052862.

[0149]

[0148] An optical effect that provides an optical impression of an orthogonal parallax effect may be brought about, i.e., in this case, when the substrate is tilted about the horizontal / latitude axis, a bright reflective vertical bar moves longitudinally, or when the substrate is tilted about the longitudinal axis, it moves in the horizontal / latitude direction. The method and magnet for providing said effect are disclosed, for example, in co-pending international application PCT / EP2020 / 052265.

[0150]

[0149] An optical effect that provides an optical impression in which one loop-like body is surrounded by one or more loop-like bodies may be brought about, and tilting causes the shape and / or brightness of said one or more loop-like bodies to vary. The method and magnet for providing said effect are disclosed, for example, in co-pending international application PCT / EP2020 / 054042.

[0151] When the substrate is tilted about a vertical / longitudinal axis, not only do a plurality of dark spots and a plurality of bright spots move and / or appear and / or disappear in an oblique direction, but also an optical effect may be provided that provides an optical impression that moves and / or appears and / or disappears in an oblique direction even when the substrate is tilted. The method and magnet for providing said effect are disclosed, for example, in co-pending European Patent No. 19205715.6 and European Patent No. 19205716.4.

[0152] In the case of an embodiment of the method described herein, it is preferred to use a non-rotating magnetic field generating device in a single step of exposing a coating layer (x10) to the interaction between the magnetic field of the magnetic assembly (x00) described herein and the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) described herein. In the case of an embodiment of the method described herein, a non-rotating magnetic field generating device may be used or a rotating magnetic field generating device may be used in an independent step of exposing a coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) described herein. The optical effect known as the moving ring effect obtained by a rotating magnetic field generating device is disclosed in International Publication No. 2014 / 108404 and International Publication No. 2014 / 108303. The optical effect obtained by a rotating magnetic field generating device that provides an optical impression in which at least one circularly moving spot or at least one comet-shaped spot rotates around the center of rotation when tilted is disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. 2019 / 038371, International Publication No. 2019 / 063778, and International Publication No. 2019 / 038369.

[0153] One or more hard magnetic magnets (M1) described herein may comprise a magnetic plate that holds one or more reliefs, engravings, or cutouts. International Publication No. 2005 / 002866 and International Publication No. 2008 / 046702 are examples of such recessed magnetic plates.

[0154]

[0153] The method described herein includes step iii) of at least partially curing a radiation-curable coating layer (x10) in a first liquid state to a second state and fixing / freezing small plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles in the positions and orientations employed. The at least partial curing step iii) described herein is carried out by using the curing unit (x50) described herein. In the case of the embodiments described herein, the step of selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) so that one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to irradiation is carried out by using the selective curing unit (x80) described herein.

[0155]

[0154] Thus, it is noted that the radiation-curable coating composition described herein must have a first state, i.e., a liquid or paste state, in which the coating composition has not yet cured and is wet or is sufficiently soft so that small plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles dispersed in the composition and in the coating layer are freely movable, rotatable, and orientable when exposed to a magnetic field, and a second cured (e.g., solid or solid-like) state in which the small plate-like magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are fixed or frozen in their respective positions and orientations.

[0156]

[0155] Such first and second states are preferably provided by using a specific type of coating composition. For example, the components of a radiation-curable coating composition other than platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles may be in the form of an ink or coating composition such as those used in security applications, for example in the printing of banknotes. The above-described first and second states can be provided by using a material that exhibits an increase in viscosity in response to a stimulus such as exposure to electromagnetic radiation. That is, when the fluid adhesive material is hardened or solidified, the adhesive material changes to the second state, i.e., the hardened or solid state, and the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles are fixed in their current position and orientation and can no longer move or rotate within the adhesive material. As is known to those skilled in the art, the components contained in an ink or coating composition applied to a surface such as a substrate and the physical properties of the ink or coating composition must meet the requirements of the process used to transfer the ink or coating composition to the substrate surface. As a result, the adhesive material contained in the coating composition described herein is typically selected from those known in the art and depends on the coating or printing process used to apply the ink or coating composition and the selected hardening process.

[0157]

[0156] At least the partial curing step iii) involves a chemical reaction of the adhesive contained in the radiation-curable coating composition and optionally an initiator compound and / or an optional crosslinking compound. Such chemical reactions include, but are not limited to, initiation of a chemical reaction by a radiation mechanism including ultraviolet-visible light radiation curing (hereinafter referred to as UV-Vis curing) and electron beam radiation curing (E-beam curing), and may be initiated by heat or IR irradiation.

