Multilayer article containing organic layers

Abstract

The article includes a first organic layer and a second organic layer, each having an embossed interior surface, and an embossed reflective layer adjacent the interior embossed surface of the first organic layer and adjacent the interior embossed surface of the second organic layer. Methods of making the article are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 789,387, filed January 7, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [Technical Field]

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to articles, such as optical devices, in the form of foils, sheets, and / or flakes. The articles can include a first organic layer and a second organic layer, each of which independently includes an internal embossed surface and an embossed reflective layer adjacent to the internal embossed surface of the first organic layer and adjacent to the internal embossed surface of the second organic layer. Methods for making articles, such as optical devices, for example, diffractive pigments, are also disclosed. [Background technology]

[0003] Many products can be made on a substrate with a release layer, such as sodium chloride. The release layer is evaporated under vacuum before coating. In addition, multilayer designs for making flakes are deposited under vacuum onto a microstructured substrate foil. Once coated, the multilayer designs are exfoliated in a wet process using a mixture of acetone and water to dissolve the release layer. The dehulled flakes are dried and then ground by crushing to obtain the final desired particle size distribution. Non-limiting examples of dry or wet milling techniques include jet milling, cryogenics, ultrasonics in a liquid medium, rotor-stator mill wet milling, etc. The above-mentioned processes require multiple steps performed by different equipment, resulting in increased production costs and expensive final pigment products.

[0004] There is a need for articles that can be manufactured using processes that reduce manufacturing costs by using fewer pieces of equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one aspect, an article is disclosed that includes a first organic layer and a second organic layer, each of the first organic layer and the second organic layer comprising an internal embossed surface, and an embossed reflective layer adjacent the internal embossed surface of the first organic layer and adjacent the internal embossed surface of the second organic layer.

[0006] In a further aspect, a method of making a diffractive pigment is disclosed that includes coating a first colored organic layer onto a substrate, depositing a reflective layer on the first colored organic layer, and embossing both the reflective layer and the first colored organic layer.

[0007] In a further aspect, a method of making a diffractive pigment is disclosed, comprising coating a first colored organic layer on a substrate, embossing the coated first colored organic layer, and depositing a reflective layer on the embossed first colored organic layer, wherein the reflective layer conforms to the embossed surface of the embossed first colored organic layer.

[0008] Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of various embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of the various embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the description herein.

[0009] Certain aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure can be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0010] Throughout the specification and drawings, like reference numbers identify like elements. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an article including a first organic layer, a reflective layer, and a second organic layer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an article including a first absorbent layer, a first organic layer, a reflective layer, a second organic layer, and a second absorbent layer according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an article including alternating first and second organic layers according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 4A-4D illustrate various steps in a method of manufacturing an article according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 5A-5E illustrate various steps in a method of manufacturing an article according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an article in which all surfaces of all layers are embossed. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an article in which the exterior surface of the exterior layer is flat and all interior surfaces of all layers are embossed. [Figure 8] A cross-sectional view of an article in which one exterior surface of one exterior layer is flat, another exterior surface of another exterior layer is embossed, and all interior surfaces of all layers are embossed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are intended to provide explanations of various embodiments of the present teachings.

[0013] In wide and varied embodiments, disclosed herein are articles, such as optical devices in the form of foils, sheets, and flakes, as well as methods for making article 10. Article 10 may include multiple layers, such as a three-layer structure as shown in FIG. 1, a five-layer structure as shown in FIG. 2, and an alternative five-layer structure as shown in FIG. 3. Layers present in article 10 include, but are not limited to, organic layers 12, 14, a reflective layer 20, a magnetic layer, and absorbent layers 22, 24. The individual layers of article 10 are more fully disclosed below. In one embodiment, all layers of article 10 may be embossed or otherwise microstructured, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 6-8. In another embodiment, one or more layers of article 10 may be embossed. In a further embodiment, one or more surfaces of one or more layers of article 10 may be embossed, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 6-8. In yet another embodiment, one or more surfaces of one or more layers of article 10 may be planar, eg, self-planarizing, as shown, for example, in FIGS.

