Laser Marked OVD on Halogenated Polymer Security Documents

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for more efficient and less complex methods to provide Optical Variable Devices (OVDs) with a metallic appearance on security documents, as existing methods are complex and difficult to reproduce.

Innovation Solution

A method involving laser marking on a security document with a halogenated co- or homopolymer overlay, creating a gloss structure that changes with viewing angle, forming an OVD inside the document without altering its surface, making it difficult to counterfeit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional methods are used to provide OVDs with metallic appearance on security documents, then the metallic appearance and anti-counterfeiting features are achieved, but the preparation methods become complex and difficult to reproduce

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-counterfeiting securityVSAvoidpreparation method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the metallic appearance effect from complex traditional preparation methods and achieves it through a simplified laser marking process. The laser marking directly creates the OVD with metallic appearance on the security document without requiring multiple coating layers or complex lamination steps, thus reducing preparation complexity while maintaining security reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical preparation methods (coating, lamination, multiple processing steps) with laser marking technology. The laser beam directly modifies the security document material to create the OVD with metallic appearance, substituting complex mechanical preparation systems with a more efficient energy-based process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If laser marking is used to create OVD inside the security document, then the OVD is difficult to reproduce and counterfeit, but the method must achieve metallic appearance without altering the surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedifficulty to reproduceVSAvoidsurface integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds the OVD with metallic appearance inside the security document structure through laser marking. The laser modifies the internal or near-surface material to create the optical variable effect, nesting the security feature within the document body while preserving the external surface integrity and glossy appearance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser marking process applies localized energy to specific areas of the security document to create the OVD with metallic appearance. This local modification achieves the desired optical effects and security features without altering the overall surface properties of the document, maintaining glossy appearance and tactile characteristics in non-marked areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides a cost-effective, efficient, and secure way to create OVDs with a metallic appearance inside the security document, enhancing its anti-counterfeiting features while maintaining a glossy surface and avoiding haptic differentiation.

Implementation Method 1

A method of providing an Optical Variable Device (OVD) on a security document by laser marking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser marking: Laser

Implementation Method 2

creating a gloss structure that changes with viewing angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGloss structure formation: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3431304B1Method of providing an OVD on a security document by laser marking
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 AGFA GEVAERT NV
  • EP3431304B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3431304B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3431304B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method of providing an Optical Variable Device (OVD) on a security document by exposing the security document with a laser, the security document comprising an overlay provided on a core, characterized in that the overlay comprises a halogenated homo- or copolymer.