Microencapsulated Ink for Unique Anti-Forgery Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-forgery systems are vulnerable to duplication and copying due to mass production and known technologies, lacking a simple and reliable method for unique product marking that can be easily identified.

Innovation Solution

A unique marking system using microencapsulated color drops mixed with micronized microparticles in a basic vehicle, which break up under pressure to form random, unrepeatable patterns during printing, creating a distinctive and irreproducible background map.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing anti-forgery systems are used, then identification capability is provided, but vulnerability to duplication and copying occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-forgery reliabilityVSAvoidvulnerability to duplication
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing microencapsulated color drops with micronized microparticles in a basic vehicle to create an ink composition before printing. This pre-prepared mixture ensures that when printed under pressure, the microcapsules break up to form random, unrepeatable patterns immediately, providing inherent anti-forgery protection without requiring subsequent complex verification processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the pressure applied during printing to cause the microencapsulated color drops to break up. The specific pressure parameter transforms the intact microcapsules into fragmented patterns with random size and distribution, creating unique markings that cannot be reproduced. This parameter change is critical for generating the unrepeatable background map.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If complex anti-forgery systems are implemented, then security level is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity levelVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing a system where the marking process automatically generates unique, unrepeatable patterns through the physical breaking up of microencapsulated drops during printing. The system serves itself by using the inherent randomness of the breaking process to create security features without requiring additional complex equipment or post-processing steps to generate uniqueness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs cheap short-living objects by using microencapsulated color drops that are designed to break up during the printing process. These microcapsules are consumed in the marking process, creating a unique pattern that cannot be reproduced. The simplicity and low cost of the ink composition materials contribute to an economically viable anti-forgery solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If unique marking is achieved through random patterns, then unrepeatability is improved, but detection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveunrepeatabilityVSAvoiddetection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by using microencapsulated color drops that release their pigment when broken up during printing. The color provides visual contrast against the background, making the random patterns created by the broken microcapsules easily detectable and distinguishable. This color mechanism simplifies detection while maintaining unrepeatability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes in the size and distribution of the broken microcapsule fragments to create detectable variations. The random fragmentation produces particles of different sizes scattered in unique patterns, which can be detected and measured to verify authenticity. The parameter variations in fragment size provide detectable features without compromising unrepeatability.

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 system provides a cost-effective, unrepeatable marking that can be detected with a palm-top device, ensuring product originality and authenticity verification, resistant to forgery recognition.

Implementation Method 1

which, during printing, under pressure, break up to form coloured and/or fluorescent and/or phosphorescent and/or reflecting spots or patches

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-induced rupture of microcapsules: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 2

micronized microparticles of various nature are mixed, which, during printing, under pressure, break up to form coloured and/or fluorescent and/or phosphorescent and/or reflecting spots or patches, that are original and distinct from one another as regards size and pattern and distribute randomly over the printing area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRandom distribution of microparticles: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 3

form coloured and/or fluorescent and/or phosphorescent and/or reflecting spots or patches

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 4

form coloured and/or fluorescent and/or phosphorescent and/or reflecting spots or patches

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Data Source

PatentEP2084013B1Method for the univocal marking of materials
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 SELVA CLAUDIO
  • EP2084013B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2084013B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Described herein is a method for unique marking of various materials that can be obtained using an ink formulated with micronized microparticles and/or microencapsulated microdrops of various nature dispersed in a suitable vehicle; said ink, once applied to each individual product, forms an original and distinctive map.