[0158]

[0157] These techniques advantageously result in a very fast curing process and thus dramatically reduce the preparation time of the articles containing the OELs described herein. Therefore, radiation curing is carried out during the methods described herein, with UV-Vis light radiation curing being more preferred. Further, radiation curing has the advantage of causing a near-instantaneous increase in the viscosity of the coating composition after exposure to the curing radiation, thus minimizing further movement of the particles. As a result, loss of orientation after the magnetic orientation step can be essentially avoided. Radiation curing by photopolymerization under the influence of actinic radiation having a wavelength component in the UV or blue portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (typically, 200 nm to 650 nm, more preferably 200 nm to 420 nm) is particularly preferred. Equipment for UV-visible curing may comprise a high-power light-emitting diode (LED) lamp or an arc discharge lamp, such as a medium-pressure mercury arc (MPMA) or a metal vapor arc lamp, as the actinic radiation source.

[0159]

[0158] Accordingly, radiation curable coating compositions suitable for the present invention include radiation curable compositions (hereinafter referred to as UV-Vis curable) that can be cured by UV-visible light radiation or radiation curable compositions (hereinafter referred to as EB) that can be cured by E-beam radiation. According to one particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the radiation curable coating composition described herein is a UV-Vis curable coating composition.

[0160]

[0159] The UV-Vis curable coating composition described herein preferably contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of radical curable compounds and cationic curable compounds. The UV-Vis curable coating composition described herein may be a composite system and may contain a mixture of one or more cationic curable compounds and one or more radical curable compounds. Cationic curable compounds are typically cured by a cationic mechanism involving activation by radiation of one or more photoinitiators that liberate cationic species such as acids, thereby initiating curing to react and / or crosslink monomers and / or oligomers to harden the coating composition. Radical curable compounds are typically cured by a free radical mechanism involving activation by radiation of one or more photoinitiators, thereby generating radicals that initiate polymerization to harden the coating composition. Depending on the monomers, oligomers, or prepolymers used to prepare the adhesives contained in the UV-Vis curable coating composition described herein, different photoinitiators may be used. Suitable examples of free radical photoinitiators are known to those skilled in the art and include, but are not limited to, acetophenone, benzophenone, benzyldimethylketal, α-aminoketone, α-hydroxyketone, phosphine oxide, 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 (e.g., triaryloxonium salts), and sulfonium salts (e.g., triarylsulfonium salts), and mixtures of two or more thereof. Other examples of useful photoinitiators can be found in standard textbooks. To achieve efficient curing, it may also be advantageous to include a sensitizer together with one or more photoinitiators. 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 included in the UV-Vis curable coating composition are preferably present in a total amount of about 0.1 wt% to about 20 wt%, more preferably about 1 wt% to about 15 wt%, and the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the UV-Vis curable coating composition.

[0161]

[0160] The radiation curable coating composition described herein may further include 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. Such additives include, but are not limited to, viscosity (e.g., solvents, thickeners, and surfactants), consistency (e.g., anti-settling agents, fillers, and plasticizers), foaming properties (e.g., defoamers), lubricating properties (waxes, oils), UV stability (light stabilizers), adhesion properties, antistatic properties, storage stability (polymerization inhibitors), etc., and compounds and materials used to adjust the physical, rheological, and chemical parameters of the coating composition. The additives described herein can be present in the coating composition in known amounts and shapes, including so-called nanomaterials in which at least one of the dimensions of the additive is in the range of 1 to 1000 nm.

[0162]

[0161] The radiation curable coating composition described herein may further include one or more additives, including, but not limited to, viscosity (e.g., solvents and surfactants), consistency (e.g., anti-settling agents, fillers, and plasticizers), foaming properties (e.g., defoamers), lubricating properties (waxes), UV reactivity and stability (photosensitizers and light stabilizers), and adhesion properties, and compounds and materials used to adjust the physical, rheological, and chemical parameters of the composition. The additives described herein can be present in the coating composition described herein in known amounts and shapes, including the shape of so-called nanomaterials in which at least one of the dimensions of the particles is in the range of 1 to 1000 nm.

[0163]

[0162] The radiation-curable coating composition described herein may further comprise one or more marker substances or taggants selected from the group consisting of magnetic materials (different from the magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein), luminescent materials, conductive materials, and infrared-absorbing materials and / or one or more machine-readable materials. As used herein, the term "machine-readable material" refers to a material that exhibits at least one characteristic property detectable by a device or machine, and such materials can be included in the coating so as to provide a method for authenticating the coating or an article comprising the coating by use of a specific device for its detection and / or authentication.

[0164]

[0163] The radiation-curable coating composition described herein may be prepared by dispersing or mixing the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles described herein and one or more additives in the presence of the adhesive material described herein, thus forming a liquid composition. When present, one or more photoinitiators may be added to the composition during the dispersion or mixing step of all other components, or at a later stage, i.e., after the formation of the liquid coating composition.

