DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970

(39 of 1970)

&

THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

[See Section 10 and Rule 13]

TITLE:

“A METHOD OF PRODUCING A VARIABLE IMAGE SECURITY TAG”

APPLICANT:

MANIPAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
A company registered under Indian Companies Act, 1956 having address at
Press corner, Manipal-576104, Karnataka, India

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of producing a variable image security tag. More specifically, the invention provides a method of producing a security tag comprising of overlapped texts and numbers that are printed onto a substrate followed by embossing of the space between the text/image & number lines and thus authenticating a product from counterfeiting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Security printing deals with the technical methods to prevent forgery, tampering or counterfeiting of products. It involves printing of items such as currency notes, products’ wrappers or boxes, stock certificates, postage stamps, cheques, passports etc.
There are numerous technical methods that are used in the security printing industry including special paper, watertags, magnetic inks, barcodes, latent images, holograms, intaglio printing, micro printing, security threads, and serial numbers and so on to create a security tag.
US5582103A discloses a method for making an anti-counterfeit latent image formation object for bills, credit cards, etc. forming projections or recesses on a main body which are not uniformly spaced with respect to each other by embossing or watertaging in such a manner as to create various kinds of patterns, in which said patterns comprise of straight image lines or relief image lines; printing a plurality of straight lines over at least some of said projections or recesses in the at least one surface of said main body at predetermined intervals, said straight lines being printed in at least one different colour from the colour of said main body. The main drawback of this invention is creation of a latent image using engraved or intaglio plate using which it is not possible to have variable pattern on each carton using this technique.
WO2008154541A1 discloses a product authenticator tag on the substrate and includes an intaglio print and a multi-channel hologram. The intaglio print has a primary image visible from a first range of viewing angles and a latent image visible from a second range of viewing angles. The multi-channel hologram has a first channel image visible from the first range of viewing angles and a second channel image visible from the second range of viewing angles. The latent image and the second channel image are related to one another so as to provide an indication of authentication. The main drawback of this invention is creation of a latent image using engraved or intaglio plate using which it is not possible to have variable pattern on each carton using this technique.
There are several problems that are encountered while using above mentioned techniques including: bar-coding on a particular product requires a costly barcode scanner to read the code; watertags although a very strong security tag can create a background that makes it difficult to read the prints in the foreground, thus making the original content illegible; intaglio printing requires engraved plating and special intaglio ink making it a costly affair; holograms cannot be used to produce images with complex movements and require complicated machinery for the production and viewing of hologram; and further many latent image techniques require special filters such as polarizer to view the latent image.
One of the main drawbacks of intaglio or engraved printing for achieving latent image is the requirement of separate plates for each pattern which makes the process costly. Hence, a variable pattern for each product is very difficult to achieve using intaglio or engraved printing.
It would therefore be advantageous to use a method which requires a normal substrate for printing such as paper, paper board and plastic sheet etc. and produce a security tag which does not require the use of bulky scanners and machines to interpret with an enhanced security feature.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing a security tag comprising of overlapping texts/images with numbers herein after called as “pattern” that are printed onto a substrate.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a “pattern” that is variable and unique for each product and generated using a variable pattern generation technique.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of producing a security tag comprising of “pattern” followed by embossing the parallel lines to the text/images and thus authenticating a product.
Yet another object of the invention is to produce a security tag comprising of overlapped texts and numbers that is visible at an inclination of a ranging between 0° to 30° and ß ranging between 150° to 180°.
Yet another object of the invention is to prevent the products from counterfeiting.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a simplified and cost effective process for the production and authentication of security tags.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a user friendly security tag for easy authentication of product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a security tag comprising of overlapped texts/images and numbers that are printed onto a substrate herein after called as “pattern” followed by embossing the parallel lines to the text/images and thus authenticating a product.
The proposed invention provides a simplified and cost-effective method of producing a “pattern” that is printed onto a substrate followed by embossing the parallel lines over the text/images and thus authenticating a product. The process involves printing of a unique pattern directly on a flexible substrate such as paper, paper board, plastic sheets etc. The pattern is produced by overlapping various individual numbers and texts/images forming over embossed with special pressing tools/die containing special lines to form a raised line structure over the pattern. The pattern thus produced can be seen clearly only at an inclination of a ranging between 0° to 30° and ß ranging between 150 ° to 180 °. The number viewed in the “pattern” at inclined angle is called as “latent image”.
The “pattern” to be printed for authentication of each product is unique and generated through a variable pattern generation technique. Hence a variable pattern is produced for authentication of each product and enhanced security is achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A complete understanding of the process may be obtained by referring to the following drawings:
Figure 1 elucidates a product with overlapped texts and numbers that are printed onto a substrate followed by embossing of pattern forming a security tag;
Figure 2 elucidates the pattern and embossing lines that are used provide added form of protection;
Figure 3 is an illustration of viewing angle for embossed overlapping security lines; and
Figure 4a and 4b elucidates an exemplary example for the view of pattern at two different inclined angles between 0° to 30° and between 150 ° to 180 °.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
In the main embodiment of the present invention, a security tag for authenticating comprises:

