Glittering pattern forming material

Abstract

To provide a brilliant pattern forming body where when a discriminator is superposed on a brilliant pattern, a hidden pattern having a plurality of hidden patterns or a hidden pattern having a motion picture effect appears.SOLUTION: A brilliant pattern forming body comprises: a group of brilliant elements which has, on a substrate, a plurality of brilliant element groups arranged with a predetermined direction and pitch; and a discriminator in which on a substrate having permeability, a hidden pattern is formed by a discrimination element group arranged in plurality with predetermined direction and pitch, and a discrimination element of the discriminator is superposed on the brilliant element, wherein when an incident light is radiated at a specific angle, a hidden pattern appears, and when an angle of the incident light to the brilliant pattern forming body is changed, a separate hidden pattern appears, or the hidden pattern is recognized by moving.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a glitter pattern-forming body that can be used in the field of anti-counterfeiting security printed matter such as banknotes, passports, securities, identification cards, cards, and travel tickets, and that can be used to discriminate between authentic and counterfeit by overlaying a discriminating tool on the glitter pattern to reveal the hidden pattern. [Background technology]

[0002] Image change effects, where multiple images switch between one another, and video effects, where images appear to move, are highly eye-catching and difficult to counterfeit, and so in recent years have tended to be used more and more as elements for determining the authenticity of security prints. A representative technology that provides this change effect is the hologram, which is widely used and affixed to security prints that require the highest level of security, such as banknotes and passports.

[0003] In the early days of holograms, the master was created by a photography method in which object light and reference light from an object were printed on a dry plate in the form of interference fringes. However, today, many holograms are created using a method such as the dot matrix method, in which the master is created by arranging fine diffraction gratings, equivalent to the halftone dots in printed matter, as dots on a flat image plane to create an arbitrary image. There are also holograms of a different type from the dot matrix method, in which the diffraction grating is rotated and moved to create an image in the form of lines. Furthermore, by drawing the diffraction grating with an electron beam, it is possible to create images with greater precision and more detailed than conventional dot matrix holograms.

[0004] As such, there are currently a wide variety of holograms, but among these, there are special holograms that do not simply display an image but also have special discrimination functions. For example, a hologram has been disclosed in which a hidden pattern hidden in the hologram appears when a transparent film with lines is placed over the hologram, and this hidden pattern is used as a discrimination criterion for discriminating between authentic and counterfeit (e.g., Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3961106 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4760167 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 4289542 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The technologies described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 all involve overlaying a line film with lines arranged periodically at a fixed pitch onto a hologram, thereby visualizing a hidden pattern on the hologram that has the same period and angle as the lines on the line film, thereby determining whether the hologram is genuine or not.

[0007] However, in order to add a hidden pattern to a hologram with the above configuration, it was necessary to allocate part of the hologram's image area for the discrimination function, which posed a problem in that adding a hidden pattern to a hologram narrowed the area that would normally function as a hologram.

[0008] Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 1 only makes one hidden pattern appear by overlaying a line film on the hologram area, resulting in a poor visual effect. Furthermore, while the technologies described in Patent Documents 2 and 3 can make multiple hidden patterns appear in the hologram area, the technology in Patent Document 2 requires the angle of the line film to be precisely aligned with the multiple hidden patterns in the hologram, and the technology in Patent Document 3 requires multiple line films to be prepared for each hidden pattern and then overlaid on the hologram multiple times. As described above, the conventional technologies either cannot make multiple hidden patterns appear in a hologram, or, even if they can make multiple hidden patterns appear in a hologram, the process is complicated.

[0009] Furthermore, the technologies of Cited Documents 1 to 3 simply make hidden patterns appear in the hologram, which lacks visual effect and does not produce a moving, video-like visual effect.

[0010] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a glitter pattern-forming body that can be easily authenticated by superimposing a discriminator with a hidden pattern on a glitter pattern (hologram) to reveal multiple hidden patterns or hidden patterns with a moving image effect, without the hassle of aligning the discriminator with the glitter pattern (hologram) or changing the angle.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention provides a glitter pattern-forming body that has excellent visual effects and high counterfeit resistance, since multiple hidden patterns are formed on the discriminator, and the function of the glitter pattern (hologram) itself is not impaired when the glitter pattern-forming body is formed, and that has a change effect in which the hidden pattern that appears is switched to another image, and a video effect in which the image appears to move. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The glittering pattern-forming body of the present invention is a glittering pattern-forming body in which a discriminating tool is superimposed on a glittering pattern formed on at least a part of a substrate to reveal a hidden pattern, The glittering pattern includes a glittering element group in which a plurality of glittering elements are arranged at a predetermined pitch in a predetermined direction, The lustrous element is formed by arranging a plurality of grid lines, which are at least either straight lines or curved lines, The structure has a structure in which at least one of the arrangement angle of the lattice lines or the density of the lattice lines changes continuously, and thus the light-reflecting region of the glittering element has a function of continuously moving in accordance with a change in the angle of incident light on the lattice lines; The discrimination tool has a hidden pattern formed on at least a part of a transparent substrate by a discrimination element group in which a plurality of discrimination elements are arranged in the same or different direction as a predetermined pitch or at a pitch that is the same or different from a predetermined pitch; By overlapping the discriminating element of the discriminating tool on the glittering element, when incident light at a specific angle is irradiated onto the glittering pattern forming body, a hidden pattern appears, and when the angle of incident light onto the glittering pattern forming body is changed, either the effect of the hidden pattern changing or the moving image effect of the hidden pattern moving can be visually recognized.

[0013] In addition, in the glitter pattern forming body of the present invention, the hidden pattern comprises at least a positive hidden pattern and a negative hidden pattern, The positive concealment pattern is composed of a plurality of positive discrimination elements arranged at a predetermined pitch in a predetermined direction, The negative concealing pattern is characterized in that a plurality of negative discrimination elements are arranged in a phase different from that of the arrangement of the positive discrimination elements.

