Patents by Inventor Winfried Hoffmuller

Winfried Hoffmuller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20260116115
    Abstract: A security element is arranged to safeguard valuable articles, featuring a motif layer based on a liquid-crystal material that forms a latent motif. The security element includes a first embossing varnish layer on a carrier film, with a motif layer partly on this varnish, based on nematic liquid crystals. A second embossing varnish layer covers the surface. The facing surface of the first varnish has an embossing with at least two regions featuring different alignment structures, creating a second latent motif. These alignment structures include an aperiodic grating with varying grid spacing. The motif layer, forming a first latent motif, overlaps the second latent motif regions. The nematic liquid-crystal material is aligned by the motif-forming regions, producing a discernible motif when viewed through a polarizer. The second varnish layer also has an embossing for a micro-optical relief structure and reflection-enhancing coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2025
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Inventors: Bjorn TEUFEL, Josef SCHINABECK, Andreas RAUCH, Winfried HOFFMULLER
  • Publication number: 20260042312
    Abstract: A security element for a value document includes: a first concealed motif region having a first luminescence layer with at least one first excitation wavelength in the UV-A range; and a second concealed motif region having a second luminescence layer with at least one second excitation wavelength in the UV-A range that is different from the at least one first excitation wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Inventors: Andreas RAUCH, Matthias PFEIFFER, Manfred HEIM, Winfried HOFFMULLER, Christoph MENGEL, Bjorn TEUFEL
  • Patent number: 12371579
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing platelet-shaped effect pigments includes the steps of a) providing a carrier substrate; b) applying aqueous washing ink droplets to the carrier substrate in first regions forming a first motif; c) applying a reflective coating to the carrier substrate such that a reflective coating is deposited on the carrier substrate in the form of a regular contiguous grid in second regions forming a second motif outside the first regions forming the first motif, wherein the first regions form the first motif and have the washing ink droplets form regular islands within the regular contiguous grid, and a reflective coating is deposited above the washing ink droplets in the first regions forming the first motif; and d) removing the washing ink droplets in the first regions together with the reflective coating present thereon and isolating the removed reflective coating in the form of platelet-shaped effect pigments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Winfried Hoffmuller, Michael Sobol, Axel Von Clausbruch, Tobias Rudisch
  • Patent number: 12311692
    Abstract: An optically variable security element is provided for safeguarding articles of value. The security element has a feature layer containing, in a common plane, first and second feature regions arranged so as to accurately fit together. The first feature regions contain a first embossing lacquer layer of a first embossing lacquer into which an embossed structure that creates a first optical effect has been embossed. The second feature regions contain a second embossing lacquer layer of a second embossing lacquer into which an embossed structure that creates a second, different optical effect has been embossed. The first and second embossing lacquers have different solidification properties and different optical properties. A production process is provided for such an optically variable security element, and to embossing arrangements comprising a semi-finished security element product and means of impressing an embossed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Winfried Hoffmuller, Tobias Sattler, Andreas Rauch
  • Publication number: 20240375423
    Abstract: A security element for safeguarding of articles of value, has a motif layer based on a liquid-crystalline material intended and destined to form a latent motif. The security element includes a first embossing varnish layer disposed on a carrier film, a partial motif layer based on a nematic liquid-crystalline material, and a single- or multilayer second embossing varnish layer present over the full area. The first embossing varnish layer has been provided with an embossment having at least two regions with alignment structures of different orientation for formation of a second latent motif. The motif layer, in the form of a first latent motif, is disposed in regions directly atop the first embossing varnish layer and in an overlapping arrangement with the regions that form the second latent motif.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Winfried HOFFMULLER, Andreas RAUCH, Bjorn TEUFEL, Josef SCHINABECK, Manfred HEIM, Thomas MANG
  • Patent number: 12129382
