Curved Pigment Flake Alignment for Noticeable Optical Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optically variable devices, particularly those using magnetically aligned pigments, are not sufficiently noticeable under certain lighting conditions, making them vulnerable to counterfeiting.
Innovation Solution
The alignment of magnetically alignable pigment flakes in a predetermined pattern, forming curved or zigzag patterns, to create dynamic optical effects such as boomerangs or zigzags that change shape when the substrate is tilted, using magnets with specific orientations and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If magnetically aligned pigments are used to create optically variable devices, then the devices can produce color-shifting effects, but the effects are not sufficiently noticeable under uniform fluorescent ceiling lights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-shifting pigments that change apparent color with viewing angle and illumination angle. The curved alignment pattern enhances this effect by creating different orientations of pigment flakes across the surface, producing more dramatic color variations and visible optical effects under various lighting conditions including uniform fluorescent lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses curved alignment patterns where pigment flakes are oriented along curved lines rather than straight lines. This curvature creates varying orientations of reflective surfaces that enhance the optical effect visibility by reflecting light differently across the surface, making the color-shifting effect more noticeable under uniform lighting conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If simple linear alignment of pigment flakes is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the optical effect is not dramatic enough for effective security
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements curved alignment patterns of pigment flakes that can be achieved through magnetic field application during the coating process. This curved configuration creates more dramatic optical effects including color-shifting and three-dimensional appearance compared to simple linear alignment, thereby enhancing security effectiveness while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of magnetic alignment techniques.
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
The solution produces highly noticeable and dramatic optical effects that are visible under various lighting conditions, enhancing the security and decorative appeal of the devices.
Implementation Method 1
Magnetically alienable flakes dispersed in a liquid organic medium orient themselves parallel to the magnetic field lines, tilting from the original orientation. This tilt varies from normal to the surface of a substrate to the original orientation, which included flakes essentially parallel to the surface of the product.
Implementation Method 2
The planar oriented flakes reflect incident light back to the viewer, while the reoriented flakes do not, providing the appearance of a three dimensional pattern in the coating.
Data Source
AI summary
In a printed article, pigment flakes are magnetically aligned so as to form curved patterns in a plurality of cross-sections normal a continuous imaginary line, wherein radii of the curved patterns increase along the imaginary line from the first point to the second point. When light is incident upon the aligned pigment flakes from a light source, light reflected from the aligned pattern forms a bright image which appears to gradually change its shape and move from one side of the continuous imaginary line to another side of the continuous imaginary line when the substrate is tilted with respect to the light source.