Abstract: A method in a diffractive color system that specifies visual color effects and/or target colors that are formed by mixing together two or more diffractively produced primary colors. The primary colors and the characteristics of the elementary gratings used in producing them are selected in such a manner that they produce the desired exact primary colors particularly in the application-specific lighting and by taking into account, when required, the color of the substrate material and/or other background separately. A diffractive color system implements the method. A diffractive component produces the mixed target color. A product contains one or more diffractive color effects.

Abstract: A microstructure area (201) providing a first diffractive visual effect is produced on the surface layer (240) of a paper or cardboard substrate (230) of a product (200). In addition, a bulge (206) or a recess (207) having a second microstructure area (202) is produced on the surface layer (240), wherein a doubly curved portion (203) is located between the first (201) and the second (202) microstructure areas. Said combination of the bulge (206)/recess (207), microstructure areas (201, 202) and doubly curved portion (203) makes counterfeiting of the product (200) difficult and provides a special visual effect.

Abstract: Micro-protrusions, which constitute a diffractive microstructure, are produced by embossing the surface layer of a substrate by an embossing member having microgrooves in such a way that the cross-sectional area of a produced micro-protrusion is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the microgroove producing said micro-protrusion. Thus, the embossing pressure is small, the risk of adhesion is reduced, it is possible to use a low embossing temperature, and microstructures may be produced at a high speed. Furthermore, the same embossing member may be used for producing a low microstructure, a normal microstructure, and a high microstructure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical and/or optical temperature detector/indicator based on conductive polymers, said detector/indicator being suitably used in such packages for products, the temperature changes of which need to be monitored.

Abstract: A security paper or board product carrying micro or nano structures such as diffractive optical elements is formed in which the diffractive structures are integrated into the security paper or board product in the manufacturing process. A security package carrying diffractive structures is manufactured wherein diffractive structures are integrated into the security package at a manufacturing stage of the security package material. A security package contains authentication information in the form of diffractive structures. The diffractive structures are included in the security package in at least in one of the following forms: as embossed in the package material, as part of the size or paste or resin used in the manufacturing process of the security package, or as part of the ink used in printing the security package or the security package material.

Abstract: A microstructure area (201) providing a first diffractive visual effect is produced on the surface layer (240) of a paper or cardboard substrate (230) of a product (200). In addition, a bulge (206) or a recess (207) having a second microstructure area (202) is produced on the surface layer (240), wherein a doubly curved portion (203) is located between the first (201) and the second (202) microstructure areas. Said combination of the bulge (206)/recess (207), microstructure areas (201, 202) and doubly curved portion (203) makes counterfeiting of the product (200) difficult and provides a special visual effect.

Abstract: Micro-protrusions, which constitute a diffractive microstructure, are produced by embossing the surface layer of a substrate by an embossing member having microgrooves in such a way that the cross-sectional area of a produced micro-protrusion is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the microgroove producing said micro-protrusion. Thus, the embossing pressure is small, the risk of adhesion is reduced, it is possible to use a low embossing temperature, and microstructures may be produced at a high speed. Furthermore, the same embossing member may be used for producing a low microstructure, a normal microstructure, and a high microstructure.

Abstract: A bare diffractive microstructured area on a product is protected against wearing by one or more protruding elements. In an embodiment, the product is provided with a depression, whose bottom is further provided with a diffractive microstructured area. Thus, the rim areas of the depression form a protruding element with respect to the microstructured area. If the product is rubbed, for example, against the surface of a table, the protruding element prevents the rubbing surface from having a physical contact with the microstructured area. The microstructured area does not need to be protected with a transparent protective layer, which entails significant cost savings.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing a diffractive microstructured area on the surface layer of a substrate by embossing. The device includes a die-cutting press that includes a press member and a backing member and at least one die-cutting tool arranged for die-cutting the substrate placed between the press member and the backing member. The press member and/or the backing member is provided with at least embossing pattern corresponding to the microstructured area, against which pattern the substrate is pressed during the embossing, when the substrate is introduced between the press member and the backing member for the embossing. A method for converting a die-cutting press to a die-cutting and embossing device for producing a diffractive microstructured area on the surface layer of a substrate by embossing, wherein the press member and/or the backing member of the die-cutting press is provided with at least one embossing pattern corresponding to the microstructured area for embossing.

Abstract: A diffractive microstructure is produced on the surface layer of a substrate using an embossing device. The embossing device includes an embossing roll and a backing roll for exerting an embossing pressure on the surface layer of the substrate. The embossing pressure and/or variations in temperature cause deflection of the embossing roll. To compensate for the deflection, the embossing device can set the embossing pressure exerted by the central area of the embossing roll on the surface layer of the substrate to be at least equal to or higher than the embossing pressure exerted by the end areas of the embossing roll on the surface layer of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to time-temperature integrating indicators, also known as TTI indicators, which are easily printable on substrates, such as packaging materials, and to a method for the manufacture of packaging materials comprising printed TTI indicators. The printed TTI indicator is selectively activated at the time of packaging of a perishable product or alternatively at the time of opening of the package of a perishable product.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic thin-film component, an apparatus implementing the method, and an electronic thin-film component manufactured according to the method. A lowermost, galvanically uniform conductive layer of electrically conductive material is first formed on a substantially dielectric substrate, from which lowermost conductive layer conductive areas are galvanically separated from each other to form an electrode pattern. On top of the electrode pattern it is then possible to form one or several upper passive or active layers required in the thin-film component. The separation of the lowermost conductive layer into an electrode pattern takes place by exerting on the lowermost conductive layer a machining operation based on die-cut embossing, i.e.

Abstract: A method in a diffractive color system that specifies visual color effects and/or target colors that are formed by mixing together two or more diffractively produced primary colors. The primary colors and the characteristics of the elementary gratings used in producing them are selected in such a manner that they produce the desired exact primary colors particularly in the application-specific lighting and by taking into account, when required, the color of the substrate material and/or other background separately. A diffractive color system implements the method. A diffractive component produces the mixed target color. A product contains one or more diffractive color effects.

Abstract: This publication discloses a method for identifying items, such as sheets of paper, or packages, a resistance mark arrangement, and reading apparatus. According to the method a mark made of electrically conductive material on the item is read contactlessly, in order to identify the item (7), or determine its properties. According to the invention, the precise absolute or relative resistance value of at least one electrically conductive mark (6) is determined and the measured resistance value is converted, for example, with the aid of a coding table or calculation formula, into information depicting the identity or properties of the item.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical and/or optical temperature detector/indicator based on conductive polymers, said detector/indicator being suitably used in such packages for products, the temperature changes of which need to be monitored.

Abstract: A micro-optical grid structure formed on a substrate, a method for producing the grid structure, and a product that includes one or several pattern areas formed by the grid structure. The grid structure is arranged to produce for a viewer a holographic or corresponding visual effect based on the diffraction of light by directing the light diffracted from the grid structure and corresponding to the design wavelength substantially to only a few diffraction orders. Single diffraction order thus corresponds to a certain observing direction of the visual effect observed on said design wavelength. The grid structure is arranged to leave a free range of angles between adjacent observing directions, such that the grid structure being examined from directions corresponding to the range of angles does not produce for the viewer a clearly observable effect based on diffraction, the grid structure is thus substantially transparent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to time-temperature integrating indicators, also known as TTI indicators, which are easily printable on substrates, such as packaging materials, and to a method for the manufacture of packaging materials comprising printed TTI indicators. The printed TTI indicator is selectively activated at the time of packaging of a perishable product or alternatively at the time of opening of the package of a perishable product.