Optically variable devices, their production and use
First Claim
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1. An optically variable device, the device comprising:
- a control element or layer comprising a material that is permanently or temporarily electrically charged or polarized such that an electric field emanates from the material;
one or more responsive optical element(s);
the control element or layer and the responsive optical element(s) moveable in the device relative to one another upon application of an external influence upon the device, to change the distance of separation of the control element or layer from the responsive optical element(s), and therefore to change the strength of the electric field impinging upon the responsive optical element(s) from the electrically charged or polarized material of the control element or layer;
the relative movement and/or the change of the strength of the electric field impinging upon the responsive optical element(s) causing a change of perceivable or detectable optical properties of the device,wherein the control element or layer comprises an electrically insulating material that exhibits, or can be caused to adopt, a positive or negative electric charge or polarization sufficient to cause the electric field.
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are devices that change their appearance and/or physical properties when under an external influence, and methods for their production and use. Such devices may be used as features of any type of items, documents, billboards, posters, display devices, advertisements and other items etc. and may be adapted to include decipherable content. Such devices also afford new techniques for a user to check quickly and easily whether the item is a legitimate or a counterfeit copy, either by hand-manipulation of the device, or with the assistance of an additional screening tool.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An optically variable device, the device comprising:
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a control element or layer comprising a material that is permanently or temporarily electrically charged or polarized such that an electric field emanates from the material; one or more responsive optical element(s); the control element or layer and the responsive optical element(s) moveable in the device relative to one another upon application of an external influence upon the device, to change the distance of separation of the control element or layer from the responsive optical element(s), and therefore to change the strength of the electric field impinging upon the responsive optical element(s) from the electrically charged or polarized material of the control element or layer; the relative movement and/or the change of the strength of the electric field impinging upon the responsive optical element(s) causing a change of perceivable or detectable optical properties of the device, wherein the control element or layer comprises an electrically insulating material that exhibits, or can be caused to adopt, a positive or negative electric charge or polarization sufficient to cause the electric field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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16. A variable device that undergoes a user-detectable tactile change, the device comprising:
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a control element or layer comprising a material that is permanently or temporarily electrically charged or polarized such that an electric field emanates from the material; one or more responsive element(s); the control element or layer and the responsive element(s) moveable in the device relative to one another upon application of an external influence upon the device, to change the distance of separation of the control element or layer from the responsive element(s), and therefore to change the strength of the electric field impinging upon the responsive element(s) from the electrically charged or polarized material of the control element or layer; the relative movement and/or the change of the strength of the electric field impinging upon the responsive elements causing a change of perceivable or detectable physical properties of the device, wherein the control element or layer comprises an electrically insulating material that exhibits, or can be caused to adopt, a positive or negative electric charge or polarization sufficient to cause the electric field. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification