EP3513400B1 - Mass producible anti-forgery marking, particularly an anti-forgery label, method for mass production of such a marking, and method for identifying such a marking - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a forgery-proof marking that can be mass produced, a method for mass production of such a marking and a method for identifying such a marking.

Such forgery-proof markings that are regularly applied to an object, e.g. B. a paper or a film are printed, for example DE 10 2012 220 701 A1 known. There, a security feature is applied to a substrate, which can be an identity card, for example, which includes two areas lying directly next to one another. In these two areas there are so-called mottled fibers of different types. The two types differ in the luminescent substances they contain, which can be made visible by illuminating the security feature with UV radiation. Mottled fibers result in a color impression within the sub-areas, which is caused by the different luminescent colors of the two fiber types. In a transition area in which the two areas adjoin each other, there are both mottled fibers of one type and mottled fibers of the other type.
The fact that the mottled fibers of one type are also partially scattered in the second area, in which primarily the mottled fibers of the other type are located, and vice versa, results in a color impression that is produced by a color gradient from the luminescent color of the mottled fibers of the first type to the luminescent color the mottled fibers of the other type is marked. For example, mottled fibers of one type are used which contain a green luminescent substance and mottled fibers of the other type, which contain a red luminescent substance, a color gradient structure is obtained between a green area in one area and a red area in the other area. In the transition area between the two areas, the color gradient structure is formed, in which mixed colors result from the mottled fiber types. Since the two colors are created by luminescence, there is an additive color mixture, for example according to the RGB color space. In order to make this security feature recognizable, the ID card must be illuminated with UV radiation.

Other forgery-proof labels are for example in DE 10 2014 119 175 A1 disclosed. There, different types of security features are incorporated into a paper pulp, which is then processed into labels.

Another forgery-proof label discloses the
DE 11 2007 001 726 B4 . There, too, a random distribution of objects in a substrate or a random mark is provided that is attached to or integrated into the product or packaging. In addition to a visual cryptogram, an electronic storage element is also provided in which data on the marker can be stored.

The DE 2015 102 994 A1 deals only with a security label in which a one- or multi-dimensional machine-readable code and a hologram-based security label element is applied to the label.

The DE 2014 007 976 A1 deals with a security label in which the security label changes dynamically over time.

The DE 2006 019 248 A1 discloses marker points which are partially overlapped on a foundation.

This is a mass-produced forgery-proof marking with a multicolored imprint of at least two or more color droplets, which are each of a different color and at least partially run into one another at random, which is applied to a first main surface of an object.

In addition, the DE 2006 019 248 A1 also a method for identifying a marking with the process steps optical recording of the marking and electronic storage in a database, optical recording of a marking to be identified by means of a mobile terminal and electronic storage of an image of this marking and comparing the image recorded by the mobile terminal with that in the Database stored marking.

In addition, disclosed DE 39 06 122 A1 a process for the production of random markings and their use for determining and checking connection points in containers, housings or equipment. Randomly distributed markings are applied to a carrier material, which itself can be a container or housing. For this purpose, for example, a plastic injection molding machine that produces the housing part is equipped with two feed units, one of which feeds a different-colored plastic granulate than the other. If you choose two granulates whose colors are in great contrast to each other and which, due to their structure, do not blend together very well, you get a multitude of high-contrast markings of different values that are completely randomly distributed and therefore from molded part to Molded part turn out differently. The problem with the previously known, forgery-proof markings is the fact that they can only be produced with great effort and are therefore only suitable to a limited extent, including mass-produced products, such as. B. to effectively protect textiles, cosmetics, food or the like against product piracy.

Further forgery-proof markings, methods for generating such markings and methods for authenticating such markings are out DE 10 2012 211 299 A1 ,
US 2011/164748 A1 and FR 2 976 845 A1 known.

In particular, from the DE 10 2012 211 299 A1 a forgery-proof marking which can be produced in large quantities and has a multicolored imprint of two or more color droplets, each of which has a different color and at least partially randomly run into one another, is known. This is where the present invention begins. The aim of the present invention is to provide a forgery-proof marking that can be produced on a large scale and therefore easily industrially, and in particular a forgery-proof label, as well as a method for its production which cannot be easily reproduced without costly means. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for identifying such a mass-produced, forgery-proof marking.