[0165]

[0164] The present invention provides a method described herein for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate (x20) described herein and a printing apparatus described herein.

[0166]

[0165] The shape of the coating layer (x10) of the optical effect layer (OEL) described herein may be continuous or discontinuous. According to one embodiment, the shape of the coating layer (x10) represents one or more imprints, dots, and / or lines. The shape of the coating layer (x10) may consist of lines, dots, and / or imprints spaced apart from each other by empty areas.

[0167]

[0166] The substrate (x20) described herein is preferably selected from the group consisting of paper or other fibrous materials (including woven and non-woven fibrous materials), such as cellulose, paper-containing materials, glass, metal, ceramic, plastic and polymer, metallized plastic or polymer, composite materials, and mixtures or combinations of two or more of these. Typical papers, paper-like, or other fibrous materials are made from various fibers including, but not limited to, abaca, cotton, linen, wood pulp, and mixtures thereof. As is well known to those skilled in the art, cotton and cotton / linen mixtures are preferred for banknotes, and 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), including biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyamides, polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) (PBT), poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthoate) (PEN), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Spunbond olefin fibers such as those sold under the trademark Tyvek® may be used as the substrate. Typical examples of metallized plastics or polymers include the above-described plastic or polymer materials with metal disposed continuously or discontinuously on the surface. Typical examples of metals include, but are not limited to, aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), gold (Au), silver (Ag), alloys thereof, and combinations of two or more of the above-described metals. Metallization of the above-described plastic or polymer materials may be performed by an electroplating process, a high-vacuum coating process, or a sputtering process. Typical examples of composite materials include, but are not limited to, multi-layer structures or laminates of paper and at least one plastic or polymer material such as those described above, and plastic and / or polymer fibers incorporated into paper-like or fibrous materials such as those described above. Of course, the substrate can include additional additives known to those skilled in the art, such as fillers, adhesives, bleaching agents, processing aids, strengthening agents, or wet-strengthening agents.When the OEL produced by the present invention is used for decorative or cosmetic purposes, for example, including fingernail lacquer, the OEL may be provided on other types of substrates including animal or human nails, artificial nails, or other parts.

[0168]

[0167] When the OEL produced by the present invention is located on a security document, for the purpose of further increasing the security level and resistance to forgery and illegal reproduction of the security document, the substrate may comprise printing, coating, or laser marks, or laser-perforated marks, watermarks, security threads, fibers, blanks, luminescent compounds, windows, foils, decals, and combinations of two or more of these. For the same purpose of further increasing the security level and resistance to forgery and illegal reproduction of the security document, the substrate may comprise one or more marker substances or taggants and / or machine-readable substances (for example, luminescent substances, UV / visible / IR absorbing substances, magnetic substances, and combinations of these).

[0169]

[0168] If desired, a primer layer may be added to the substrate prior to step a). This can enhance the quality or increase the adhesion of the OEL described herein. Examples of such primer layers can be found in WO 2010 / 058026.

[0170]

[0169] For the purpose of increasing the durability or chemical resistance and cleanliness against soiling, and thus the cycle life of articles, security documents, or decorative elements or articles comprising the OEL obtained by the method described herein, or for the purpose of modifying the aesthetic appearance (for example, gloss), one or more protective layers may be added on the OEL. When present, the one or more protective layers are typically made from a protective varnish. The protective varnish may be a radiation-curable composition, a heat-drying composition, or any combination thereof. The one or more protective layers are preferably radiation-curable compositions, more preferably UV-Vis curable compositions. The protective layer is typically added after the formation of the OEL.

[0171]

[0170] A substrate (x20) comprising an optical effect layer (OEL) or one or more optical effect layers (OEL) as described herein may be further embossed, for example, by applying pressure.

[0172]

[0171] The optical effect layer (OEL) as described herein may be at least partially overprinted with one or more inks or coating compositions to form one or more printed patterns or security features, following the step of at least partially curing the radiation curable coating composition as described herein.

[0173]

[0172] The present invention further provides an optical effect layer (OEL) produced by the method as described herein and / or by the use of a printing apparatus as described herein. The use of the OEL as described herein for anti-counterfeiting means (in other words, protection and authentication of documents and articles) and for decorative purposes in documents and articles is also described herein.

[0174]

[0173] The OEL as described herein may be provided directly on a substrate and is assumed to remain permanently on the substrate (such as for banknote applications). Alternatively, the optical effect layer may be provided on a temporary substrate for production purposes, and later the OEL is removed from the substrate. For example, this can facilitate the production of the optical effect layer (OEL), especially while the adhesive material is still in a fluid state. Subsequently, after the coating composition has been solidified for the production of the OEL, the temporary substrate may be removed from the OEL.

