Security Paper Clusters Prevent Solvent Forgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current security papers are vulnerable to forgery attempts using non-aqueous solvents, as existing treatments relying on organo-soluble dyestuffs can be chemically erased, leading to loss of whiteness and increased costs, and require multiple types of dyestuffs for polar and non-polar solvents.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating clusters of insoluble coloured pigment particles less than 20 μm in size, amalgamated with an ethyl cellulose agglomerating agent that is insoluble in water but almost instantaneously soluble in non-aqueous solvents, distributed throughout the paper pulp, which breaks down upon solvent exposure to create an irreversible stain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If organo-soluble dyestuffs are used in security paper, then the paper can be treated against solvent forgery, but the treatment can be chemically erased leading to loss of whiteness and increased costs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveunforgeabilityVSAvoidchemical erasure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the dyestuff from organo-soluble to water-soluble, fundamentally altering its interaction with solvents. This parameter change ensures that non-aqueous solvents cannot dissolve or erase the dyestuff, eliminating the chemical erasure vulnerability while maintaining unforgeability detection capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the previously harmful effect of solvent exposure (which caused erasure) into a beneficial detection mechanism. When aqueous solvents are applied, they dissolve the water-soluble dyestuff to create a visible stain, transforming the erasure vulnerability into a positive forgery detection feature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of dyestuffs are used to cover polar and non-polar solvents, then comprehensive solvent protection is achieved, but the treatment process becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolvent coverageVSAvoidtreatment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a single water-soluble dyestuff that serves multiple functions: it provides detection capability against all non-aqueous solvents (polar and non-polar), eliminates the need for multiple dyestuff types, and simplifies the treatment process while maintaining comprehensive solvent coverage

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complexity of using multiple dyestuff types by selecting only water-soluble dyestuffs, thereby removing the need for complex multi-component systems while maintaining effective protection against various solvent types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 prevents chemical erasure and loss of unforgeability, allows for varied pigment use, simplifies the treatment process, and reduces costs by using inexpensive dyestuffs, while providing a definitive and irreversible staining effect.

Implementation Method 1

an agglomerating agent that is insoluble in water but almost instantaneously soluble in at least one non-aqueous solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolubility: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS9057159B2Paper that cannot be forged using solvents
Publication Date: 2015.06.16 HONNORAT PROD SAS

AI summary

The present invention relates to a security paper that cannot be forged with respect to forgery attempts with non-aqueous solvents, characterized in that it comprises on its surface and/or in its bulk, clusters formed of elementary particles that are both insoluble in water and in solvents, amalgamated with an agglomerating agent that is also insoluble in water but almost instantaneously soluble in at least one non-aqueous solvent so as to release said elementary particles in the paper, which elementary particles are preferably less than 20 μm, and more preferably still less than 10 μm, they are colored and are advantageously intense pigment dyestuffs such as those used for producing inks or paints.