A forgery-proof marking according to the invention has the features of claim 6.

The invention essentially consists in applying a colored print to a main surface of an object, which has at least two, preferably three or more drops of color. The color droplets each have a different color and are both at least partially run into one another in a random manner and distributed to one another in a random manner by means of an air nozzle, in particular blown or blurred or swirled, so that at least some sections of the marking have a different brightness curve.

• Bereitstellen eines Gegenstandes mit mindestens einer Hauptfläche,
• Aufbringen von mindestens zwei Farbtropfen auf der Hauptfläche des Gegenstandes in übersättigter Form.
• Verteilen der mindestens zwei aufgebrachten Farbtropfen, solange diese noch nicht getrocknet sind, mittels einer Luftdüse,
• Trocknen des Aufdrucks und
• Massenhaftes Wiederholen der vorgenannten Verfahrensschritte für weitere Gegenstände.

The method according to the invention for producing such a counterfeit-proof object has the features of claim 1 and is characterized by the following method steps:

• Providing an object with at least one main surface,
• Application of at least two drops of color on the main surface of the object in an oversaturated form.
• Distributing the at least two applied drops of paint, as long as they have not yet dried, using an air nozzle,
• Drying of the print and
• Repeating the aforementioned process steps on a large scale for further items.

The application and distribution and / or mixing is done mechanically, that is, with machines.

The main advantage of such a forgery-proof imprint on an object is that it can be recognized as an original label with very simple technical means and differentiated from a forgery. This only requires an optical device, such as. B. a mobile Terminal, with camera function, such. B. a smartphone, a tablet, VR glasses (virtual reality glasses) or the like, with which the imprint is optically recorded. With the original, even with the largest zoom setting, you will not see any rasterization of the multicolored imprint and you will also see very fine details. However, if there is a forged label, for example by simply copying the original label using a conventional copier, then this forged label will be distinguished by the fact that a grid is clearly visible when this marking is viewed at a high magnification. This is because such a rasterization is unavoidable in reproduced labels, for example by means of a color copier.

This is due to the fact that with today's common copying and printing processes for the representation of mixed colors and also for the representation of color gradients in individual colors, a rasterization is absolutely necessary in order to achieve halftones, i.e. color mixtures and also to achieve color gradients, i.e. colors that are dark run to Hell namely z. B. with a raster graphic of about 1000 to 2000 ppcm (pixels per cm). Compared to electronic cameras, such as those in mobile devices such as If, for example, smartphones, tablets or, in the meantime, VR glasses are used, this pixel resolution is much lower than the pixel resolution of the camera. Conventional smartphone cameras already have pixel values of over 10 million, i.e. 10 million ppcm. The present invention makes use of this by providing a method for recognizing whether it is a forgery-proof marking according to the present invention or a forgery marking, that is to say a copied marking. With the mobile device, the mark to be examined can be photographed. This image is then greatly enlarged using the smartphone's camera zoom function. If a rasterization of the photographed marking is recognized at this high magnification, a forged marking is present. If, on the other hand, such a rasterization is not seen or detected even with the greatest zoom, there is a marking originally produced according to the invention, whereby the marking recorded with the mobile terminal must of course match an original marking previously stored in a database.

• optische Erfassung der Markierung und elektronische Speicherung in einer Datenbank,
• optische Erfassung einer zu identifizierenden Markierung mittels eines mobilen Endgerätes und elektronische Speicherung eines Bildes dieser Markierung,
• Vergleichen des vom mobilen Endgeräts erfassten Bildes mit der in der Datenbank gespeicherten Markierung,
• Feststellen einer vorliegenden, originalen Markierung, wenn
  1. a) das mit dem mobilen Endgerät aufgenommene Bild keine durch Kopieren bedingte Rasterung aufweist und
  2. b) dieses mit dem in der Datenbank gespeicherten Bild übereinstimmt oder weitgehend übereinstimmt, und
• Feststellen einer vorliegenden gefälschten Markierung, wenn mindestens a) oder b) nicht erfüllt ist.