[0014] Furthermore, the discrimination element group in the glitter pattern forming body of the present invention is characterized in that it is composed of a plurality of compressed hidden pattern elements in which the base image is compressed in a predetermined direction, arranged at a different pitch from the glitter elements or at least one of the angles they form with respect to the predetermined direction.

[0015] Furthermore, the discrimination element group in the glitter pattern forming body of the present invention is characterized in that it is composed of a plurality of compressed hidden pattern elements, which are formed by dividing and compressing the original image in a predetermined direction, arranged at the same predetermined pitch as the glitter elements.

[0016] The glittering pattern-forming body of the present invention is characterized in that the glittering pattern and the group of distinguishing elements are formed in different regions on a single substrate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, for the purpose of authenticity determination, a glittering pattern forming body in which a discriminating tool is superimposed on a glittering pattern (hologram) to reveal a hidden pattern contained in the discriminating tool can be easily used to determine authenticity without the hassle of aligning the discriminating tool with the glittering pattern (hologram) or changing the angle.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the function of the glittering pattern (hologram) itself is not impaired, and the hidden pattern that appears has a change effect and a moving image effect, providing a high visual effect, resulting in excellent anti-counterfeiting effects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] An example of the glittering pattern of the present invention is shown below. [Figure 2] The basic structure of the glittering element in the present invention is shown below. [Figure 3] 1 shows an example of the configuration of the glittering pattern of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 shows the optical properties of the glittering element group in the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 shows the configuration of a discriminating tool according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 shows the configuration of a discriminating tool according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 shows the effect when the glittering pattern and the distinguishing tool of the present invention are overlapped. [Figure 8] 1 shows the configuration of a discriminating tool according to the present invention. [Figure 9]1 shows the effect when the glittering pattern and the distinguishing tool of the present invention are overlapped. [Figure 10] An example of the glittering pattern of the present invention is shown below. [Figure 11] 1 shows the basic structure of the glittering pattern of the present invention. [Figure 12] An example of the configuration of the glittering element in the present invention will be shown below. [Figure 13] An example of the configuration of the glittering element in the present invention will be shown below. [Figure 14] 1 shows the configuration of a discriminating tool according to the present invention. [Figure 15] 1 shows the effect when the glittering pattern and the distinguishing tool of the present invention are overlapped. [Figure 16] 1 shows the effect when the glittering pattern and the distinguishing tool of the present invention are overlapped. [Figure 17] 1 shows the effect when the glittering pattern and the distinguishing tool of the present invention are overlapped. [Figure 18] An example of the configuration of the glittering element in the present invention will be shown below. [Figure 19] An example of the glittering pattern forming body of the present invention is shown below. [Figure 20] An example of the glittering pattern forming body of the present invention is shown below. [Figure 21] An example of the layer structure of the glittering pattern of the present invention is shown below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The following description will discuss embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various other embodiments are also encompassed within the scope of the technical concept set forth in the claims.

[0021] In the present invention, a glittering pattern (2) is superimposed on a distinguishing tool (7) to form a glittering pattern-forming body (1), thereby revealing a hidden pattern (10) formed on the distinguishing tool (7). In the present invention, the term "glittering pattern-forming body" refers to a forming body that reveals a hidden pattern (10) by superimposing a glittering pattern (2) and a distinguishing tool (7). In addition, the terms "first direction (S1 direction)" and "second direction (S2 direction)" used in the description of the embodiment of the present invention are referred to as "predetermined direction" in the present invention, which includes both terms. Hereinafter, the glittering pattern (2) and the distinguishing tool (7) that forms a pair with it will be specifically described in the embodiment for carrying out the present invention.

[0022] The glittering pattern (2) has a structure mainly composed of a diffraction grating, generally called a hologram. The glittering pattern (2) in this specification will be described on the assumption that it is a structure in which a diffraction grating formed in a resin is subjected to metal vapor deposition. However, the effects of the present invention can be achieved even when the diffraction grating is not subjected to metal vapor deposition, and this is within the scope of common sense application of the present invention. This glittering pattern (2) can be formed on a substrate (3) such as paper, plastic, or metal, or it can be formed on a printed matter that has been subjected to a base printing.

[0023] (First embodiment) First, Fig. 1(a) shows the glittering pattern (2) of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1(a), the glittering pattern (2) is formed on at least a part of the substrate (3). In the first embodiment, the simplest configuration will be described, in which a discriminator (7) is placed on the glittering pattern (2) to make a negative hidden pattern (11A) and a positive hidden pattern (11B) appear.

[0024] (glossy pattern) The right side of Figure 1(a) is an enlarged view of a portion of the glittering pattern (2). The glittering pattern (2) comprises a glittering element group (2') in which a plurality of linear (streak-like) glittering elements (4) each having a plurality of lattice lines (5) are arranged at a predetermined pitch (P0) in a first direction (direction S1). In the first embodiment, the glittering pattern (2) is composed only of a collection of the glittering elements (4), and therefore the glittering pattern (2) is synonymous with the glittering element group (2'). However, the glittering pattern (2) may also include elements other than the glittering elements (4).

[0025] As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 1(a), the luminous element (4) is composed of a plurality of arc-shaped grid lines (5) arranged continuously at regular intervals. The grid lines (5) may be formed as straight lines or curved lines, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c). Also, while the intervals between the grid lines (5) are constant in FIG. 1(a), the intervals between the grid lines (5) may vary. Furthermore, while the first embodiment shows an example in which the luminous element (4) is linear (striated), the luminous element (4) described later in a third embodiment may be dot-shaped.