a) at least one substrate acting as a base embedded on a product or packaging with flexible thickness ranging from 90 microns to 1000 microns;
b) at least one variable pattern of overlapping number, text, pattern and/or pictorial representation printed on the substrate which is illegible and/or blurred ; and
c) plurality of parallel embossed lines over the variable pattern providing legibility and clarity only at an viewing angle of “a” ranging between 0° to 30° and “ß” ranging between 150° to 180°.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the variable pattern preferably is an overlapping of a number and a text.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the printing is done by digital printing technology using a variable pattern generation technique to ensure every pattern will be unique and variable.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the printing can be “Inkjet”, “Electro-ink technology”, “Electro-thermography”, “Xerography” and the like.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the over-embossing can be done by using special tool or die made up of special lined structure, which over embosses the raised line structure over the pattern and ultimately forms latent image on the substrate.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method of authenticating a security tag comprising:
a) generating a variable pattern;
b) printing said variable pattern on a product and a packaging, or only on a packaging or only on a product;
c) replicating the exact variable pattern of overlapping text, number, pattern and/ or pictorial representation and embossing to make it illegible and/or blurred at viewing angles other than a ranging between 0° to 30° and ß ranging between 150° to 180° ; and
d) comparing the replicated image with variable pattern at a viewing angle of an angle a ranging between 0° to 30° and ß ranging between 150° to 180° for legibility and clarity.
Figure 1 elucidates a security tag with overlapped texts/images and numbers that are printed onto a substrate followed by over embossing of parallel lines on the same text and numbers. It shows a packaging box or substrate with security tag printed on one side. The pattern comprising of specific text and individual numbers same as those printed adjacent to the pattern. As shown in the Figure 1, the pattern on the substrate cannot be identified clearly at normal inclination of eye (90°) but can be clearly seen at inclination of a ranging between 0° to 30° and ß ranging between 150 ° to 180 °.
Figure 2 elucidates the embossing of a plurality of parallel lines that are used provide added form of protection.
Figure 3 elucidates the range of angle of inclinations in which a clear and detectable view of “pattern” will be obtained. The number viewed at the angle of inclination is herein after called “latent image”. The range of angle of inclination at which the pattern is clearly visible is a ranging between 0° to 30° and ß ranging between 150 ° to 180 °.
Figure 4a depicts a view of pattern at angle of inclination a ranging between 0° to 30°. The pattern viewed here shows a number and a text wherein the number is printed above the text and is compared with the number printed adjacent to it on the product.
Figure 4b depicts a view of pattern at angle of inclination ß ranging between 150 ° to 180 °. The pattern viewed here shows a text and a number wherein the number is printed above the text and is compared with the number printed adjacent to it on the product.
Therefore, the present invention provides a simplified and easy process for authentication of products and thus helps in authenticating a product from counterfeiting. The present invention also provides a cost effective method of authentication as it requires simple embossing and printing and is easily viewed by naked eyes without using any special instruments like scanners etc. ,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A security tag for authenticating comprising:

a) at least one substrate acting as a base embedded on a product with thickness ranging from 90 microns to 1000 microns;
b) at least one variable pattern of overlapping representation printed on the substrate, said representation being illegible or blurred ; and
c) plurality of embossed lines over the variable pattern providing legibility and clarity only at a viewing angle of “a” ranging between 0° to 30° and “ß” ranging between 150° to 180°.

2. The security tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said variable pattern preferably comprises of one or more overlapping patterns selected from a non limiting group of text, number, pattern or image or a combination thereof.

3. The security tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said substrate is selected from a non limiting group of paper, paper board or plastic sheet or a combination thereof.

4. The security tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said embossed lines comprise of a set of lines parallel to the pattern in the security mark.

5. A method of authenticating a security tag comprising the steps of:
a) generating a variable pattern;
b) printing said variable pattern on a product and a packaging, or only on a packaging or only on a product;
c) replicating the exact variable pattern of overlapping text, number, pattern and/or pictorial representation and embossing to make it illegible and/or blurred at viewing angles other than a ranging between 0° to 30° and ß ranging between 150° to 180° ; and
d) comparing the replicated image with variable pattern at a viewing angle of an angle a ranging between 0° to 30° and ß ranging between 150° to 180° for legibility and clarity.

6. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the security tag is printed on a flexible substrate with a thickness ranging from 90 microns to 1000 microns.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said substrate is selected from a non limiting group of paper, paper board or plastic sheet or a combination thereof.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein variable pattern is printed using an advanced digital printing technology selected from a non limiting group of Inkjet, Electro-ink technology, Electro-thermography, Xerography etc.