Security Element With Porous Embedding Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security elements with window films in value documents, such as banknotes, are difficult to integrate securely and uniformly, leading to dimensional instability, curling, and mechanical weaknesses like tearing, which complicates handling and processing.

Innovation Solution

A security element with a multi-layer substrate, featuring a window area and embedding areas with specific thickness profiles and hole structures, allowing for secure embedding within the document substrate, ensuring continuous thickness and enhanced mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a window film is integrated into a valuable document using a complex lamination process, then secure bonding is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure bondingVSAvoidcomplex lamination process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The embedding area is designed with a porous structure comprising through-going holes that extend through the entire thickness of the film. These holes enable document substrate fibers to penetrate through the film and bond with adjacent fibers, creating secure mechanical interlocking without requiring complex lamination processes. The porous structure transforms the bonding mechanism from adhesive-based to friction and interlocking-based.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The security element combines a film material with a porous embedding area structure, creating a composite that integrates both the optical/security properties of the film and the mechanical bonding properties of the porous structure. This composite design allows the film to be securely embedded in the document substrate through fiber penetration while maintaining the simplicity of the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a window film is used in a valuable document, then security features are enhanced, but dimensional stability deteriorates and curling occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity featuresVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The porous embedding area with through-going holes allows document substrate fibers to penetrate and interlock with the film, creating mechanical anchoring that prevents curling and dimensional instability. The holes enable the film to be firmly held by the surrounding paper fibers, transforming the film from a loose overlay to an integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The film structure is designed with different properties in different areas: the window area provides optical security features while the embedding area provides mechanical stability through its porous structure. This local differentiation allows the film to fulfill multiple functions simultaneously without compromising dimensional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a window film is integrated into a valuable document, then security protection is improved, but mechanical strength at transitions deteriorates, making them susceptible to tearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity protectionVSAvoidmechanical strength at transitions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The porous embedding area with through-going holes enables document substrate fibers to penetrate through the film and create mechanical interlocking with adjacent fibers. This fiber penetration and interlocking mechanism distributes mechanical stresses across the transition areas, preventing stress concentration and reducing susceptibility to tearing and splitting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The porous structure acts as an intermediary between the film and the document substrate, facilitating mechanical interlocking through fiber penetration. This intermediary structure transfers and distributes mechanical loads, strengthening the transition areas between the film and the surrounding paper.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a window film is used in a valuable document, then security features are enhanced, but ease of integration deteriorates due to complex lamination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity featuresVSAvoidease of integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The porous embedding area with through-going holes enables simple mechanical interlocking through fiber penetration, eliminating the need for complex lamination processes. The holes are easily formed and allow document substrate fibers to naturally penetrate and bond with the film during the document manufacturing process, significantly simplifying integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentEP2891561B1Security element, security document and relative method of producing it
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 GIESECKE & DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP2891561B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2891561B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP2891561B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to a security element (104, 204, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900) for producing a security document (100, 200, 320, 420, 520), comprising a window area (106, 206) with a top and a bottom surface, each defining a principal surface (HFF) of the security element, and a specific thickness (dF) extending in the direction of the principal surface normals; and at least one embedding area (108, 110, 208, 210) arranged laterally on the window area (106, 206) and suitable for embedding in a document substrate (102, 202) which has a plurality of holes (120) for anchoring the embedding area (108, 110, 208, 210) in the document substrate (102, 202), wherein the embedding area (108, 110, 208, 210) has a certain thickness (dE) extending in the direction of the principal surface normals and which is less than the certain thickness (dF) of the window area (106, 206).Furthermore, the invention relates to a security document with a security element and a method for producing such a document.