Extruded Security Film with Randomized Multicoloring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card-shaped data carriers lack effective counterfeit protection due to their homogeneous and fixed multicoloring, which can be easily reproduced, thereby compromising the authenticity and security of the cards.
Innovation Solution
A method for producing films with security features for card-shaped data carriers involves extruding a film material and a coloring agent through a nozzle, creating a bead-like mixture with randomized multicoloring, which is then cooled and solidified to form a film with unique, inhomogeneous color patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple films having different colors are used for lamination to achieve multicoloring, then the card-shaped data carrier gains multi-color capability, but the multicoloring remains homogeneous and fixed, reducing counterfeit protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the coloring agent by heating it separately to form a flowable color, then controlling its mixing with the extruded melt. This parameter change enables the coloring agent to be introduced in a controlled manner that creates inhomogeneous, randomized color patterns rather than homogeneous multicoloring, thereby enhancing counterfeit protection while maintaining multi-color capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining the extruded melt (film material) with the flowable color (coloring agent) to form a bead-like mixture. This composite material approach allows the integration of multiple colors in a randomized pattern within the film, achieving both multi-color capability and enhanced security features that are difficult to replicate
2Ease of manufacture
If homogeneous single-color films are used for lamination, then the production process is simple, but the counterfeit protection is insufficient due to fixed and predictable color patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coloring process by separately heating the coloring agent outside the extruder rather than mixing it internally. This segmentation allows independent control of the film material extrusion and coloring agent flow, enabling the creation of randomized color patterns while maintaining a relatively simple production process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control by feeding the flowable color to the extruded melt in a controlled manner that creates inhomogeneous mixing. The dynamic interaction between the extruded melt and flowable color forms randomized color patterns, transforming the static homogeneous coloring into a dynamic process that enhances security
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 randomized multicoloring provides a unique and difficult-to-reproduce security feature, significantly enhancing the counterfeit protection of card-shaped data carriers, as the inhomogeneous color patterns are distinct for each individual card.
Implementation Method 1
heating the film material to form a melt
Implementation Method 2
separately heating the coloring agent to form a flowable color
Implementation Method 3
mixing of the flowable color and the extruded melt within the bead-like mixture to form a film
Implementation Method 4
cooling and solidified to form a film
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a film having a security feature for a card-shaped data carrier includes: providing at least one film material having a base color; providing at least one coloring agent; introducing the film material into an extruder of an extrusion apparatus; heating the film material to form a melt; separately heating the coloring agent to form a flowable color; extruding the melt through a nozzle outlet gap of the extrusion apparatus; feeding the flowable color to the extruded melt to form a bead-like mixture; mixing of the flowable color and the extruded melt within the bead-like mixture to form a film. The extruded melt and the flowable color have different material properties so that they do not mix homogeneously, whereby a randomized multi-coloring is visible in plan view of the film. A film and a card-shaped data carrier are associated with aspects of the method.