Thickness-Modulated Security Filaments for Flatness

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The uneven thickness of strip-shaped security elements in security paper, resulting from alternating thread windows and paper webs, leads to waviness and skewed stacking, complicating processing in printing and handling of banknotes.

Innovation Solution

A strip-shaped security element is introduced into the security paper in a registered manner with thickness modulation, where thread windows have increased thickness compared to paper webs, reducing thickness differences and improving flatness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If security threads are introduced with alternating window and paper web configurations, then security features are provided, but thickness differences cause waviness and stacking problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity featureVSAvoidflatness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The security thread is designed with varying thickness in different local areas: thicker in window regions and thinner in paper web regions. This local quality variation allows the thread to adapt to different structural contexts within the same document, providing security features where needed while maintaining overall flatness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thickness parameter of the security thread is changed depending on its location. By modulating the thread thickness to be greater in window areas and smaller in paper web areas, the invention compensates for the inherent thickness differences between windows and paper webs, thereby reducing waviness and improving stacking flatness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If registered security threads are used, then alignment precision is improved, but thickness differences cause stacking waviness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidstack flatness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The registered security thread incorporates local quality variations where the thickness is specifically increased in window regions and decreased in paper web regions. This allows precise alignment to be maintained while locally compensating for thickness differences that would otherwise cause stacking waviness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thickness modulation of the security thread acts as a preliminary countermeasure against the expected waviness caused by alternating window and paper web configurations. By pre-adjusting the thread thickness distribution, the invention prevents stacking problems before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple thread configurations are produced, then different window configurations are accommodated, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration adaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single registered security thread design with integrated thickness modulation serves multiple functions: it provides security features, maintains alignment precision, and accommodates different window configurations. This universal design eliminates the need for producing multiple separate thread versions, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.

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

Solution Approach 2:

By incorporating thickness modulation as an inherent parameter of the registered security thread, the invention enables a single thread design to adapt to different window configurations. The varying thickness parameter allows the same thread to function correctly in both window and paper web regions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized thread versions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3523137B1Method for embedding security filaments in value documents
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 GIESECKE & DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP3523137B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3b
  • EP3523137B1 patent drawingFigure 4~4c
  • EP3523137B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a security paper for producing value documents, such as bank notes, identification cards, or the like, comprising a security element in the form of a strip which is embedded in the security paper and runs on one of the surfaces of the security paper at least at one opening in the security paper. The invention also relates to a method for producing a security paper for producing value documents, such as bank notes, identification cards or the like, comprising a security element in the form of a strip or a patch which is applied to one side of the security paper and runs across at least one opening in the security paper. According to the invention, the security element is introduced into or applied to the substrate of the security paper in register. The security element according to the invention is designed to have the thickness modulated such that the filament regions that are located on one of the surfaces of the security paper after being embedded in the security paper or which lie across an opening after being applied have a greater thickness than the regions that are not located on a surface or across an opening in the security paper after being embedded in or applied to the security paper.