Security Element Coatings for Transfer-Edge Counterfeit Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing security elements lack efficiency in enhancing security against counterfeiting while simplifying production processes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the application of a stabilizing coating and an adhesion promoter coating on a substrate, where both coatings include luminescent feature components, extending beyond the edges of a transfer element, creating asymmetrical and symmetrical optical or machine-readable security features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stabilizing coating and adhesion promoter coating are applied to enhance security features, then security against counterfeiting is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against counterfeitingVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the stabilizing coating and adhesion promoter coating into a single integrated coating layer applied to the substrate. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps while maintaining both the structural stabilization and adhesion promotion functions, thereby improving security without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coating layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural stabilization to the substrate, promotes adhesion of the transfer element, and incorporates luminescent feature components for security verification. This multi-functionality approach allows a single coating step to achieve multiple security objectives, resolving the contradiction between enhanced security and manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the stabilizing coating and adhesion promoter coating extend beyond the edges of the transfer element, then security features are enhanced, but material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity feature integrityVSAvoidcoating material consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is applied with varying properties in different regions: it extends beyond the transfer element edges in specific areas to create security features visible from both sides of the substrate, while maintaining appropriate thickness and coverage only where needed for functional performance. This localized differentiation of coating properties enhances security without requiring excessive material consumption across the entire substrate surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of repair

If the transfer element is made removable for reworkability, then ease of repair is improved, but security against counterfeiting deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereworkabilityVSAvoidsecurity against counterfeiting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesion promoter coating is applied in advance to the substrate before the transfer element is attached, creating a strong permanent bond. This preliminary action ensures that the transfer element cannot be easily removed or transferred to another substrate, thereby preventing counterfeiting. The strong initial adhesion effectively eliminates reworkability while enhancing security, resolving the contradiction in favor of security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances security against counterfeiting by optimizing the security element's counterfeit protection, simplifying production, and making it difficult to remove the transfer element, all while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

The feature components of the stabilizing coating and the adhesion promoter coating are both luminescent feature components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Implementation Method 2

The feature components of the stabilizing coating and the adhesion promoter coating are both luminescent feature components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP4334138B1Method for producing a security element, and security element
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 GIESECKE & DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP4334138B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4334138B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4334138B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a security element, to a security element, and to a security document. The method comprises the following steps: providing a substrate (12) embodied with a planar extent and having a front and a rear side (14, 15) and at least one portion (16); b1) applying a stabilizing coating (17) in the portion (16) on the rear side (15) of the substrate (12); b2) applying an adhesion promoter coating (18) in the portion (16) on the front side (14) of the substrate (12); and c) applying a transfer element (19) on the adhesion promoter coating (18). As seen in a plan view of the planar substrate (12), the transfer element (19) is arranged in a manner bounded by an edge (22) lying within the portion (16) on at least a first and a second side (20, 21), and the stabilizing coating (17) and the adhesion promoter coating (18) are each formed on at least one of the first and second sides (20, 21) of the transfer element (19) in a manner extending beyond the edge (22) thereof. The stabilizing coating (17) and the adhesion promoter coating (18) each comprise a, more particularly optical or machine-readable, e.g. luminescent, feature component, the stabilizing coating (17) and the adhesion promoter coating (18) jointly forming a security feature of the security element.