Security Document Laser Perforation for Residue-Free Window Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating window areas in security documents, such as banknotes and passports, result in waste due to the removal of carrier substrate parts, which is costly and requires complex disposal, and do not effectively prevent counterfeiting.
Innovation Solution
A method involving laser perforation of carrier substrates after applying a decorative layer, ensuring the decorative layer is visible through perforations, creating closed contours without residue, and enabling innovative perforations or window areas, with the decorative layer providing stabilization and enhancing security features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If punching or cutting processes are used to create window areas in carrier substrates, then the window areas can be formed, but carrier substrate residue is generated requiring complex disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the decorative layer from the carrier substrate through laser perforation, creating window areas where only the decorative layer remains visible while the carrier substrate is completely removed. This extraction approach eliminates residue generation by selectively removing only the necessary portions of the carrier substrate to expose the decorative layer underneath.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical punching or cutting processes with laser-based perforation. The laser beam precisely perforates the carrier substrate without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for physical cutting tools that generate residue. This substitution of mechanical systems with optical/thermal fields enables residue-free window area creation.
2Reliability
If the decorative layer is applied before perforation, then the decorative layer provides stabilization and prevents residue, but the perforation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the decorative layer to the carrier substrate before performing the laser perforation. This preliminary application ensures that the decorative layer is in place to provide stabilization and prevent residue generation during the subsequent perforation process. The decorative layer acts as a stabilizing agent that maintains structural integrity while the laser creates the window areas.
3Productivity
If traditional cutting methods are used, then window areas are created, but disposal costs and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful residue generation of traditional cutting methods into a benefit by using laser perforation that completely removes the carrier substrate without creating disposable residue. The laser process transforms the carrier substrate material into vapor or ash that can be easily disposed of, eliminating the need for complex residue collection and disposal systems, thereby reducing energy consumption and disposal costs.
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 eliminates waste, reduces disposal costs, and enhances security by providing high-contrast, memorable optical effects that are difficult to counterfeit, with verification possible in reflected and transmitted light.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one layer of the carrier substrate is broken through by means of a laser in the one or more first regions
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a document (1), a method for producing a document (1) and to a device (19) for carrying out the method. The document (1), in particular a banknote, identity document, a visa or a valuable document comprises a carrier substrate (2) and a decorative layer (3), the single- or multi-ply carrier substrate (2) having an upper side (4) and an underside (5) and the decorative layer (3) being applied to the upper side (4) of the carrier substrate (2), and at least one ply (6, 7, 8) of the carrier substrate (2) being perforated in one or more first regions (10) by a laser, such that the decorative layer (3) is visible in the one or more first regions (10) when the document (1) is viewed from the underside (5) of the carrier substrate (2).