Marking composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current security marking technologies using photochromic or fluorophoric substances are unsuitable for textiles due to visibility issues under intense sunlight and self-absorption problems on dark or blue backgrounds, and are often unstable under UV light, failing to provide adequate contrast for decoding.

Innovation Solution

A marking composition combining particulate infrared absorbers and carbon derivatives, which are undetectable in the visual spectrum but emit enhanced synergistic effects in the far infrared range when stimulated with near infrared light, allowing for invisible and durable security markings on various textile backgrounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If photochromic or fluorophoric substances are used for security markings, then the markings become visible under specific light irradiation, but they are visible under intense sunlight and show self-absorption on dark or blue backgrounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility under specific lightVSAvoidvisibility under sunlight and self-absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spectral parameters of the marking composition by using infrared-absorbing substances instead of photochromic or fluorophoric materials. This shifts the detection wavelength from visible/UV range to infrared range, avoiding self-absorption issues on dark backgrounds and visibility under sunlight. The infrared-absorbing components absorb infrared radiation and convert it to heat, which can be detected by thermal cameras, providing contrast independent of visible light conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials consisting of infrared-absorbing substances combined with carbon derivatives. This composite approach enhances the infrared absorption capability while maintaining visual invisibility. The carbon derivatives serve as carriers or binders that do not interfere with infrared absorption, creating a material system that optimally balances invisibility in visible spectrum with detectability in infrared spectrum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If photochromic substances are used for security markings, then the markings can be made visible by light irradiation, but they are unstable under ultraviolet light exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility by light irradiationVSAvoidstability under UV light

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational wavelength parameter from UV/visible light to infrared radiation. Infrared-absorbing substances are inherently more stable under UV exposure because they do not rely on photochromic reactions that can degrade under UV light. The detection mechanism shifts to thermal detection in the infrared range, which is more reliable and stable for long-term applications on textiles and other substrates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional marking methods are used, then the markings are visually visible, but counterfeiters can immediately recognize the location and code

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual visibilityVSAvoidcounterfeit recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from visible spectrum to infrared spectrum. The marking composition is invisible to the human eye and conventional cameras but can be detected by infrared or thermal imaging devices. This parameter change creates a security marking that is fundamentally different from conventional visible markings, making it impossible for counterfeiters to detect without specialized equipment, thus providing superior security protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 marking composition provides optimal contrast and durability, enabling efficient detection and decoding of security markings on textiles and other products, even on dark or blue backgrounds, using a mixture of infrared-absorbing components and carbon derivatives, which are stable and invisible in the visual spectrum.

Implementation Method 1

characterized by their only slightly visible color and a high rate of infrared absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

emit enhanced synergistic effects in the far infrared range when stimulated with near infrared light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

carbon derivatives, which are undetectable in the visual spectrum but emit enhanced synergistic effects in the far infrared range when stimulated with near infrared light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotothermal conversion: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10584259B2Marking composition

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

AI summary

The invention relates to a marking composition, by means of which better protection of goods than hitherto available can be achieved independently of the coloring of the goods. The marking composition comprises an infrared-absorbing particulate component and a carbon derivative, wherein the weight ratio of infrared-absorbing component to carbon derivative is in the range of approx. 10:1 to approx. 10,000:1.