[0175] As an alternative, in another embodiment, the adhesive layer may be present in the OEL or on a substrate comprising the OEL, and the adhesive layer may be located on the side of the substrate opposite to the side on which the OEL is provided, or on the same side as the OEL and on top of the OEL. Thus, the adhesive layer may be added to the OEL or to the substrate, and the adhesive layer is added after the curing step is completed. Such an article may be attached to any kind of document or other article or item without machinery and without printing or other processes that require a great deal of labor. As an alternative, the substrate described herein comprising the OEL described herein may be in the form of a transfer foil that can be added to a document or article in a separate transfer step. For this purpose, a release coating is provided on the substrate, and an OEL is fabricated on the release coating as described herein. One or more adhesive layers may be added on top of the optically effective layer thus fabricated.

[0176]

[0175] Substrates comprising two or more, i.e., two, three, four, etc. optically effective layers (OELs) obtained by the methods described herein are also described herein.

[0177]

[0176] Articles comprising an optically effective layer (OEL) fabricated according to the present invention, in particular security documents, decorative elements or objects are also described herein. Articles, in particular security documents, decorative elements or objects may comprise two or more (e.g., two, three, etc.) OELs fabricated according to the present invention.

[0178]

[0177] As described above, the OELs fabricated according to the present invention may be used for decorative purposes as well as for the protection and authentication of security documents.

[0179]

[0178] Typical examples of decorative elements or objects include, but are not limited to, luxury items, cosmetic packaging, automotive parts, electronic / electrical devices, furniture, and fingernail items.

[0180]

[0179] Security documents include, but are not limited to, valuable documents and valuable goods. Typical examples of valuable documents include, but are not limited to, banknotes, certificates, tickets, checks, gift certificates, revenue stamps and tax amount labels, agreements, identity documents such as passports, identity cards, visas, driver's licenses, bank cards, credit cards, transaction cards, access documents or cards, tickets, tickets for public transportation, university diplomas or titles, preferably banknotes, identity documents, entitlement documents, driver's licenses, and credit cards. The term "valuable goods" refers to, in particular, cosmetics, functional foods, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, tobacco articles, beverages or foods, electrical / electronic articles, fabrics, or packaging materials for jewelry, i.e., articles that protect the contents of the packaging, such as genuine drugs, from forgery and / or illegal replication. Examples of these packaging materials include, but are not limited to, labels such as certified brand labels, anti-tampering protection labels, and seals. It is pointed out that the disclosed substrates, valuable documents, and valuable goods are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention and are provided for illustrative purposes only.

[0181]

[0180] Alternatively, the optical effect layer (OEL) described herein may be fabricated on an auxiliary substrate such as a security thread, security strip, foil, decal, window, or label, and as a result, may be transferred to the security document in a separate step.

[0182]

[0181] Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, some modifications to the specific embodiments described above will occur to those skilled in the art. Such modifications are also included in the present invention.

[0183]

[0182] Furthermore, all documents referenced throughout this specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

Examples

[0184]

[0183] Examples and comparative examples were carried out by using the UV-Vis curable screen printing ink of the chemical formula shown in Table 1 and the first and second magnetic assemblies described below.

Table 1

[0185]

[0184] Using a magnetic assembly (200) configured to receive a substrate (220) in an orientation substantially parallel to the first surface, the pigment particles according to the present invention were oriented in two axial directions. The magnetic assembly (200) includes a) a first set (S1) including a first rod-shaped dipole magnet (231) and two second rod-shaped dipole magnets (232 a and 232 b ) and a second set (S2) including the first rod-shaped dipole magnet (231) and two second rod-shaped dipole magnets (232 a and 232 b ), and b) a first pair (P1) of third rod-shaped dipole magnets (233 a and 233 b ).

[0186]

[0185] The uppermost surfaces of the first rod-shaped dipole magnets (231) of the first and second sets (S1, S2), the uppermost surfaces of the second rod-shaped dipole magnets (232 a and 232 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2), and the uppermost surfaces of the third rod-shaped dipole magnets (233 a and 233 b ) of the first pair (P1) were located on the same plane as each other.

[0187]

[0186] The third rod-shaped dipole magnet (233 a ) was aligned with the second rod-shaped dipole magnets (232 a ) of the first set (S1) and the second rod-shaped dipole magnets (232 a ) of the second set (S2) so as to form a single line. The third rod-shaped dipole magnet (233 b) was aligned with the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232 b ) of the first set (S1) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232 b ) of the second set (S2) so as to form a single line. For each line described herein, the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (233 a and 233 b ) and the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (232 a ) were spaced apart by a third distance (d3) of 2 mm.

