Tool and method for embossing packaging material with an embossing pattern having a code with low visibility and method of reading a code

A method for embossing a combined embossing pattern into a packaging material by an embossing device, the combined embossing pattern includes a decorative embossed pattern and a plurality of embossed codes,

• wherein the embossing device includes a male and a female embossing device for cooperating with each other having embossed structures, the embossed structures configured to produce the combined embossing pattern into the packaging material in an embossing gap,
• wherein the embossing structures include first structures representing the plurality of embossed codes and second structures representing the decorative embossed pattern,
• the method comprising the step of:
• embossing the packaging material with the combined embossed pattern including the decorative embossed pattern and the plurality of embossed codes, arranged such that the plurality of embossed codes overlap or are interspersed with the decorative embossed pattern in a surface area, such that the plurality of embossed codes have a reduced detectability and visibility as compared to the decorative embossed pattern,
• wherein the first structures of the embossing structures are arranged to form the plurality of embossed codes in a matrix-like arrangement into the packaging material.

A method for reading an embossed code that is embossed in a packaging foil, the embossed code representing code information, the method including the steps of:

• illuminating an area of the embossed code by a first light source, the first light source having a first illumination direction arranged to create a first shadow pattern on the packaging foil, and capturing a first image from the first shadow pattern;
• illuminating the area of the embossed code by a second light source, the second light source having a second illumination direction different from the first illumination direction, arranged to create a second shadow pattern on the packaging foil, and capturing a second image from the second shadow pattern;
• calculating a representation of the embossed code based on the first and second images;
• and
• reading the code information from the representation of the embossed code.