The method according to the invention with the features of claim 14 for identifying an original marking thus provides the following method steps:

• optical detection of the marking and electronic storage in a database,
• Optical detection of a marking to be identified by means of a mobile device and electronic storage of an image of this marking,
• Comparing the image captured by the mobile device with the marking stored in the database,
• Establishing an existing, original marking, if
  1. a) the image recorded with the mobile terminal does not have any rasterization caused by copying and
  2. b) this matches or largely matches the image stored in the database, and
• Detection of a falsified marking present if at least a) or b) is not fulfilled.

The marking according to the invention, the production method and the method for identifying such a marking are therefore characterized by the fact that no expensive special colors are required for implementation and that the end customer can easily check for authenticity without having to use expensive reading devices. The essential core of the invention consists in the production of a special color print, which is called "fingerprint" in the following, and in the detection of such a marking.

In the simplest case, any easily obtainable color can be used to implement the marking. So-called pigment colors are preferably used for this. The full colors yellow, blue and / or red are preferably used as colors. These colors are applied at least as a single color drop to a surface of an object and then mixed with one another in a suitable manner or at least blurred in such a way that color gradients appear. It is important for the present invention that the paint drops applied to a main surface of an object are applied in an oversaturated form, so that in a subsequent processing step these multiple paint drops are still mixed or distributed.

This "fingerprint" can be generated as follows:
As mentioned, preferably two, three or more small drops of different colored pigment inks (e.g. red, yellow, blue) are randomly placed on the label, e.g. B. can be a substrate or a paper applied. One or Several of these pigment inks can also contain special properties, e.g. B. fluorescent color particles or glitter particles. These ink drops are applied next to one another or already partially overlapping on the label carrier. Then these highly viscous drops of paint are distributed to each other, which is done by means of an air nozzle and high air pressure. The air nozzle and / or the label can also rotate in order to obtain a particularly good distribution of the paint drops. The swirling creates a unique pattern of paint splashes and color gradients that can no longer be reproduced in an identical manner, in which the paint drops mix with one another at least in partial areas. This creates so-called halftones.

In a further development of the invention, in addition to this unique “fingerprint”, further data can be applied to the label, preferably in coded form. This can be, for example, a suitable time stamp as well as other information (e.g. manufacturer, article code, etc.). This code can be a barcode, a QR code, a data matrix code or the like. This additional code or this additional coding is expediently printed on the same main surface as the “fingerprint” just mentioned on the label or on the object to be protected against forgery.

The above-mentioned "fingerprint" can advantageously no longer be reproduced by machine in large numbers and thus no longer inexpensively. On the one hand, this is due to the tiny paint splatters that occur when the air nozzle swirls the paint drops or masses of paint. Such tiny splashes of paint are difficult to recreate and can hardly be printed in bulk. But especially the resulting color gradients and color mixing of the color droplets to one another cannot be reproduced in large quantities without a raster, as mentioned.

Is z. If, for example, it is assumed that the drops of color applied to the label are blue and yellow, the mixing or swirling of these two drops of color in the overlapping mixing area results in a more or less light or dark green. This green is flat on the original label and is therefore printed without any grid. In order to produce or reproduce this green on a printing machine or a copier, the colors blue and yellow must be applied to a label. With a printing machine or copier, this is usually only possible with a raster of the color imprints blue and yellow. However, this raster can then easily be detected later by a standard smartphone if the counterfeit label is viewed or photographed with a high zoom factor.

The forgery-proof design of an object, such as. B. a label, and the associated method for producing a corresponding imprint on such an object is essentially based on the knowledge that in conventional printing processes for producing mixed colors, a raster is necessary when printing the primary colors and when the primary colors are superimposed to a To produce mixed color. In the printing technology z. B. in so-called four-color printing, the three primary colors cyan, which corresponds to a Helio real blue tone, magenta, which corresponds to a purple tone, and yellow, which corresponds to yellow, are used. These three colors, yellow, magenta and cyan, would even be sufficient to produce the color black with appropriate overprinting. Because of the physically determined form and location of the spectrum of technically and economically available color pigments However, it is not possible to print a deep black from these three ideal colors mentioned. That is why the color black is also used in four-color printing. The remaining colors are achieved by mixing. In conventional printing techniques, however, this mixture requires the mentioned screening and the mentioned superimposition of the screened individual colors. Exactly this is used in the present invention to remove an original item from a counterfeit item, such as, for. B. to distinguish an original label from a forged label.

