Optical device that provides flicker-like optical effects

US10703126B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Crane & Co., Inc. · US

Inventors

• Benjamin E. Bleiman · Cumming, US
• Samuel M. Cape · Woodstock, US
• Paul F. Cote · Barnstead, US
• Jonathan D. Gosnell · Cumming, US
• Gregory R. Jordan · Cumming, US
• Scott K. Palm · Reno, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 30, 2018
• Grant date: Jul 7, 2020
• Expiry date: May 30, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

An optical security device suitable for securing or authenticating high security or high value articles of manufacture when affixed thereto, is provided. The inventive security device produces optically variable effects when viewed from varying points of view and is made up of a microstructured layer having image icon elements that have at least one pigmented material. The microstructured layer is arranged relative to an arrangement of focusing elements such that at least portions of the image icon elements are observable through at least portions of the arrangement of focusing elements, thereby providing at least one synthetic image that demonstrates a color-transition effect as points of view from which the optical security device is viewed are changed. In one particular embodiment, the optical security device comprises (i) an arrangement of image icon elements having a first contrasting material pattern and a second contrasting material pattern; (ii) a fixed arrangement of focusing elements disposed relative to the arrangement of image icon elements such that the image icon elements project a synthetic image when viewed through the focusing elements, and having a first fixed org…