Security Element with Variable Pitch Motifs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security elements for documents of value, such as banknotes, face challenges in production flexibility, cost, and visual design limitations due to the use of negative motifs with constant distance differences, making them prone to counterfeiting and limiting design options.

Innovation Solution

The security element features positive and negative motifs or pairs with non-constant distance repetition, allowing for increased optical distinction, flexibility in design, and unique assignment to specific documents, enhancing security against forgery through variable pitch divisions and contrasting visual effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If negative motifs with constant distance differences are used, then coordinated design is achieved, but production process demands increase and manufacturing becomes inflexible and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinated designVSAvoidmanufacturing flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by using positive motifs instead of negative motifs, and by implementing non-constant distance relationships between repeating motif pairs. This asymmetric design breaks the strict coordination requirements while maintaining visual coherence, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and increasing production flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of motif distance from constant to non-constant between repeating pairs. This parameter variation allows for greater design freedom and reduces the precision requirements during manufacturing, making the production process more flexible and less expensive while maintaining the coordinated appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If negative motifs are used, then coordinated design is achieved, but visual limitations and design possibilities are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinated designVSAvoiddesign possibilities
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using positive motifs instead of negative motifs. This inversion expands design possibilities by allowing motifs to be formed by the coating material itself rather than by recesses, enabling greater visual variety and design flexibility while maintaining coordinated appearance through non-constant distance relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If motifs with constant distance differences are used, then production process is simplified, but susceptibility to production variations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction process simplicityVSAvoidresistance to production variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetry in the spacing of motif pairs, using non-constant distances between repeating motifs. This asymmetric spacing creates a more robust design that is less sensitive to production variations, as the irregular pattern makes it harder for small manufacturing errors to accumulate and become visually apparent, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Stability of the object's composition

If coordinated motifs are used, then design consistency is maintained, but counterfeit protection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign consistencyVSAvoidcounterfeit susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spacing parameter from constant to non-constant between repeating motif pairs. This creates a more complex, irregular pattern that is difficult to replicate accurately, thereby enhancing counterfeit protection. The design maintains consistency through its overall structure while the variable spacing prevents easy copying by counterfeiters.

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

This design significantly reduces susceptibility to production fluctuations, offers high flexibility in design options, and provides enhanced security against counterfeiting by ensuring each security element can be uniquely identified, making counterfeiting nearly impossible.

Implementation Method 1

at least one coating visible in reflection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

positive motifs or as positive and negative motifs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3943313A1Security element for a valuable document
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 HUECK FOLIEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3943313A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3943313A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3943313A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a security element (1) for a valuable document, security paper, and the like, wherein the security element (1) comprises at least one carrier film (2) which is at least partially covered by at least one coating (3) visible in reflection, wherein the security element (1) comprises at least one longitudinal band (4) which is at least partially recessed by the at least one coating (3), wherein the longitudinal band (4) separates a first and a second thread-forming zone (5, 6), wherein the first and the second thread-forming zones (5, 6) are each at least partially covered by the at least one coating (3), wherein the thread-forming zones (5, 6) have motifs (7, 8, 9, 10), wherein the motifs (7, 8, 9, 10) are preferably characters,in particular, alphanumeric characters and/or icons and/or geometric figures and/or symbols and/or portraits and/or landscapes and/or buildings and/or animals and/or objects and/or persons, wherein the motifs (7, 8) are designed as positive motifs (7) and negative motifs (8), and/or that a first motif (9) of the first zone (5) and a second motif (10) of the second zone (6) form a pair (11), wherein a distance (a) between the first motif (9) and the second motif (10) of the pair (11) is not constant if this pair (11) consisting of the first motif (9) and the second motif (10) is repeated along the first zone (5) and the second zone (6), or that it does not have a repeating pair of first and second motif (10, 11).