It is in principle possible with very complex printing processes that have a very high resolution to display the color gradients almost without rasterization. However, these processes are so complex and expensive that they are unsuitable for the cheap and large-scale production of counterfeit labels.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the color imprints and thus the fingerprints can be made even more secure if fluorescent pigments and / or glitter particles are mixed with the color masses. These color gradients can then no longer be reproduced by thermosubmilization printers, as the fluorescent pigments and / or glitter particles react to the internal flash of the smartphone.

One possibility of applying the forgery-proof color imprint to an object is, as already mentioned, that color drops are applied to the object next to one another or at least partially overlapping and then these color drops are mixed with one another in a suitable manner and also distributed. A suitable paint drip system must be provided for this. Instead of drops of paint on the object, such as B. a label to drip, there is a very good way to use a small spray gun, such. B. an airbrush gun to apply the paint to a suitable surface. First of all, at least two different colors are applied next to one another or at least partially on top of one another with the airbrush gun, for example on the label "oversaturated". The term "oversaturated" is to be understood as meaning that so much paint is applied by means of the airbrush gun that this paint can still be distributed on the base in any way and thus randomly in a subsequent distribution process. This distribution can then be done with a suitable air nozzle, which can also be the airbrush gun, but to which no more paint is supplied and which is merely mixed onto the not yet dried paint in order to distribute it in a random manner. This creates a mixed area of the previously applied color masses approximately in the middle of the color print and a spray area towards the edge of the individual color masses, in which only individual paint splashes from one or the other color mass remain on the substrate.

In a development of the invention it is provided that the counterfeit-proof object and in particular the z. B. forgery-proof marking applied to a label as an image file completely or at least partially in a database is deposited in order to be able to be evaluated again in a later identification of this object or label. This storage of an image file of the forgery-proof item or of the forgery-proof marking is ideally suited to enable subsequent tracing ("tracking") of the forgery-proof object.

Fig. 1

ein Etikett nach der Erfindung, bei dem in einem ersten Verfahrensschritt diverse Farbtropfen aufgebracht sind,

Fig. 2

das Etikett von Figur 1, bei dem die Farbtropfen mittels einer Luftdüse zueinander verteilt sind,

Fig. 3

eine Abbildung eines fälschungssicheren Etiketts nach der Erfindung in schwarzweißer und in farbiger Darstellung, und

Fig. 4

ein gefälschtes Etikett im Vergleich zu dem Etikett von Figur 3, ebenfalls in schwarzweißer und in farbiger Darstellung.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment of a forgery-proof label. The invention is not limited to the production and provision of a forgery-proof label. Rather, the forgery-proof marking according to the invention on any objects, such as. B. products (e.g. a soccer ball), on spare parts in motor vehicles, etc. are applied. Merely for purposes of illustration, it is assumed in the following exemplary embodiment that a forgery-proof label is provided. Show it:

Fig. 1

a label according to the invention, in which various drops of paint are applied in a first process step,

Fig. 2

the label of Figure 1 , in which the drops of paint are distributed to one another by means of an air nozzle,

Fig. 3

an illustration of a forgery-proof label according to the invention in black and white and in color, and

Fig. 4

a fake label compared to the label from Figure 3 , also in black and white and in color.

In the following figures, unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols designate the same parts with the same meaning.

Figure 1 shows schematically and in perspective an object 10, which in the present case is a flat label with a first upper main surface 11 and a lower main surface 12. This label 10 can for example consist of paper, a cardboard, a film or a textile material to be placed on a product such. B. a car part, a game item, such. B. a football or the like to be attached.

As shown, a plurality of paints, here in the form of paint drops 20, 30, 40, are applied to the upper main surface 11. The color drops 20, 30, 40 can in principle have any color, but preferably the full colors red, blue or yellow. The color drops 20, 30, 40 can also have other colors. The individual drops of color can also be a single color, e.g. B. have red. In the simplest case, it is possible for a single color drop 20 to be applied to the main surface 11.

