Security Substrate with Segmented Windowed Thread Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security substrates with windowed threads face manufacturing challenges when incorporating wide elongate security elements, leading to flaws and incomplete embedding, which affects visibility and adhesion, and there is a need to enhance security features to prevent counterfeiting.
Innovation Solution
A security substrate with a fibrous base and an elongate security element, where one portion is exposed continuously along its length, and multiple regions along its edges are partially covered by overlapping substrate areas, achieved by using a porous support surface with raised regions that allow for substrate formation around the edges of the element, creating a strong and visible security feature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wide elongate security elements are incorporated into the substrate, then security visibility is improved, but manufacturing flaws and incomplete embedding occur
Solution Approach 1:
The security element embedding is segmented into different zones: fully embedded regions, partially embedded regions with exposed edges, and continuously exposed central regions. This segmentation allows the substrate to accommodate wide security elements without manufacturing flaws while maintaining both adhesion and visibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different embedding depths are applied at different locations along the security element. The edges are partially embedded to maintain visibility, while the central portion is fully embedded for security. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between visibility and manufacturing completeness.
2Strength
If security elements are fully embedded in the substrate, then adhesion is improved, but visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The security element is divided into multiple embedding zones along its length: fully embedded sections for adhesion, and partially embedded sections with exposed edges for visibility. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of both strong adhesion and visual detection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of complete embedding, partial embedding is applied at the edges of the security element. This partial action maintains sufficient adhesion while preserving the visibility needed for security verification.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional windowing methods are used for wide security elements, then manufacturing is simplified, but substrate bursting occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate structure is locally modified at the security element location with a multi-zone embedding approach. This local differentiation prevents the uniform stress distribution that causes bursting in traditional windowing methods, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedding structure is segmented into multiple zones rather than using a single continuous window. This segmentation distributes mechanical stresses and prevents substrate bursting while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized papermaking processes.
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
The solution enhances the visibility and adhesion of the security element within the substrate, providing a strong hinge feature and improved security against counterfeiting by ensuring a continuous exposed track and overlapping regions that are difficult to replicate, while maintaining the fibrous nature of the substrate.
Implementation Method 1
aqueous fibre suspension is deposited onto the support surface to form the fibrous substrate
Implementation Method 2
The raised regions have a shape and configuration selected to enable substrate to form in the plurality of regions overlapping the at least one edge of the security element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed toward improvements in security substrates, such as paper, used for making security documents, such as bank notes, having anti-counterfeit able features and in particular to security substrates incorporating an elongate security element and methods of making the substrate. The invention comprises a security substrate for making security documents and the like comprising a fibrous base substrate and an elongate security element at least partially embedded therein. At one surface of the security substrate one portion of the security element is exposed to provide a continuous track along the length of the security element. A plurality of other portions along at least one edge of the security element are partially covered by overlapping regions of the fibrous substrate. The invention further comprises a method of manufacturing such a security substrate.