Hologram Packaging via Radiation-Curable Metal Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing hologram images on packaging materials are expensive and inefficient, requiring multiple processing steps and costly materials, including slow vapor deposition processes for metallizing embossed hologram designs.
Innovation Solution
A process that forms a hologram image directly on packaging materials like paper, paperboard, or plastics using printing techniques, involving a polymeric radiation curable coating with a particulate metal component, followed by a transparent polymer coating and contact with a hologram negative shim, eliminating the need for subsequent metallizing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional hologram production methods are used (embossing followed by vapor deposition metallizing), then a hologram image is formed on the package surface, but the production process is slow and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate manufacturing steps (embossing, metallizing, printing) into a single integrated printing process. The hologram image is formed directly on the package surface through printing with radiation-curable coating containing particulate metal, eliminating the need for separate embossing and vapor deposition metallizing steps. This merging of operations dramatically increases production speed while reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical vapor deposition process with a printing-based application method. Instead of using complex vapor deposition equipment to deposit metal onto embossed surfaces, the invention uses standard printing equipment to directly apply radiation-curable coating with embedded particulate metal, forming the hologram image in one step. This substitution of mechanical systems with a simpler printing process resolves the contradiction between productivity and ease of manufacture.
2Reliability
If vapor deposition metallizing is used to create reflective film on embossed hologram, then the hologram achieves desired optical effect, but the process is relatively slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the particulate metal component directly into the radiation-curable coating formulation before application. This preliminary inclusion of the reflective material in the coating itself eliminates the need for subsequent metallizing steps. The hologram receives its reflective properties directly from the printed coating, achieving the desired optical effect while dramatically reducing processing time compared to post-embossing metallization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of how the reflective layer is applied - from a post-processing vapor deposition step to a pre-integrated printing operation. By incorporating particulate metal into the radiation-curable coating and curing it in place, the process transforms the timing and method of metal application, achieving both high hologram quality and rapid production without the time-consuming vapor deposition step.
3Manufacturing precision
If hologram is formed on separate laminate film and then bonded to package, then hologram image is achieved, but multiple processing steps and costly materials are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the printing equipment perform multiple functions - it not only prints conventional packaging graphics but also directly forms the hologram image with reflective properties in the same operation. The radiation-curable coating with particulate metal serves dual purposes: as the printing ink and as the hologram-forming layer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate hologram production and bonding operations, reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the hologram formation step from the separate laminate film production process and integrates it directly into the package printing operation. By taking out the hologram creation function and combining it with the existing printing process, the invention eliminates the need for separate hologram laminate production, bonding steps, and associated costly materials, while still achieving high-quality hologram images directly on the package surface.
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 efficient and cost-effective production of hologram images on packaging surfaces using standard printing equipment, reducing production time and material costs while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
coating onto at least a part of this surface a polymeric radiation curable coating that contains a particulate metal component, curing this polymeric radiation curable coating
Data Source
AI summary
A package that has at least one hologram on its exterior surface is formed from a paper, paperboard or thermoplastic substrate material that has an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface has a radiation curable particulate metal containing coating. This coating is cured and zero to one or more ink containing coatings are applied to the radiation curable particulate metal containing coating in areas that are not to have a hologram. Each of these ink containing coatings are cured, and a substantially transparent radiation curable coating is applied to the areas deficient in the zero to one or more ink coatings. This substantially transparent radiation curable coating is contacted with a substantially transparent holographic shim in an area not having thereon ink containing coatings while curing radiation is applied to the substantially transparent radiation curable coating and the substantially transparent shim.