As in Figure 1 shown, these drops of paint 20, 30, 40 partially overlap when they are applied to the upper main surface 11 of the label 10. The drops of paint 20, 30, 40 can also be applied to the flat main surface 11 in a completely overlapping manner. In addition, it is also possible to apply the color drops 20, 30, 40 completely next to one another and thus at a distance from one another on the main surface 11. Ideally, however, the color drops 20, 30, 40 at least partially overlap. After these drops of paint 20, 30, 40 have been applied to the main surface 11 and before it has dried are, these color drops 20, 30, 40 are at least partially mixed with one another and distributed. For this can how Figure 1 illustrated, for example an air nozzle 60 can be used, which blows onto the applied paint drops 20, 30, 40 from above and ensures distribution. In order to bring about an optimal distribution, this air nozzle 60 can also rotate, as the rotation arrow R in Figure 1 indicates. The air flow generated by this air nozzle 60 is directed at the previously applied paint drops 20, 30, 40 and distributes them according to the in Figure 1 indicated air flow arrows P.

Figure 2 shows the result of this color mixing and color distribution of the color drops 20, 30, 40. The three color drops 20, 30, 40 mix with one another in their approximate center. At the edge area of the individual color drops 20, 30, 40, the color of the color drops 20, 30, 40 is distributed in the form of rays and splashes. After the air nozzle 60 is removed or the air flow is switched off and the resulting color print 15 has dried, the result is a blurred and mixed color print, as shown in FIG Figure 2 is indicated. This resulting color print is thus quasi a “fingerprint” of the label 10.

This “fingerprint” is characterized by areas in which the individual color drops 20, 30, 40 are randomly mixed with one another and / or run. In addition, the “fingerprint” has paint splashes and color jets distributed by the air flow P, by means of which the “fingerprint” is also unambiguous and forgery-proof. This color splash or color rays have a different brightness curve. In Figure 2 the blurred area of the ink drop 20 is denoted by the reference symbol 21. The smeared area of the paint drop 30 is designated with the reference number 31 and the smeared area of the paint drop 40 with the reference number 41. In addition, the "fingerprint" has isolated paint splashes due to the action of the air flow. These are in Figure 2 indicated by the reference numerals 22, 32 and 24. The smeared areas 21, 31, 24 and the paint splatters 22, 32, 24 are regularly rather removed from the center of the fingerprint. In the approximate center of the fingerprint, the color drops 20, 30, 40 are mixed with one another in a random manner by the action of the air flow. In Figure 2 these mixed areas are marked with the reference numerals 23, 34 and 24. The reference numeral 23 denotes an area in which the color drop 20 is mixed with the color drop 30. Reference numeral 34 denotes an area in which the ink drop 30 is mixed with the ink droplet 40, and reference numeral 24 denotes an area in which the ink droplet 40 is more or less mixed with the ink droplet 20.

It is evident that even with a repeated process of dripping the ink droplets 20, 30, 40 onto the main surface 11 of the label 10 with the subsequent swirling of the ink droplets 20, 30, 40 through the air nozzle 60, an identical fingerprint can never be produced. This is precisely the core of the invention. In particular, in the mixed areas 23, 24 and 34, mixed colors appear which, in addition, cannot be reproduced in large quantities, because such large-scale reproduced copies by means of printing machines or copiers always require a rasterization of the mixed colors.
As in the Figures 1 and 2 Also indicated, a code 70 can be placed on the main surface 11 of the label 10 next to the fingerprint. This coding 70 can be different data, such as. B. product-specific data, data on the production of the fingerprint, quality information, etc. In the illustrated embodiment of the Figures 1 and 2 For this purpose, a square field is applied next to the imprint 15 or fingerprint, which can for example be a barcode or a QR code.

In Figure 3 a specific embodiment of an original label 10 with coding 70 is shown. The already known reference numbers are used again for the same parts. For reasons of better recognizability, in addition to a black-and-white image, a colored image of the label 10 is also attached to the application documents in order to understand the idea on which the present invention is based and in particular to compare it to a forged label 10 ', as shown in FIG Figure 4 is shown to clarify. In this case, a section A of the original label 10 is shown enlarged in FIG. 3 in order to make the individual details of the original label 10 clearly visible.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the color print 15 or fingerprint is implemented this time by four color drops 10, 20, 30 which are applied to the label 10 approximately next to one another. As in Figure 3 shown, two red paint drops 30 are applied next to one another on the label 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the paint drops 20, 30, 40 are applied to the label 10 in an oversaturated form by means of an airbrush gun. In this context, oversaturated means that so much paint is applied to each paint drop 20, 30, 40 that this paint can still be distributed in a subsequent process, for example via an air nozzle of the airbrush gun. After the paint drops 20, 30, 40 have been applied, an air nozzle is preferably held centrally on the previously applied paint drops 20, 30, 40, so that - as shown - the not yet dried color of the color droplets 20, 30, 40 can run outward in a star shape in rays.