[0026] In the first embodiment, the luminous element (4) has a structure in which the arrangement angle of the lattice lines (5) gradually changes, or the density of the lattice lines (5) changes. First, we will explain the structure in which the arrangement angle of the lattice lines (5) gradually changes within the lustrous element (4). To explain an example using the enlarged view of the lattice lines (5) in Figure 1(b), if the angle formed by the tangent line (H1) of the lattice lines (5) is angle θ1 and the angle formed by the tangent line (H2) of the lattice lines (5) is angle θ2, the structure has an angle change from angle θ1 to angle θ2. The magnitude of the angle change of the lattice lines (5) is preferably 5 degrees or more and 175 degrees or less if they are linear (stroke-like), and more preferably 10 degrees or more and 160 degrees or less. In the above, if the change in the angle of the grid lines (5) is too small, the angle of light incident on the lustrous elements (4) changes, which reduces the function of the lustrous elements (4) in continuously moving the light-reflecting areas, and this is undesirable because it reduces the change effect and animation effect of the hidden pattern (10).Furthermore, if the change in the arrangement angle of the grid lines (5) is too large, it is undesirable because it reduces the visibility of the revealed hidden pattern (10).

[0027] The arrangement angle of the grating lines (5) will be explained with reference to the aforementioned Figure 2, which shows a diffraction grating configuration of the glittering element (4) that differs from that shown in Figure 1. The grating lines (5) in Figure 2(a) are formed by arranging multiple straight lines with slightly different arrangement angles for each of multiple cells (4a) that vertically divide the glittering element (4), thereby recreating the structure of the arc-shaped grating lines (5) similar to that shown in Figure 1. In this example, the angle θ1 of the grating lines (5) is 70 degrees, and θ2 is 120 degrees, resulting in a change in angle of 50 degrees. Next, the grid lines (5) in Figure 2(b) are formed by converging multiple straight lines with slightly different angles, arranged in a line pattern for each of the multiple cells (4a) that horizontally divide the lustrous elements (4). In this example, the angle θ1 of the grid lines (5) is 165 degrees, and θ2 is 15 degrees, so the angle change is approximately 150 degrees. 2(c) has a structure in which a portion of the curved and arcuate grid lines (5) is cut out for each of a plurality of cells (4a) obtained by dividing the lustrous element (4) horizontally, and in this example, the angle θ1 of the grid lines (5) is 85 degrees and θ2 is 95 degrees, resulting in an angle change of 10 degrees. As described above, it is sufficient that at least a portion of the lustrous element (4) has a structure in which the angle of the grid lines (5) changes continuously within a certain range.

[0028] The glittering elements (4) constituting the glittering pattern (2) have been described using a structure in which the arrangement angle of the lattice lines (5) gradually changes within the glittering elements (4) as shown in FIG. 2. However, the structure of the lattice lines (5) of the glittering elements (4) in the glittering pattern (2) of the present invention is not limited to this, and the density of the lattice lines (5) may also change. For example, as shown in FIG. 3(a), a structure in which the density of the lattice lines (5) in the glittering elements (4) gradually changes from sparse to dense or from dense to sparse may also be used. As shown in FIG. 3, changing the density of the lattice lines (5) also creates the effect of continuously shifting the light-reflecting areas within the glittering elements (4). The density of the lattice lines is preferably designed to be in the range of 200 lines / mm to 5000 lines / mm, and more preferably in the range of 500 lines / mm to 2000 lines / mm.

[0029] 3(b), 3(c), and 3(d), the interior of the glittering element (4) may be divided into minute line units (4b) of a fixed width, and the density of the lattice lines (5) within each minute line may be the same, but the density of the lattice lines (5) between each minute line may be different, and the density of the lattice lines (5) of minute lines adjacent to each other in the first direction (S1 direction) within the glittering element (4) may increase or decrease in a stepwise manner from sparse to dense or from dense to sparse. In any case, the glittering element (4) may have any configuration of the lattice lines (5) as long as it has the effect of continuously moving the light-reflecting area within the glittering element (4) as the angle of incident light changes.

[0030] Next, we will explain the effect that occurs when the angle of incident light changes for the glittering elements (4) having the above-mentioned structure, using Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4(a), when light is incident on the glittering elements (4) from the light source (6) on the left side, the surface of each glittering element (4) that strongly reflects light is the left side of the glittering element (4). Also, as shown in Figure 4(b), when light is incident on the lustrous element (4) from the light source (6) located in the center, the surface of each lustrous element (4) that strongly reflects light is the center of the lustrous element (4). Also, as shown in Figure 4(c), when light is incident on the lustrous element (4) from the light source (6) on the right side, the surface of each lustrous element (4) that strongly reflects light is the right side of the lustrous element (4).

[0031] As described above, as the light source (6) moves in the first direction (S1 direction), the surface of the lustrous element (4) that strongly reflects light also moves continuously in the same first direction (S1 direction). The direction of movement of the light source (6) and the direction of movement of the surface of the lustrous element (4) that strongly reflects light do not need to be the same; they can move in opposite directions. That is, by having a structure in which the arrangement angle of the lattice lines (5) of the lustrous element (4) and the density of the lattice lines (5) change continuously, the effect of the light-reflecting region in the lustrous element (4) moving continuously as the angle of the incident light changes is achieved. Conversely, a structure in which the entire lustrous element (4) reflects light when light is incident from any direction does not satisfy the requirements of the present invention.

[0032] The effect of the luminous element (4) of the present invention, in which the light-reflecting area in the luminous element (4) moves continuously as the angle of incident light changes, not only makes the hidden pattern (10) appear by overlapping the luminous element (4) of the luminous pattern (2) with the discrimination element (12) of the discrimination device (7), but also makes it possible to change to another pattern or create a moving image effect of the revealed hidden pattern (10) by simply changing the angle of the incident light while keeping them overlapped.

