Security Element Wash-Off Metallization for Optical Anti-Counterfeiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security features for data carriers and valuable documents with multiple optical elements have complex manufacturing processes, leading to precision and design tolerances, high reject rates, and economic inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method involving embossing varnish application with microstructure and diffractive structure, followed by soluble wash ink printing and reflective layer deposition, with selective removal of wash ink and layers to create optically active embossed structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex manufacturing process with multiple work steps and materials is used to create security devices with two optical elements, then the counterfeit resistance increases, but the manufacturing precision and design tolerances deteriorate due to accumulation of errors across multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manufacturing operations into a single integrated process. The embossing varnish application, embossing structure formation, and reflective layer deposition are performed in one continuous operation, eliminating the need for separate work steps. This merging of operations maintains high counterfeit resistance while avoiding the accumulation of tolerances that would occur with multiple discrete manufacturing steps.
2Reliability
If multiple work steps and materials are used in the manufacturing process, then the security element achieves higher counterfeit protection, but the reject rate increases due to precision tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple manufacturing operations into a single process step, the patent eliminates the compounding of errors that typically leads to high reject rates. The unified process ensures consistent quality while maintaining high counterfeit protection, thereby improving productivity by reducing the number of rejected security elements.
3Reliability
If multiple work steps and materials are used to manufacture security devices, then the optical elements achieve higher counterfeit resistance, but the economic viability deteriorates due to increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple complex manufacturing steps into a single economical process. By applying embossing varnish and forming embossing structures in one operation, the patent significantly reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining high counterfeit resistance, thereby improving economic viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable embossing varnish layer that is applied and then removed in the same manufacturing process. This temporary material enables complex structure formation without requiring permanent, expensive tooling or multiple processing steps, making the overall manufacturing process more economical while achieving high security.
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
Produces a simple, economical, and counterfeit-proof security element with manageable steps, featuring optically active structures that are durable and provide distinct viewing effects in reflected and transmitted light.
Implementation Method 1
Printing a soluble wash ink such that the areas of the two embossing structures are left unprinted
Implementation Method 2
full-surface vapor deposition of a reflective layer
Implementation Method 3
a diffractive structure
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 7~8
AI summary
A method for producing a security element (1) for securing data carriers or valuable documents, comprising the following steps: 1) providing a carrier substrate (2); 2) applying an embossing varnish (3), wherein the embossing varnish (3) has two areas with embossing structures (4), namely a microstructure (4a) and a diffractive structure (4b); 3) printing a soluble wash ink (5) such that the areas of the two embossing structures (4) are left unprinted. To ensure that the method is simple and economical, without negatively affecting counterfeit protection, the method according to the invention further comprises the following steps: 4) vapor deposition of a reflective layer (6) over the entire surface; 5) washing off the wash ink (5) together with the layers arranged directly above the wash ink (5).