In this way, a ray-shaped color area is generated for each of the applied color drops 20, 30, 40, the star-shaped rays partially running into one another and producing a mixed color. In the approximate center of the color print 15, too, the drops of color 20, 30, 40 themselves partly run into one another.

As Figure 3 shows is beyond that still related to the Figures 1 and 2 The explained coding 70 is also printed next to this color print 15 on the label 10. Figure 3 shows, as mentioned, the original of the color print 15.

If one tries to reproduce this original label 10, for example with a copier or a printing machine, this is only possible by accepting clear and also identifiable deviations from the original label 10 or the original color imprint 15. this shows Figure 4 clear.

In Figure 4 a counterfeit label 10 'is shown. This reprinted or forged label 10 'also has a bar code 70' in the upper left corner of the reproduced label 10 '. At first glance, it's in Figure 4 a very similar color print 15 'to that of the original label 10 can be seen. However, if you look at Detail A, which is in Figure 4 - similar to in Figure 3 - is shown enlarged, closer, it is immediately noticeable that this detail A is provided on the one hand with a grid T, which is not present in the original label 10. It is also noticeable that the radial distribution of the individual color drops 20, 30, 40 and the mixed colors are much more blurred than with the original label 10. This is exactly where the counterfeit item 10 ', which can be a counterfeit label 10', can be easily identified. A forged marking on the label 10 'can be recognized by these differences, namely the rasterized representation of the mixed colors and the less sharp details, in particular in the case of the radial color distributions.

The method for identifying an original marking according to the present invention is briefly explained again here. It is assumed that once the original marking, as it is in Figure 3 is shown, is stored in an image file, preferably a very high resolution image file, at least in sections. If a mobile terminal device, such as a smartphone, the marking according to Figure 3 detected and stored, when comparing this image recorded by the mobile terminal with the image stored in the image file, a match is determined, provided that the image resolution of the previously stored image of the image file is approximately the same as the image resolution with that the mobile device recorded the marking. If the image resolution is slightly different, there will be a slight difference, which will, however, be evaluated in such a way that there is extensive agreement. It is thus recognized that the marking photographed by means of the mobile terminal is an original marking.

If, however, with the mobile device, so z. B. the smartphone, the marking produced by means of a printing process according to Figure 4 , so one in the sense of the present invention If a forged marking is detected, even in the case of a marking that appears to be identical to the pale eye, due to the compulsory, very coarse rasterization of the marking, it is determined that this actually does not match the image file of the original marking. A user of the mobile terminal can easily determine this when he looks at the image recorded with the mobile terminal, that is, the smartphone, greatly enlarged. This is because the rasterization caused by the printing process is readily apparent. The method for recognizing whether it is an original marking or a forged marking can be carried out fully automatically in that the image file of the original marking stored in a storage device is electronically compared with the image recorded by the end customer's mobile terminal . For this purpose, only the image of the marking to be examined recorded by the end user has to be compared electronically with the original image file. This can be easily implemented using a so-called app.

List of reference symbols

10

forgery-proof item, marking

11

first major surface

12

second main surface

15th

Imprint, "fingerprint"

20th

Paint mass, in particular paint drops

21st

blurred area

22nd

Paint splatter

23

mixed range of 20 and 30

24

mixed range of 40 and 20

30th

Paint mass, in particular paint drops

31

blurred area

32

Paint splatter

34

mixed area

40

Paint mass, in particular paint drops

41

blurred area

42

Paint splatter

44

mixed area

60

Air nozzle

70

Coding

10 '

counterfeit item, especially label

11 '

first major surface of the counterfeit item

12 '

Second major face of the counterfeit item

21 '

fake object blurred area

22 '

Splash of paint counterfeit item

31 '

fake object blurred area

32 '

Fake item paint splatter

34

counterfeit item

41 '

fake object blurred area

42 '

Fake item paint splatter

44 '

mingled area of the counterfeit item

A.

