Relief-Deformed Printing Material for Forgery-Proof Security Features

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for novel security features in valuable and security documents that are difficult to replicate, as existing features can be counterfeited using known techniques, and there is a requirement for features that are simple and inexpensive to produce.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to produce a security feature by temporarily deforming the printing material in relief during the printing process, creating a secondary pattern that overlays the primary pattern, which can only be recognized with aids like a magnifying glass or microscope, making it difficult to forge or falsify.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional printing methods are used to produce security features, then production is simple and inexpensive, but the security features can be easily counterfeited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity feature authenticityVSAvoidprinting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing material is pre-deformed in relief before the printing process to create a secondary pattern that will be imprinted during printing. This preliminary deformation ensures that the security feature is built into the substrate structure itself, making it difficult to replicate with conventional printing methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A relief-deformed printing material acts as an intermediary between the printing process and the final security feature. The deformation creates a physical pattern that transfers ink in a specific way, producing a secondary pattern that overlays the primary printed pattern

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the printing material is kept flat during printing, then perfect transfer of the printed image is ensured, but no security feature is created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity featureVSAvoidprinted image transfer quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The printing material is deformed in relief only in specific local areas where security features are required, rather than being uniformly flat or uniformly deformed. This localized deformation creates the secondary pattern only where needed, maintaining image transfer quality in other areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The printing material is given a three-dimensional relief deformation instead of remaining flat. This dimensional change creates a physical pattern that affects ink transfer, producing a secondary pattern that serves as a security feature while the material returns to its original flat state after printing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If complex security features are created, then authentication becomes more reliable, but production costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidproduction simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The security feature production is merged with the normal printing process. The relief deformation and printing occur in the same operational sequence, eliminating the need for separate complex manufacturing steps while producing a secure authentication feature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The printing material itself serves to create the security feature through its own relief deformation, without requiring additional external components or complex manufacturing equipment. The material's physical properties are utilized to generate the secondary pattern

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2625041B1Method for production of a security feature
Publication Date: 2018.06.20 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP2625041B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2625041B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In order to produce a security feature 8, which is non-adjustable and easily producible using printing technology, for a valuable and/or security document, a method for its production is specified. The method comprises the printing of a material to be printed 5 with a first primary pattern and the relief-type deformation of the material to be printed 5 during printing to form a second pattern. The security feature 8 accordingly comprises the material to be printed 5 and the first pattern which is applied on a surface of the material to be printed 5 using the printing method. The first pattern is changed by a relief-type deformation 3 of the material to be printed 5 during the printing operation, wherein a second pattern forms which overlays the first pattern.