[0014] Article 10 may be symmetric, i.e., a core layer having the same type and number of layers on both sides. The materials forming the layers of a symmetric article 10 may be different. For example, article 10 may include a first organic layer 12, a reflective layer 20, and a second organic layer 14, where the material forming first organic layer 12 is the same as or different from the material forming second organic layer 14. In another embodiment, article 10 may be asymmetric, i.e., a core layer having different types and different numbers of layers on both sides. The materials forming the layers of an asymmetric article 10 may be different. For example, article 10 may include a reflective layer 20, an organic layer 12, and an absorbing layer 22.

[0015] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate various multilayer structures as article 10, without illustrating embossing for ease of illustration. FIGS. 6-8 illustrate various embossed articles 10, but for ease of illustration, do not illustrate the various multilayer articles 10. It is contemplated that any of the articles 10 of FIGS. 1-3 may be embossed in any manner illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. It is also contemplated that a description of a particular layer, such as reflective layer 20, is applicable to any article 10 including that particular layer, such as a reflective layer. Additionally, references to layers are intended to be equally applicable to first and second layers, e.g., "organic layer," "first organic layer 12," and "second organic layer 14," unless otherwise specified.

[0016] 1 shows a cross-section of an article 10 including a first organic layer 12, a reflective layer 20, and a second organic layer 14. The first organic layer 12 and the second organic layer 14 may each include an internal embossed surface 18 and an embossed reflective layer 20 adjacent to the internal embossed surface 18 of the first organic layer 12 and adjacent to the internal embossed surface 18 of the second organic layer 14. See, for example, Figures 6-8.

[0017] The first organic layer 12 and the second organic layer 14 may be the same or different. For example, the first organic layer 12 and the second organic layer 14 may be the same color or different colors. In one embodiment, the first organic layer 12 and the second organic layer 14 may each be transparent. The first organic layer 12 and the second organic layer 14 may comprise the same or different organic materials.

[0018] Although not shown in Figure 1, any surface of any layer present in article 10 may be embossed or flat. For example, first organic layer 12 and second organic layer 14 may each include an internal embossed surface 18, such as the surface adjacent reflective layer 20, as shown in Figures 6-8. Reflective layer 20 in Figure 1 may be fully embossed, for example, with each surface adjacent the internal embossed surface 18 of first organic layer 12 and the internal embossed surface of second organic layer 14.

[0019] In another embodiment, the reflective layer 20 may be partially embossed, for example, with one embossed surface, such as the surface adjacent the first organic layer 12, and another surface, such as the surface adjacent the second organic layer 14, being flat. Additionally, the partially embossed reflective layer 20 may include portions along the length of both surfaces adjacent the first organic layer 12 and the embossed second organic layer 14, and other portions along the remaining portions of the length of both surfaces adjacent the first organic layer 12 and the flat second organic layer 14.

[0020] Although not shown in FIG. 1 , article 10 may include a first organic layer 12 having an exterior flat surface and an interior embossed surface, a second organic layer 14 may include an exterior flat surface and an interior embossed surface, and reflective layer 20 may include two oppositely oriented embossed surfaces as shown in FIG. 7 . In another embodiment, article 10 may include a first organic layer 12, a reflective layer 20, and a second organic layer 14, each having two oppositely oriented embossed surfaces, as shown in FIG. 6 . In yet another embodiment, article 10 may include a first organic layer 12 having an exterior flat surface and an interior embossed surface 18, a fully embossed reflective layer 20, i.e., two oppositely oriented embossed surfaces, and a fully embossed second organic layer 14, as shown in FIG. 6 .

[0021] Note that the degree of embossing may vary throughout article 10. The depth of the embossed grooves (modulation) need not be the same between opposing surfaces of article 10. The modulation affects the intensity of specific diffracted wavelengths, but not the spatial location of the diffracted light. Thus, a slight modulation on one side can be compensated for by a deeper modulation on the other side of the article, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0022] Returning to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the organic layers 12, 14 may be a composite of organic materials and colorants such as organic pigments, inorganic pigments, and dyes.

[0023] Non-limiting examples of organic coloring materials include perylene, perinone, quinacridone, quinacridonequinone, anthrapyrimidine, anthraquinone, anthanthrone, benzimidazolone, diazo-fused, azo, quinolone, xanthene, azomethine, quinophthalone, indanthrone, phthalocyanine, triarylcarbonium, dioxazine, aminoanthraquinone, isoindoline, diketopyrrolopyrrole, thioindigo, thiazineindigo, isoindoline, isoindolinone, pyranthrone, isoviolanthrone, miyoshimethane, triarylmethane, or mixtures thereof.