[0188]

[0187] The first bar-shaped dipole magnets (231) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) had dimensions of a first thickness (L1) of 5 mm, a first length (L4) of 60 mm, and a first width (L5) of 40 mm. Each of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (232 a and 232 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) had dimensions of a second thickness (L2) of 10 mm, a second length (L6) of 40 mm, and a second width (L7) of 10 mm. Each of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (233 a and 233 b ) of the first pair (P1) had dimensions of a third thickness (L3) of 10 mm, a third length (L8) of 20 mm, and a third width (L9) of 10 mm.

[0189]

[0188] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (231) of the first set (S1) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (232 a and 232 b ) of the first set (S1) were aligned to form a column, and the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (231) of the second set (S2) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (232 a and 232 b ) of the second set (S2) were aligned to form a column. For each set (S1, S2) and each column described herein, the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (231) and the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (232 a and 232 b ) were spaced apart by a second distance (d2) of 2 mm.

[0190]

[0189] The first bar-shaped dipole magnets (231) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) have magnetic axes oriented substantially parallel to the first surface and the substrate (220), and the first bar-shaped dipole magnets (231) of the first set (S1) have a magnetic direction opposite to the magnetic direction of the first bar-shaped dipole magnets (231) of the second set (S2), and are spaced apart by a first distance (d1) of 24 mm (corresponding to the sum of the third length (L8) and the two third distances (d3)).

[0191]

[0190] The two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (232 a and 232 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) have magnetic axes oriented substantially perpendicular to the first surface and the substrate (220). The S pole of the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232 a ) of the first set (S1) points to the first surface and the substrate (220), the N pole of the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232 b ) of the first set (S1) points to the first surface and the substrate (220), and the N pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (231) of the first set (S1) points to the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232 b ) of the first set (S1). The N pole of the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232 a ) of the second set (S2) points to the first surface and the substrate (220), the S pole of the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232 b ) of the second set (S2) points to the first surface and the substrate (220), and the N pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (231) of the second set (S2) points to the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232 a ) of the second set (S2).

[0192]

[0191] The S pole of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (233 a ) points to the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232 a ) of the first set (S1), the S pole of the said second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232 a ) points to the substrate (220), the N pole of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (233 b ) points to the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232 b ) of the first set (S1), the said second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232b )'s N pole pointed to the substrate (220).

[0193]

[0192] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (231) of the first and second sets (S1, S2), the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (232 a and 232 b ), and the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (233 a and 233 b ) were made of NdFeB N42 and embedded in a non-magnetic support matrix (not shown) made of polyoxymethylene (POM) having dimensions of 115 mm × 115 mm × 12 mm.

[0194]

[0193] The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (231) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) has a magnetic axis oriented substantially parallel to the first surface and the substrate (220). The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (231) of the first set (S1) has a magnetic direction opposite to that of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (231) of the second set (S2) and is spaced apart by a first distance (d1) of 24 mm. Magnetic assembly according to the prior art (Figures 6A - 6B)

[0195]

[0194] Using a comparative magnetic assembly (600) configured to receive the substrate (620) in an orientation substantially parallel to the first surface, the pigment particles were oriented in a biaxial direction. The comparative magnetic assembly (600) included four bar-shaped dipole magnets (632a - d) arranged alternately as shown in FIG. 5 of European Patent Application Publication No. 2157141. The four bar-shaped dipole magnets (632a - d) were the same as the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (232 a and 232 b ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) described above, arranged alternately, with a distance (e1) of 60 mm and a distance (e2) of about 40 mm. Sample E1 and comparative sample C1 (Figure 7A)

[0196]

[0195] For each sample, the UV-Vis curable screen printing ink of Table 1 was applied to a single credit note (BNP paper from Louisenthal, 100 g / m 2 , 60 mm × 60 mm) to form a coating layer (40 mm × 40 mm). The application step was carried out by an experimental screen printing device using a T90 screen, and a coating layer having a thickness of about 20 μm was formed.

[0197]

[0196] While the coating layer was still wet and not yet cured, the substrates (220, 620) were placed at the center of a support plate (100 mm × 100 mm) made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The substrates (220, 620) and the support plate holding the coating layer were i) for sample E1, the magnetic assembly (200) shown in FIG. 2A, ii) for comparative sample C1, the magnetic assembly (600) shown in FIG. 6A were independently moved at a speed of about 50 cm / second. The substrates (220, 620) faced the magnetic assemblies (200, 600), and the distance (h) between the top surface of the magnetic assemblies (200, 600) and the substrates (220, 620) was 2 mm.

