Optically variable magnetic stripe assembly
An optically variable magnetic stripe assembly includes a magnetic layer, an optically variable effect generating layer over the magnetic layer, and an electrically non-conductive reflective layer between the magnetic layer and the optically variable effect generating layer.
1. An optically variable magnetic stripe assembly consisting of: an adhesive layer;
a magnetic layer in contact with the adhesive layer;
an optically variable effect generating layer over the magnetic layer;
an electrically non-conductive reflective layer between the magnetic layer and the optically variable effect generating layer;
an adhesion promoting layer between the magnetic layer and the reflective layer;
a single optically obscuring layer between the reflective layer and the magnetic layer, wherein the optically obscuring layer is non-conducting and is in the form of a single or multicolored design; and
a carrier, wherein the magnetic layer, the reflective layer, the optically obscuring layer and the adhesion promoting layer are supported on the carrier and configured so as to be subsequently mountable onto a portion of a substrate via the adhesive layer.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer has an optical index of refraction of at least 2.0.
3. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein there is a refractive index change of at least 0.5 between the optically variable effect generating layer and the reflective layer.
4. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer is a high refractive index material.
5. An assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the reflective layer is made from TiO2, ZnS or ZrO2.
6. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer has a thickness in the range 0.07-0.15 microns.
7. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer comprises a non-conductive metallic ink.
8. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesion promoting layer includes an optically obscuring material.
9. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the optically obscuring layer is a non-conducting metallic ink.
10. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the single or multicolored design defines visibly readable information.
11. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesion promoting layer is formed by a plurality of sub-layers each with a formulation optimized for adherence to associated layers.