[0024] The organic material may include a material having thermoplastic properties, e.g., a material having a softening temperature lower than the thermal distortion of the heat-resistant substrate 26. Non-limiting examples of organic materials include thermoplastic materials such as polyesters, polyolefins, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyimides, polyurethanes, acrylics, acrylates, polyvinyl esters, polyethers, polythiols, silicones, fluorocarbons, and their various copolymers; thermosetting materials such as epoxies, polyurethanes, acrylates, melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, and phenol formaldehyde; and energy-curable materials such as acrylates, epoxies, vinyls, vinyl esters, styrenes, and silanes. Non-limiting examples of materials having thermoplastic properties include acrylic polymers, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, acrylic / nitrocellulose blends, acrylic / epoxy hybrids, styrene / acrylics, polyvinyl acetate, and polyvinyl alcohol. Heat-softening properties are defined in terms of the glass transition temperature (Tg).

[0025] In one embodiment, the organic layers 12, 14 comprise materials having Tg values ​​ranging from about 20° C. to about 150° C. If the Tg is too low, the organic layers 12, 14 may be too “sticky” and difficult to remove from the embossing master without damaging the embossed microstructure. If the Tg is too high, the temperature required to soften the layers may also degrade the properties of the organic layers 12, 14.

[0026] In another embodiment, the organic layer 12 may comprise a composite of an organic material disclosed herein and luminescent nanoparticles. Luminescent nanoparticles can emit light when bombarded by an external radiation source, such as an electromagnet or electrons. Non-limiting examples of luminescent nanoparticles include fluorescent nanoparticles and dual-converter nanoparticles.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an article 10 including a first absorbent layer 22, a first organic layer 12, a reflective layer 20, a second organic layer 14, and a second absorbent layer 24. Article 10 and the layers present in article 10 of Figure 2 may be fully or partially embossed as described above with respect to Figure 1 and as shown in Figures 6-8. Additionally, the first and second absorbent layers 22, 24 may each independently include an embossed interior surface, an exterior flat surface, and / or two oppositely oriented embossed surfaces.

[0028] In one embodiment, the organic layers 12, 14 may comprise organic colored dielectric materials. The organic colored dielectric materials can affect the thin-film interference response of the design by selectively absorbing wavelengths of incident and reflected light. The dielectric materials may also be transparent. The organic dielectric materials may have a low refractive index that can produce interference that shifts as a function of incident light and viewing angle. Colorants may be used to color the dielectric materials.

[0029] The dielectric materials may have a variety of refractive indices, such as low refractive index (less than about 1.6), medium refractive index (between about 1.6 and 2.0), and high refractive index (greater than about 2.0). Non-limiting examples include SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, WO3, VO5, ITO, Ta2O5, CeO2, Y2O3, ZnS, ZnO, In2O3, La2O3, MgO, Nd2O3, Pr6O 11 , Fe2O3, Fe3O4, SiO, SnO2, FeOx, MgF2, AlF3, CeF3, LaF3, LiF, CaF2, cermet, diamond-like carbon, and combinations thereof.

[0030] In another embodiment, the organic layers 12, 14 may comprise a composite of an organic refractive index affecting the nanoparticles and an inorganic refractive index affecting the nanoparticles, such as TiO or ZnS, which produce optical interference that does not vary significantly as a function of angle of incidence and viewing angle.

[0031] Figure 3 shows article 10 including alternating first organic layers 12 and second organic layers 14. Article 10 does not include reflective layer 20. Article 10 and the layers present in article 10 of Figure 3 may be fully or partially embossed as described above with respect to Figure 1 and as shown in Figures 6-8. In this embodiment, first organic layer 12 may include a composite of a high refractive index organic material and inorganic dielectric nanoparticles, and second organic layer 14 includes a composite of a low refractive index organic dielectric material.

[0032] 3 may further include a first absorbent layer 22 and a second absorbent layer 24 as exterior layers of the article 10. The first absorbent layer 22 and the second absorbent layer 24 can enhance the color of the first and second organic layers 12, 14.

