US 7,401,550 B2Granted

Laser-assisted replication method

AssigneeLeonhard Kurz GmbH & Co.

InventorNorbert Lutz

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus and a process for producing a marking on a substrate. Substrates marked in that way are applied to documents such as for example credit cards, personal identity cards or banknotes as security features to provide protection from forgery. Embodiments of those security features have diffractive or holographic structures. The production of the markings was hitherto effected by shaping from a mold. A change in the marking is possible by changing the mole, which is time-consuming. The new apparatus and the new process are intended to permit the production of individualized markings on a substrate, at a low level of apparatus expenditure. An embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention for producing a marking on a substrate, preferably a film, has a replication apparatus and a laser installation, which co-operates with the replication apparatus, by radiation from the laser installation being directed onto at least one irradiation region of the replication apparatus, for producing at least one shaping region. The apparatus further has a counterpressure apparatus, wherein a substrate is arranged between the replication apparatus and the counterpressure apparatus in order to shape the shaping region onto the substrate in a contact region between the replication apparatus and the substrate and wherein the feed of the radiation for producing the shaping regions extends outside the substrate.

Claims38

Dependent claims

Apparatus for producing a marking on a substrate, wherein the marking produces a particular optical effect by having a diffractively or holographically acting surface structuring or a matt surface structuring which scatters incident light diffusely or directedly, comprising:

a replication apparatus having a replication surface which is structured with a surface relief, wherein the surface relief is in the form of a negative for the surface structuring of the marking;
a device for producing radiation, preferably a laser installation, which co-operates with the replication apparatus, by the radiation being directed onto at least one irradiation region of the replication apparatus for producing regions of different temperatures on the replication surface forming at least one shaping region defining the marking;
and
a counterpressure apparatus,
wherein the substrate is arrangeable between the replication apparatus and the counterpressure apparatus in order to shape the shaping region onto the substrate in a contact region where the replication surface contacts the substrate, producing the surface structuring, and
wherein the feed of the radiation for producing the shaping regions extends outside the substrate, and
wherein a position of an impingement point of the radiation on the replication surface is controllable by a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional movement of the radiation and or that the power density in relation to surface area of the radiation at the impingement point of the radiation on the replication surface is controllable, and
wherein a control sequence for actuation of the radiation-producing device is extendable over more than one operating cycle of the replication apparatus and
wherein a chance in the selection of the shaped region is effectable by a change in the temperature distribution on the replication surface.

6 more elements

A process for producing a marking on a substrate, wherein the marking produces a particular optical effect by having a diffractively or holographically acting surface structuring or a matt surface structuring for diffusely or directedly scattering incident light,

wherein energy in the form of radiation, preferably laser radiation, from a device producing radiation is used for producing regions of different temperatures on a replication surface of a replication apparatus forming at least one shaping region defining the marking, and
wherein the replication surface is structured with a surface relief, wherein the surface relief is in the form of a negative for the surface structuring of the marking, and
wherein the surface relief of the replication surface is shaped onto the substrate, forming the surface structuring, by the replication apparatus contacting the substrate under pressure, and
wherein the radiation for producing the shaping regions is fed outside the substrate, and
wherein a position of an impingement point of the radiation on the replication surface is controllable by a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional movement of the radiation and/or that the power density in relation to surface area of the radiation at the impingement point of the radiation on the replication surface is controllable, and
wherein a control sequence for actuation of the radiation-producing device extends over more than one operating cycle of the replication apparatus, and
wherein a change in the selection of the shaped region is effected by a change in the temperature distribution on the replication surface.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/524,223Filed 5 Aug 2003
Priority: DE 102 36 5979 Aug 2002
Published: US 2005/0257700 A124 Nov 2005
Granted: 22 Jul 2008
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification22 codes

G03H 1/028
Replicating a master hologram without interference recording: by embossing
B29C 59/022
By mechanical means, e.g. pressing: characterised by the disposition or the configuration, e.g. dimensions, of the embossments or the shaping…
B29C 59/04
By mechanical means, e.g. pressing: using rollers or endless belts
B30B 3/005
Presses characterised by the use of rotary pressing members, e.g. rollers, rings, discs: roll constructions