[0033] (Detector) Next, we will explain the discriminator (7), which is paired with the glittering pattern (2). The discriminator (7) is superimposed on the glittering pattern (2) to form the glittering pattern forming body (1), thereby making the hidden pattern (10) formed on the discriminator (7) visible. FIG. 5 shows an overview of the discriminator (7). The discriminator (7) has a discriminator element group (9) having an object color on at least a portion of a light-transmitting substrate (8). The substrate (8) can be made of any material, such as paper, plastic, or metal, as long as it is light-transmitting, but plastic is preferable from the viewpoints of wrinkle resistance, ease of handling, strength, etc. Furthermore, as long as it is light-transmitting, the substrate (8) may be transparent or translucent, but transparency is preferable from the viewpoint of visibility of the hidden pattern (10). The thickness of the discriminator (7) can be selected as appropriate.

[0034] In this embodiment, the discrimination element group (9) includes a hidden pattern (10) represented by the alphabet "OK" as shown in Figure 5(a). In its simplest configuration, the hidden pattern (10) is represented by a negative-positive relationship, and as a specific example, it includes a negative hidden pattern (11A) shown in Figure 5(b) and a positive hidden pattern (11B) shown in Figure 5(c). Note that the hidden pattern (10) is not limited to the alphabet, and various other patterns such as letters, numbers, symbols, marks, figures, and photographs can be used.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the negative hidden pattern (11A) is composed of a plurality of negative discrimination elements (12A) having a specific width (W1) arranged in a first direction (S1 direction), and the positive hidden pattern (11B) is composed of a plurality of positive discrimination elements (12B) having a specific width (W1) arranged in the first direction (S1 direction). In this embodiment, the width (W1) of the negative discrimination element (12A) and the positive discrimination element (12B) is constant, and by making them the same width (W1), the character "OK" cannot be recognized as a hidden pattern (10) even at a glance at the discrimination element group (9) of the discrimination tool (7).

[0036] The pitch of the negative discrimination elements (12A) and the positive discrimination elements (12B) is the same as the predetermined pitch (P0) of the glitter elements (4) (P1=P0), and multiple elements are arranged continuously in a first direction (S1 direction). Furthermore, the negative discrimination elements (12A) and the positive discrimination elements (12B) are arranged with a shift in their positions by half the pitch (1 / 2 × P1), as shown in the enlarged view of Figure 6. In the present invention, the shift in positions of the negative discrimination elements (12A) and the positive discrimination elements (12B) at the same pitch is referred to as being "out of phase."

[0037] In Figure 6, the negative discrimination elements (12A) and positive discrimination elements (12B) are formed as multiple straight lines, but the negative discrimination elements (12A) and positive discrimination elements (12B) in the present invention are not limited to solid lines and may be dotted or dashed divided lines in which halftone dots, which are small dots of the smallest unit, are arranged continuously for a certain distance in a specific direction.

[0038] The discrimination element group (9) formed on the discriminator (7) may be formed by printing, laser, ultrasonic, embossing, etc., but is preferably formed by printing because it is easy to apply. In this case, the type, color, number of colors, etc. of ink used for printing are not particularly limited as long as the hidden pattern (10) can be formed on the discriminator (7) so that it is not easily visible. This also applies to the second and third embodiments described below. The above is the configuration of the discriminator (7) in the first embodiment.

[0039] (effect) Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 7(a), the glittering pattern forming body (1) is formed by superimposing the discrimination element group (9) of the discrimination tool (7) on the glittering pattern (2). More specifically, as shown in the X-X' cross section of the enlarged view of Fig. 7(a), either the negative discrimination element (12A) or the positive discrimination element (12B) constituting the discrimination element group (9) of the discrimination tool (7) is superimposed on the glittering element (4) constituting the glittering pattern (2) so that the angles formed with respect to the first direction (S1 direction) are equal, thereby forming the glittering pattern forming body (1).

[0040] When light is incident on the glittering pattern forming body (1) from a specific direction in the overlapped state and reflected, either a negative hidden pattern (11A) as shown in Fig. 7(b) or a positive hidden pattern (11B) as shown in Fig. 7(c) appears. This is because the negative discrimination elements (12A) or positive discrimination elements (12B) formed on the discriminator (7) are arranged with a half pitch (1 / 2 × P1) offset from each other. In this state, when light is incident on the glittering pattern forming body (1) from another direction and reflected, if the negative hidden pattern (11A) has appeared, a change effect is obtained in which the negative hidden pattern (11A) disappears and the positive hidden pattern (11B) appears, and conversely, if the positive hidden pattern (11B) has appeared, a change effect is obtained in which the positive hidden pattern (11B) disappears and the negative hidden pattern (11A) appears.

[0041] According to the conventional technology, in order to make multiple hidden patterns appear, the luminous pattern (2) and the discriminator (7) must be superimposed to make one hidden pattern (12) appear, and then the discriminator (7) must be rearranged to make another hidden pattern (10') appear. However, in the present invention, the lustrous element (4) and the negative discrimination element (12A) or the positive discrimination element (12B) are simply superimposed once at an angle relative to the first direction (S1 direction), eliminating the need to move the discriminator (7) from that position. In the superimposed state, multiple hidden patterns (12) can be made to appear simply by varying the angle of incidence of light on the lustrous pattern forming body (1), which is effective in quickly discerning authenticity.