    Abstract: A platelet-shaped magnetic effect pigment is provided for use in a printing ink, and includes a layer construction with a magnetic layer and at least one optical functional layer, such that the magnetic layer is based on a magnetic material having a column-shaped nanostructure and the magnetic columns respectively have a largely uniform preferential magnetic direction deviating from the platelet plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Rahm, Manfred Heim, Raphael Dehmel, Winfried Hoffmuller
  • Patent number: 12128704
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mask exposure method comprising the following steps: —the providing of a carrier substrate; the print application of a radiation-crosslinkable washable dye layer to the full area of the carrier substrate; —the exposure of the radiation-crosslinkable washable dye layer in defined regions to radiation by means of a radiation mask, such that the washable dye is cured in the defined regions; —the applying of a metallization over the full area; —the removing of the non-radiation-exposed washable dye outside the defined regions together with the metal present thereon with the aid of a solvent, such that the resultant carrier substrate has cured washable dye with metal applied thereto only in defined regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Winfried Hoffmuller, Michael Sobol, Andreas Rauch
  • Publication number: 20240308264
    Abstract: A security element for documents of value or the like, has a substrate which has been coated with a heat-sealing adhesive that is non-tacky at room temperature and suitable for applying the security element to a substrate of a document of value. The heat-sealing adhesive contains a radiation-crosslinkable component and a reactive diluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Winfried HOFFMULLER, Christine HETTENKOFER, Erwin BACHER, Patrick RENNER
  • Publication number: 20240165986
    Abstract: An optically variable security element is provided for safeguarding articles of value. The security element has a feature layer containing, in a common plane, first and second feature regions arranged so as to accurately fit together. The first feature regions contain a first embossing lacquer layer of a first embossing lacquer into which an embossed structure that creates a first optical effect has been embossed. The second feature regions contain a second embossing lacquer layer of a second embossing lacquer into which an embossed structure that creates a second, different optical effect has been embossed. The first and second embossing lacquers have different solidification properties and different optical properties. A production process is provided for such an optically variable security element, and to embossing arrangements comprising a semi-finished security element product and means of impressing an embossed structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Winfried HOFFMULLER, Tobias SATTLER, Andreas RAUCH
  • Publication number: 20240042788
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mask exposure method comprising the following steps:—the providing of a carrier substrate; the print application of a radiation-crosslinkable washable dye layer to the full area of the carrier substrate;—the exposure of the radiation-crosslinkable washable dye layer in defined regions to radiation by means of a radiation mask, such that the washable dye is cured in the defined regions;—the applying of a metallization over the full area;—the removing of the non-radiation-exposed washable dye outside the defined regions together with the metal present thereon with the aid of a solvent, such that the resultant carrier substrate has cured washable dye with metal applied thereto only in defined regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Winfried HOFFMULLER, Michael SOBOL, Andreas RAUCH
  • Patent number: 11807029
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optically variable security element, so that for a viewer of the security element, a first color impression is created through the combination of at least the color effects of a first embossing lacquer layer and the coating, and a second, different color impression is created through the combination of the color effects of at least the first embossing lacquer layer, a second embossing lacquer layer and a coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Rauch, Tobias Sattler, Winfried Hoffmuller
  • Publication number: 20230001735
    Abstract: A platelet-shaped magnetic effect pigment for use in a printing ink, includes a layer construction with a magnetic layer and at least one optical functional layer. The magnetic layer is based on magnetic particles fixed within a solid matrix and having a largely uniform preferential magnetic direction deviating from the platelet plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Michael RAHM, Manfred HEIM, Raphael DEHMEL, Winfried HOFFMULLER
  • Publication number: 20220403177
    Abstract: A platelet-shaped magnetic effect pigment is provided for use in a printing ink, and includes a layer construction with a magnetic layer and at least one optical functional layer, such that the magnetic layer is based on a magnetic material having a column-shaped nanostructure and the magnetic columns respectively have a largely uniform preferential magnetic direction deviating from the platelet plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Michael RAHM, Manfred HEIM, Raphael DEHMEL, Winfried HOFFMULLER
  • Publication number: 20220314681
