Laser Inscribed Security Feature on Plastic Fabric Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing data pages and book-like documents with security features are inadequate in preventing forgery and manipulation, as they lack effective security features that can be easily integrated and recognized.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a web-like strip material for the tab, where a laser beam with a wavelength between 750 nanometers to 1400 nanometers is used to inscribe a security feature, such as motifs or symbols, onto the fabric-like strip material, creating a visible and individualizable security feature that enhances forgery-proofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If fabric-like strip material is used for the tab to provide a distinct appearance, then visual differentiation is improved, but printing requires additional pretreatment steps (impregnation or stamping) which increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical printing process (which requires pretreatment of fabric-like material) with a laser inscription process. The laser beam directly inscribes security features onto the fabric-like strip material without requiring impregnation or stamping pretreatment, thereby eliminating the additional manufacturing steps while maintaining the visual differentiation provided by the fabric-like appearance.
2Reliability
If security features are introduced after the tab is attached to the data page, then the security feature can be integrated into the overlapping area, but the manufacturing process requires additional handling and positioning steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the preliminary action principle by inscribing the security feature onto the fabric-like strip material before the tab is attached to the data page. This allows the security feature to be integrated into the overlapping area while simplifying the manufacturing process, as the tab with pre-inscribed security features can be directly attached without requiring additional handling for security feature application.
3Reliability
If a laser beam is used to inscribe the fabric-like strip material, then a visible and individualizable security feature is created, but the process requires precise control of laser parameters (wavelength 750-1400 nm)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by selecting a specific wavelength range (750-1400 nm) for the laser beam that is optimized for inscribing security features onto fabric-like strip material. This wavelength range enables the laser energy to be effectively absorbed by the material, creating visible inscriptions through controlled melting or discoloration of the threads, thereby achieving high forgery resistance with manageable manufacturing precision requirements.
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 effectively increases security against counterfeiting by introducing a visible and recognizable security feature, making manipulation more difficult, and allows for flexible integration of security features during the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
A laser beam with a wavelength in the range from 750 nanometers to 1400 nanometers, in particular 1064 nanometers, is preferably used to inscribe the fabric-like strip material. As a result, the surface of the individual threads of the web-like strip material can be changed, in particular the melting according to the invention, in order to achieve the inscription.
Implementation Method 2
In addition, discoloration of the surface of the threads can also occur, as a result of which the inscription is optically recognizable compared to the untreated fabric.
Data Source
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Figure 3~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a flap (23) with a security feature, in particular for producing a data page (17) for a book-like document (11), in which a fabric-like tape material for forming the flap (23) is provided and fed to a processing station (51), wherein a plastic fabric is provided as the fabric-like tape material for the flap (23) and fed to the processing station (51), and in the processing station (51) at least one surface of the plastic fabric is marked with an IR radiation with at least one laser beam (53).