[0042] In the present invention, the glittering pattern forming body (1) is formed by overlapping the glittering pattern (2) and the discriminator (7). By changing the angle of the incident light without changing their relative positions, the effect of changing from one hidden pattern (10) to a different hidden pattern (10') can be achieved. This is because the grid lines (5) in the glittering elements (4) have a structure in which their angles change continuously, which has the effect of continuously shifting the light-reflecting areas in the glittering elements (4) as the angle of the incident light changes. This effect first causes a certain area in the glittering elements (4) to strongly reflect light, and only a portion of the pattern of the discriminator (7) overlapping the light-reflecting area is sampled by the light, making one hidden pattern (10) visible. Next, by tilting the glittering pattern (2) and the discriminator (7) while they are still overlapped, and changing the angle of the incident light, the light-reflecting area shifts, thereby shifting the sampling position, resulting in the appearance of a different hidden pattern (10'). The above is the principle by which the lustrous pattern (2) and the distinguishing device (7) are combined to form the lustrous pattern forming body (1), and by changing the angle of incident light, it is possible to obtain the effect of changing from one hidden pattern (10) to a different hidden pattern (10').

[0043] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, the hidden pattern (10) is explained as a simple combination of two reversed negative and positive patterns, a negative hidden pattern (11A) and a positive hidden pattern (11B). In the second embodiment, the features of the present invention are more effectively utilized, and an explanation is given of a form in which the hidden pattern (10) that appears has a moving image effect.

[0044] The glittering pattern (2) uses the configuration shown in Fig. 1 described in the first embodiment. The distinguishing tool (7) in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The discriminator (7) of the second embodiment has a different configuration from the discriminator (7) of the first embodiment, and is an example in which two different patterns, compressed hidden pattern 1 (13A) and compressed hidden pattern 2 (13B), are applied at different positions on a transparent substrate (8). The second embodiment has the above configuration to more effectively demonstrate the present invention, but is not limited to this, and the present invention also includes a configuration in which only one compressed hidden pattern (13) is applied to the substrate (8) of the discriminator (7).

[0045] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the latent image element group (9) is composed of compressed hidden pattern 1 (13A) and compressed hidden pattern 2 (13B). Compressed hidden pattern 1 (13A) and compressed hidden pattern 2 (13B) are configured by compressing the original images (14, 14') of hidden pattern (10) in a first direction (S1 direction) and arranging multiple images consecutively. Specifically, compressed hidden pattern 1 (13A) uses the alphabet "OK" that will become hidden pattern (10) as the original image (14) and compresses it in the first direction (S1 direction) to a width of W1 to form compressed hidden pattern element 1 (15A). Meanwhile, the other compressed hidden pattern 2 (13B) uses the alphabet "OK" that will become hidden pattern (10) mirror-inverted as the original image (14') and compresses it in the first direction (S1 direction) to a width of W2 to form compressed hidden pattern element 2 (15B).

[0046] In the second embodiment, a phenomenon known as the "moiré magnification phenomenon" is utilized to create a moving image effect in the resulting hidden pattern (10). To create this moiré magnification phenomenon, the compressed hidden pattern elements (15A, 15B) are arranged at a pitch slightly different from that of the glitter elements (4), or the compressed hidden pattern elements (15A, 15B) are arranged at a slightly different angle, or both the pitch and the angle are slightly changed. For simplicity's sake, the following description will be given using an example in which the compressed hidden pattern elements (15A, 15B) are arranged at a pitch slightly different from that of the glitter elements (4).

[0047] The discriminator 7 is formed so that the pitches (P1 and P2) between the compressed hidden pattern elements 1 (15A) and the compressed hidden pattern elements 2 (15B) are different from the pitch (P0) of the glittering elements 4. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the compressed hidden pattern elements 1 (15A) are arranged consecutively at a pitch (P1) slightly smaller than the pitch (P0) of the glittering elements 4, and the compressed hidden pattern elements 2 (15B) are arranged consecutively at a pitch (P2) slightly larger than the pitch (P0) of the glittering elements 4. In this case, the pitch (P1 and P2) between these compressed hidden pattern elements 1 (15A) and 2 (15B) is preferably between 80% and 120% (excluding 100%) of the pitch (P0) of the glittering elements (4) taken as 100%. If the pitch is too large or small, the image that appears will be unclear and difficult for the viewer to see.

[0048] In the second embodiment, when the original image (14) is used as compressed hidden pattern element 1 (15A), the pitch (P1) is set to a value smaller than 100%, and when the inverted original image (14') obtained by mirror-inverting the image is used as compressed hidden pattern element 2 (15B), the pitch (P1) is set to a value larger than 100%.

[0049] In addition, in the second embodiment, the base image (14) was selected to be a simple character "OK", but it is not limited to this and any image such as letters, numbers, symbols, marks, figures, photographs, etc. can be used. By compressing these base images (14) and arranging them at a pitch (P0) slightly different from the pitch of the luminous elements (4) that are the basis for sampling, a moire enlargement phenomenon occurs in which the compressed characters, symbols, etc. appear enlarged. This phenomenon is used in Japanese Patent Nos. 4844894 and 5131789, etc., in which a compressed image with a slightly different pitch is superimposed on a group of lines or a group of pixels, causing the compressed image to appear as a moire pattern. The image configuration used as the configuration of the second image (or second image) in these publications may also be used as the compressed hidden pattern (13A, 13B).

[0050] Furthermore, the image widths (W1) and (W2) of compressed hidden pattern element 1 (15A) and compressed hidden pattern element 2 (15B) must be kept below their respective pitches (P1 and P2).

[0051] (effect) Next, the effects of the second embodiment will be described. The discriminator (7) configured as described above is superimposed on the glittering pattern (2) as shown in Fig. 9(a). Specifically, as shown in the Y-Y' cross-sectional view of the enlarged view of Fig. 9(a), compressed hidden pattern element 1 (15A) or compressed hidden pattern element 2 (15B) of the discriminator (7) is superimposed on the glittering element (4) constituting the glittering pattern (2) so that the angles formed with respect to the first direction (S1 direction) are equal to form a glittering pattern forming body (1). As shown in Fig. 9(b), the compressed hidden patterns (13A, 13B) are magnified by the moire magnification phenomenon, and hidden patterns (10A, 10B) appear. Furthermore, when the lustrous pattern (2) and the distinguishing device (7) are superimposed to form the lustrous pattern forming body (1), by changing the angle of the incident light as shown in Figures 9(c) and 9(d) without changing their relative positions, the hidden patterns (10A, 10B) that appear appear to move in opposite directions, creating a so-called moving image effect.

