Inkjet Printed Hidden Pattern on Acid-Treated Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for reliable security elements that are difficult to counterfeit and allow for simple and immediate authentication, especially in products prone to counterfeiting such as ink cartridges, sporting articles, and documents, which existing methods fail to provide effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a substrate with a salifiable alkaline or alkaline earth compound treated with a liquid composition containing an acid via inkjet printing to create a hidden pattern visible only under specific angles, which can be integrated into existing print facilities and various substrates, including paper, cardboard, and plastic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional printing methods are used to create security elements, then the production process is simple and compatible with existing facilities, but the security elements are easily counterfeited and lack reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the substrate by treating it with acid to create salifiable alkaline compounds on the surface. This chemical modification enables the substrate to react with basic inkjet ink, creating a permanent hidden pattern that is difficult to counterfeit. The parameter change from neutral to chemically reactive substrate resolves the contradiction between simplicity and security reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical printing methods with a chemical reaction-based system. Instead of relying on physical ink deposition that can be replicated, the system uses chemical reactions between acid-treated substrate and basic ink to create permanent patterns. This substitution of mechanical printing with chemical printing resolves the contradiction by providing superior security while maintaining compatibility with existing inkjet facilities.
2Ease of operation
If hidden patterns are created using existing methods, then authentication may require special tools, but the invention achieves authentication without special verification tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating hidden patterns with specific spatial characteristics - the patterns are invisible from certain angles and only visible from specific viewing angles. This local visibility property allows the pattern to remain hidden during normal use but become visible for authentication, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and information retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension for pattern visibility by making the hidden pattern angle-dependent. The pattern exists in a third dimension of viewing angle, being invisible from frontal views but visible from oblique angles. This dimensional approach allows authentication without special tools while maintaining pattern secrecy, resolving the contradiction between authentication simplicity and information loss.
3Manufacturing precision
If high-resolution patterns are printed with small drop sizes and small drop spacing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the complexity of the printing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the substrate's own chemical properties (acid treatment creating salifiable alkaline compounds) to enhance the printing process. The chemically treated substrate actively participates in the printing by reacting with basic inkjet ink, which allows for high-resolution patterning without requiring excessively complex printing equipment. The substrate itself provides the chemical enhancement needed for high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining acid-treated substrate with basic inkjet ink to create a chemically reactive system. This composite approach allows the system to achieve high manufacturing precision through chemical enhancement rather than relying solely on mechanical printing precision, thereby reducing the complexity requirement of the printing device while maintaining high pattern resolution.
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 creates a secure, high-resolution hidden pattern that is invisible at one angle but visible at another, providing effective brand protection and authentication without requiring special tools, and can be combined with additional functionalities like machine readability.
Implementation Method 1
applying the liquid treatment composition onto the at least one external surface in form of a preselected pattern by inkjet printing to form a hidden pattern
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for creating a hidden pattern on a substrate, wherein a liquid treatment composition comprising at least one acid is deposited by inkjet printing onto a substrate, which comprises at least one external surface comprising a salifiable alkaline or alkaline earth compound.