JP2003312174A - Discrimination medium for object, manufacturing method thereof and object discrimination method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a discrimination medium for an object difficult to forge and capable of easily and certainly discriminating genuineness. <P>SOLUTION: The discrimination medium for the object is constituted so as to discriminate the genuineness of the object by providing a discrimination display such as a character, a pattern or the like on the object so as to optically discriminate the same. This discrimination medium is equipped with the first layer 1, the second layer 2 having a color and/or an image different from that of the first layer and spherical transparent beads 3 embedded in the second layer 2 so as to form a single layer, projected from the second layer 2 at one end parts thereof and brought into contact with the first layer 1 at the other end parts thereof. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flat object such as a package in which a product is packed, a passport, a card, a bill, a cash voucher, a certificate, a certificate, a gift certificate, a picture, a ticket, a public competition voting ticket, or various solid objects. The present invention relates to an identification medium for identifying the authenticity of a physical object, a manufacturing method thereof, and an identification method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for preventing forgery of a card or a certificate, for example, a technique of attaching a hologram or applying a special ink on the surface of the object is known. In the hologram, it was identified by visually confirming that it looks three-dimensional and that the color changes depending on the viewing angle. In addition, there are fluorescent inks and magnetic inks as special inks, which are no different from normal inks by visual inspection, but by irradiating ultraviolet rays or detecting with a magnetic sensor, the target information is identified by hidden information. be able to.

[0003]

However, as the hologram manufacturing technology has become widespread, the counterfeit technology has improved, and it has become possible to easily manufacture a counterfeit product that is indistinguishable from a genuine product. Further, the fluorescent ink and the magnetic ink have similar drawbacks that they are easy to forge because similar products are easily available, and the device for identification is large and requires a power source, which is not convenient.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing and a method of identifying an object identification medium which is difficult to forge and which can easily and surely identify true or false. .

[0005]

The object identification medium of the present invention is an object for identifying the authenticity of an object by optically providing an identification mark such as a character or a pattern on the object. Of the first layer, a second layer having a color and / or an image different from that of the first layer, a single layer embedded in the second layer, and one end of the second layer. And spherical transparent beads protruding from the layer and having the other end in contact with the first layer.

When light is incident on the spherical transparent beads, the incident light is focused at the interface with the first layer or the second layer, and is reflected there and travels in a path opposite to the incident path. Note that such a phenomenon is called retroreflection. When the identification medium of the present invention is viewed from the front, the light reflected by the first layer can be seen, and when viewed obliquely, the light reflected by the second layer can be seen.
Therefore, an object provided with such an identification medium can be identified whether it is a genuine product or not by the color and image observed from the vertical direction and the oblique direction, and the authenticity can be easily and surely identified. You can

In the present invention, it is preferable to provide a light-shielding intermediate layer between the first layer and the second layer. The intermediate layer prevents the color and image of the first layer from being seen through the second layer, and allows the first layer and the second layer to be clearly visible. In addition, in order to prevent the transparent beads from falling off, it is also a preferable mode to coat the transparent beads with a transparent resin layer having a refractive index different from that of the transparent beads. Further, the second layer can be provided in a plurality of layers by changing the color and the image. In this case, since the colors and images change depending on the viewing angle, it is more difficult to forge.

The first layer can be composed of colored paper or resin, or the surface of paper or resin printed with a pigment or dye. Further, the second layer can be made of resin. For example, a person's face or the like is printed on the first layer, and the second layer is colored with red or the like. In this case, the person's face is visible when the identification medium is viewed from the front,
When the field of view is tilted, the entire face turns red and the human face disappears. Further, if a small portion of the transparent beads is in contact with the first layer, the human face can be seen only when viewed from the front. These may be those that can be visually recognized with visible light, but forgery becomes more difficult with the following configuration.

For example, at least one of the first layer and the second layer may be a light storage layer which stores energy of received light such as ultraviolet rays and fluoresces for a while. In this case, when the object with the identification medium is made dark by covering it with, for example, a palm, the object itself is fluorescent, so that the object can be visually identified from the front and obliquely for identification. Further, at least one of the first layer and the second layer may be an ultraviolet fluorescent layer that receives ultraviolet rays and fluoresces. In this case, the identification medium can be identified by irradiating it with ultraviolet rays and visually recognizing it from the front and obliquely.

