Field Aligned Flake Stamping for Security Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optically variable devices, particularly those using field alignable pigment flakes, often fail to provide sufficiently dramatic optical effects under uniform lighting conditions, making them less noticeable and potentially vulnerable to counterfeiting, and existing methods for creating complex images with these flakes are either cumbersome or require multiple coating steps.
Innovation Solution
A method involving coating a substrate with field alignable flakes, aligning them using a magnetic or electric field, curing the coating, and then stamping out regions to create transferable images with differently oriented flakes, allowing for the formation of complex patterns and images without the need for a two-step coating sequence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If field alignable pigment flakes are used to create optically variable devices, then the devices can provide security features, but the optical effects are not sufficiently dramatic under uniform lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different magnetic field configurations to different regions of the coating, creating locally distinct flake orientations. This results in regions with different optical properties that are visible simultaneously, providing dramatic visual contrast under uniform lighting while maintaining security functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates asymmetric flake orientations by applying magnetic fields in different directions for different regions. This asymmetry in flake alignment produces contrasting optical effects that are easily distinguishable under uniform lighting conditions, enhancing visibility while preserving security features
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple coating steps are used to create complex images with differently oriented flakes, then complex patterns can be formed, but the manufacturing process becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple flake orientation operations into a single coating step by applying different magnetic field configurations sequentially within the same coating process. This merging of operations achieves complex multi-oriented patterns without requiring multiple separate coating steps, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies magnetic fields to orient flakes in different regions during the coating process before the coating is complete. This preliminary orientation action allows complex patterns to be established in advance, eliminating the need for subsequent re-coating steps and reducing manufacturing complexity
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
This method enables the creation of optically variable images with distinct, differently oriented regions that provide enhanced visual effects and improved authentication capabilities, even under uniform lighting, while simplifying the process of forming complex images and patterns.
Implementation Method 1
aligning them using a magnetic or electric field
Implementation Method 2
aligning them using a magnetic or electric field
Implementation Method 3
stamping a region of the cured coated substrate with a stamp having a first shape to yield a stamped transferable image
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4c
Figure 5
AI summary
A device and method of forming a device in the form of an image particularly useful as a security device is disclosed wherein a magnetically aligned pigment coating upon a release layer on a first substrate on which it is coated is stamped, or example hot stamped onto another substrate or object. Multiple stamped aligned regions can be oriented differently on the other substrate or object in the form of a patch work or mosaic. For example a region of stamped aligned flakes having the flakes oriented in a North-South orientation can be stamped onto one region of an object or substrate and another region of stamped same flakes removed from a same substrate can be stamped onto a same object oriented in an E-W orientation. By first aligning and curing flakes onto a releasable substrate, these flakes can be stamped in various shapes and sizes of patches to be adhesively fixed to another substrate or object.