Variable Diffractive Metallic Microelements in Laminable Plastic Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing identification documents with diffractive metallic microelements lack variability in coding and suffer from suboptimal mechanical resistance due to adhesive use in layer assembly, leading to delamination issues.

Innovation Solution

A method that integrates variable diffractive metallic microelements directly into a multilayer body of a security document using a substrate like polycarbonate, eliminating the need for adhesives by incorporating metallic elements with fixed graphisms and codes, and assembling through lamination, enhancing mechanical strength and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If adhesive layers are used to assemble layers containing metallic microelements, then the layers can be coupled together, but the delamination resistance and mechanical strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer couplingVSAvoiddelamination resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the adhesive layer from the structure entirely. Instead of using adhesive to couple the transparent film with the metallic microelements, the metallic microelements are directly embedded in the transparent film during its formation process, eliminating the weak adhesive interface that causes delamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the transparent film formation and metallic microelement embedding into a single integrated process. The metallic microelements are incorporated directly into the transparent film matrix, creating a unified structure where the film and metallic elements form a single integrated component rather than separate layers bonded by adhesive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple materials are assembled using adhesives to create security documents with diffractive elements, then various functional layers can be integrated, but the mechanical strength and tampering resistance worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional layer integrationVSAvoidtampering resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional layers into a single integrated transparent film structure. The diffractive reliefs, metallic microelements, and transparent matrix are formed together in one embedding process, creating a unified security element that cannot be easily separated or tampered with, while still providing diverse optical effects and encoding capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite transparent film material that integrates multiple functional components (diffractive structures, metallic microelements, and transparent polymer matrix) into a single homogeneous structure. This composite material provides both the optical security features and the mechanical strength required for tampering resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If adhesive layers are used to assemble the security film, then different materials can be coupled, but the mechanical properties and durability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial couplingVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the adhesive layer from the manufacturing process. The metallic microelements are directly embedded in the transparent film during its formation, removing the need for separate adhesive coupling steps and eliminating the reliability issues associated with adhesive bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs the metallic microelement embedding action preliminarily, during the transparent film formation process itself. This preliminary embedding ensures that the metallic elements are securely integrated into the film structure before the document assembly is completed, guaranteeing mechanical strength and durability from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method enables the production of documents with high resistance to tampering and improved security features, including unique identification codes and enhanced mechanical properties, ensuring secure and durable identification documents.

Implementation Method 1

diffractive metallic microelements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

assembling said transparent film and said substrate to each other to form a laminated multilayer body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLamination: Lamination

Data Source

PatentEP2752305B1A method of making variable diffractive metallic microelements in a laminable plastic body
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 INST POLIGRAFICO E ZECCA DELLO STATO
  • EP2752305B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(e)
  • EP2752305B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2752305B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6B

AI summary

Method of construction of diffractive metallic microelements (100), containing variable coded information, on a laminable body apt to be used as anti-counterfeit element in ID1 and ID3 identification documents format.