[0033] The reflective layer 20 for use in the article 10 disclosed herein may include a metal and / or a metal alloy. In one example, any material having reflective properties may be used. Non-limiting examples of materials having reflective properties include aluminum, silver, copper, gold, platinum, tin, titanium, palladium, nickel, cobalt, rhodium, niobium, chromium, and compounds, combinations, or alloys thereof. Examples of other suitable reflective alloys and compounds include alloys of the above-listed metals, such as silver-palladium, as well as bronze, brass, titanium nitride, and the like. The reflective layer 20 may have the inherent color of copper, gold, silver-copper alloy, brass, bronze, titanium nitride, and the like.

[0034] The reflective layer 20 may be fabricated by incorporating particles with reflective properties into an organic matrix. The silver reflective layer 20 may be deposited using a modification of the Brashear silver process.

[0035] The absorbing layers 22, 24 may comprise any absorbing material, including both selectively absorbing and non-selectively absorbing materials. For example, the absorbing layers 22, 23 may be formed from a non-selectively absorbing metallic material deposited to a thickness such that the absorbing layer is at least partially absorbing or semi-opaque. An example of a non-selectively absorbing material may be a gray metal such as chromium or nickel. An example of a selectively absorbing material may be copper or gold. In one embodiment, the absorbing material may be chromium. Non-limiting examples of suitable absorbing materials include metallic absorbers such as chromium, aluminum, silver, nickel, palladium, platinum, titanium, vanadium, cobalt, iron, tin, tungsten, molybdenum, rhodium, niobium, carbon, graphite, silicon, germanium, cermets, and various combinations, mixtures, compounds, or alloys of the above absorbing materials that can be used to form the absorbing layers 22, 24.

[0036] Examples of suitable alloys of the absorber material include Inconel® (Ni-Cr-Fe), stainless steel, Hastelloy® (Ni-Mo-Fe, Ni-Mo-Fe-Cr, Ni-Si-Cu), titanium-based alloys such as titanium mixed with carbon (Ti / C), titanium mixed with tungsten (Ti / W), titanium mixed with niobium (Ti / Nb), and titanium mixed with silicon (Ti / Si), and combinations thereof. Other examples of compounds suitable for absorber layers 22, 24 include titanium-based compounds such as titanium silicide (TiSi2), titanium boride (TiB2), and combinations thereof. Alternatively, absorber layers 22, 24 may be comprised of a titanium-based alloy disposed in a titanium matrix, or titanium disposed in a titanium-based alloy matrix.

[0037] In one embodiment, the organic layers 12, 14 may be selective light modulator layers (SLMLs). SLMLs are physical layers containing multiple optical functions intended to modulate (absorb or emit) light intensity in different selected regions of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths ranging from about 0.2 μm to about 20 μm. SLMLs can selectively modulate light by means of absorption provided by a selective light modulator system (SLMS) (discussed in more detail below).

[0038] Each SLML (including each SLML present in the article if multiple layers are present) may independently comprise a host material alone or a host material in combination with a selective light modulator system (SLMS), which may comprise selective light modulator molecules (SLMMs), selective light modulator particles (SLMPs), additives, or combinations thereof.

[0039] The host material of the SLML may be a film-forming material that can be applied independently as a coating liquid and serve optical and structural purposes. The host material may optionally be used as a host (matrix) to incorporate a guest system, such as a selective light modulator system (SLMS), to provide additional light modulator properties to the article.

[0040] The host material may be a dielectric material. Additionally or alternatively, the host material may be at least one of an organic material (as described above), an inorganic polymer, and a composite material, such as those described above with respect to the organic layers 12, 14. Non-limiting examples of inorganic polymers include silanes, siloxanes, titanates, zirconates, aluminates, silicates, phosphazanes, polyborazylenes, and polythiazyls.

[0041] The SLMS may independently comprise selective light modulator particles (SLMPs), selective light modulator molecules (SLMMs), additives, or combinations thereof for use in the SLML along with a host material. The SLMS may also comprise other materials.

