Laminate Internal Security Feature via Filled Substrate Depressions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current security features for documents lack sufficient protection against forgery and manipulation, necessitating the development of enhanced internal security features that are difficult to replicate.

Innovation Solution

A laminate is produced with a translucent or opaque substrate layer and a further transparent or translucent layer, where indentations in the substrate layer are filled with a functional material, creating a see-through security feature that can vary in optical transmittance and include fluorescent or magnetic properties, thereby increasing security against forgery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional security features are used in documents, then the document can be produced with standard features, but the protection against forgery and manipulation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against forgeryVSAvoidcomplexity of security feature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds a security feature layer within the substrate layer itself by creating depressions and filling them with material having different optical properties. This nesting approach integrates the security feature directly into the document structure rather than adding separate external layers, thereby improving anti-forgery protection while controlling complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different optical properties to specific local regions (depressions) of the substrate layer. By creating localized areas with varying light transmission characteristics through selective filling of depressions, the security feature achieves enhanced protection without requiring the entire document structure to be complex

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If embossed structures are created in thermoplastic layers, then three-dimensional security features can be produced, but the features can still be manipulated or forged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity feature protectionVSAvoiddifficulty to replicate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite material structure by combining substrate material with filling material that has different optical properties. The filling material is introduced into depressions created in the substrate layer, creating a composite structure with specific optical characteristics that are difficult to replicate and provide enhanced security against forgery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If microperforations are incorporated into opaque substrate layer, then internal security features can be created, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal security featureVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the substrate layer by creating multiple depressions that can be selectively filled. This segmentation allows the security feature to be built up in discrete steps through selective filling of individual depressions or groups of depressions, creating internal security features while managing manufacturing complexity through a modular approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances security by creating a visible, difficult-to-replicate internal feature that is easily verifiable under transmitted light, significantly increasing the cost for counterfeiters and making forgery evident.

Implementation Method 1

Different optical transmittances can be achieved through the recesses, thus creating a see-through feature in the form of a watermark

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical transmittance:

Implementation Method 2

Fluorescent or luminescent materials can be used as functional materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

Fluorescent or luminescent materials can be used as functional materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Implementation Method 4

a magnetic material, a material containing metal particles, or any combination thereof may also be used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4215379A1Method for producing a laminate and laminate and security or valuable document having an internal security feature
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP4215379A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4215379A1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP4215379A1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a laminate (11) with an internal security feature (12), in which at least one translucent or opaque substrate layer (14) is provided, in which at least one further translucent or transparent layer (21, 22) is provided, in which the at least one substrate layer (14) and the at least one further layer (21, 22) are joined and laminated together to form a laminate (11), wherein recesses (16) are provided in a top surface (17) and/or bottom surface (18) of the at least one substrate layer (14) before joining with the at least one further translucent or transparent layer (21, 22), and wherein the at least one transparent or translucent layer (21,22) applied to the top (17) and/or bottom (18) of the substrate layer (14) which is provided with depressions (16), and at least a subset of the depressions (16) is filled with the at least one transparent and/or translucent layer (21, 22), and the internal depressions (16) form the internal security feature (12), wherein at least a subset of the depressions (16) in the substrate layer (14) are filled with at least one functional material to a predetermined degree of fill.