A manufacturing process that allows for the transfer of labels formed from a film to end-use products. The film is covered by a masking layer that is typically die cut to create the labels from the continuous sheet of film. Here, an additional covering layer (or layers) of a relatively stiff material is disposed over the masking layer. The addition of the covering layer results in the processed film being less susceptible to damage (related to unwanted bending) during further processing and/or shipment. Advantageously, the covering layer improves the ability to remove individual labels from the film, particularly with respect to attempting to peel off the thin masking layer.

An optically variable areal pattern has a reflection layer and a micromirror arrangement comprising a plurality of semitransparent micromirrors developed on the reflection layer. The micromirrors are inclined with respect to the reflection layer, such that, by specular reflection, light incident on the micromirror arrangement is reflected on the semitransparent micromirrors. The incident light is reflected partly in a first direction and partly in a second direction that is different from the first direction, in that it passes through the semitransparent micromirrors, impinges on the reflection layer, and is reflected there and, thereafter, again passes through the semitransparent micromirrors.

An optically variable areal pattern has a reflection layer and a micromirror arrangement comprising a plurality of semitransparent micromirrors developed on the reflection layer. The micromirrors are inclined with respect to the reflection layer, such that, by specular reflection, light incident on the micromirror arrangement is reflected on the semitransparent micromirrors. The incident light is reflected partly in a first direction and partly in a second direction that is different from the first direction, in that it passes through the semitransparent micromirrors, impinges on the reflection layer, and is reflected there and, thereafter, again passes through the semitransparent micromirrors.

The present invention relates generally to an optical security device and an optical security system in which hidden images that are invisible to the naked eye under unpolarized illumination, become visible under either linearly or circularly polarized illumination. Preferred fabrication methods of said optical security device are disclosed.

The present invention relates generally to an optical security device and an optical security system in which hidden images that are invisible to the naked eye under unpolarized illumination, become visible under either linearly or circularly polarized illumination. Preferred fabrication methods of said optical security device are disclosed.

A capsule placed on a beverage bottle. The capsule includes a capsule material layer and at least two layers of security ink on the capsule material layer. Each of the at least two layers has a different chemical composition. At least one layer of the at least two layers includes a first composition having flakes exhibiting full reflection of light received at a predetermined wavelength.

A system and method of using the same, wherein the system comprises: an optical surface having a diffractive image generating structure disposed thereon, the diffractive image generating structure itself comprising a layer of reflective material incorporating a plurality of grooved diffractive elements each having a periodic wave surface profile, the periodic wave surface profiles each having a groove alignment direction; a source of incident electromagnetic radiation arranged to illuminate the diffractive elements at an angle of incidence substantially normal to the plane of the surface of the diffractive elements; means for polarising the radiation from the source, and means for polarising radiation reflected from the diffractive elements; wherein the diffractive elements are configured such that, in use, polarisation conversion of the incident radiation takes place, and wherein the diffractive elements are disposed in a two dimensional array of pixels to represent an image; and further wherein the means for polarising is arranged to pass incident radiation having a polarisation state of approximately 45° azimuth to the groove alignment direction, and is arranged to select a polarisation, using the means for polarising the radiation reflected from the diffractive elements, and to pass radiation of the selected polarisation to a detection point.

A system and method of using the same, wherein the system comprises: an optical surface having a diffractive image generating structure disposed thereon, the diffractive image generating structure itself comprising a layer of reflective material incorporating a plurality of grooved diffractive elements each having a periodic wave surface profile, the periodic wave surface profiles each having a groove alignment direction; a source of incident electromagnetic radiation arranged to illuminate the diffractive elements at an angle of incidence substantially normal to the plane of the surface of the diffractive elements; means for polarising the radiation from the source, and means for polarising radiation reflected from the diffractive elements; wherein the diffractive elements are configured such that, in use, polarisation conversion of the incident radiation takes place, and wherein the diffractive elements are disposed in a two dimensional array of pixels to represent an image; and further wherein the means for polarising is arranged to pass incident radiation having a polarisation state of approximately 45° azimuth to the groove alignment direction, and is arranged to select a polarisation, using the means for polarising the radiation reflected from the diffractive elements, and to pass radiation of the selected polarisation to a detection point.

A label (1) of this invention includes an optical function layer (13) configured to pass light of a certain wavelength, a light absorption layer (15) facing the optical function layer (13) and configured to absorb the light of the wavelength, and a light scattering layer (12) intervening between the optical function layer (13) and the light absorption layer (15) and including hollow bodies configured to scatter the light of the wavelength. The light scattering layer (12) is configured to raise a transmittance at the wavelength upon receiving external heat.

A method of authenticating and/or identifying a security article including a first image includes superimposing at least partially the first image of the article with a second image. The second image may be produced by an electronic imager. The method further includes performing a relative movement between the first and second images so as to make it possible to observe an item of information relating to authentication and/or identification of the security article during the relative movement between the first and second images.