[0042] The SLML may independently include SLMPs within the SLMS. The SLMPs may be any particles combined with a host material to selectively control light modulation, including, but not limited to, color-shifting particles, colorants, such as one or more of dyes (such as phthalocyanine-based compounds), inorganic pigments, organic pigments, reflective pigments, color-shifting pigments, quantum dots, selective reflectors, nanoparticles (selectively reflecting and / or absorbing), and micelles. The nanoparticles may be organic and organometallic materials with a high refractive index (n>1.6 at a wavelength of about 550 nm), such as TiO2, ZrO2, In2O3, In2O3-SnO, SnO2, Fe x O y (x and y are each independently an integer greater than 0), and metal oxides such as WO3, ZnS, and Cu x S y (x and y are each independently an integer greater than 0), chalcogenides, quantum dots, metal nanoparticles, carbonates, fluorides, and mixtures thereof.

[0043] The article 10 disclosed herein may be formed using at least two different methods. In one embodiment, a method of making an article 10, such as a diffractive pigment, is disclosed, including coating a first organic layer 12 onto a substrate 26, as shown in FIG. 4A. The first organic layer 12 may be coated using a liquid coating process. The liquid coating process allows the first organic layer 12 to self-planarize, thereby providing a flat exterior surface. The reflective layer 20 may be deposited on the first organic layer 12 using any deposition technique, including vacuum deposition and liquid coating processes.

[0044] The method may further include heating the reflective layer 20 deposited on the first organic layer 12 prior to embossing. The deposited layer may be heated to a temperature above the softening temperature of the first organic layer 12.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4B, both the reflective layer 20 and the first organic layer 12 may be embossed. Embossing may be performed by at least one of temperature and pressure contact with an embossing master. A discontinuous embossing system may be used, in which the substrate / coating layer may move in discrete steps under an embossing plate, as shown in Figure 4A, for example. Alternatively, the embossing master may be an embossing roller heated to a temperature below the thermoplastic softening temperature of the first organic layer 12.

[0046] 4C, the method may further include coating a second organic layer 14 onto the embossed reflective layer 20. The second organic layer 14 may be coated using a liquid coating process that allows the second organic layer 14 to self-planarize, thereby providing a flat exterior surface and an embossed interior surface.

[0047] The layers of article 10 may be present in solvent- or water-based solutions. In this manner, the layers may be coated / applied / deposited using liquid coating processes. Non-limiting examples of liquid coating processes include slot die, gravure, microgravure, inkjet, curtain coating, metering rod, Mayer bar coating, flexography, offset printing, slot bead, slide bead, slot curtain, slide curtain, tension web and reverse roll, and other liquid coating and printing processes that apply a liquid to a substrate or a previously deposited layer and then form a liquid layer or film that is dried and / or cured. Liquid coating processes allow for faster transfer of the composition of layers, such as organic layers 12 and 14, compared to other deposition techniques, such as vapor deposition. In addition, liquid coating processes allow for a wider range of materials to be used for layers with simplified equipment configuration. It is believed that layers formed using the liquid coating processes of the present disclosure may exhibit improved optical performance.

[0048] The method may further include peeling off substrate 26, thereby forming article 10, as shown in Figure 4D. In one embodiment, substrate 26 may include release layer 28. Release layer 28 may have lower adhesion to first organic layer 12 compared to substrate 26. In one embodiment, release layer 28 is soluble and may be removed.

[0049] The substrate 26 may be peeled from the deposited layer to produce the article 10. In one embodiment, the substrate 26 may be cooled to embrittle the associated release layer 28, if present. In another embodiment, the release layer 28 may be embrittled by heating and / or curing, for example with photonic or electron beam energy, to increase the degree of crosslinking, thereby enabling peeling. The deposited layer may then be mechanically peeled off by sharply bending or brushing the surface. The peeled layer may be sized into articles 10, such as optical devices, in the form of flakes, foils, or sheets using well-known techniques.

[0050] The method may further include applying a cooling drum to the embossed layer (reflector / first organic layer 12) to remove the heat provided by the embossing roller / plate. Embossing can provide the deposited layer with a diffraction pattern, a hologram, a symbol, a logo, or any other suitable microstructure.

[0051] The substrate 26 may comprise a heat-resistant material such as polyester, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, or propylene. The substrate 26 may be present in a roll configuration, such that the layers of the article 10 are deposited on the substrate 26 as they move from an unwind to an unwind roll configuration. The substrate 26 may comprise a material having a softening temperature higher than the softening temperature of multiple layers, such as the organic layers 12 and 14. The substrate 26 may be formed of a flexible material. The substrate 26 may be any suitable material capable of accepting multiple layers deposited during the manufacturing process. Non-limiting examples of suitable substrate materials include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glass foil, glass sheet, polymer foil, polymer sheet, metal foil, metal sheet, ceramic foil, ceramic sheet, ionic liquid, paper, and polymer webs such as silicon wafers. The substrate may vary in thickness, for example, from about 2 μm to about 100 μm, and further example, from about 10 μm to about 50 μm.