[0052] The reason for this effect is that, as in the first embodiment, a certain area in the luminous element (4) strongly reflects light, and only a portion of the pattern of the discriminator (7) that overlaps the light-reflecting area is sampled by the light, and the hidden pattern (10A, 10B) is enlarged and made visible as a moire. Next, by overlapping the luminous pattern (2) and the discriminator (7) to form the luminous pattern forming body (1), the angle of the incident light is changed, and the area where the light is reflected moves, which in turn moves the sampling position, and as a result, the moire that appears to move.

[0053] As mentioned above, in order to utilize the moiré magnification phenomenon, there is a method other than changing the pitch, in which the arrangement angle of the characters or images is slightly changed. For example, for characters that are arranged perpendicular (90 degrees) to the first direction (S1 direction), even if they are tilted at a slightly smaller or larger angle with respect to the first direction (S1 direction) and arranged continuously in the first direction (S1 direction), the moiré magnification phenomenon will occur (not shown). In this case, if the arrangement angle is changed significantly, the moiré that appears will be distorted and unclear, so it is desirable to limit the arrangement angle to about ±5 degrees. Furthermore, changing the arrangement angle of these compressed hidden pattern elements (15A, 15B) may be used in combination with changing the pitch. Furthermore, when using a configuration in which the arrangement angle of the compressed hidden pattern elements (15A, 15B) is changed, the glitter elements (4) and each compressed hidden pattern element (15A, 15B) may have the same pitch. In this case, although not illustrated in FIG. 9 , a similar moving image effect can be achieved by overlapping each compressed hidden pattern element (15A, 15B) with a slight offset relative to the glitter elements (4) arranged in the first direction (S1 direction).

[0054] (Third embodiment) The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that the lustrous pattern (2) is composed of dot-shaped lustrous elements (4) rather than lines.

[0055] First, Figure 10 shows the glittering pattern (2) of the present invention. The glittering elements (4) having concentric diffraction gratings are arranged continuously on a substrate (3) at a predetermined pitch (P0) in a first direction (S1 direction) and a second direction (S2 direction). The pitches between the glittering patterns (2) in the first direction (S1 direction) and the second direction (S2 direction) may be the same or different.

[0056] The lustrous elements (4) do not need to be concentric as shown in Figure 10 or Figure 11(a), but may be convergent lines as shown in Figure 11(b), convergent lines consisting of curves as shown in Figure 11(c), or a collection of straight lines at slightly different angles as shown in Figure 11(d). Furthermore, since the lustrous elements (4) are configured so that the center of the lustrous elements (5) is likely to reflect light regardless of the direction of incident light, they may be concentric circles without a grid line (5) in the center as shown in Figure 11(e). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12(a), it may be composed of a curved line of a limited range that does not have an angular range of 360 degrees, or as shown in FIG. 12(b), it may be composed of a collection of converging lines, or as shown in FIG. 12(c) and FIG. 12(d), it may be formed by grid lines (5) with angles that vary in stages, at equal or different intervals.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 13, it does not have to be a simple diffraction grating, but may be one having a Fresnel-type cross-sectional structure as shown in Fig. 13(a), or a grating in which an angle is set in the cross-sectional direction as well, such as a blazed diffraction grating as shown in Fig. 13(b). In any case, as explained in the first embodiment, it is sufficient that the lustrous elements (4) are formed by straight lines and curves with different arrangement angles, and have the function of continuously changing the light reflecting area in the lustrous elements (4) as the angle of incident light changes.

[0058] Next, the discriminator (7) in the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. The discriminator (7) in the second embodiment has a configuration that is partially different from the latent image element group (9) of the discriminator (7) in the first and second embodiments, and has a configuration in which the original image (14) is compressed in a first direction (S1 direction) and a second direction (S2 direction) and multiple images are arranged continuously.

[0059] The discriminator (7) comprises a transparent substrate (8) to which a latent image element group (9) consisting of compressed hidden pattern elements (15) is applied. As shown in FIG. 14, the alphabet "OK" is used as a base image (14), which is compressed in a first direction (S1 direction) to a width (W1) and in a second direction (S2 direction) to a width (W2) to form compressed hidden pattern elements (15). Then, on the transparent substrate (8), a plurality of compressed hidden pattern elements (15) are formed at a pitch (P1) in the first direction (S1 direction) and a pitch (P2) in the second direction (S2 direction). The pitches (P1) and (P2) may be the same or different. The compressed hidden pattern elements (15) are continuously arranged at a pitch (P1) slightly smaller than the pitch (P0) of the glitter elements (4) of the glitter pattern (2).

[0060] Even when the luminous elements (4) are dot-shaped, by arranging compressed letters, symbols, figures, etc., such as compressed hidden pattern elements (15), at a pitch slightly different from the pitch (P0) of the luminous elements (4) that are the basis for sampling, a moire enlargement phenomenon occurs in which the compressed letters, symbols, etc. appear enlarged.

[0061] In addition to changing the pitch, as explained in the second embodiment, the moiré magnification phenomenon also occurs when compressed hidden pattern elements (15) configured perpendicular (90 degrees) to the first direction (S1 direction) are slightly tilted and multiple elements are arranged continuously in the first direction (S1 direction) (not shown). In this case, if the arrangement angle is changed significantly, the moiré that appears will be distorted and unclear, so it is desirable to keep the arrangement angle to about ±5 degrees. The compressed hidden pattern elements (15) may be arranged at a pitch different from that of the glitter elements (4) of the glitter pattern (2) and at different angles. When the angle of arrangement of the compressed hidden pattern elements (15) is changed, the pitch may be the same as that of the glitter elements (4) of the glitter pattern (2).