[0198]

[0197] After moving the support plate holding the substrates (220, 620) and the coating layer at a distance (d5) of about 20 cm from the magnetic assemblies (200, 600), they were exposed to UV-LED lamps (250, 650) from Phoseon (Type FireFlex 50 × 75 mm, 395 nm, 8 W / cm2) for about 0.5 seconds to independently cure the coating layer.

[0199]

[0198] The optical effect layer of the result obtained by the magnetic assembly (200) according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 7A (left), and the optical effect layer of the result obtained by the comparative magnetic assembly (600) is shown in FIG. 7A (right). As shown in FIG. 7A, the sample prepared by the process of the present invention was composed of a homogeneous layer, while in the comparative sample, brighter and darker bands (the area within the dashed rectangle) were present along the edge of the sample parallel to the movement of the substrate (620). Sample E2 and comparative sample C2 (FIG. 7B)

[0200]

[0199] Samples E2 and comparative sample C2 were prepared by the method described above for E1 and C1, except that the support plate holding the substrate (220, 620) and the coating layer was moved three times (front / back / front) on the magnetic assemblies (200, 600) before the curing step.

[0201]

[0200] The optical effect layer of the result obtained by the magnetic assembly (200) according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 7B (left), and the optical effect layer of the result obtained by the comparative magnetic assembly (600) is shown in FIG. 7B (right). As shown in FIG. 7B, the sample prepared by the process of the present invention was composed of a homogeneous layer, while in the comparative sample, brighter and darker bands (the area within the dashed rectangle) were present along the edge of the sample parallel to the movement of the substrate (620). Sample E3 and comparative sample C3 (FIG. 7C)

[0202]

[0201] Samples E3 and comparative sample C3 were prepared by the method described above for E2 and C2, except that the distance (h) between the top surface of the magnetic assemblies (200, 600) and the substrate (220, 620) was 5 mm instead of 2 mm. The increase in the distance (h) is used to mimic an industrial process, in which a gripping part is conventionally used to hold the sheet or web of the substrate in a fixed position during the industrial process.

[0203]

[0202] The resulting optical effect layer obtained by the magnetic assembly (200) according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 7C (left), and the resulting optical effect layer obtained by the comparative magnetic assembly (600) is shown in FIG. 7C (right). As shown in FIG. 7C, the sample prepared by the process of the present invention was composed of a homogeneous layer, whereas in the comparative sample, there were two brighter bands and two darker bands (the areas within the dashed rectangles) along the edges of the sample parallel to the movement of the substrate (620).

[0204]

[0203] As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C (left), the optical effect layers (OEL) (E1 to E3) prepared by the method of the present invention using the magnetic assembly (200) according to the present invention exhibited a homogeneous aspect due to the optimal biaxial orientation of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. In particular, the improved biaxial orientation of the platelet-shaped magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles for making both the X-axis and the Y-axis substantially parallel to the substrate surface made it possible to produce an optical effect layer presenting a sheet-like surface over the entire surface. As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C (right), the optical effect layers (C1 to C3) prepared by the comparative method of the prior art using the comparative magnetic assembly (600) exhibited a non-homogeneous aspect.

[0205]

[0204] As shown in FIG. 7A (left), a single pass over the magnetic assembly (200) of the present invention enabled the preparation of a homogeneous optical effect layer. As shown in FIG. 7B (left), an increase in the number of passes over the magnetic assembly (200) of the present invention also enabled the preparation of a homogeneous optical effect layer. As shown in FIG. 7C (left), an increase in the distance (h) between the magnetic assembly (200) and the substrate (220) still enabled the preparation of a homogeneous optical effect layer, but the same increase in the distance (h) had a further negative impact on the optical appearance of the optical effect layer obtained by the comparative method using the comparative magnetic assembly.

