Optical component

US6144428A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• ROLIC AG · CH

Inventors

• Martin Schadt · Seltisberg, CH
• Andreas Schuster · Annaberg-Buchholz, DE
• Hubert Seiberle · Lörrach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 26, 1996
• Grant date: Nov 7, 2000
• Expiry date: Sep 26, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B42D2033/26
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

By combination of a hybrid layer formed from an orienting layer and a layer of a cross-linked liquid crystalline monomer with a reflector, and by appropriate local structuring of the molecule orientation, an optical pattern is obtained which cannot be copied using conventional photocopiers. This pattern is useful as means for protecting documents, such as banknotes, credit cards, and the like, from being copied, and can be detected by manually or automatically, operated optical reading devices.