[0062] As described above, in order to utilize the moire magnification phenomenon, the compressed hidden pattern elements (15) are arranged at a pitch slightly different from the pitch of the glittering elements (4), or the arrangement angle of each compressed hidden pattern element (15) is slightly changed, or both the pitch and the arrangement angle are slightly changed.

[0063] (effect) Next, the effects of the third embodiment will be described. The discriminator (7) configured as described above is superimposed on the glittering pattern (2) as shown in Figure 15(a). More specifically, when the compressed hidden pattern elements (15) of the discriminator (7) are superimposed on the glittering elements (4) constituting the glittering pattern (2) so that the pitch of the compressed hidden pattern elements (15) of the discriminator (7) is slightly different from the pitch of the glittering elements (4) in the first direction (S1 direction) or the angle of the glittering elements (4) relative to the first direction (S1 direction) to form the glittering pattern forming body (1), the compressed hidden pattern (13) is enlarged by the moire magnification phenomenon, and the hidden pattern (10) appears as two pairs of "OK" characters. Furthermore, by overlapping the luminous pattern (2) and the distinguishing device (7) and changing the angle of the incident light without changing their relative positions, as shown in Figures 15(b), 15(c), and 15(d), the paired hidden patterns (10) appear to move in opposite directions, creating a so-called moving image effect.

[0064] The reason for this effect is the same as in the second embodiment: a certain region in the luminous element (4) strongly reflects light, causing the compressed hidden pattern elements (15) on the discriminator (7) to be visualized as moiré. Two pairs of hidden patterns (10) appear when the luminous element (4) is configured with grid lines (5) covering a 360-degree angle, as shown in Figure 11. This is because, in the case of a luminous element (4) having grid lines (5) covering a 360-degree angle, two reflective regions always appear as bright spots (α1, α2) in response to light incident from a single light source (6). This results in two sampled regions, resulting in two visualized hidden patterns (10).

[0065] If the angular range of the grid lines (5) constituting the luminous element (4) were 180 degrees or less as shown in Figure 12, or if the cross-sectional configuration were a Fresnel type or a blazed diffraction grating as shown in Figure 13, the hidden pattern (10) would not appear in pairs, but would instead appear as a single "OK" character at equal intervals as shown in Figure 16. This is because, for light incident from a single light source (6), in the case of a luminous element (4) having grid lines (5) configured over an angular range of 180 degrees, only one bright spot (α1) would be produced.

[0066] In addition, when the glittering elements (4) are dot-shaped, whether the discriminator (7) uses a line-shaped compressed hidden pattern (13) with different pitches as shown in the second embodiment, or a compressed hidden pattern (13) with different pitches in the first direction (S1) and the second direction (S2) as shown in the third embodiment, the word "OK" will appear and a moving image effect will be created, as shown in Figures 17(b), (c), and (d). In other words, as long as the glittering elements (4) are dot-shaped, the compressed hidden pattern elements (15) on the discriminator (7) can be dot-shaped or line-shaped.

[0067] As described above, the first to third embodiments have been described using examples in which the glittering patterns (2) are all composed of the same simple grid lines (5), but this is not limiting. For example, by providing a region of the glittering pattern (2) without grid lines (5) and imparting optical properties different from those of the glittering pattern (2), a latent image element such as the compressed hidden pattern (13) of the present invention can be provided in the glittering pattern (2). Then, by overlaying a distinguishing device (7) on this glittering pattern (2) to form a glittering pattern forming body (1), the hidden pattern (10) of the present invention can be made to appear, and a moving image effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the structure required for sampling the hidden pattern (10) is a structure that is originally required for a special type of hologram that creates a moving image effect, and is not a structure that is required only to visualize the hidden pattern (10). Therefore, there is no problem that the use of a portion of the original hologram is restricted in order to embed the hidden pattern (10).

[0068] Furthermore, in the second embodiment (FIG. 8) and the third embodiment (FIG. 25), the original image 14 of the hidden pattern 10 is compressed and arranged in multiple locations, but this is not limited to this, and the original image 14 may be divided and compressed to form compressed hidden pattern elements 15, as shown in FIG. 18. This uses integral photography, which is one method of displaying three-dimensional images. Specifically, for example, the original image 14 may be an image of cherry blossoms, and a portion of the original image 14 may be cut out to a certain size (shown by the dotted line in FIG. 18), and then reduced in a first direction (direction S1) at a first compression rate and in a second direction (direction S2) at a second compression rate to form compressed hidden pattern elements 15. The compressed hidden pattern elements (15) are arranged at a first pitch (P1) in a first direction (S1 direction) and at a second pitch (P2) in a second direction (S2 direction). Adjacent compressed hidden pattern elements (15) have different shapes. The first pitch (P1) and the second pitch (P2) may be the same or different.

[0069] In the second and third embodiments, the pitch of the glittering elements (4) and the compressed hidden pattern elements (15) are slightly different (or the arrangement angles are slightly different). However, when the base image (14) is divided and compressed to form compressed hidden pattern elements (15) as described above, the pitch of the glittering elements (4) and the pitch of the compressed hidden pattern elements (15) must be the same. When a discriminator (7) made of compressed hidden pattern elements (15) like this is superimposed on the glittering elements (4) at the same pitch as the pitch of the glittering elements (4) in the first direction (S1 direction) to form a glittering pattern forming body (1), a cherry blossom pattern appears. Furthermore, when the angle of incident light changes while the elements are superimposed, the cherry blossom pattern moves and is visible. In this case, the above description of the glittering elements (4) is an example of dividing and compressing the base image (14).