Claims

1. A magnetic assembly (x00) for fabricating an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate (x20), wherein the magnetic assembly (x00) is configured to receive the substrate (x20) on the first surface with an orientation substantially parallel to the first surface, and the magnetic assembly (x00) a) further comprises at least a first set (S1) and a second set (S2), and each of the first and second sets (S1, S2) i. is one first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31), having a first thickness (L1), a first length (L4), and a first width (L5), one first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) having a magnetic axis oriented substantially parallel to the first surface, ii. Two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) and the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) are, having a second thickness (L2), a second length (L6), and a second width (L7), having topmost surfaces located on the same plane with each other, having a magnetic axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the first surface, The first surface is located above the uppermost surfaces of the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ), and the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) and including, the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first set (S1) having a magnetic direction opposite to the magnetic direction of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the second set (S2), the first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) being spaced apart by a first distance (d1), the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first set (S1) having substantially the same first length (L4) and first width (L5) as the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the second set (S2), The two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) of the first set (S1) are substantially the same second length (L6) and second width (L7) as the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) of the second set (S2), each of the first and second sets (S1, S2) of the first rod-shaped dipole magnets (x31) and the second rod-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) are aligned so as to form a column, and in the column, the first rod-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) are respectively located between the second rod-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ), and the second rod-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) are spaced apart by a second distance (d2). the first width (L5) and the second length (L6) being substantially the same, One of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) of each of the first and second sets (S1, S2) points to the first surface when the N pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to the one, and the other of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) of each of the first and second sets (S1, S2) has its S pole pointing to the first surface and the S pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to the other, the magnetic assembly (x00) b) a third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) of the first pair (P1), and the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33a and x33b) are, having a third thickness (L3), a third length (L8), and a third width (L9), having a magnetic axis oriented substantially parallel to the first surface, The second widths (L7) of the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) are substantially the same as the third width (L9) of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ), and The said third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) is each aligned with one second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) of the said first set (S1) and one second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) of the said second set (S2) to form two lines, and the said third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) is arranged between the respective second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ), and is spaced apart from the respective second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) by a third distance (d3). The N poles of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) each point to one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ), and the N pole of the one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) points to the first surface, or the S poles of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) each point to one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ), and the S pole of the one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) points to the first surface. The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2), the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2), and the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) are at least partially embedded in a non-magnetic support matrix, a magnetic assembly (x00).

2. The first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is less than or equal to the second thickness (L2) of the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2). The first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is less than or equal to the third thickness (L3) of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) of the first pair (P1). The second distance (d2) between the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) is 0 or more and not more than 1 / 2 of the first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) (0 ≦ d2 ≦ (1 / 2)L1), the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) of the first pair (P1) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2), the third distance (d3) therebetween is 0 or more and not more than 1 / 2 of the first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) (0 ≦ d3 ≦ (1 / 2)L1). The magnetic assembly (x00) according to claim 1.

3. The ratio (L2 / L1) of the second thickness (L2) of the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) to the first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is 3 or less and 1 or more (i.e., 1 ≦ L2 / L1 ≦ 3), and / or The ratio (L3 / L1) of the third thickness (L3) of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) of the first pair (P1) to the first thickness (L1) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is 3 or less and 1 or more (1 ≦ L3 / L1 ≦ 3), the magnetic assembly (x00) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The uppermost surface of the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) is located on the same plane as the uppermost surface of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ), the magnetic assembly (x00) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The magnetic assembly (x00) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first distance (d1) between the first bar-shaped dipole magnets (x31) of the first and second sets (S1, S2) is 15% or more and 150% or less of the first length (L4) (i.e., 0.15 * L4 ≤ d1 ≤ 1.5 * L4).

6. further comprises one or more combinations, and the one or more combinations i) The set (S （２＋ｉ） ) of the (2 + i)-th (where i is a natural number), and the set (S （２＋ｉ） ) of the (2 + i)-th satisfies One further first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) having the first thickness (L1), the first length (L4), and the first width (L5), and having a magnetic axis oriented substantially parallel to the first surface, and Two further second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) having the second thickness (L2), the second length (L6), and the second width (L7), having topmost surfaces located on the same plane as each other, and having magnetic axes oriented substantially perpendicular to the first face Said set (S of the (2 + i)th ２＋ｉ ) the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of which has a magnetic direction opposite to that of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the set (S of the (2 + i - 1)th ２＋ｉ－１ ), The first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the (2 + i)-th and (2 + i - 1)-th sets (S ２＋ｉ , S ２＋ｉ－１ ) is spaced apart by the first distance (d1). The set (S of the (2 + i)-th ２＋ｉ ) of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) has substantially the same length (L5) and width (L4) as the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the set (S of the (2 + i - 1)-th ２＋ｉ－１ ), the set (S of the (2 + i)-th （２＋ｉ） ) of the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ , x32 ｂ ) has substantially the same length (L6) and width (L7) as the two second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ２＋ｉ－１ ) of the set (S of the (2 + i - 1)-th ａ , x32 ｂ ), the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) and the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ａ , x32 ｂ ) are aligned to form a column, and in the column, the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the (2 + i)-th set (S ２＋ｉ ) is disposed between the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ , x32 ｂ ), and is spaced apart from the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ａ , x32 ｂ ) by the second distance (d2). wherein the first and second lengths (L4 and L6) are substantially the same, The (2 + i)-th set (S ２＋ｉ ) of the second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ａ , x32 ｂ ) has one N pole pointing to the first surface, and the N pole of the first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) points to the second bar-shaped dipole magnet. The (2 + i)-th set (S （２＋ｉ） ) and ii) the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ｉ＋１ and x33 ａ ), of the pair (P ｂ ) of the (1 + i)-th, wherein the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ｉ＋１ and x33 ａ ) of the pair (P ｂ ) of the (1 + i)-th has the third thickness (L3), the third length (L8), and the third width (L9), and has a magnetic axis oriented substantially parallel to the magnetic axis of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 １＋ｉ－１ and x33 ａ ) of the pair (P ｂ ) of the (1 + i - 1)-th; the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ), each of which is aligned with one second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ２＋ｉ and x32 ａ in the (2 + i)-th set (S ｂ ), and one second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ２＋ｉ－１ in the (2 + i - 1)-th set (S ａ and x32 ｂ ) to form two lines, and the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) is arranged between the respective second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ), and is spaced apart from the respective second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) by the third distance (d3). The N poles of the third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) respectively point to one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ２＋ｉ , S ２＋ｉ－１ ) of the (2 + i)-th and (2 + i - 1)-th sets (S ａ and x32 ｂ ). The N pole of the said one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) points to the first surface, or the S poles of the third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) respectively point to one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ２＋ｉ , S ２＋ｉ－１ ) of the (2 + i)-th and (2 + i - 1)-th sets (S ａ and x32 ｂ ). The S pole of the said one of the second bar-shaped dipole magnets (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) points to the first surface. The third bar-shaped dipole magnets (x33 ｉ＋１ and x33 ａ and x33 ｂ ) of the (1 + i)-th pair (P comprising, the said set (S of the (2 + i)-th ２＋ｉ ), the said first bar-shaped dipole magnet (x31) of the said set (S of the (2 + i)-th （２＋ｉ） ), the said second bar-shaped dipole magnet (x32 ａ and x32 ｂ ) of the said set (S of the (2 + i)-th), and the said third bar-shaped dipole magnet (x33 １＋ｉ and x33 ａ ) of the said pair (P of the (1 + i)-th ｂ ) are at least partially embedded in the said non-magnetic support matrix, the magnetic assembly (x00) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A printing apparatus comprising the magnetic assembly (x00) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, attached in the vicinity of a transfer device selected from the group consisting of a chain, a belt, a cylinder, and combinations thereof.

