Printing Form Precursor Indicia for Authenticity Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

The printing industry faces challenges in authenticating photopolymerizable printing form precursors, as counterfeit products with similar colors to established standards are difficult to distinguish, and existing identification methods do not survive the multi-step conversion process or are not visible on the printing form when mounted on a press.

Innovation Solution

A printing form precursor with a photopolymerizable layer and an indicia of text or graphic between the support and the photopolymerizable layer, which is visible without specialized scanning and remains intact through the conversion process, ensuring the authenticity of the printing form.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If color is used as the only identification method for photopolymerizable elements, then it is easy to distinguish different manufacturers' products, but counterfeit products with similar colors cannot be reliably identified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of product identificationVSAvoidauthenticity verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The identification system is segmented into multiple components: visible color indicators for easy recognition and hidden indicia (barcodes, data matrices, RFID tags) for authentic verification. This segmentation allows the product to serve both ease of identification and reliability verification simultaneously without compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary verification system is introduced between the product and the consumer. Scanning devices and authentication systems act as intermediaries that read the hidden indicia on the photopolymerizable element and provide verification of authenticity, thereby solving the reliability problem without compromising ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If identification marks are placed on the photopolymerizable element surface, then authentication is possible, but the marks are not visible on the printing form when mounted on press

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthenticity verificationVSAvoididentification visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The identification system transitions from a two-dimensional surface marking problem to a multi-dimensional solution. Indicia are placed in the interface dimension between support and photopolymerizable layer, and verification occurs through optical scanning dimensions that can detect these hidden marks. This dimensional transformation ensures identification marks survive the conversion process and remain accessible for verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If indicia are placed between the support and photopolymerizable layer, then identification survives the conversion process, but the indicia must remain transparent to actinic radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification persistenceVSAvoidindicia material requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The physical and chemical parameters of the indicia materials are carefully selected and controlled. The materials are chosen to have specific optical properties: high visibility in the visible spectrum for scanning detection, but high transparency in the ultraviolet and visible actinic radiation ranges. This parameter optimization allows the indicia to persist through conversion while maintaining radiation transparency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Composite indicia materials are used that combine multiple properties: visibility to scanning devices, transparency to actinic radiation, and stability through the photopolymerization process. These composite materials may include specially formulated inks, pigments, or optical markers that exhibit selective optical transmission characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 allows for the unique identification of photopolymerizable elements and their resulting printing forms, ensuring authenticity and quality, while not affecting the print characteristics or functionality, and remains visible even when the form is mounted on a print cylinder.

Implementation Method 1

Photopolymerizable elements for flexographic printing are characterized by their ability to crosslink or cure upon exposure to actinic radiation. The photosensitive element is uniformly exposed through the backside of the plate to actinic radiation to create a floor or layer of cured photopolymer adjacent the support.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

the at least one indicia is transparent to actinic radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransparency to electromagnetic radiation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2722713B1A printing form precursor having indicia and a method for preparing a printing form from the precursor

Publication Date: 2020.04.15 EI DU PONT DE NEMOURS & CO

Figure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a photosensitive printing form precursor and a method for forming a printing form from the precursor. The precursor includes a support and a layer of a photosensitive composition adjacent the support, in which at least one indicia is disposed between the support and the photosensitive layer. The indicia identifies the precursor, is retained throughout a multi-step process to convert the precursor into a printing form and in the end-use of the printing form.