Translucent Gasket Watermark for Seal Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seals for mass consumption products, such as food and cosmetics, lack a means of identification that is not visible to consumers, making it difficult for manufacturers to ensure the origin and authenticity of the seals used in packaging without compromising aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A seal with a light-transmitting coating containing a watermark that is visible in transmitted light but not in reflection, allowing manufacturers to verify the seal's origin by placing it between a light source and the eye, without being visible to the consumer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is provided with a visible identification mark, then the origin and authenticity of the seal can be verified, but the product's appearance and consumer aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a watermark that changes its visibility based on the viewing angle and lighting conditions. The watermark is invisible under normal reflection (consumer view) but becomes visible when viewed in transmitted light (verification view). This optical property allows the same surface to serve dual purposes: maintaining aesthetic appearance while providing authentication capability.
2Loss of information
If a watermark is applied to the seal surface, then the seal can be authenticated by manufacturers, but the watermark becomes visible to consumers under normal lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a different dimension of light interaction - transmitted light versus reflected light. The watermark is designed to be visible only when light passes through the seal material, not when light reflects off the surface. This dimensional change in optical interaction allows the watermark to remain hidden from consumers under normal viewing conditions while being accessible to manufacturers for authentication.
3Reliability
If traditional identification marks are used on seals, then manufacturers can identify the seal origin, but intermediaries can substitute seals with incorrect specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a watermark that can be visually copied and verified without requiring specialized equipment. The watermark serves as an optical copy of the seal's authentication data that can be quickly verified by manufacturers. This simple yet effective copying mechanism makes it difficult for intermediaries to substitute seals, as the watermark provides immediate visual verification of the seal's authenticity and origin.
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
Enables manufacturers to authenticate the seal's origin without affecting the product's appearance, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the packaging while maintaining consumer aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a watermark, that is to say a drawing visible in transmitted light and not visible in reflection
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a light-transmitting gasket intended to be positioned on the base of a stopper or cap, in the form of a support having a light-transmitting coating applied to at least one of the surfaces thereof. The gasket is characterised in that the coating contains a watermark, i.e. an image visible in transmitted light, but not visible in reflected light.