8. A method for fabricating an optical effect layer (OEL) on a substrate (x20), comprising: i) applying a radiation-curable coating composition containing platelet-shaped magnetic pigment particles or platelet-shaped magnetizable pigment particles to the surface of the substrate (x20), wherein the X-axis and the Y-axis define the main extension plane of the platelet-shaped magnetic pigment particles or platelet-shaped magnetizable pigment particles, and the radiation-curable coating composition is in a first liquid state so as to form a coating layer (x10); ii) exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of the magnetic assembly (x00) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 so as to orient at least a part of the platelet-shaped magnetic pigment particles or platelet-shaped magnetizable pigment particles in a biaxial direction; iii) at least partially curing the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii) to a second solid state so as to fix the platelet-shaped magnetic pigment particles or platelet-shaped magnetizable pigment particles in the adopted positions and orientations. A method comprising the above steps.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising a further step of exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device so as to reorient at least a part of the platelet-shaped magnetic pigment particles or platelet-shaped magnetizable pigment particles, the further step being carried out subsequent to step ii).

10. The step of selectively at least partially curing one or more first regions of the coating layer (x10) of the radiation-curable coating composition of step ii) is carried out so as to fix at the positions and orientations where at least some of the platelet-shaped magnetic pigment particles or platelet-shaped magnetizable pigment particles are employed, as a result, one or more second regions of the coating layer (x10) are not exposed to irradiation, and the step is carried out partially simultaneously with, or after, the step of further exposing the coating layer (x10) to the magnetic field of the magnetic field generating device according to claim 9. The method according to claim 9.

11. The coating layer (x10) is exposed to the interaction of the magnetic field of the magnetic assembly (x00) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the magnetic field of a magnetic field generating device comprising one or more hard magnetic magnets in a single step, and the magnetic field generating device is attached to a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60) or is a movable magnetic field generating device. The method according to claim 8.

12. The coating layer (x10) is exposed to the interaction of the magnetic field of the magnetic assembly (x00) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the magnetic field of one or more soft magnetic plates holding one or more imprints in the form of voids and / or depressions and / or protrusions in a single step, and the one or more soft magnetic plates are arranged on a rotating magnetic cylinder (x60) or are arranged on a movable device under the substrate (x20). The method according to claim 8.

13. The distance (h) between the uppermost surface of the first rod-shaped dipole magnet (x31) and the substrate is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 20 mm. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

14. Step iii) is carried out by UV-Vis light radiation curing. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13.

15. At least some of the platelet-shaped magnetic pigment particles or platelet-shaped magnetizable pigment particles are constituted by platelet-shaped optically variable magnetic pigment particles or platelet-shaped optically variable magnetizable pigment particles. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

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