As the transparent beads, glass beads or resin beads made of synthetic resin such as acrylic resin can be used, and the average particle diameter thereof is preferably 30 to 90 μm. If the average particle diameter of the transparent beads is less than 30 μm, the performance is likely to be affected by the variation in the thickness of the second layer, the diameter of the transparent beads, and the embedding depth. In addition, the images of characters and the like provided on the first and second layers cannot be clearly seen, and the manufacturing cost of the transparent beads becomes expensive. On the other hand, when the average particle diameter of the transparent beads exceeds 90 μm, the thickness of the transparent beads becomes thick and the surface irregularities become conspicuous. Further, when the transparent beads are provided on the surface of paper or the like, the transparent beads are easily peeled off when wrinkles occur. Furthermore, since the distance between the transparent beads becomes large, images such as characters provided on the first and second layers become unclear. The refractive index of transparent beads is
In order to surely realize the above-mentioned retroreflection, 1.5 to 2.
4 is preferred. When the refractive index is less than 1.5, the position where the light incident parallel to the transparent beads is focused becomes a position ahead of the boundary between the transparent beads where the image or the like exists and the first and second layers. . For this reason, the light incident in parallel does not return to parallel after tracing its path, and the image becomes unclear. When the refractive index exceeds 2.4, the light incident parallel to the transparent beads is focused inside the transparent beads, and the light reflected at the interface with the first and second layers returns while spreading. As a result, the image becomes less clear. However, the present invention is not limited to such transparent beads, and may be colored or colorless as long as it is transparent. Any material such as resin or ink can be used for the first layer and the second layer, and known resins can be used for the light-accumulating layer and the ultraviolet fluorescent layer.

Next, in the method for producing an identification medium of the present invention, a second layer having a color and / or an image different from that of the first layer is formed on the surface of the first layer, and the second layer is formed. It is characterized in that a part of spherical transparent beads is embedded in and the end thereof is brought into contact with the first layer. According to this manufacturing method,
A layer structure composed of the first and second layers and the transparent beads can be easily manufactured.

The production method of the present invention is further embodied as follows. For example, the first on a sheet-like substrate
And then dry. Next, the second layer is coated on the surface of the first layer, and while maintaining its adhesiveness, transparent beads are supplied onto the second layer to adhere them as a single layer. Then, after removing the excess transparent beads on the second layer to make the surface uniform, the powder is embedded in the adhesive layer with a press, a pressure roll or the like, and then the second layer is solidified. An identification medium can be manufactured.

Alternatively, a vibrating container is filled with a pressure medium such as transparent beads and iron balls, and the vibrating container contains the sheets having the first and second layers. As a result, the transparent beads attached on the second layer are driven into the inside by the pressure medium, and the transparent beads can be embedded in the second layer. In this case, the embedding depth of the transparent beads can be adjusted by adjusting the hardness of the second layer, the processing time, and the like. Further, it is preferable to reduce the wettability of the transparent beads (increase the water repellency) by treating the transparent beads with a surfactant or coating with a suitable resin. By performing such a treatment, when the transparent beads penetrate the second layer and reach the first layer, it becomes difficult for the material of the second layer to adhere to the transparent beads, so that the optical characteristics are improved. Can be made.

Even in the manufacturing method as described above, the first layer may be non-adhesive such as paper or a resin sheet. Alternatively, the first layer may be made of an adhesive material that does not cure. In this case, by forming the first layer on the release layer such as release paper, the release layer can be peeled off and the identification medium can be attached to an arbitrary object.

The intermediate layer can be formed by applying, for example, a white paint on the first layer, or can be formed by depositing a metal such as aluminum. After forming the first layer, the intermediate layer, and the second layer, when the transparent beads are embedded by the manufacturing method as described above, the intermediate layer is broken by the transparent beads and the transparent beads come into contact with the first layer. In order to enable such treatment and to obtain a light shielding property, the thickness of the intermediate layer is 500 to
1500Å is preferred.

The identification medium of the present invention comprises a transparent bead first,
Since it is embedded in the second layer for manufacturing, special equipment and parts such as a vibrating container and a heating medium are required. Such equipment is not so complicated and large in size, and its cost is not an obstacle to the introduction of the equipment. However,
Since it is unlikely to introduce such equipment to forge an identification medium, it can be said that forgery is virtually impossible.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a first layer, which is colored green in this embodiment. Reference numeral 2 is a second layer, which is colored red in this embodiment. In the second layer 2, a large number of glass beads (transparent beads) 3 are embedded in a single layer in a most dense state in plan view. The glass beads 3 are transparent spheres, and have an average particle diameter of 30 to 90 μm and a refractive index of 1.5 to 2.4. In addition, almost the upper half of the glass beads 3 projects from the second layer 2, and the end of the lower half is in contact with the first layer 1.

