Dyed Metal Pigment Security Element for Wide Color Spectrum
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current security elements for value documents lack a wide color spectrum when viewed in incident and transmitted light, compromising anti-forgery security and visual appeal.
Innovation Solution
A semi-transparent security element with a transparent carrier substrate and two metallic layers dyed in a first color, separated by an ink layer appearing in a second color, utilizing metal pigments like aluminum, stainless steel, or gold, and optionally featuring emboss-lacquer layers with diffractive or micromirror structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multilayer thin-film elements are used, then the security element provides color differentiation between incident and transmitted light viewing, but the color spectrum available is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using dyed metal pigments instead of conventional dielectric spacer layers. This allows the same structural configuration to produce a wider range of colors by varying the dye composition and concentration in the ink layer, thereby expanding the color spectrum without increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining metal pigments with dye substances in the ink layer. This composite approach enables the material to exhibit both the optical properties of metal (reflectivity, structural integrity) and the color properties of dye (wide color spectrum), resolving the contradiction between limited color range and structural simplicity
2Ease of manufacture
If printing technology is used to apply dyed metal pigments, then the manufacturing process becomes simpler and more cost-effective, but the precision of layer thickness control may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film technology where the ink layer containing dyed metal pigments is applied as a flexible coating. This approach allows printing technology to be used effectively while maintaining sufficient precision, as the thin film nature ensures uniform distribution and consistent optical properties even with printing methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the parameter of ink layer thickness to a specific range (1-2 micrometers) where printing technology can achieve adequate precision. At this thickness range, the layer is thin enough to maintain optical uniformity and color consistency, yet thick enough to be manufacturable using printing processes
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 provides a wider color spectrum upon viewing in incident and transmitted light, enhancing anti-forgery security and visual appeal, while being manufacturable through printing technology.
Implementation Method 1
two metallic layers dyed in a first color, obtainable by printing technology by means of dyed metal pigments
Implementation Method 2
metal pigments known from WO 2005/051675 A2... such a printing ink enables e.g. the supplying of a 'silver' mirror layer
Implementation Method 3
an ink layer arranged therebetween appearing in a second color... upon viewing in transmitted light, i.e. in transmission, appear in a second color
Implementation Method 4
an emboss-lacquer layer which has in particular a relief structure forming a diffractive structure
Implementation Method 5
a relief structure forming a micromirror arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
A semi-transparent security element which upon viewing in incident light and in transmitted light has different colors, comprises either (a) a transparent carrier substrate having a front side and a back side. The front side has a metallic layer “V-a” dyed in a first color, obtainable by printing technology by means of dyed metal pigments. The back side has an ink layer appearing in a second color “R-a” and a metallic layer “R-b” dyed in a first color, obtainable by printing technology by means of dyed metal pigments; or (b) a transparent carrier substrate having a front side and a back side. The front side has a semi-transparent metallic layer “V-A” and an ink layer appearing in a first color “V-B” and the back side has an ink layer “R-A” appearing in a second color, a semi-transparent metallic layer “R-B” and an ink layer “R-C” appearing in a first color.