[0052] In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an article 10 is also disclosed, as shown in Figures 5A-5E. The method may include coating a first organic layer 12 onto a substrate 26, optionally including a release layer 28. The first organic layer 12 may be coated using a liquid coating process. As shown in Figure 5B, the method may include embossing the coated first organic layer 12 to create an internal embossed surface 18. The method may also include depositing a reflective layer 20 on the internal embossed first organic layer 12. In this manner, the reflective layer 20 conforms to the internal embossed surface 18 of the embossed first organic layer 12, as shown in Figure 5C.

[0053] The method may further include coating a second organic layer 14 on the deposited reflective layer 20, as shown in Figure 5D. The second organic layer 14 may be coated using a liquid coating process.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5E, substrate 26 and any release layer may be removed from article 10.

[0055] In one embodiment, the method may include embossing the first organic layer 12, followed by depositing the reflective layer 20 and the second organic layer 14. This method results in the article 10 shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the method may include depositing the first organic layer 12, depositing the reflective layer 20, embossing both the first organic layer 12 and the reflective layer 20, and depositing the second organic layer 14. The article 10 has different modulations on opposing exterior surfaces of the article. Thus, the article 10 is asymmetric due to the different degrees of modulation on the opposing exterior surfaces. Statistically, 50% of the article 10, such as a flake, having a less modulated second organic layer 14 will face upward, while 50% of the article 10 having a more modulated first organic layer 12 will face upward, providing different diffraction effects. FIG. 8 can also be considered asymmetric due to the different degrees of modulation on the opposing exterior surfaces. FIG. 7 can be considered symmetric.

[0056] Additionally or alternatively, the article 10 in flake, sheet, or foil form may include a hard coat or protective layer, which in some instances need not be of optical quality.

[0057] Depending on the thermoplastic properties of article 10 and release layer 28, an embossing layer may be included between substrate 26 and release layer 28. This embossing layer may be part of article 10. In one embodiment, release layer 28 may be removed or introduced between substrate 26 and the embossable layer.

[0058] From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the present teachings may be embodied in a variety of forms. Thus, while these teachings have been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of the present teachings should not be limited thereto. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein.

[0059] The scope of this disclosure should be interpreted broadly. This disclosure is intended to disclose equivalents, means, systems, and methods for achieving the devices, acts, and mechanical operations disclosed herein. For each device, article, method, means, mechanical element, or mechanism disclosed herein, this disclosure is also intended to encompass that disclosure and to teach equivalents, means, systems, and methods for implementing the many aspects, mechanisms, and devices disclosed herein. In addition, this disclosure relates to coatings and their many aspects, features, and elements. While such devices may be dynamic in their use and operation, this disclosure is intended to encompass equivalents, means, systems, and methods of manufacturing the devices and / or using the optical devices, and their many aspects consistent with the description and spirit of the operation and function disclosed herein. The claims of this application should likewise be interpreted broadly. The description herein of many embodiments of the invention is merely exemplary in nature, and thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within its scope. Such variations should not be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. a first organic layer and a second organic layer, respectively, having an internal embossed surface, at least one of the first organic layer and the second organic layer being a composite of an organic material and a colorant; an embossed reflective layer adjacent the inner embossed surface of the first organic layer and adjacent the inner embossed surface of the second organic layer; An article comprising: the article is a flake or a diffractive pigment; The colorant is selected from organic pigments, inorganic pigments and dyes. Goods.

2. The article of claim 1 , wherein the first organic layer and the second organic layer are the same color.

3. The article of claim 1 , wherein the first organic layer and the second organic layer are different colors.

4. The article of claim 1 , wherein the first organic layer and the second organic layer comprise the same organic material.

5. The article of claim 1 , wherein the first organic layer and the second organic layer comprise different organic materials.

6. The article of claim 1 , further comprising a first absorbent layer adjacent to the first organic layer.

7. The article of claim 1 , further comprising a second absorbent layer adjacent to the second organic layer.

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