In the identification medium having the above-described structure, the light incident on the glass beads 3 from the front is focused at the boundary with the first layer 1 and reflected there, and travels in the path opposite to the incident path. Therefore, when the identification medium is viewed from the front, it looks like green, which is the color of the first layer 1. Also, when viewing the identification medium from an angle,
The light obliquely incident on the glass beads 3 is focused at the boundary with the second layer 2, is reflected there, and travels in a path opposite to the incident path. Therefore, when the identification medium is viewed obliquely,
It looks red, which is the color of Layer 2. Therefore, the object provided with such an identification medium can be visually identified whether it is a genuine product or not by the color difference observed from the vertical direction and the oblique direction.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a light-shielding intermediate layer 4 is provided between the first layer 1 and the second layer 2. In this embodiment, the intermediate layer 4 prevents the color of the first layer 1 from being seen through the second layer 2, so that the first layer 1 and the second layer 2 are clearly visible. can do.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a view showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the first layer 1 in the second embodiment is made of an adhesive, and a release paper 5 is provided on the back surface of the first layer 1. In this embodiment, the release paper 5 can be peeled off from the first layer 1 to be attached to an arbitrary object.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 4 shows a transparent resin layer 6 which covers the glass beads 3 and the second layer 2 in the third embodiment. In this case, the refractive index of the transparent resin layer 6 is different from that of the glass beads 3. In this embodiment, the transparent resin layer 6 prevents the glass beads 3 from falling off, and thus has an advantage of excellent durability.

[Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 5 shows a structure in which the second layer in the first embodiment is composed of two layers, a lower layer 2a and a surface layer 2b. In this case, the lower layer 2a is colored yellow and the surface layer 2b is colored red. In this embodiment, the identification medium appears green in the first layer when viewed from the front. Then, when the viewing angle is tilted, the lower layer 2a looks yellow, and when the viewing angle is further tilted, the surface layer 2b looks red. In other words, it seems to shift from green to red step by step, so that an aesthetic effect can be obtained.

In any of the above embodiments, the first layer 1 and the second layer 2 can be composed of any of an opaque colored layer, a luminous layer, and an ultraviolet fluorescent layer, and the combination thereof is arbitrary. is there. For example, in the third embodiment, the first layer 1 is made of a transparent or semitransparent white material that fluoresces green when exposed to ultraviolet light, and the second layer 2 is transparent or semitransparent that fluoresces red when exposed to ultraviolet light. It can be composed of a white material. In this case, if you look at the identification medium in a bright place,
Only the color (for example, white) of the release paper 5 is visible, but U
When viewed from the front by illuminating with a V lamp, the identification medium appears to shine green, and when illuminated with a UV lamp from an angle and viewed obliquely, it appears to shine red. Alternatively, the first and second layers 1 and 2 may be made of a transparent resin, and characters or pictures may be drawn on each surface with ultraviolet fluorescent ink. In this case, a green character or picture can be seen from the front, and another red character or picture can be seen from an angle.

Further, in the third embodiment, the first layer 1
Is made of a transparent phosphorescent material that fluoresces green with ultraviolet rays, and that fluoresces for a while even if ultraviolet rays are removed, and the second layer 2 fluoresces red with ultraviolet rays and is transparent or semi-fluorescent for a while even if ultraviolet rays are removed It can be composed of a transparent white-based phosphorescent material. In this case, when the identification medium is viewed in a bright place, only the color of the release paper 5 can be seen, but when viewed from the front by taking the identification medium to a dark place or covering it with a palm, it appears to be shining green. When viewed from an angle, it will appear to shine red. Alternatively, the first and second layers 1 and 2 may be made of a transparent resin, and characters or pictures may be drawn on the surfaces of the first and second layers 1 and 2 with ultraviolet ray storage ink. In this case, a green character or picture can be seen from the front, and another red character or picture can be seen from an angle. further,
The first and second layers 1 and 2 can also be directly composed of ink without using a resin. By providing the light storage layer as described above, it is possible to store light on the identification medium by natural light or ultraviolet rays, and it is possible to perform identification by a simple operation such as covering the identification medium with a palm. Therefore, there is an advantage that the identification can be surely performed without requiring a special device such as a UV lamp.

Further, the first layer 1 may be composed of an ultraviolet fluorescent layer, and the second layer 2 may be composed of a luminous layer. In this case, when viewed from the front by illuminating with a UV lamp, the ultraviolet fluorescent layer appears to shine green, but when the UV lamp is cut and viewed obliquely, the phosphorescent layer appears to shine red. Of course, the first
It is also possible to form the layer 1 of the above with a phosphorescent layer and the second layer 2 of an ultraviolet fluorescent layer, and the type of color is arbitrary.

