Magnetic Ink Security via Multi-Pigment Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security elements with magnetically alignable pigments lack sufficient counterfeit security and machine detectability, as they rely solely on visual effects that can be reproduced and do not effectively utilize magnetic properties for authentication.
Innovation Solution
Development of magnetic screen printing or flexographic inks containing two or three different platelet-shaped magnetic pigments with distinct characteristics such as intrinsic color, coercive field strength, and near-infrared remission, which are aligned using an external magnetic field and fixed with a UV-curing binder, enhancing both visual attractiveness and machine detectability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If magnetically alignable pigments are used for visual effects, then visual attractiveness is improved, but counterfeit security and machine detectability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing multiple magnetic pigments with distinct magnetic properties (coercive field strength, remanence) and optical properties (intrinsic color, NIR remission). This allows the security element to exhibit visual effects while simultaneously providing unique magnetic signatures that are difficult to counterfeit and can be detected by machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple different magnetic pigments (e.g., ferrite, magnetite, gamma-iron oxide) with distinct characteristics into a single ink formulation. This composite approach enables both visual attractiveness through optical effects and enhanced security through differentiated magnetic properties that can be detected and authenticated.
2Device complexity
If single-type magnetic pigments are used, then formulation simplicity is improved, but machine detectability and authentication capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the magnetic pigment composition into multiple distinct types, each with specific magnetic and optical properties. This segmentation allows different pigment types to contribute different characteristics, enabling machines to detect and authenticate the security element based on the unique combination and distribution of these segmented pigment properties.
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 solution significantly increases the security and authenticity of printed elements by providing a combination of visually appealing and magnetically detectable features, making it difficult to reproduce and enhancing protection against forgery.
Implementation Method 1
magnetically alignable, platelet-shaped magnetic pigments which are magnetically oriented in the form of a motif to be displayed
Implementation Method 2
The screen printing ink or flexographic printing ink contains a UV-curing binder
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a magnetic screen printing ink or flexographic ink (30) having a binder (32) and magnetically orientable, plate-like magnetic pigments (34, 36) which are characterized by the following parameters: inherent colour, coercivity, retentivity and NIR remission. According to the invention, the screen printing ink or flexographic ink (30) contains at least two different magnetically orientable, plate-like magnetic pigments (34, 36), which differ significantly in at least one of the characteristic parameters. The invention also relates to a security element (12) having a first print region (14) which is printed using a first magnetic screen printing ink or flexographic ink (30) of the type mentioned.