[0070] Furthermore, in the explanation of the first to third embodiments, it has been explained that the lustrous pattern (2) is formed on the substrate (3) and the distinguishing device (7) is formed on the light-transmitting substrate (8), but the lustrous pattern (2) and the distinguishing element group (9) may be formed on different substrates (3, 8) or may be formed in different areas on the same substrate.

[0071] For example, taking the first embodiment as an example, as shown in Figure 7(a), a lustrous pattern (2) is attached to a paper substrate (3), or the lustrous pattern (2) is fitted into a partial area of ​​the paper substrate (3), and the substrate (8) of the distinguishing tool (7) on which the distinguishing element group (9) is formed is made of a transparent material, and these are superimposed to form a lustrous pattern forming body (1) to reveal a hidden pattern (10). Also, as shown in Figure 19(a), a substrate (3) on which a lustrous pattern (2) is formed and a substrate (8) as a distinguishing tool on which a group of distinguishing elements (9) is formed may be bound together to form a booklet such as a passport booklet, and the substrate (8) as a distinguishing tool on which a group of distinguishing elements (9) is formed may be turned over and superimposed on the substrate (3) on which the lustrous pattern (2) is formed to form a lustrous pattern forming body (1) as shown in Figure 19(b), thereby revealing a hidden pattern (10).

[0072] 20(a) or (b), the glittering pattern (2) and the discrimination element group (9) may be formed in different regions on the same transparent substrate (3, 8), and the substrate (3, 8) may be folded in half horizontally or vertically along the fold line (16), and then overlapped to form the glittering pattern forming body (1), thereby revealing the hidden pattern (10). In this case, the fold line (16) is not limited to the above position, and may be positioned at any position in accordance with the positions of the glittering pattern (2) and the discrimination element group (9).

[0073] In the present invention, it is desirable that the lattice lines (5) in the glittering element (4) have 500 or more lines per mm. In this case, the moving image pattern (2) creates an effect of gradually changing to different hues such as blue, green, yellow, and red. If you want to create an effect of changing hues, you can configure the lattice lines (5) with approximately 500 to 3,000 lines per mm, depending on the drawing capacity of the device.

[0074] Figure 21 shows an example of a layer structure intended to be attached to a printed matter as the glittering pattern (2) of the present invention. In this specification, the glittering element group (2') essential to the configuration of the glittering pattern (2) has been specifically described, but this is a minimum configuration and is not limited to this. Furthermore, it is within the scope of common sense applications of the present invention to provide a hologram-forming layer (17), a vapor deposition layer (18), or a transparent reflective layer (19) to increase brightness, a protective layer (20) to increase durability, or an adhesive anchor layer (21) or adhesive layer (22) to enable attachment to a substrate (3). [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1. Glittering pattern forming body 2. Glittering pattern 2' Photoluminescent element group 3. Base material (glossy pattern) 4 Photoluminescent elements 5 Grid Lines 6 light source 7. Discrimination tool 8 Base material (discriminator) 9. Discriminant Factors 10, 10', 10A, 10B hidden pattern 11A Negative Hidden Pattern 11B Positive Hidden Pattern 12A Negative discrimination factor 12B Positive discrimination factors 13 Compressed Hidden Pattern 13A Compression Hidden Pattern 1 13B Compression Hidden Pattern 2 14 images 14' Inverted base image 15 Compressed Hidden Pattern Elements 15A Compression Hidden Pattern Element 1 15B Compressed Hidden Pattern Element 2 16 broken line 17 Hologram forming layer 18 Deposited layer 19 Transparent reflective layer 20 protective layer 21 Adhesive anchor layer 22 Adhesive layer

Claims

1. A glitter pattern-forming body in which a discriminating tool is superimposed on a glitter pattern formed on at least a part of a substrate to reveal a hidden pattern, The glittering pattern includes a glittering element group in which a plurality of glittering elements are arranged at a predetermined pitch in a predetermined direction, The glittering elements are formed by arranging a plurality of grid lines that are at least either straight lines or curved lines, The structure has a structure in which at least one of the arrangement angle of the lattice lines or the density of the lattice lines changes continuously, and thereby the light reflecting area of ​​the glittering element moves continuously in response to a change in the angle of light incident on the lattice lines, The discrimination tool has a hidden pattern formed on at least a part of a transparent substrate by a discrimination element group, in which a plurality of discrimination elements are arranged in the same or different direction as the predetermined direction and at a pitch that is the same as or different from the predetermined pitch, A glittering pattern forming body characterized in that by overlapping the discrimination element of the discrimination tool on top of the glittering element, when incident light at a specific angle is irradiated onto the glittering pattern forming body, the hidden pattern appears, and when the angle of incident light onto the glittering pattern forming body is changed, either the effect of the hidden pattern changing or the video effect of the hidden pattern moving can be seen.

2. the hidden pattern comprises at least a positive hidden pattern and a negative hidden pattern, the positive concealment pattern is formed by arranging a plurality of positive discrimination elements at the predetermined pitch in the predetermined direction, 2. The glittering pattern forming body according to claim 1, wherein the negative concealing pattern is formed by arranging a plurality of negative discrimination elements in a phase different from that of the arrangement of the positive discrimination elements.

3. The glitter pattern forming body described in claim 1, characterized in that the group of discrimination elements is composed of a plurality of compressed hidden pattern elements in which the original image is compressed in the specified direction, arranged with at least one of the glitter elements having different pitches or angles relative to the specified direction.

4. The glitter pattern forming body according to claim 1, characterized in that the group of discriminant elements is composed of a plurality of compressed hidden pattern elements, which are formed by dividing and compressing an original image in the predetermined direction, and which are arranged at the same predetermined pitch as the glitter elements.

5. 5. The body with a glittering pattern according to claim 1, wherein the glittering pattern and the group of distinguishing elements are formed in different regions on a single substrate.

Images