[0026]

EXAMPLES [First Example] After coating a surface of a release paper with a phosphorescent coating (trade name: Luminova G-300F, manufactured by Nemoto Special Chemical Co., Ltd.) so that the film thickness after drying is 40 μm. Dried to form the first layer. This phosphorescent paint was white in a bright place, but absorbed ultraviolet rays and fluoresced green in a dark place. Then, the surface of the first layer is coated with a phosphorescent coating (trade name: Luminova BG-300, manufactured by Nemoto Special Chemical Co., Ltd.) so that the film thickness after drying is 20 μm, and the second layer is formed. did. This phosphorescent paint
It was white in a bright place, but absorbed ultraviolet light and fluoresces blue in a dark place.

Next, glass beads having an average particle size of 70 μm and a refractive index of 2.4 were placed in a container, and the average particle size was 0.2 mm.
Was filled with the above-mentioned pressed steel balls, and the above-mentioned sheet was housed therein, and the container was vibrated. In this case, the sheet was fixed to a plate-shaped jig and adjusted so that the vibration direction of the container was the thickness direction of the sheet. Set the vibration time sufficiently to make the glass beads second.
Embedded in the layer to obtain the identification medium of the example. When the identification medium obtained in a room with illumination turned on was covered with a palm and observed from the front, it was confirmed that the identification medium was fluorescent in green. Further, when the viewing angle was tilted while many identification media were used with the palm, the fluorescent color changed to blue at about 45 degrees.

[Second Example] An identification medium was prepared in the same manner as in the first example except that an ultraviolet fluorescent paint (trade name: Lumipaste Red, manufactured by NEXTAI) was used as the second layer. . When the identification medium was illuminated with a UV lamp from an angle of about 45 degrees and the identification medium was observed from the same angle, it was confirmed that the identification medium was fluorescent in red. Next, when the UV lamp was turned off, the identification medium was covered with a hand, and observed from the front, it was confirmed that the fluorescence was green.

[Third Example] An identification medium was produced in the same manner as in the second example except that an aluminum vapor deposition layer (thickness: 1000Å) was provided between the first layer and the second layer. The identification medium was illuminated with a UV lamp from an angle of about 45 degrees, and the identification medium was observed from the same angle. As a result, it was confirmed that the identification medium was fluorescent in red, and a brighter color was obtained than in the second embodiment. Presented. Next, when the UV lamp was turned off and the identification medium was observed from the front, it was confirmed that the identification medium was fluorescent in green.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the first layer or the second layer is formed by the transparent beads depending on the viewing angle.
Since the layers of are made visible, it is possible to easily and reliably determine the authenticity of the object by visual inspection.
Excellent effects such as difficulty in forgery can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an identification medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an identification medium according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an identification medium according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an identification medium according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an identification medium according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1st layer 2 Second layer 3 glass beads (transparent beads) 4 Middle class 5 Release paper 6 Transparent resin layer

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C005 HA02 HB02 HB10 HB11 HB13                       JB40 KA40                 2G051 AA31 AB20 AC22 CA11 CB08                 3E041 AA01 AA02 AA10 BA11 BA12                       BB03 BB04 BB05 BB10 BC00                       BC03 EA10

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An object identification medium for optically identifying an object such as a character or a pattern so as to identify the authenticity of the object, which comprises a first layer and A second layer having a color and / or an image different from that of the first layer, and a single layer embedded in the second layer, one end protruding from the second layer and the other end being the first layer. And a spherical transparent bead in contact with the layer. 2. The medium for identifying an object according to claim 1, wherein an intermediate layer having a light blocking property is provided between the first layer and the second layer. 3. The identification medium for an object according to claim 1, wherein the transparent beads are covered with a transparent resin layer having a refractive index different from that of the transparent beads. 4. At least one of the first layer and the second layer is a light storage layer that stores energy of received light and fluoresces for a while.
3. The identification medium for an object according to any one of 3 above. 5. The at least one of the first layer and the second layer is an ultraviolet fluorescent layer that receives ultraviolet rays and fluoresces. A medium for identifying an object. 6. A method for identifying an object for identifying the authenticity of the object by optically providing an identification display such as a character or a pattern on the object, wherein the colors and / or images are mutually different. Different identification layer comprising a plurality of layer structure, spherical transparent beads having one end protruding from the surface of the layer structure and the other end contacting the bottom layer of the layer structure,
A method for identifying an object, which comprises observing a plurality of the colors and / or images while changing a viewing angle. 7. A second layer having a color and / or an image different from that of the first layer is formed on the surface of the first layer, and a part of spherical transparent beads is embedded in the second layer. And a method for manufacturing an identification medium of an object, characterized in that its end is brought into contact with the first layer.