Process and apparatus for the magnetization of magnetizable materials

A method for magnetizing a magnetizable ink, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a web substrate comprising magnetizable ink;
• providing a first pair of first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays in axially parallel and spaced relationship defining a first gap therebetween, the cylindrical magnetic arrays comprising alternately spaced magnetized sections, the magnetized sections spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements, the magnetized sections of the first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays each comprising alternating north and south polarities, and paired to produce an external magnetic field in the gap;
• providing a second pair of third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays in axially parallel and spaced relationship defining a second gap therebetween, the second pair of cylindrical magnetic arrays comprising alternately spaced magnetized sections, the magnetized sections spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements, the magnetized sections of the third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays each comprising alternating north and south polarities, and paired to produce an external magnetic field in the gap;
• providing a third pair of fifth and sixth cylindrical magnetic arrays in axially parallel and spaced relationship defining a third gap therebetween, the fifth magnetic array comprising alternately spaced magnetized sections, the magnetized sections spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements, the sixth magnetic array comprising alternately spaced, contacting magnetized sections, the fifth and sixth cylindrical magnetic arrays each comprising alternating north and south polarities, and paired to produce an external magnetic field in the gap;
• positioning the first, second, and third pairs of cylindrical magnetic arrays to receive a web substrate through the first, second and third gaps, respectively, with the first and second pairs of cylindrical magnetic arrays being axially offset;
• passing the web substrate through the first gap in contact with the first cylindrical magnetic array;
• passing the web substrate through the second gap in contact with the third cylindrical magnetic array;
• passing the web substrate through the third gap in contact with the fifth cylindrical magnetic array;
• and
• wherein the web substrate is moved at a sufficient rate to at least partially saturate the magnetic ink with the external magnetic fields produced in each gap to create alternating parallel magnetic poles in the magnetic ink.

An apparatus for magnetizing a magnetizable ink, the apparatus comprising:

• a first pair of first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays in axially parallel and spaced relationship defining a first gap therebetween, the first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays each comprising alternately spaced magnetized sections, the magnetized sections being spaced apart axially by first flux conducting elements, the magnetized sections of the first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays each further comprising alternating north and south polarities, and paired to produce an external magnetic field in the gap;
• a second pair of third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays in axially parallel and spaced relationship defining a second gap therebetween, the third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays each comprising alternately spaced magnetized sections, the magnetized sections being spaced apart axially by second flux conducting elements, the magnetized sections of the third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays each further comprising alternating north and south polarities, and paired to produce an external magnetic field in the gap;
• a third pair of fifth and sixth cylindrical magnetic arrays in axially parallel and spaced relationship defining a third gap therebetween, the fifth magnetic array comprising alternately spaced magnetized sections, the magnetized sections spaced apart axially by third flux conducting elements, the sixth magnetic array comprising alternately spaced, contacting magnetized sections, the fifth and sixth cylindrical magnetic arrays each comprising alternating north and south polarities, and paired to produce an external magnetic field in the gap;
• and
• the first, second, and third pairs of cylindrical magnetic arrays positioned to receive a moving web substrate through the first, second and third gaps, respectively, and wherein the first and second pairs of cylindrical magnetic arrays are axially offset.