Concave Magnetic Field for Security Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing security features with a positive rolling bar effect face challenges, particularly in avoiding physical contact between the magnet and the wet coating layer, which can disrupt the optical effect layer during industrial processes.

Innovation Solution

The use of magnetic-field-generating devices that produce positively curved magnetic field lines on the side opposite to the coating layer, allowing for the orientation of non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles to create a positive rolling bar effect without direct contact, using configurations such as bar dipole magnets and pole pieces to generate the necessary magnetic field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a magnet is disposed on the same side as the coating layer to produce a positive rolling bar effect, then the pigment particles can be oriented correctly, but the magnet physically contacts and disrupts the wet coating layer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepigment particle orientationVSAvoidcoating layer disruption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by placing the magnet on the opposite side of the substrate from the coating layer. This allows the magnetic field to penetrate through the substrate and orient the pigment particles from the reverse side, achieving the desired concave curvature orientation without physical contact with the wet coating layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-sided magnet configuration to a multi-dimensional field arrangement. By positioning magnets on the reverse side of the substrate, the magnetic field lines traverse through the substrate thickness, creating a three-dimensional field pattern that achieves concave curvature without direct contact with the coating layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a magnet is disposed on the opposite side of the substrate to avoid contact with the coating layer, then the coating remains undisturbed, but generating the correct concave magnetic field lines becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating layer disruptionVSAvoidmagnetic field generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the magnetic field generation function into multiple discrete dipole magnets arranged in specific patterns (such as alternating polarity arrays). This segmentation allows each magnet to contribute to the overall concave field line pattern, making the complex field generation achievable through simpler, modular components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate itself acts as an intermediary medium that transmits the magnetic field from the reverse side to the coating layer. By using the substrate as a field transmission path, the system achieves indirect magnet-coating interaction, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining field effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the magnetic field lines are straight or convex, then the device is simpler, but the desired positive rolling bar optical effect cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field configurationVSAvoidoptical effect quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric magnet arrangements with alternating polarities positioned at specific locations on the reverse side of the substrate. This asymmetric configuration creates the necessary concave curvature in the magnetic field lines, which is essential for achieving the positive rolling bar effect, while maintaining reasonable device complexity through systematic positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifically designs the magnetic field configuration to produce concave curved field lines rather than straight or convex patterns. This curvature is achieved through strategic magnet placement and polarity arrangement, directly enabling the concave orientation of pigment particles that produces the desired optical effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach effectively produces optical effect layers with a positive rolling bar effect, enhancing security features by ensuring the magnetic field lines are correctly aligned without disturbing the coating, thus maintaining the intended optical effect.

Implementation Method 1

exposing the coating composition in a first state to the magnetic field of a magnetic-field-generating device receiving the supporting surface, thereby orienting at least a part of the non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a magnetic-field-generating device for producing an optical effect layer (OEL) made of a hardened coating, said magnetic-field-generating device being configured for receiving a supporting surface carrying a coating composition comprising a plurality of non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3007832B1Permanent magnet assemblies for generating concave field lines and process for creating optical effect coating therewith (inverse rolling bar)
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 SICPA HOLDING SA
  • EP3007832B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3007832B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4
  • EP3007832B1 patent drawingFigure 5~5d

AI summary

The invention relates to the field of the protection of security documents such as for example banknotes and identity documents against counterfeit and illegal reproduction. In particular, the invention relates to magnetic-field-generating devices which produce positively curved magnetic field lines in a concave fashion. The invention also relates to the use of these magnetic-field-generating devices for producing optical effect layers OEL which exhibit the optical impression of a positive rolling bar effect and to processes using these magnetic- field-generating devices, e.g. in the field of document security.