Cutout

P

Arrow for air flow

R.

Direction of rotation

T

Rasterization

Claims (16)

1. Method for the mass production of a marking (10) applied to a first main surface (11) of an object (10) with a multicolored print (15) of at least two or more paint droplets (20, 30, 40), each of which is of a different color and which at least partially flow into each other in an arbitrary manner and which are also partially blended together and distributed by an air nozzle (60), characterized by the following method steps:

   - providing the object (10) having at least one main surface (11, 12),

   - applying at least two paint droplets (20, 30, 40) onto at least one of the main surfaces (11, 12) in a supersaturated manner,

   - distributing the at least two paint droplets (20, 30, 40) by means of an air nozzle (60) as long as they have not yet dried,

   - drying the distributed print,

   - abundantly repeating the aforementioned method steps for further objects (10).
2. Method in accordance with claim 1,
   characterized in that the air nozzle (60) rotates.
3. Method in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterized in that the at least two paint droplets (20, 30, 40) are applied to the object (10) spaced apart from each other.
4. Method in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterized in that the at least two paint droplets (20 30, 40) are applied to the object at least partially already overlapping each other.
5. Method in accordance with any of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that the paint droplets (20, 30, 40) are applied to the object (10) by means of an airbrush technique.
6. Object with a marking (10) that is applied in accordance with the method according to claim 1 on a first main surface (11) of the object (10), having a multicolored print (15) of at least two or more paint droplets (20 30, 40), each of which is of a different color and which at least partially flow into each other in an arbitrary manner and which are also partially mixed together and distributed by an air nozzle (60) such that the multicolored print (15) comprises blended regions (23, 34, 24), smeared regions (21, 31, 41), paint splashes (22, 32, 24) and paint streaks.
7. Marking (10) in accordance with claim 6,
   characterized in that the paint droplet(s) is(are) comprised of pigment colors.
8. Marking (10) in accordance with either of claims 6 or 7,
   characterized in that at least three paint droplets (20, 30, 40) of differing colors, in particular of the solid colors red, yellow and blue, are applied to the object (10).
9. Marking (10) in accordance with any of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that at least one of the paint droplets (20, 30, 40) contains additional pigments, in particular florescent pigments and/or glitter particles.
10. Marking (10) in accordance with any of claims 6 to 9,
    characterized in that the object (10) comprises paper, carton, foil or is a textile fabric or a label or a replacement part or similar.
11. Marking (10) in accordance with any of claims 6 to 10,
    characterized in that the object (10), in addition to the multicolored print (15), also comprises a coding (70) in which data is recorded.
12. Marking (10) in accordance with claim 11,
    characterized in that the coding (70) is disposed on the main surface (11) of the object (10) on which the multicolored print is also disposed.
13. Marking (10) in accordance with any of claims 6 to 12,
    characterized in that the marking is stored, entirely or at least partially, as an image file in a data base to be read out upon a subsequent identification of the object.
14. Method for identifying a marking (10) produced in accordance with any of the methods of claims 1 to 5, comprising the following method steps:

    - optically detecting the marking (10) and electronically saving it in a data base,

    - comparing the image detected by the mobile end device with the marking (10) stored in the data base,

    - determining whether an original marking (10) is present if

    a) the image recorded by the mobile end device exhibits no rastering caused by copying, and

    b) the image corresponds, entirely or for the most part, to the image stored in the data base, and

    - determining that the present marking is a counterfeit if at least a) or b) is not fulfilled.
15. Method in accordance with claim 14,
    characterized in that the method is carried out by means of an application by the user photographing a marking to be identified and, using the mobile end device, sends the image to a control apparatus that is connected to the data base and in that the control apparatus carries out the comparison and sends a message to the mobile end device that indicates whether the marking optically detected by the mobile end device is an original marking or a counterfeit marking.
16. Method in accordance with either of claims 14 or 15,
    characterized in that the stored images are stored in the form of an identification number.

Images