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optically variable security element, so that for a viewer of the security element, a first color impression is created through the combination of at least the color effects of a first embossing lacquer layer and the coating, and a second, different color impression is created through the combination of the color effects of at least the first embossing lacquer layer, a second embossing lacquer layer and a coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Andreas RAUCH, Tobias SATTLER, Winfried HOFFMULLER
  • Publication number: 20220289989
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing platelet-shaped effect pigments includes the steps of a) providing a carrier substrate; b) applying aqueous washing ink droplets to the carrier substrate in first regions forming a first motif; c) applying a reflective coating to the carrier substrate such that a reflective coating is deposited on the carrier substrate in the form of a regular contiguous grid in second regions forming a second motif outside the first regions forming the first motif, wherein the first regions form the first motif and have the washing ink droplets form regular islands within the regular contiguous grid, and a reflective coating is deposited above the washing ink droplets in the first regions forming the first motif; and d) removing the washing ink droplets in the first regions together with the reflective coating present thereon and isolating the removed reflective coating in the form of platelet-shaped effect pigments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Winfried HOFFMULLER, Michael SOBOL, Axel VON CLAUSBRUCH, Tobias RUDISCH
  • Publication number: 20210086544
    Abstract: A reflective security element for checking the authenticity with polarized light, has a retroreflective layer and a birefringent layer arranged in a structured manner on the retroreflective layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Winfried HOFFMULLER, Christoph HUNGER, Kai Herrmann SCHERER, Michael SOBOL
  • Patent number: 10046585
    Abstract: A micro-optical inspection arrangement comprises micro-focusing elements which are composite bodies consisting of a main part and an additional part and which have a reference focal length. The main parts are provided as micro-focusing element preforms, and the additional parts are formed from one or more functional coatings. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a micro-optical inspection arrangement and to a micro-optical displaying arrangement comprising the micro-optical inspection arrangement according to the invention and a microstructure arrangement, in particular a moiré magnification arrangement and a modulo magnification arrangement. The invention also relates to security elements and data carriers that have the micro-optical inspection arrangement according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Winfried Hoffmuller, Michael Rahm, Theodor Burchard, Andreas Rauch, Rudolf Seidler, Anne Bucker, Armin Weingartner, Bernhard Wiedner, Christian Fuhse
  • Patent number: 9911074
    Abstract: The invention concerns a security element having a magnetic coding consisting of magnetic coding elements. At least one of the magnetic coding elements has a grid-shaped magnetic region which is formed by a plurality of mutually parallel grid strips made of magnetic material which respectively have a magnetic anisotropy. The grid strips lead, through their magnetic anisotropy, to the magnetization direction of the coding element being able to differ from the direction of the applied magnetic field. Since the resultant magnetic signals that the grid-shaped magnetic regions deliver cannot be simulated by conventional magnetic regions, said coding elements increase the anti-forgery security of the security element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Rahm, Manfred Heim, Andreas Rauch, Jurgen Schutzmann, Winfried Hoffmuller
  • Patent number: 9840071
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element for a security paper, a valuable article or the like having a substrate (1), the substrate being at least partially furnished with a coating (2) that is substantially tack free at room temperature, and the coating (2) including at least one radiation-crosslinkable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Hoffmuller, Kerstin Sander
  • Patent number: 9734735
    Abstract: An optically variable surface pattern is made available, having at least two partial areas with reflection elements, wherein the reflection elements of the first partial region on the one hand and the reflection elements of the second partial region on the other hand reflect impinging light in different reflection directions. The first partial region is so covered with a first glazing ink layer that a viewer, upon a change of the viewing angle at which the viewer views the optically variable surface pattern, sees the first partial region glow in a first color upon reaching a first viewing angle. The second partial region glows in a second color that is different from the first color upon reaching a second viewing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Glesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Fuhse, Andreas Rauch, Winfried Hoffmuller