Partial Holographic Coating for Security Documents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing security documents with holograms result in high material consumption and cannot be integrated into a production line due to full-surface coating and subsequent processing steps.

Innovation Solution

A method involving partial coating of a carrier layer with flowable holographic material, followed by exposure to produce a volume hologram, allowing for material savings and integration into an inline production process, with precise application and exposure control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire surface of the composite material is coated with photographic emulsion or photopolymer, then the hologram can be formed, but material consumption increases and the process cannot be integrated into a production line

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehologram formationVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the carrier layer into different regions: a first region that is coated with holographic material and a second region that remains uncoated. This segmentation allows the hologram to be formed only where needed, reducing material consumption while maintaining the ability to form complete holograms through the uncoated regions serving as a backdrop or support structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies holographic material selectively to specific areas of the carrier layer rather than uniformly across the entire surface. The first region receives the holographic coating while the second region does not, creating local quality differences that enable material savings without compromising hologram formation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the entire surface is coated with holographic material, then the hologram can be produced, but production time increases and integration into production line is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehologram productionVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the carrier layer into coated and uncoated regions, the patent enables faster processing since only the first region requires the time-consuming holographic material application and exposure steps. The second region can be processed or handled simultaneously without requiring these time-intensive operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier layer is prepared with pre-defined first and second regions before the holographic material is applied. This preliminary structuring of the carrier layer allows the subsequent coating and exposure processes to be performed more efficiently, as the material is applied only to predetermined areas rather than requiring full-surface processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If full-surface coating is used, then the hologram can be formed, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehologram formationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the carrier layer into a first region coated with holographic material and a second region that is not coated. This segmentation reduces the quantity of expensive holographic material required while still enabling complete hologram formation, thereby lowering manufacturing costs without sacrificing product quality or functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying holographic material to the entire surface (excessive action), the patent applies the material only to the first region (partial action). This partial application is sufficient for hologram formation while avoiding the waste and cost associated with full-surface coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This approach reduces material usage, saves drying time, and lowers production costs by enabling efficient, high-speed processing and precise positioning of holographic elements within security documents.

Implementation Method 1

the holographic coating is exposed to produce the panel using an exposure device to produce a volume hologram

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3828640B1Method for the preparation of security documents
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3828640B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~3
  • EP3828640B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3828640B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing security documents, in which a carrier layer (12) is fed to an application unit (26) containing a flowable holographic material, a partial coating (14) of the holographic material is applied to the carrier layer (12) by the application unit (26) using an application process, forming a blank (16), and the blank (16) is exposed by an exposure unit (28) downstream of the application unit. (See Figure 5)