Matte and Glossy Protective Layers for Banknote Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Banknotes made of fiduciary paper suffer from wear and soiling, becoming sticky and unrecognizable, while those made of plastic-based materials experience faded impressions, necessitating improved protective measures to enhance security and visual appearance.
Innovation Solution
A banknote design featuring a transparent or translucent matte varnish layer partially coated with a shiny varnish layer, utilizing the dry stamp technique to create contrasting textures and incorporating security elements like fluorescent pigments and liquid crystals, with the second layer in registration to enhance visibility and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a matte protective layer is applied to the banknote, then wear resistance and soiling prevention are improved, but visual appearance and security element visibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface qualities (matte and glossy) to different zones of the protective layer. The matte zone provides wear resistance and soiling prevention, while the glossy zone enhances visual appearance and security element visibility. This local differentiation allows each zone to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective layer is segmented into at least two distinct zones: a matte zone and a glossy zone. This segmentation allows the banknote to simultaneously exhibit both matte (for protection) and glossy (for visibility) characteristics in different areas, resolving the contradiction between protection and visual appeal.
2Reliability
If a transparent protective layer is applied, then wear resistance is improved, but security element reproduction becomes easier
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer incorporates zones with different optical properties (matte and glossy) that create visual contrast and complexity. This local quality differentiation makes unauthorized reproduction more difficult while maintaining wear resistance, as the specific combination and arrangement of matte and glossy zones is hard to replicate.
3Illumination intensity
If a glossy protective layer is applied, then visual appearance is improved, but soiling and wear resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer is divided into matte and glossy zones, where the matte zone specifically provides soiling and wear resistance, while the glossy zone provides enhanced visual appearance. This segmentation ensures that the glossy finish does not compromise soiling resistance, as the matte zones maintain the protective function.
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 contrasting matte and shiny layers improve the visual security of the banknote, making it more difficult for unauthorized reproduction while maintaining transparency and preserving underlying impressions, thus enhancing the banknote's authenticity and security.
Implementation Method 1
The contrast between the first matte layer and the second (gloss) layer is visible thanks to their difference in brilliance (ie the light intensity reflected by direct lighting in specular reflection)
Implementation Method 2
one or other of the first and second protective layers incorporates at least one of the following second-level security means: organic or mineral pigments of the fluorescent or phosphorescent type, visible under infrared
Implementation Method 3
one or other of the first and second protective layers incorporates at least one of the following second-level security means: organic or mineral pigments of the fluorescent or phosphorescent type, visible under infrared
Implementation Method 4
liquid crystals, for example of the nematic or cholesteric type
Implementation Method 5
thermochromic/photochromic or photothermochrome compounds
Implementation Method 6
thermochromic/photochromic or photothermochrome compounds
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a value document, which consists of a support sheet (1), at least one face (10) of which comprises, over at least part of its surface, a transparent or translucent protective layer (2), called "first layer", of matt visual appearance, this layer being partially covered with a second protective layer (3) also transparent or translucent, but of glossy visual appearance.